Morning, this is the last post in a 3 part series on self care.
Medical Self Care
In the last two posts, the first on personal cares, and the second on Mental Health Self Care, I talked about some of the tools I use for personal care. I am ambulatory to the wheelchair. Meaning, I can walk and stand for tiny amounts, but for everything else, I use a wheelchair.
First and foremost, my EDC. I have a cane, a walker, and a wheelchair. They are all my EDC. Meaning tools and devices I use every single day without fail. I have a smart watch that monitors my heart rate, and tracks my hours of sleep. I also use it in case of falls, as it can call for emergency services in a pinch.
Diabetes Testing supplies. And a medical log. I keep a blood sugar monitor system in my purse when I am away from home. I also have a blood pressure monitor and O2 sat device. I keep a medical log of both symptoms and the results of my blood sugar, blood pressure, pulse and O2 sats. I have a scale, and I know how to use it.
A medical charting app. I can reach my medical providers 24/7 via email. I can keep track of my appointments, send and receive messages to from them, and work directly with them on my care. This is critical for any changes. If something major is happening, for example, when I started blacking out awhile back, I was able to reach out and let them know. Follow up appointments were made, and the cause was found.
Duke, the master of snuggling. Young Master Duke is not a trained medical companion dog. However, that is exactly what he does. He alerts me, if he smells a change, and notices when my blood sugars are dropping too quickly. He helps me to sit up in bed, by providing a cuddly anchor to reach for to help me reposition. He also helps with mental break downs, and helps me to recover from them. He learned this by being the sweet natured dog he is. Again, he is not trained for this, and is not a support dog in anyway. I do not take him out in public except to the dog park, or to the vet. I cannot afford to train him, and he is now an elderly statesman of doggy goodness. When I fall, he runs to me, and lets me use him to help me get back up if I can get up.
The way my house is arranged. Keep in mind, the way my house is arranged with change dramatically when my husband passes on. He doesn’t believe in my using the wheelchair except in emergencies inside of the house. He’s an idiot, but he is my idiot, please go find your own idiot. That said, there is a chair in the kitchen that I can sit on to cook. The house is set up so that I can use a table or other support on those times when standing just won’t do. We don’t use much in the upper kitchen cupboards, and most things are kept at hand in the kitchen. We even have a portable dishwasher, that does that work for us. Once my beloved idiot passes on, I will get some help, and get the crap out of the road so I can use the wheelchair more. I agree to the way it is set up now, simply because he needs it the way it is now.
I know, leaving you on a down note is rude. However, compromise is what it is. Huge hugs my friends, take care. I will corrupt you again soon. -L
AnonymousKnitter 