Nice people thread part 3- Nice as pie

GDB2222

PasturesNew wrote: »

I just checked. There is no free parking for disabled/blue badge holders at the hospital.

You drop them off at A&E entrance and go park the car. If you need to go in with them, then you leave the car at the entrance whilst you do that. Worst is that they clamp it, thus saving you parking fees. Of course, if you go by ambulance, none of these problems arise.

PasturesNew

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Hi PN,

Any idea of the prognosis: 6 weeks, 6 months?

Absolutely no idea... could even be 6 years 'out of spite'

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

You did not tell me if he served in the forces during the war.

Not during, after, national service.

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

If he did, he will almost likely qualify for some sort of grant from "The Veterans", especially if you can establish a link between his service and current medical condition.

He's not in touch with anybody from back then. No organisations/etc.

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Though I have not personally used the McMillan nurses - I have heard good reports about them.

If you apply for Attendance Allowance, there is a fast track routine for this sort of situation. (Are the application forms down loadable?).
[I just got a 'phone call and then the high level payment, despite my protestations that he could get himself through the night].

This might sound and feel a bit "brutal" both to you and the other nice people, but it is based on my experience with both my mum and then my uncle in the last half a dozen years and the latter was "big C" - actually multiple "big C" as I discovered when I got access to his medical records.

I'm sure all of us here will do as much as we can, but someone local calling in and administering palliative care, would help take the emotional pressure off you.

The trouble I'm having is .... I know nothing. Completely in the dark. He goes, he comes back. Nothing's said. He's private and keeps it all to himself.

tomterm8

PasturesNew wrote: »

You see, this is where I can't quite 'get it'... as I'm not privvy to the illness, like an outsider.... I don't see what my opening sentence would be. I could get the patient to call I guess, but he's obstinate.

If it is the nearest one to you, it is local:D Even if not, they will know who to call.

I think the line I'd use is:

"Hi, My father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer... he is in a lot of pain, and I don't really know who to turn to. Is there anyone I can have a chat with?" and then take it from there.

PasturesNew

lemonjelly wrote: »

How do I know when to pick them?:o

You pick them when they're puffed up - and when they 'pop' when you squeeze them by holding the sides betwen your finger/thumb.

Pick one that's puffed up, pop it, scoop the peas out and eat them...

mmmm

PasturesNew

Davesnave wrote: »

You have at least one brother or sister too. What are they doing/thinking? Can they give some back-up?

1] One's working hard (70+ hours/week) and when not working is doing stuff.
2] Other one's on the other side of the country ... and it's not really their dad.

So, I'm here ....

PasturesNew

tomterm8 wrote: »

Ask at the reception, IIRC, people with terminal cancer are entitled to free prescriptions, and free hospital parking.

There is no free parking at our hospital for anybody.

Is terminal the same as incurable?
This is incurable, not heard the word terminal mentioned yet.

Davesnave

lemonjelly wrote: »

Put like that, we almost booked a 2-3 day break near you davesnave!

Would you recommend bideford?
I recall barnstaple is very hilly?
We rejected ilfracombe as there is basically no beach.

Barnstaple hasn't a beach and neither has Bideford , but both are close to beaches; Saunton and Westward Ho respectively. Both have hilly bits. While Ilfracombe may not have extensive beaches, it is close to some very nice coves, like Lee Bay.

Depends what you are after really. We never go to Woolacombe or Saunton because we're not into miles of sand or surfing. Our favourite beach is Bucks Mills, which has a wee sandy bit and acres of rock pools. A half mile walk from the car park and a very steep climb back keeps most chavs at bay too.

GDB2222

Curiously enough, 30 minutes ago, I had a call from mother in law. She'd fallen, and thought she'd broken her arm. Could we come and collect her, and take her to hospital? The answer was a simple no. I put the phone down and dialled 999. They called her back to assess her, and the ambulance was there within 20 minutes. They can splint the arm, and transport her to hospital in relative comfort.

BTW, MIL is aged 87 and has osteoporosis. She used to be a nurse during the war, so if she says the arm is broken it's a good bet that it is. I didn't ask her how she came to fall, but she may have had a TIA. The ambulance crew will doubtless assess her for that.

Isn't that what the ambulance service is there for? My own view, speaking to MIL over the phone, was that a TIA was unlikely, but why would I substitute my amateur knowledge for that of a trained ambulance crew?

PasturesNew

I actually did the "not nice" thing there and went through quaderas1's entire list of past postings (which all say "ty for share"), marking every one of them spam

And boy that makes me feel good

silvercar

PasturesNew wrote: »

I actually did the "not nice" thing there and went through quaderas1's entire list of past postings (which all say "ty for share"), marking every one of them spam

And boy that makes me feel good

OH

OK

I've removed my thanks if you've decided they are not a "nice person".