Second time is not always a charm
This is my second post using the new WordPress 5.0. I wish I could say everything went smoothly. It did not.
Gutenberg is Mr. Freeze
Once when I tried to edit a post with the new word editor Gutenberg, the whole thing froze and crashed. Another time it seems to have made my iPad keyboard lock so I could not enter numbers.
When in doubt, reboot
Rebooting solved the problems. But I should not have to reboot to fix Gutenberg’s problems. Anyway, with some cajoling, I was able to get it to work, but it took much more time than it should have.
What smell?
One day, I started to hear complaints about the smell of my gel overlay. The gel overlay is about a 3 inch mattress like covering that goes over the actual mattress in a hospital bed. It apparently smelled of urine.
Allergies
In truth, I have a number of of environmental allergies (grass, trees, dust, mold, ragweed, and sycamore) that led me to go to an allergist. I have stopped going to the allergist.
Gilenya side effect
My Multiple Sclerosis medicine (Gilenya) has had the effect of reducing my allergies, and I now suffer only a few days a year with allergies. Anyway, my nose is often stuffed a little, and I don’t have a good sense of smell. If others tell me that I smell of urine, I generally accept their assessment.
Time to accept defeat
After trying to open the cover of the old gel overlay, and clean out the odor, albeit unsuccessfully, we gave up on the old gel overlay, and decided to buy a new gel overlay. We kept the cover of the old gel overlay, just to maintain a cover over the mattress in order to protect the mattress from becoming wet.
Diamonds may be forever, but gel overlays are not
The old gel overlay was a Kloss, which was paid for by Medicare. These gel overlays only last about a year and a half, and I have no real complaints about the old gel overlay. However, it was about time for a new one.
Housecalls on call
I called Housecalls, which is a service of my hospital, and they arrange for home visits from my doctor. I have recommended them before, and I again recommend them or a similar service, from your local hospital.
Years to go
I was advised that it would be another 2 years before Medicare would approve payment for another gel overlay. This means I would have to incur the cost of a new gel overlay out of pocket.
Inexpensive gel overlay
My aide and my wife, decided to get a Drive gel overlay. This is the Drive Medical Premium Guard Gel Mattress Overlay, 3.5″x34″x76 by Drive Medical. Check it out on my Products page. It is one of the less expensive gel overlays, but it works well. It is not waterproof, but most are not waterproof.
Water resistant
This new Drive gel overlay is water resistant. This should be sufficient under most conditions. It is not a perfect solution, but then perfection usually comes at a high price, if at all.
Break in time
I was surprised how quickly the new Drive gel overlay was broken in. Usually, it takes months for the new gel overlay to be broken in, but this took a week or so to break in. This means it became comfortable in about a week.
Expect some sag
All or most of these gel overlays sag in the middle. This one also sags in the middle, but less so than most. Considering the cost, this is surprising good.
Measurements count
Make sure the measurements are correct for your bed and mattress before you buy. I have twin size bed.
Recommended Drive gel overlay
I am including the Drive gel overlay in my recommended products and it should appear shortly on my products page. Please check out this Drive gel overlay for your hospital bed.
Comments
I hope this post has been of help. If there are are any comments and/or questions please leave them below.