Gene, Being a C5 complete quad to do all that, I applaud you. And transfers? Your doing super! I'm a C6/7 complete, 25 yrs in June Dianna
Hello Johnny- (This is my 1st reply so pardon the cross posting if it occurs) I have been a c5 complete quad for 22 years. About 5 years into this new lifestyle I needed to travel for my job. A caregiver was going with me but she had never helped me with my bowel care before. So about 6 months before the trip I started trying everything I could to do as much of it myself as ;possible. It wasn't long before I taught myself to be independent with my own bowel care. This is how I still do it. I use an E&J shower/commode chair. Stainless steel w/ gray upholstery. They stopped making these but you can still find some new or gently used ones on Craigslist and such. This chair has enough space below the cushion and the frame (on either side) to reach below your bottom. I use both a (1) suppository inserter and (2) dilly stick. I have my caregiver put a "magic bullet" in the suppository inserter once I have it on my hand. I have used a variety of mirrors over the years. I finally settled on a common bicycle mount (round) mirror that attaches to the frame, by the front castor. I lean to my left side with my right arm wrapped around the push handle. I insert the suppository and wait. I do the same with the dilly stick. The only thing I need help with is cleaning the 2 instruments and throwing out the trash. You see, I position a garbage can below my chair when I do my bowel program. That's it! Hope this helps you! Cheers, Gene Growing old is mandatory... Growing wise is optional... -----Original Message----- From: Gene Heppard <[email protected]> To: diannal767 <[email protected]>; wheelsdw <[email protected]>; quad-list <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, Apr 28, 2015 11:10 pm Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] That dreaded bowel routeen question Hello Johnny- (This is my 1st reply so pardon the cross posting if it occurs) I have been a c5 complete quad for 22 years. About 5 years into this new lifestyle I needed to travel for my job. A caregiver was going with me but she had never helped me with my bowel care before. So about 6 months before the trip I started trying everything I could to do as much of it myself as ;possible. It wasn't long before I taught myself to be independent with my own bowel care. This is how I still do it. I use an E&J shower/commode chair. Stainless steel w/ gray upholstery. They stopped making these but you can still find some new or gently used ones on Craigslist and such. This chair has enough space below the cushion and the frame (on either side) to reach below your bottom. I use both a (1) suppository inserter and (2) dilly stick. I have my caregiver put a "magic bullet" in the suppository inserter once I have it on my hand. I have used a variety of mirrors over the years. I finally settled on a common bicycle mount (round) mirror that attaches to the frame, by the front castor. I lean to my left side with my right arm wrapped around the push handle. I insert the suppository and wait. I do the same with the dilly stick. The only thing I need help with is cleaning the 2 instruments and throwing out the trash. You see, I position a garbage can below my chair when I do my bowel program. That's it! Hope this helps you! Cheers, Gene Growing old is mandatory... Growing wise is optional... On Tuesday, April 28, 2015 7:00 PM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: In Ohio, an aid can't do leg bags or bowel care anyway. But an agency should steer you towards a nursing agency. I have an Independant care provider for my help who does all that on *his personal time*. But I did talk to a woman who was a nurse that lives not far from me. I was looking for an independent care provider back-up besides family and found her care through state lists. I'm on Medicaid. Some states may not have independants. I know California does. Keeps you away from agency aides. God Bless all of you who has a good one....they're out there. dianna -------- Original message -------- From: DAVID LEWIS <[email protected]> Date:04/28/2015 8:29 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Quad-list Post <[email protected]> Cc: Subject: [QUAD-L] That dreaded bowel routeen question My brother helps me with my bowel care. But he has to go on a trip. Is there a service or anything that you can get help with. how does others do it when they are all alone? There has to be something. pease give me help. Johnny -----Original Message----- From: Derrick <[email protected]> To: quad-list <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, Apr 28, 2015 9:44 pm Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] That dreaded bowel routeen question I had family for 1st year of sci. I then moved into a house by myself and got services through home agency. It was scary at first. But I have done it now for 15 years. I hire, fire & do schedule.I've had good and bad. I live in rural area so everybody knows everyone. I can weed out the bads before hiring. You have to bite your tongue sometimes but be honest upfront what you need done and how. You have to be flexible. No one likes to work for an ahole. I have had dozens of workers and I only needed to fire one for stealing and another few from not showing up. I put up cameras now. I tell them up front that I need you to show up no matter what if another caregiver cannot cover. I live by myself. You treat them with respect they usually do same. Maybe it different for big city people........ Derrick W On 4/28/2015 9:10 PM, John S. wrote: Personally, I am big on aids and nursing agencies. Everyone burns out. It's better if it isn't family members. You can replace aides and nurses but family should be the last option. Keep your family close by giving them space. Hiring and firing is hard to do but if you're going to control your life it's something you have to learn. I know how it seems like an intimate job but it's just a job that needs to be done right and timely. IMHO BEST WISHES, John -------- Original message -------- From: DAVID LEWIS <[email protected]> Date:04/28/2015 8:29 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Quad-list Post <[email protected]> Cc: Subject: [QUAD-L] That dreaded bowel routeen question My brother helps me with my bowel care. But he has to go on a trip. Is there a service or anything that you can get help with. how does others do it when they are all alone? There has to be something. pease give me help. Johnny
