"I had to help my husband shower"

My husband’s treatment from the specialist in gastroenterology and her staff at the Northern General was excellent. As my husband has spondolosis and a super pubic catheter, he is also hard of hearing and was recovering from being seriously ill. The Dr suggested he stay in hospital overnight before having a colonoscopy. After waiting over three and a half hours and making his own cup of tea, he was given a bed next to the toilet. He was given approximately four jugs of liquid to open his bowels. This was from 9pm to midnight. After this time he saw no one at all and had to struggle to the toilet. Consequently he did not have enough liquid and I had to be given more during the morning and the colonoscopy didn’t take place until late afternoon.

Early evening I asked if he could be given a shower. The nurse said yes but no one offered to do this. I volunteered and was shown the location of the shower room. My husband with my help undressed, but when he got into the shower there was no seat. I spoke with the nurse and she said there was a suitable shower at the other end of the nursing station. I helped my husband shower but had to find a chair for him to sit on to get him dressed. The nurse wheeled him to our car, which I could have done.

When I left my husband before the colonoscopy, I was very worried but the nurse patted my arm and assured me he would be well taken care of.