Judy: Appendix V, b.

3. Slacks and shorts - We have found the pants make of stretchy material or Jersey with an elastic waistband to be the bet, preferably in a size slightly larger than normal to allow for muscle spread. They look better and are easier to put on. For someone like myself with a permanent Foley catheter, we find that opening the outside leg seam in slacks from a point mid-thigh to approximately knee level, allows the drainage tubing to pass through unobstructed and almost undetected. This opening can be faced with a Velcro zipper which enables the seam to be reclosed after the tubing is in place.

Judy: Part III, b.

B. Because I still have my daily quota of drinking to finish, evening pills and final serving of fruit to consume, I am arranged with my bedside table in front of me and the wedge foam pillow again behind me.
1. Frankly, this is the first time I have had to myself all day for quiet thinking, planning and just being myself.
2. When I feel like it, this is the time that I devote to relaxing, reading for pleasure, studying, listening to radio or records or watching TV.

Judy: Part II, b.

2. To allow me as much independence as possible, I also use:
a. A universal cuff, made of Velcro, that can be used to hold such articles as a toothbrush, eating utensil or possibly a comb. (See Appendix I, drawing 2)
b. A special adjustable handle which can be fitted onto a glass and hooked over the hand for drinking. This works best with a tall thermo-plastic tumbler.
c. However, because I drink large quantities of fluid each day, a homemade "drinker" is much handier than consuming one glass at a time. This is nothing more than a quart-sized plastic refrigerator container with a hole in the lid through which is placed an elongated straw. (Two plastic straws with ends telescoped and taped together.)

Judy: I, b..

4. Also in use daily is a Hoyer Lifter (Ted Hoyer & Co., Oshkosh, Wisc.), which enables one person to transfer almost anyone from a bed into a wheelchair, chaise lounge or bath tub and back again. A one piece nylon sling serves as a seat and remains under the patient during the day.
5. From daily use we have found:
a. Extra long (39" x 80") contour bottom sheets fit a hospital mattress much better than the regular ones.
b. Blankets cut in half width-wise and bound, cause much less bulk than whole ones, especially when the side rails are raised. To prevent my feet from pronating and to allow excess body heat to escape, we do not tuck the blankets at the bottom, but leave them free and folded back with most of the weight on my shins.