Bathing was much easier today
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
United States
December 22, 2011 11:55am CST
I did what I said I would do. I took my bath while sitting on the toilet. I put my TV table in the bathroom and set my basin there and put my soap on the side. I washed all over and then stood in the shower to rinse the soap off me and then dried off and got dressed. I was still out of breath, so I have my oxygen on right now... but I only had minimal pain.. not enough to stop me from walking.
After that I started a laundry, and then when that was done I put it in the drier and started a load of wash cloths and towels. Now I am here at my laptop with my oxygen on because I got very short of breath.
The SOB is from COPD from when I used to smoke.... there are times when it flares up and I have trouble breathing. It's not due to my other problems.
I'm still going to mention it to my doc about a shower chair. Getsome2 said I should be able to get it at no cost to me... I hope that is true, because I am very limited on my SSDI.. living on that for a month.
I know some of you also have issues where you have difficulties. Did medicare pay for your shower chair?
2 people like this
7 responses
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
31 Dec 11
Shower chairs are sure a good idea hope your Medicare pays for it and you get it soonest. you really need one my friend. By the way didnt know you also suffer from COPD flaring up here and there so I hope this gets better as well. Hugs and lots of love
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
31 Dec 11
I must remind myself to ask the doctor to order me one with a medical supply company. They will have to come and measure, because the way the shower is made, it has two places to put your feet up on, so that makes less floor space in the shower for a chair to fit.
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 11
Well done for washing in such a clever way. It is a shame that you don't have a shower chair but you made things just as good. I am sorry that you get out of breath. That must be quite scary so it is lovely you have oxygen to help you.
I have a 4 year old disabled son and he goes around in his wheelchair. we used to live in a house with an upstairs and a downstairs. However my son got too heavy to carry up the stairs to the bedroom and bathroom. Therefore I wanted to move to a bungalow.
Now we live in our bungalow which is ideal for my disabled son. It already had a wheelchair suitable shower room. However I miss having a bath. There is a fold down seat in a large shower. It has doors and curtains around it. The toilet and the basin look old. I found out the shower was put in around 2006. We had a disabled facilities grant to put in a door and wheelchair ramp.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
23 Dec 11
I think the only thing that would work in my shower is some kind of fold down chair that is affixed to the shower in some way… it’s very narrow in there. I wish we had a tub or a bigger shower but we don’t. It sounds like you have most everything you need for your son. Thanks for sharing with us. It can be very difficult when you don’t have what you need. I did good yesterday. I will do good today too.. I’m not having much pain today, which is a VERY good thing.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
22 Dec 11
I also have copd so can relate to your breathing problems. I bet medicare would probably pay for u a shower chair. U should check w/whwerever u get your medical supplies & ask them if it does.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
22 Dec 11
Hi Anti,
My COPD only acts up when I get too stressed or too much activity.. or when I get sick… I have asthma inhalers but I rarely need them. I usually just get the oxygen on when I am symptomatic.
Yes, maybe the medicare will pay for it.. I will ask my doc when I see him on the 4th. Thanks for coming by Anti.. it’s always a pleasure to see you.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
22 Dec 11
Hi MandaLee,
Thanks for telling me about yours. I hope my insurance will pay for mine.. my medicare, I mean.
@sijabatnaburjut (2171)
• Indonesia
23 Dec 11
No, medicare didn't pay for our shower chair. We pay our medication and our shower chair as well.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
23 Dec 11
I have Medicare part D which pays most of my medications. I just pay $2 for my prescriptions.
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
22 Dec 11
Back when my Mom was still alive she had very bad Diabetes which cause her ankles to swell so bad she could barely stand or walk. She was living with my sister & brother in law at the time so my sister went with her to her Doctor's appointment one day & asked the Doctor if he could put in a request for a shower chair as well as a walker. my Mom was on Disability on the time, so she didn't have to pay for either of these things. It also helped that my Mom's Doctor put in the request himself which in turn helped speed things up.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
22 Dec 11
Hi Robswife, Thank you for sharing this.. this is good to know. Maybe it won't cost me anything either. I hope so. I will ask the doc for it and see what goes.
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
23 Dec 11
I am glad to hear you found a solution on how to bathe, but sorry to hear you are out of breath. I would think that you should be able to get your shower chair paid for through medicare or another program. Definitely take the time and look into it.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
23 Dec 11
I certainly will look into this. I see the doc on the fourth.
