Exminster????!!!!

Hello!

If you are anything like me, this is probably the very first time you have heard of the little town I am staying in - Exminster.  This town is in the South of England, in a more famous area, (and probably one you have heard of), Devon.  It is situated to the South of Exeter (and is apparently where the Exeter work force live - for that 'country' feeling!).  It is rather lovely here.  The area I am staying in is built up (but the buildings are very pretty).  If I go out for a walk, it is not long before I hit the fields and the scenery.  As you know, I have been here since Tuesday last week, and have already come to like it quite a bit!  I have been introduced to three district nurses, various family members and friends and the family pet - Ollie (he is a springer spaniel - apparently - but he reminds me more of a goat).

On the work front, I have had relatively little to do.  My client is quite independent and rather close to his immediate family.  This has meant that when he wants something done, he asks his father or his sister to do it for him (whilst I enjoy this, I also realise that I have to step up and do some of the work).  It is for this reason that I have tried to do a lot of the housework (like the washing, ironing, vacuuming, cleaning etc).  I think that the last client's comments really struck a chord with me, and as such, I am MORE aware of what I am doing and how much I am doing (this being said, I have not dusted).   My client is a mere 18 years old, so is both unconcerned and unaware of what needs to be done in the house (so, if it were up to him, I would sit around on the internet all day, consulting my phone every now and then!)

This assignment has just flown by.  I have perambulated around the area a bit (but unfortunately, it is very country, so things are quite far apart - which has limited where I go and how often I go out).  Another limiting factor has been the weather.  Since I have been here, it seems to have rained every day (which is absolutely awesome!!!! so I'm not complaining!), although, it has been a little difficult trying to get washing to dry!

Friday saw me getting a frantic phone call from Active Assistance.  Turns out my client told the Care Service Manager (a month ago) that he would be going to Reading from Thursday next week until Monday (he will be accompanied by Salisbury nurses, so will not need a PA).  The CSM seemed not to have made a note of this.  SOOOOO, my client phoned Active to find out why I am going to be replaced by another PA two days before he goes to Reading... and as you may have guessed, they had no idea what he was speaking about (so now, the new PA comes in for two days and has to leave).  When my phone rang a little while after my client had phoned them, I smiled, knowing who it was going to be!!! I knew what they were going to ask me...  I, unfortunately, had to turn them down BECAUSE I will be on a plane to Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening!!!!

Anyhow, this week saw me being trained by the district nurses on how to change my clients catheter.  They were in a little bit of a panic (and a rush), as my client was going camping (which meant that he would be far from home - so if something had to happen, it would be difficult for them to help him.  This would mean he would be treated by people (paramedics/doctors) who are unfamiliar with Spinal Injury related illnesses).  So, they decided that they should train me on how to do it.  So, friday saw me being certified as competent to change catheters.  Before the district nurse left, she assured me that it was highly unlikely that I would have to change my clients catheter (as it had been changed - by me - during the week and should last six weeks).  The district nurse said that they just wanted to be assured that someone who knew what they were doing would be with the client should something happen!

Saturday morning came and I was up at 08h00 (having only gotten into bed at 02h00).  I got my client up and dressed and ready to go camping in cherry tree farm.  However, around 10h00, my client was not feeling very well (which resulted in me having to put him back in bed).  We assessed the situation and decided that he should stay home and call the camping off - just as well because it was pouring down with rain outside and was totally miserable.  My client was bitterly disappointed that he could not go.  His father, feeling sorry for him, logged on to the internet and bought him a ticket to go and see Lee Evans live (whom he thoroughly enjoys!!!!) the weekend after he comes back from the Reading festival.  That, however was not the end of Saturday's events.  Around 18h00 my client called me into his room saying that he felt the symptoms of Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD).  So, my first reaction was to take his blood pressure (which was sky high, as predicted) and give him his medication to lower his blood pressure.  Then came the glorious process of checks (AD can be caused by anything from a tight pair of socks to a blocked catheter).  Guess what it was??????

Yes, that's right... it was a blocked catheter.

Not a worry to me, I give him his options (1: call district nurse out of hours - as it it out of hours, it means that an ambulance is called and a trip to the hospital is in order or 2: changed the catheter myself).  He chose option 2.  So I changed the catheter.  I waited a while and took his blood pressure again, which was back to normal.  Problem eliminated.  Paperwork to complete.

  

Sunday saw my client stay in bed the whole day (only waking up at 13h00), watching movies, the olympics and liaising with people on the internet.  This gave me time to wash and iron, vacuum, clean the kitchen cupboards, watch gymnastics, practice omphaloskepsis (which was unsuccessful), download some music, chat to his father, walk the dog, post some letters, go to tesco's and drink several cups of tea.

My time here is nearly up.  I have thoroughly enjoyed being here in Exminster.  I have enjoyed spending time with my client and helping him.  I have enjoyed the company of my clients family and, for the very first time, I have felt like I am accepted, like I am at home.