Just before lunch I was moved round to another bay as they needed the side room for another patient. I had lunch and then think I must’ve dozed a bit as the afternoon seemed to fly by. During the afternoon one of the hospital’s therapy dogs was brought round to visit patients. I’ve seen quite a bit about them in our staff briefings etc, and see them about the hospital occasionally, but it was so nice spending some time with Wilbur. As a dog lover myself it was lovely to chat to his owner. Wilbur himself was clearly not enjoying the heat and went off and crashed out across the ward floor whilst being fussed over by the nurses. A colleague also popped up to see me so we had a good chat.
I think I must’ve had my head back a bit when it was dressed last time as it was very tight and also itchy. During the course of the day being sweaty and itching it, the top of the dressing came loose and I was aware I could feel the stitches at the top of the incision. One of the nurses checked it and said it looked clean and would get it redressed when they got some time.
Late afternoon I was moved back into the side room again. It seemed very busy around the ward today. I asked again about sorting out my dressing early in the evening but they were still busy with other patients and didn’t feel it was an urgent requirement.
Later in the evening I was helped onto a commode and finally managed to open my bowels. Whilst that in itself was another good step forward, it once again highlighted how much I struggle to hold my head up unsupported by a chair back or pillows, and as I went back to bed I was desperate for some oramorph. The nurse came back in about half midnight, most apologetic that she’d been so busy, and put a clean dressing on.
I slept quite well after that, only really waking to have obs done. When the HCA did my obs at about 6.30 this morning she asked if I needed to be washed. I asked for some wipes and a clean gown and said I’d do it myself. I put them on the end of the bed and went back to sleep until breakfast came round 1/2 hour ago. Breakfast I’ll make an effort for – washing can wait until I’m ready. 😮