6 replies to this topic

[pow76]

Hi ive been reading alot on here and ive only posted a topic once so i guess you can say im new in the posting area. I have 2 questions. ''c/5 c/6The 1st is about the bowel program. My g/f has never did it and i know shes nervous and i dont know if she has the stomache to do it. I know she loves me alot but how do you basically ASK them to do it. She knows it has to be done and ive explained it to her hows its done. The second question is we want to go on a vacation by ourselves. im not able to transfer my self and with out a lift it takes 2 people to do a safe transfer with a sliding board.shes very helpful. but is there anyone in here wanted to go on vacation by themselves but needed a third person? If a 3rd person came i guess that minus the privacy we want. does any hotes have lifts ''never heard of any''......any suggestions from anyone might have went thru this

[kdenon01]

I was totally anti-bowel program at first. I told my husband I would learn everything else, but I didn't want to ever do a bowel program. Well...about 6 months after we got home I decided I needed to learn it. We would have caregivers not show up, etc. Plus we wanted to be able to go on vacations without bringing somebody along. But it's not so bad and I do it for him daily now.

I'm sorry I can't help with the whole transfer thing. My husband is well enough that he can do a transfer with help from me. So we have never had to bring his lift with us. I'm sure someone on here will have an answer for you though!

[rob777]

Hi why not let her join in here and read about bowel care...she will learn more not only that problem. Some girlfriends are here to learn too. Hope that will help you.

[JT80]

from what you say, it sounds like you'll be needing someone else to go with you and your g/friend for transfer purposes anyway, so why not find a helper that can do your morning stuff too? both problems solved. i know cost can be an issue but look at every option - hire locally to yr destination etc?...
think hoist included accommodation will severly limit yr destination options.
you can buy portable hoists but i'm in the dark on these.

[Scribbler]

Bowel care has to be done, that's a fact. If she's willing to do it, then let her see how its done then, half way through your procedure, see if she's willing to try; Its no good waiting until you're on your holiday. Everyone's bowel care is different, some take hours, mine takes 20 minutes at the most.

Having so many different PA's over the years, i've had scores of different fingers up my bum. Its not the nicest thing for anyone to do and even after 50 years, for me, its still the most degrading part of being SCI. When I get a new PA, I make sure they arrive 2 or 3 days before my other PA has her break. My usual PA shows her everything and makes sure she's capable of bowel management.

As for the hoist problem. I'm assuming you live in the USA; I'm in England. I've seen a very good portable electric hoist, which when folded, fits into a Golf Bag sized container, which has wheels.

When it’s erected, which takes all of 3 minutes it fits across the bed with a space at one side for your chair. Its battery operated but does have a charger. We were going to hire one to use on a Cruise but my late wife was too ill to go. I will try and find the website and send you the link.

I hope this has been of use.

Mike

[YYZ]

I say find a medical equipment company near your destination, and have them set up an A frame over your bed. Handi-move is what you want. It is on a track--goes up and down--and laterally. I've never done it before, but I'm guessing you could rent one while you are on vacation--this way you don't need that extra person.

YYZ

[Scribbler]

Here is the link for the UK site. As you can see, its dead easy to install and fits in a neat case, which can be pulled along. I'm sure there's something similar in the US.

http://www.hsccltd.c...able-gantry.asp

Mike