Any nurses out there?

Saw PD specialist today who is going to try and get a specialist pressure area nurse to visit.

In the meantime we need the district nurse to come and assess the situation with the raw area right now. We were promised a visit before 12 today (because we had appointment at hospice) - no-one came. So I rang and arranged that someone would call this evening before 7 pm (when I have to leave for choir) and so far no-one. My DD stays with him on a choir night, but I cannot leave her to discuss her Dad's bum, I will clearly not go out and wait in for the nurse, but I do not even feel sure that they will come at all and I will have missed another practice for nothing.

I know they are busy but it does feel frustrating. I just want someone to look at it and tell us what to do.

Oh Lucky I am so sorry you have such a hard life. Caring for someone is very hard. Maybe your DD won’t mind discussing your DH bum. I used to do everything for both my parents. It is just what you do.
Sending

Medicineplus.gov is a good site to look at for the time being until your DN shows up.
Here's one screenshot.
I do hope your DH/OH has a restful night and the sore heals well.

Lucky; no advice, just a little solidarity as I remember going through all this and it's not easy.

Thanks everyone.

District nurse appeared at about 7.15. She says that the red raw area and the peeling have been caused by the skin getting very dry. She does not think it is a pressure sore starting. I am still puzzled as to why it causes him such intense pain; but will wait for the specialist pressure area nurse and talk with her about prevention. I am ignorant about these things and am desperate not to go down the pressure sore route as I know it is hard to come back from.

I am grateful for all your suggestions.

Rubbish, that's a pressure sore. Is the mattress he is on a good pressure relieving mattress? If not insist one is made available. Try to position him side to side so he is off that area. Get hold of a p r cushion that plugs in when he is sitting. Ask him to stand up every half hour when he is sitting.
Take a photo of the skin as a record and try to get a second opinion.

I'm really glad you'll be getting a visit from the specialist pressure area nurse s/he can confidently confirm whether it is a pressure sore or not. In my experience dry skin does not usually cause intense pain whereas a pressure sore does, so I would be seeking reassurance.

The pain is a symptom of tissue damage. Just keep the pressure off until the tissue viability nurse does a full assessment and a mattress is provided.

I do hope the specialist nurse has the answers you need and a solution to whatever is causing such pain Luckygirl

Annoying for you to have waited all day with what appears to be a visit from the DN which, it seems, left you no further forward.

Shame you missed going to your choir as, you have a life too which is important for you to have for your own well being ?

Tip: keep updated copies of any notes left with you. Useful if anything happens and they get 'lost.' Voice of experience.

I will feel happy when the specialist nurse takes a look at it; and hopefully he/she will be able to provide advice to me on the best way top prevent problems.

He is in less pain now as I have managed to get him sleeping on his side for the last few nights, so he is only sitting on it during the day.

His daytime cushion is a Herida Healthcare "Berkshire", and his mattress is a "Prima Closure" from NRS Healthcare. Both just feel like solid foam.

I try to keep him as mobile as possible and normally he does potter about, but he is done in today as I gave him a strip wash and hair wash, and it takes it out of him completely.

The hospice have offered a monthly jacuzzi bath there and barber input - I might take this up as he might enjoy it.

I have also looked into a carer to give him a good wash and hair wash twice a week - I will see what he thinks.

Lucky girl, what he needs is a mattress run on electricity that alternates pressure. Please push for one of those or if you can and have to ,rent one yourself. Getting on one of those will help to prevent sores .
You can also get one as a cushion. Just foam will not be good enough.
Take a photo of the skin damage.
He is unlikely to become more mobile so the sooner he gets on one of those the better.