Stories from Caregivers: Anita from KANSAS
KS
Anita
FROM KANSAS
My husband has Multiple Sclerosis. He had several urinary tract infections that left him very weak and developed a deep pressure wound. He had surgery on Halloween evening 2011 and received a Supra Pubic catheter, a colostomy and the wound was cleaned and as a result was made 2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches deep. I brought him home after his hospital stay and had some home health, but I was responsible for cleaning and packing the wound twice a day and cleaning and emptying his catheter and colostomy bag as well as changing them. His wound healed after several months and then he fell twice and broke his tibia and fibula then his femur. Now he is bedridden and had to have his colon removed and now has an ileostomy and the Supra Pubic catheter. I am totally responsible for his care as Medicare does not pay for any home health unless he's had a hospital stay. He says I'm the best nurse, but that sure is not what I planned on doing with my life. I'm retired from AT&T and am working part time as Secretary/Treasurer for the CWA Union for AT&T employees.
