Trip to A & E

Over this last week Pete has had a bit of pain in his left hip, not too bad but enough to make it uncomfortable for him. When I mentioned it to Claire we decided it was probably caused by his left side working harder to compensate for the pain in his right leg, a bit too much strain on his left hip. Yesterday he complained it was bad and throughout the day it seemed to get worse, going from his hip into his stomach area. In the end I decided the only answer was to go to A & E as I wasn't sure quite what was going on - he couldn't tell me exactly what it was all about and the more I asked about it, the more confused and angry he got. I was really worried he would be admitted as that would be a big problem for him with the aphasia. (The stroke unit understood all about it of course, but on an ordinary medical ward they would find him very difficult). Anyway we got there just after 5pm and were actually called through quite quickly - the triage nurse was very good with him and we went through to a cubicle not long after. She gave him a couple of strong painkillers. It was a struggle getting him on the bed and then into a hospital gown, but then nurses came to take a urine test, take blood for a blood test and do an ECG. The pain seemed to be easing then. Eventually a doctor arrived and did examination etc. with lots of questions. She came to the conclusion it was most probably muscular as his stomach muscles were extremely tight so prescribed a strong muscle relaxant whilst she waited for the blood results. All the results were fine with the exception of the ECG which showed a slower than usual pulse, but she wasn't worried as he had no chest pains. Anyway she said as long as Pete felt he was able to get around at home then we could go, armed with strong painkillers and 6 muscle relaxant tablets. She would also arrange for someone to come in today to see if there was any help with mobility he needed. We got home at about 8.30pm which wasn't too bad as quite often you can spend days in A&E (yes, slight exaggeration, but you know what I am saying!!!)
Today a nurse (?) from the Pathfinder Team came but apart from a strap for him to lift his leg onto the bed, we really have everything we need. She also advised to lay off the physio exercises for a few days (which the dr. also said last night), sit on a higher chair than the sofa and to have a walk around every hour or so to stop the muscles totally seizing up. The pain has been kept under control with the pain killers today, but there are only so many you can take a day, and when it gets bad it does seem to help to walk around. It has been a nightmare time for us both, for him dealing with the pain and for me trying to control his intake of tablets - he would be taking them every couple of hours if he could and it is so hard to say no he can't have them. He then either gets very upset or very angry. Desperate times - possibly the worst so far.
Consequently, I have not been to work today nor can I go tomorrow, this is not too good. I am seriously having to think about the future on this front. Decisions will have to be made - either by me or, hopefully not, for me!!