I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Spouses and Caregivers => Topic started by: willieandwinnie on July 26, 2006, 03:58:06 PM

Title: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: willieandwinnie on July 26, 2006, 03:58:06 PM
First Off, Thanks Epoman for this Section. I feel bad sometimes posting or ranting when I'm not the patient. THANK YOU, I will definitely post here.

I don't know if anyone else here has annual home visits but, this Friday is our annual home inspection for hemo dialysis. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a dirty person, but sometimes things have a way of getting away from me. The machine doesn't get wiped down with bleach every treatment. Some weeks the carpet doesn't get vacuumed and I just hate dusting. I am my worst enemy with collecting stuff and then bitch when it needs to be cleaned. I have spent all day cleaning. Wiped down ceiling fan and lights. cleaned machine, cleaned the washer mat the machine sits in, cleaned the mats that are under the chair and under the machine mat to protect carpet, wiped down RO, went through supplies and got rid of expired stuff like lab tubes and conductivity solution, clean chair and took cover off chair mat and washed it, cleaned everything hanging on walls and stuff on table, wiped down TV, cleaned window inside and out, went through dresser and straightened up the mess I had made just shoving paperwork everywhere. Then I got out Spackle and filled holes and then painted, I am surely nuts. I vacuumed and dusted everything in sight. My husband has dialysis tomorrow so Friday morning I'll get up and vacuum the rest of the house and wipe refrigerator container that holds he's EPO. I will not give them one damn thing to complain about. (I hope)

Added to all this cleaning, there was breakfast to fix, pets to feed, dishes to do, laundry, bills to pay, trash to gather, dinner to fix and had a friend whose husband is in DC hospital not doing to well, come by and I fixed her some of her favorites because she isn't eating right and at least I know she ate something today. Oh, and in the middle of all this I did take a shower and wash my hair. Good Lord, when I lay down tonight I will probably just pass out. Is there something wrong with me that I wait until the last minute to get all this done? My poor husband got the job of weed eating the lawn in 95 degree weather.

Anyway, it's done for another year and hopefully I won't let it get so out of hand next year. Hope everyone has a wonderful evening and I'm going to try and catch up with reading other posts.

willieandwinnie
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: angieskidney on July 27, 2006, 04:25:50 PM
You are not crazy .. I know even though I have never been on home hemo .. when they came to check the set up of my PD machine ... it kinda feels like they are judging you .. so you want to have everything perfect. And I am kind of a packrat so for me ... it always feels overwhelming.

But this was my setup for CAPD (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/KatyKabo0m/kidney/CAPD_2002.jpg). I haven't seen hardly any setup's other than this so .. since you got it looking all just so .. now is the time to take a pic ;) Just kidding .. you don't have to :P I just wanted you to know that you are not crazy :)
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Sara on July 27, 2006, 08:08:35 PM
Home visits...ugh.  I can't even imagine. 
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Hephs-little-lady on July 28, 2006, 01:12:08 AM
When the PD nurses came for a home visit, they called us the evening before they came! The day they wanted to come was also the day we were going on holiday so it was chaos here! I felt the same, cleaning like life depended on it.  ::)  I even found myself cleaning places and things that wouldn't make a scrap of difference! I was like a woman possessed!  >:D

As for leaving it to the last minute, I always find I work better under pressure.  :-\   ;D
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Bajanne on July 28, 2006, 05:07:29 AM
First Off, Thanks Epoman for this Section. I feel bad sometimes posting or ranting when I'm not the patient. THANK YOU, I will definitely post here.
willieandwinnie

I too am glad that spouses and caregivers have their own section, to deal with their particular perspective, but I was a little sad to think that you felt some kind of restraint where posting or ranting was concerned.  We are all in this together.  We all hate dialysis together.  It has affected all our lives, whether we are actually on machines or like you, having a loved one on the machine.
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: willieandwinnie on July 28, 2006, 10:52:00 AM
bajanne2000

I didn't mean to make it sound like I felt any kind of restraint where posting or ranting was concerned. I just felt some of my post sounded more like a pity party and MAYBE patients didn't want to hear that when they have other issues. I'll keep posting on other subjects too.

