Take Wednesday's appointment at the hospital. The nursing home admin booked hospital transport with the central booking facility somewhere in Birmingham. Lovely people, as I'd phoned them myself afterwards to check the finer details. We were told transport would arrive from 7am - Colin's appointment was at 8.35! On the day, since transport had still not arrived by 8.10 and I knew how awful the traffic is usually, I phoned to find out what was happening, to be told that a slot was definitely booked and if they were running late the crew would liaise with the hospital department so I need not worry. Transport arrives at 8.25, crew don't know why booking people book it so early as they don't start until 8.00 with pickups from 8.20 and no, they don't liaise with hospital!! So I'm trying to get thru' on poor signal to department on rickety transport to explain we're late but on our way! What a good start.
We didn't have to wait long for the nurse (who was lovely and understanding - Colin being in his rather large wheelchair!!) to take us into one of the assessment rooms where she quietly and carefully went about all the usual checks. But then we had to wait a good hour for the consultant ophthalmologist!! The waiting area was not as full of patients as we have seen it sometimes but it was busy enough, with staff walking back and forth, talking to each other. All of which was quite difficult for Colin. However he stuck it out, with only one or two 'moments' where he was 'desperate' for the loo!!! The consultant was able to examine the eyes following dilation of the pupils and could see both optic nerves to the eyes was damaged - not being a healthy colour, which of course explains why there isn't even any light sensing happening. Well at least we now know for definite that nothing can be done surgically or with treatment. So Colin will remain in a totally black world.
Then came the very long wait for transport home - it was the same crew for which I was sort of glad. By this time Colin was getting quite edgy and tired - he'd been in his wheelchair since before 7am! And the journey home was ghastly. There had been a problem in Powick and when we arrived at the Ketch roundabout, traffic to Malvern was stationary, so the crew took us through Kempsey to Upton and then on to Malvern. Long way round (although not as long as sitting in a queue!) and very bumpy ride, which really made Colin extremely anxious - if it had been me not seeing where I was going, I'd have probably been sick into the bargain!
So Colin did really well, and after having his lunch at about 1pm he slept it all off in the afternoon.
We've been lucky with the weather for a couple of days, and have been able to get Colin into the fresh air. Yesterday a friend took him in the wheelchair in to the garden, which was lovely. Colin hates being indoors in a stuffy atmosphere. We have also discovered that the red recliner will go through the door of the sun lounge (only just) onto the terrace, so we've done that too. We need to make the most of every chance of 'taking the air' - hope the weather continues to get warmer and it gives us that opportunity some more times!
Jane