Joan's blog on her illness made me think about things I could do in case I get sick--i.e., the flu, a bad cold, sinus infection, etc. The only thing I do routinely is to keep a lot of food in the house--canned soups, tuna, salmon, frozen dinners, bagels, etc. in case I can't get to the food store. The biggest problem I would have is how to get Steve to daycare, since I drive him. Does anyone do other things "just in case"?
I got sick for one day a few months ago. The day care center picked DW up in their van and brought her back. Fortunately, we don't have to worry about dinner since that is provided by our retirement Inn. I did have them bring it to our apartment. I also have people available "on call" who take care of her at other times.
I had a kidney stone attack in the middle of the night. I called an ambulance being DW does not drive any more. We live out in the country and this was the most expensive taxi bill I ever got. $1500.00 to drive 15 miles. I do not have a good solution yet for that.
I have been thinking a lot about this, especially since this thing is lingering, I still have a low grade fever, and I am exhausted all of the time.
Sid is okay to watch TV while I am sleeping, and dinner is delivered, but I am definitely going to put a contingency plan in action when I get better. Especially since I have to have knee surgery next month.
I will share my ideas with everyone when I come up with them.
Emergency hospitilization made me glad some things were in place. I was so sick could not really give any direction until much later that night. DH is at stage 6. Some things that helped;
1. Supply of staples, fortunately had just done my monthly run of stocking up so shopping was not an issue. Think of gatorade for rehydration. 2. Had just gone away for my first weekend and wrote out my DH's daily schedule for my daughter...schedule included not only hourly activities but food preferences. and hints re showering, laying out clothes for next day... all the stuff we do. This was a great help. 3. Meds were poured in container for the week...but I think I would add a medication list to my packet of information if the container was empty 4. Handy list of neighbors or friends to call for assistance...one was called to stay with DH while son rushed me to hospital, fortunately he happened to be nearby that day as did not want to go in ambulence. 5. List of emergency numbers ... DH doctors. 6. Make sure medicine cabinet has essentials; antidiarrhea, antacids, cold meds, pain meds, thermometer.
We live in our own home so when I came home meals had to be prepared. Thank goodness for soups! And as someone mentioned our LO are so into themselves that it was hard for my DH to realize I needed help. Must admit he caught on a little and loved "helping".
Must agree with Joan, cannot wait to get my energy back! Hope this helps.
When I had to be hospitalized overnight a few months ago, my son and daughter looked after their dad and did a good job of it. But, now if anything happened I wouldn't have that back up and would probably have to contact his brothers to help me out. His eldest brother is retired and would probably (I hope) help me.
My son is out of the country till at least next June and my daughter no longer lives with us and cannot easily get off of work as she is the only administrative assistant in the office. My neighbor would sit with him for a short period of time in an emergency but she has two little ones of her own to take care of. My parents would do what they can also, but that is alot of stress to place on them that they don't need.
I do worry about this because he doesn't understand (or care) when I don't feel well and just worries about where his next meal is coming from and when can I take him for his daily excursions to the mall.
My neighbor across the street OFFERED to take my husband in during an emergency. I didn't ask. She OFFERED it. I think she was shocked at how grateful I was for it, but it took a lot off my mind. In addition I've told the local ambulance company not to leave him here if I have to be taken to the hospital.
moorsb, I also live in a semi-rural area. I BELONG to the local ambulance company. Which means I pay them $40 a year so the two of us will be taken in to the hospital at either no charge or a low charge. They will accept whatever the insurance company will pay them (have already done that once). And if the insurance company won't pay them, they charge me a reduced rate. The insurance company will pay if triage at the hospital (which the paramedics do on route) shows that you need to see a doctor on an emergency basis.
My kids had decided I we needed to be signed up for one of those helper agencies to come and help out now and again. Ironically, the evening they were interviewing the help was the evening I went to the hospital for a month and a half.
You can get yourself put into the system, and signed up, and then if you need someone to come out in an emergency and stay with the DS, then they are lined up ready to go. Talk about peace of mind. We used Something Angels. Heavenly Angels? Can't remember. (lol)
I've been using an agency for about 7 mos. now, and the thought occurred to me that I could just increase the hours that the aide is here if I do get sick. It would be worth the expense. But for those not using outside help, that's a great idea.
I ended up going to the emergency room for symptoms of a heart attack. Thankfully they didn't find nothing. Might be anxiety. That's when I realized my daughter needed to be my d.p.o.a. as well as my hubands in case I became incapacitated.