Forgot to mention that at the end of the physio session, I helped with the transfer of kp back from the bench to the wheelchair. It is a 2-person job with this “turner”. One helper stands in front of kp securing the turning device with their foot and hands. The other helper (I did this one) sits by Karen and assists her stand if she needs it. After 40 minutes workout, she definately needed a help up.

Tomorrow (actually today now), Marie is coming in early and together we are both going to learn how to transfer kp from the wheelchair to the bench and back again.

We have no physio on Thursday or Friday this week, so kp is going to ask if she can go home for a few hours on Thursday as well as the Saturday night stayover.

An early blog today as Adele and I have come home to get the house ready for the Queen’s arrival tomorrow. She is coming home for a few hours. I am so excited, I just can’t hide it, I know, I know, I know, I know, I like it ah ha ha. (lyrics may be wrong by a few words there).

Arrived at 9.30am for an early bath. By 11.15am we were all done and ready for physio.

Today’s physio was Marie and I learning how to transfer kp from the wheelchair to the bench and back again by using the turner device.

It is very straightforward and kp does most of the work herself and all I am there for is for steadying kp and all Marie is there for is turning the turner once kp is stood up on it. We did a couple of transfers safely and all was hunky dory.

I then nipped out for a Fish and Chip Supper for us all which we enjoyed in the day room.

We then went back to the room to do our first transfer without the physios present.

We transferred kp to the bed no problem and then back again and then back to the bed again. The last thing we had to do was get kp lying on her back on the bed from the sitting position. Well, it didn’t go quite to plan.

dp:- Put your arm on the bed to bear your weight and lower your back down to the bed. I’ll get your legs
kp:- ok

Well, she started going down slowly and then suddenly THUMP! Her arm gave way or she couldn’t wait any longer, but for whatever reason, she went from sitting up to lying (on the bed) in about 1 second. Karen was laughing her head off, Adele and Marie joined in. She just kind fell back onto the bed.

No harm done, not even any pride lost. We need to work on that one though. It was tricky with the hospital bed as she has a new air mattress (from yesterday) which isn’t very firm for maneuvring but she loves the comfiness of it.

So, enough blog writing, cleaning time. 12pm tomorrow, kp’s coming home

Saturday we have an over nighter !!

dp

It’s 9pm on the night before kp comes home (for a visit). I am so excited I just had to blog ! As you do !

On the way to dropping off Adele at Durham Bus Station, I got a bit upset talking about our Lee (Karen’s nephew, Adele’s brother). He died of leukaemia (aged 19) a few years ago and was very close to us. I can tell I am a bit raw at the moment when it comes to emotions. I just can’t wait to get kp home even though it is just for a few hours.

4 months ago, I never thought (for a minute) that kp would be home again and tomorrow it’s going to come true. Dad has been saying that it would be an emotional time for Karen and that there should just be the two of us there as he thinks she will be quite emotional.

After talking to kp on the phone tonight, I think it is me who is going to be the emotional one. kp is definately excited to be coming home, don’t get me wrong, but like everything thrown at her, I just think she will take it in her stride.

I will try and record a bit of video if I can, but at the same time, I just want to enjoy the moment.

16 hours and she will be home, not that I am counting………..