Due to a heavy bout of pseudomonas in the lungs and bladder I've been having 3 x daily visits off the community CF nurses for some time. Half way through a visit one day about 6 weeks back their digital ear thermometer decided to pack up . The nurse tried to fix it , to no avail . I was asked if I had a thermometer they could use . We were upstairs in my room where I have all my medical accessories etc .
I said " yes , I have one in the en suite in a glass on the shelf , but it's a rectal thermometer .
The nurse asked did I mind if that was used . I didn't hesitate in replying with a " No ! Of course not ."
Ever since that day my temperature was taken with the rectal thermometer .
Visits went to twice a day last week as I had improved a lot . Still my temperature was taken rectally at each visit .
At the weekend I became very unwell with a sore throat and cold symptoms .
Monday night I went to bed and I lay shivering for many hours . I don't remember much about what happened but I woke up in resus after having a fit due to a fever of 41.3.
I spent the night in hospital with a continual rectal temp probe in due to tonsillitis and a chest infection. The probe was removed yesterday morning and my temperature was taken via an ear thermometer .
I came home yesterday and am back on 3x daily visits . The nurse arrived last night and prepped everything . 2 IV antibiotics , 2 IM injections , one of anti sickness meds and the other immunoglobulin , IV fluids and suppositories for the fever .
I was only dressed in shorts and a vest as it was a very hot day here yesterday . The nurse came through with the first tray of items . I noted the two IM injections , the glass thermometer and the supps. Usually they insert the thermometer, then do the two IM injections , remove the thermometer and then insert the supps if needed .
I'd lowered my shorts and was lying on my tummy ready to receive the two IM injections . I just presumed they would use the ear thermometer again as that's what they had used in hospital . I was waiting to feel the coolness of the alcohol wipe when instead the nurse put his gloves on and said " I'm just going to insert my finger before I insert the thermometer "
I replied with " oh ! I thought you would use the ear one since that's how they took it in hospital "
The nurse replied with " your shorts are down for the two shots so I may as well just do it this way . That way I can just get on with connecting your ivs and doing your physio . It's no big deal , unless you don't want me too ? "
" It's fine , it gives my bum chance to recover from the Injections before I turn over and have to lie on it for physio " I said , laughing .
So it has continued to be taken rectally . This is only because I'm at home . I would never expect it to be done with a rectal thermometer in hospital . Those probe things they use are made of a very fine soft rubber . I didn't feel it inside me . I was too ill to realise to be fair .
I've discussed rectal temps with all the nurses that have visited me . They have nothing against taking temps rectally . They said digital ear and forehead scanners are used for quickness and are more economical. I don't think glass rectal thermometers will be making a comeback anytime soon .