Now on to our home inspection. The nurse walks in, turns around in the clinic room and then we go to the living room and sit for 30 minutes talking. (Wouldn't you know the living room didn't get cleaned). Anyway, we are done for another year. My husband said I was worrying too much over nothing. I just hate it when he's right.

willieandwinnie
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Bajanne on July 30, 2006, 02:07:49 PM
As for leaving it to the last minute, I always find I work better under pressure.  :-\   ;D

The sad story of my life!  :-[    I need to find Procrastinators Anonymous, but I hear they never have meetings because they wait too late to decide a time and place!
But the truth is, it does work for me - research papers when I was in the university, correcting exam work, cleaning for a guest's arrival, meeting any deadline!  I do so much better when the adrenalin is PUMPIN'!
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: angieskidney on July 30, 2006, 02:19:36 PM
I need to find Procrastinators Anonymous, but I hear they never have meetings because they wait too late to decide a time and place!
lol that is sooo funny! Had me laughing so hard  :D
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: kitkatz on July 30, 2006, 11:40:53 PM
But if you did not fuss over it this time, that would have been the time they came and looked it ALL over! Because it looked clean all over they did not fuss with you guys this time.  Lucky you!
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: JerseyGirl on August 06, 2006, 07:23:18 AM
Clinic Home visits are not meant to be punitive.  We just have to make sure you are keeping your supplies in good clean area, etc.  They are meant to be helpful and give suggestions on set up, storage, etc.  Besides it's a Medicare requirement as well. 
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Bajanne on August 06, 2006, 08:11:07 AM
This is why we are so appreciative of having dialysis workers in our forum.  That was a very balanced and sensible view from the other perspective.  This is what is going to make our site special - balance!
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Epoman on August 07, 2006, 04:45:46 PM
Clinic Home visits are not meant to be punitive.  We just have to make sure you are keeping your supplies in good clean area, etc.  They are meant to be helpful and give suggestions on set up, storage, etc.  Besides it's a Medicare requirement as well. 

I can't wait till my first home visit, I am going to put "fake" rats around my supplies, so when they open up the cabinet they will scream.  >:D >:D >:D
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Rerun on August 07, 2006, 04:53:46 PM
Clinic Home visits are not meant to be punitive.  We just have to make sure you are keeping your supplies in good clean area, etc.  They are meant to be helpful and give suggestions on set up, storage, etc.  Besides it's a Medicare requirement as well. 

I can't wait till my first home visit, I am going to put "fake" rats around my supplies, so when they open up the cabinet they will scream.  >:D >:D >:D

OMG that is hilarious.  I have a fake hand if you want to borrow it!   ;D
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Black on August 07, 2006, 06:04:59 PM
I can't wait till my first home visit, I am going to put "fake" rats around my supplies, so when they open up the cabinet they will scream.  >:D >:D >:D

ROFL
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: kitkatz on August 08, 2006, 08:19:57 PM
I have a huge black plastic rat you could put in your dishawasher!
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Kathleen on October 31, 2006, 08:23:46 AM
My husband's pd nurse gave us a 24 hour notice, or so she thought. I just came out and told her that I needed more time. I think I shocked her. ;D
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: jbeany on October 31, 2006, 09:41:20 AM
Oh dear heaven, they inspect the house for cleanliness?  Please tell me they don't do that at my center, pleeeese!  Auuuugh!!!!!!

I'm the housekeeper. . .  how am I supposed to keep the house clean in the middle of training to bring home the machine?  My husband's house cleaning duties end at taking out the trash.  He does vacuum once in a while - which means he pushes the vacuum in the clear spaces on the floor.  He doesn't pick anything up or move anything, and he certainly doesn't use the hose to clean the corners or get the cobwebs off the ceiling.  He doesn't even vacuum under the coffee table - and it's a light little trunk on casters.  (And he wonders why it takes me so much longer to vacuum than it does him.)

Part of what frustrates me most about the limitations of being sick is that I can't clean the whole house in one day anymore.  I have to start at one end, and clean one room per cleaning session.  By the time I get to the last room in the house, the first one is cluttered and dusty again.

Hubby's 4 aunts are all neat freaks. . .maybe I'm going to have to ask them to come help before I get the NX Stage setup here.
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: kitkatz on October 31, 2006, 11:02:35 AM
If I could just find a neat freak to come help out with the house...
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: goofynina on November 01, 2006, 10:23:27 AM
Oh dear heaven, they inspect the house for cleanliness?  Please tell me they don't do that at my center, pleeeese!  Auuuugh!!!!!!

I'm the housekeeper. . .  how am I supposed to keep the house clean in the middle of training to bring home the machine?  My husband's house cleaning duties end at taking out the trash.  He does vacuum once in a while - which means he pushes the vacuum in the clear spaces on the floor.  He doesn't pick anything up or move anything, and he certainly doesn't use the hose to clean the corners or get the cobwebs off the ceiling.  He doesn't even vacuum under the coffee table - and it's a light little trunk on casters.  (And he wonders why it takes me so much longer to vacuum than it does him.)

Part of what frustrates me most about the limitations of being sick is that I can't clean the whole house in one day anymore.  I have to start at one end, and clean one room per cleaning session.  By the time I get to the last room in the house, the first one is cluttered and dusty again.

