Tuesday 8 March 2011

A brief moment in time, break up of the fellowship.

On Thursday, our merry band of fellowship, brought together in comradeship; and kindred spirit for a few days and nights spent together in a closeness that many would never experience, began to break up. First to leave was Mrs C. We parted company with hugs and good wishes given as if we had known one another for a lifetime. Even her close family, who’s acquaintance had been made at visiting time, made fond farewells as if we were all close friends. It was strange. We would in all likelihood never see each other again.

Mrs C was soon replaced by C who, following the very swift cleaning of Mrs C’s bed following her departure, was soon its new occupant. We hit it off straight away. She was a teacher in Halifax at a High School, so really not all that far away from me in the grand scheme of things. In the meantime, M was very down. Remember that she had hoped to have keyhole surgery and therefore be returning home on Friday at the latest. As it had turned out, this was not to be, and she was very down and upset, Of course we other members of the Ward 8 fellowship tried our best to console her.

Personally I was not in a bid fat hurry to be discharged from the hospital. In practically the opposite scenario to M, where she had a large family who were all eager to get her home and would be no doubt assisting her, I would be arriving home to an empty flat until such time that I could arrange for K to return from respite. Not exactly a pleasant prospect I am sure you’ll agree. In fact the best day for me to be discharged would be Monday, as the Day Care staff could then collect K from respite and then bring her back home in the afternoon.

Br was the next to depart. And to M’s delight, she was also allowed to leave on the Friday, which left me and C the sole occupants of Ward 8. Mr N paid me a visit that day to announce that I could go home on the Saturday. I asked if it was possible for me to remain until Monday and explained my dilemma about being able to get K home. I was in luck. There were plenty of empty beds over the weekend and hardly any admissions, so I was free to remain until Monday. I would make the best of it and have a wonderful bath every day! With lots of bubbles!

C and I ( she had had her keyhole surgery on the Friday) were now firm friends. It was during one of our conversations about the fact that I would be having follow up chemo, that I learned that she had had chemo following breast cancer. She told me about the wigs you could have to wear, and showed me a picture of herself with long hair before her chemo therapy, one taken after she had her hair cut very short for the chemo, and a recent one at a wedding. All of her photos were on an iPhone. I was very impressed by not only the quality of the pictures but the iPhone itself. Hmm, I thought. I wonder if I could get one when our current contract runs out? I was very impressed.

During Friday night, we had a scare. The fire alarm went off. It didn’t scare me as I was already awake, but C nearly jumped out of her skin. It seemed ages before the fire brigade arrived to turn it off. It turned out it was a resident up in the Penthouse suite who had accidentally knocked the alarm whilst showering. ( Yes readers, this Burley Suite has a sort of hotel on the top floor where people can stay.)

The weekend flew by. I still wasn’t eating much, I still wasn’t sleeping very well, spending large amounts of time at night walking around the corridors and usually frightening the nurses as they sat at their station. Just a good job I didn’t have a white nightgown!

Both C and I were going home on Monday. After breakfast, we packed our suitcases and were ready for the off. My transport arrived and C and I promised to go for a coffee if we bumped into each other when she came to our town, as she frequently did.

The journey home was uneventful. The ambulance driver carried my suitcase upstairs for me, and I then spent time unpacking and putting all my things away. It was strange to be back home. I longed for K’s return in the afternoon. It was no fun being home alone.

TG

14 comments:

  1. I am glad that you managed to stay in hospital until you were ready to leave. It is a real shame that they did away with convalescent homes which provided a really good half way house. My son has an iPhone and I too was deeply impressed so I got myself an iPad which is great and big enough for me to see easily.

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  2. Yes, I've managed to get one on my contract and I love it! Yes it was nice to be able to choose when I went home. Mind you, they were well aware of my personal circumstances. I also agree about the demise of the convalescent homes. They should be brought back. There is a big gap (as I was to find out!) that is not currently being filled between being discharged as 'fit to go home' from hospital, and 'Care in the Community'

    TG

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  3. An amazing tale, T.G. and may I comment on how calm and collected you have remained throughout your ordeal. What a good job you were allowed to remain a few days extra. I cannot believe we have no more convalescent homes. Care in the community; what a joke.

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  4. I totally agree Pen. Its simply not there. You are left totally on your own or expected to ring your GP. I thought that the District nurses would be calling automatically but no. If things begin to go wrong, you have to ring your GP.

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  5. Good to see you back home TG , and I hope K was pleased to see you. I do hope all goes well for you and you don't have to ring the Doctor. As looks to be the only thing available to you what a joke, but not at all surprising. Take care Sheilax

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  6. So glad you are home TG hope things continue to improve as i am sure they will my thoughts are with you and Kay
    Lo xxxx

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  7. I pray that all too soon home will feel more homey. I know it's not much fun being alone. I spent a lot of time away from my family on a recent trip and didn't like it one bit. Grace on your continuing journy down the road of recovery my friend.

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  8. Welcome home TG, and i hope you are coping alright, it's not the ideal situation to come home from hospital and having to cope by yourself, at least it was made a tad easier by having the extra couple of days, very precious they must have been. you take care and hopefully you get a bit of help or assistance from somewhere should you need it.
    Onward and upward

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  9. Thanks Arlene. As it was to turn out, things began to deteriorate after that.

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  10. Oh TG I am sorry to hear that hope you will alberate, take care of yourself. Sheila x

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  11. Thanks Sheila for the comment. I am now much better thanks.

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  12. Technogran, I am a bit late in catching up on posts, but certainly want to add my very best wishes for your continued recovery. You wrote some very descriptive blogs.

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  13. I wish you ah speedy recovery. Home alone, I am sorry that happened to you.

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  14. Thank you Beatrice and Toodle for your comments. They are most welcome.

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