Tips and tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks I use to help me remember to:
a. Do my exchanges in time
b. Log my bags used, weight, temperature and blood pressure

#1: I've set up reminders on electronic calendars for the midday and evening exchanges
- on my office account
- on my phone

#2: I've set up reminders on electronic calendars for lunch time (30 minutes before exchange time)
- on my office account
- on my phone

#3: After my last exchange of the night, I set out a paper towel AND the thermometer on the tray
- this helps remind me to log my temperature, blood pressure and weight every morning, because I leave the thermometer on the tray while I'm doing my morning exchange...

#4: I always keep backup supplies of catheter caps, paper towels, hand sanitizer, etc within easy reach of my chair, and replenish my supplies tray as soon as it begins to get low on anything.

#5: I know how long I've been washing my hands (well, gloves, at home :P) by the consistency of the soap foam - as it gets thicker and thicker, and the bubbles get smaller, the foam starts to almost get ropy. That's when I know it's time to rinse the soap off - and most times, just as I finish drying my hands (gloves) I hear the microwave ding so I know the bag is heated and ready to go.

#6: I always have a book with me (or a book AND my laptop) so I don't get bored as I wait to either drain or fill. Or for that matter, so I don't get maudlin - too much time to think and brood otherwise, and then all I want to do is rant.

I also always have a supply of the following in the house to keep the horrible potassium/calcium imbalance cramps from killing me (or even worse, disturbing my sleep :P):

1. Orange juice
2. Bananas or oranges
3. Raisins and other dried fruits

As it so happened, I needed the orange juice last night - I woke up in the middle of the night with that "going to have cramps" feeling, so I quickly chugged down some OJ and ate several handfuls of raisins. Which successfully warded off the cramps so I slept so well I completely overslept and didn't wake up until 9:30am. So I decided to work from home - voila!