Hubby's 4 aunts are all neat freaks. . .maybe I'm going to have to ask them to come help before I get the NX Stage setup here.

When i had my house inspected, she just checked all my supplies and made sure i was wiping down with my bleach and stuff,  they also made sure i had a working phone,  (scratches head)  They mainly want to look at your area where you do exchanges and stuff to make sure it is clean and clear from anything that might be bad for you.  It will be fine, dont knock yourself out girlfriend... Let us know what happens, k... Good Luck
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: paris on November 01, 2006, 10:40:37 AM
Jbeany, your husband cleans like mine!  This is one of the hardest adjustments I have had to make. I can't stand all the dust, clutter,etc. He THINKS he is cleaning--but it is only the open areas he does and usually just his things.  I never get everything done now. And if someone came to inspect, well, I would have to call Merry Maids!!     Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone do the floors, dust, scrub bathrooms, clean the kitchen once a week? (other than me!) :clap;
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: jbeany on November 01, 2006, 11:03:14 AM
They're so cute when they're being helpful, aren't they?  "Look, honey, I put my glass in the dishwasher!"   If men are supposed to be visually oriented when it comes to sexual attraction, why can't they see anything else?  Like the clutter on the table or the junk piled up on the bench by the door?  *sighhhhh*
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: kitkatz on November 01, 2006, 08:48:42 PM
My hubby will let the junk just pile up. Does not even notice it unless it gets in his way!  Right now this place is a half way renovated mess. The master bathroom is torn asunder all the way.  The guy is to come in and build the bench and replace water fixtures and stuff comes tomorrow or Friday.  Then the tile guy come in.  The bathroom will look nice when it is done, I hope.
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Rerun on November 01, 2006, 10:00:38 PM
I has been hell having this house for sale.  I have to keep it clean at all times because someone might want to look.  At first I would hide all traces of dogs.......not anymore.  I take the dogs with me but the rest stays.
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Kathleen on November 02, 2006, 07:32:15 PM
My hubby will let the junk just pile up. Does not even notice it unless it gets in his way!

Oh How funny, my husband is the same way. ;D
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Black on November 02, 2006, 09:40:43 PM
Jbeany, your husband cleans like mine!  This is one of the hardest adjustments I have had to make. I can't stand all the dust, clutter,etc. He THINKS he is cleaning--but it is only the open areas he does and usually just his things.  I never get everything done now. And if someone came to inspect, well, I would have to call Merry Maids!!     Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone do the floors, dust, scrub bathrooms, clean the kitchen once a week? (other than me!) :clap;

Oh, does that sound familiar ::) - "testosterone blindness" - same condition which makes things disappear in the refrigerator, cupboards, their closet and dresser drawers.

Merry Maids would be heavenly!  I settle for my husband's cousin coming in occasionally and cleaning the kitchen, doing Mike's laundry and cleaning his bedroom.

She is a real sweetheart and has volunteered to come house sit and take care of our 4 dogs and our cat while I go for NxStage training with Mike.  I hope they keep him at least two weeks after I come home, so she, and I, and another cousin, can do the whole house while he is gone!!!  He's not going to like that he comes home to new flooring and all of the carpet is gone out of his bedroom and bath.

I'm also setting up numerous ebay auctions for things which I don't want him to see going out the door to the post office.  The bed frame for the guest bedroom is in his work shop and I intend to get it set up in the space I clear out while he is gone.  Most of the racing memorabilia I plan to sell he will never miss as he has so much, and many of them are duplicates he has not seen in decades.  He will be placated by the fact that I will also be selling lots of my "junk", and the fact that we plan to move much of the "dog stuff", which has some how made its way into the house, back into my boarding and grooming business.

Should look great by the time the training nurse comes to check us out on his first dialysis at home.
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: kitkatz on November 03, 2006, 07:12:19 AM
Sounds busy.
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: carolyn77531 on February 13, 2007, 04:37:47 AM
epoman, never thought about that with the plastic rats...i should had done that with our home visit..I was nervous about our home visit..it was over in about 2 minutes...the pd nurse drove 45 minutes to come to my home......I played a joke on my daughter surgeons when she was getting the pd catheter..but, i will post some where else
Title: Re: Clinic Home Visit
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on February 13, 2007, 05:03:20 AM
They're so cute when they're being helpful, aren't they?  "Look, honey, I put my glass in the dishwasher!"   If men are supposed to be visually oriented when it comes to sexual attraction, why can't they see anything else?  Like the clutter on the table or the junk piled up on the bench by the door?  *sighhhhh*

For god's sake give the guy a break, We're men, we can't multitask! he put his glass in the goddamn dishwasher didn't he?