Transitional Care Unit Bad Dream

The Transitional Care Unit (TCU) that I was taken to was totally wrong for a person like myself who is not capable of walking unassisted. When I was told that they had all the equipment that I would need for my rehab I took them at their word and expected a full blown rehab centre with equipment for all kinds of rehabilitation situations for all kinds of disabilities. When I got there I found next to no equipment except a recently rented mobile type Hoyer lift with a universal sling.  The bathroom had a commode chair over the toilet and a second commode chair on wheels in the shower area, also appearing to be new.  What was missing was anything to stand me up and let me weight bear on my legs and feet.
I was told that I would get 2 showers a week and had to pick my days, I picked Sunday and Thursday, other days would be a wash down in bed prior to getting up.
 Morning one I was unceremoniously woken by two PSW's walking in and snapping on the lights.  I  was uncovered and stripped by one while the other rummaged around looking for my soap, moisturizer, towels and wash cloths. The oversized, powered fire door was left wide open and I was in full view of anyone and everyone walking by or hanging out in the halls. It is lucky that nudity doesn't bother me or I may have been cowering on the bed trying to protect myself. I was washed all over with soap and water, rolled side to side to get my back and bum and then rubbed down with moisturizer from top to bottom.  All in all kind of nice in an abstract way.  As breakfast was ready they advised me I would be eating in bed this morning as they didn't have time to get me dressed and out of bed.  I objected because I don't like eating in bed and I don't breath well while reclined, even a little bit.  I have slept with a BIPAP machine for the last several years due to my weakened diaphragm and need it anytime I am reclined or laying down.  The only option offered was to get me up before the shift change which meant between 5:30 and 6:00 as was the routine for the rest of my stay.
Staff shortage was a daily occurrence and as safety rules dictate that it takes 2 people to lift a patient with a Hoyer lift I spent an inordinate amount of time sitting on a commode chair while waiting for a second person to lift me off.  Sometimes I was there over an hour with my legs going numb from the cheap and uncomfortable toilet seat that was definitely not made for someone with a skinny butt like me.
While on the topic of commode chairs I will share a couple of other concerns that you need to be aware of. When lifting someone with a Hoyer lift and a lifting sling that leaves the bum area clear to sit on the toilet, the patient is always leaned back a bit and has to be pulled backwards onto the commode chair.  Alternately, a concern for men when being lifted off the commode chair is that the the liftee will swing forward before going up putting the hanging genitals in peril from the forward edge of the toilet seat.  Believe me when I say this only happened once as I made sure to let everyone around aware of the situation before any subsequent lifts were made.  Another day the cheap, plastic toilet seat that was snapped on at the hinge flipped off when I was lowered off centre and cut me between the anus and the testicles.  I was bleeding quite badly so a nurse was called to look at it stop the bleeding and subsequently a doctor was called to make sure all was well.  At least as well as it could be.
I was five weeks in this Transitional Care Unit before an occupational therapist finally came in to talk to me, arranged a home visit and got me out of there.  The experience left me with a case of fungal dermatitis between my legs and pressure sores on my hip and both heels that I am still fighting.  In future and for any one else in a similar position, I suggest that someone check out the facility before you get sent there and if possible, make plans for rehab prior to the surgery.
I am writing this 5 months after the surgery and am still fighting to regain some strength that I fear is gone forever.  I did not expect the IBM to be compounded by surgery that would cause me to lose so much strength.