I love those quiet few moments on the field after a night shift......the whole place is still, calm and generally silent what with every coop and house full of dozing poultry and waterfowl, and a few long deep breaths recharge the soul after a night in the claustrophobic and windowless intensive care unit
This morning there was a heavy frosty mist over Trelawnyd....and it was lovely to wander in the coldness and review the work of the night.
I looked after a woman who was poorly but stable. Her own mother sat vigil over her daughter's bed all night and the two women held hands for many hours as I pottered quietly around both of them.
I never have a problem with relatives. Maternal and paternal feelings cannot be questioned or commented upon, especially as I have no experience of the depth and strength a parent/child bond can actually be.
Of course I give out the usual, kind comment of " I think you should get off home for a shower and a sleep" but when there is a need to stay together, all you can do as a nurse is smile, be supportive and make sure a comfortable chair and a blanket is always available.
I will never know just how gut wrenching a serious illness can be to a parent of a child of any age.......seeing parents' traumas almost every night at work sometimes makes me thankful that I only have my dogs to worry about
Off to my brother's house now! more dogs in the pond time!
It takes a very special person to care for those in this condition. Thanks for making it easier for them.
ReplyDeleteYour patients and families are very fortunate to have you to care for them because you really do care. I add my thanks to Gail's. And thank you for posting, John, and letting us share. I think one of the reasons your blog is so special is because you do care about so many things.
ReplyDelete...I will never know just how gut wrenching a serious illness can be (to a parent of a child of any age)...
ReplyDeletenow read ...(to a loved one of a loved one of any species)...
that's how it works John...it's all about love.
Hope Andrew is doing well, and the dogs have fun!
I worry who will be there for me someday...But I hope that when that time comes, that I'll have a kind caring nurse like you John...
ReplyDeleteBless you for your pottering around. I remember when my mother was dying how important the quiet presence of the nurses was to me. On what we thought would be her last night I was allowed to remain in the hospital. I was given a pillow and blanket, was made comfortable in the waiting room and was told I could visit her in intensive care at any point during the night. At 2 AM a nurse who had just gone off shift came and sat with me in the waiting room. We didn't say much but he was just there for me for a half hour. That was 20 years ago but his act of kindness still brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think you do have an idea John, because our animals become just as important to us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous morning to view. God bless. ♥
Those photos John are beautiful! Nice that you were there to experience that!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are wonderful. Would have loved to walk right into them for a bit.
ReplyDeleteYou're a strong man John G. Don't think that I'd have the strength to work as you do, hat's off to you my man.
ReplyDeleteOh and damn your photos, finishing nights this morning on the road back home I was confronted by the same eerily beautiful scenes, ah photo opportunity thought I, Batteries flat said the camera, damn, damn and damn..
Regards,
John W.
If I were on intensive care I would want you caring for me - but no bed baths thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely attitude you have towards those you care for...blessings for them and you! How calming your photos are...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am convinced you have experienced that bond between two souls that love one another, and are faced with saying their goodbyes.
ReplyDeleteYou have a kind and tender heart John, it shows.
Love those shots of the village in the mist this morning, so peaceful and serene.
~ Jo
John...you write so beautifully "to take a deep breath to recharge the soul..." It is easy to understand the way you feel as you are so good with words. Your patients are very lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteLove your misty photos of the field. Quite magical looking.
ReplyDeleteI've been on both sides of the mother-child thing. As a child waiting in the hospital all day long until my parents would get there...it's mostly all I thought about until they arrived each evening. On the opposite end,I tried to stay most waking hours with my son when he was hospitalized at 13. I generally loved my nurses as a kid...even hoped to become one until I learned all the biology that was required! Knowing your good heart I'd have loved you too.
You're a star, John.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments but enough already! no more john big ups...its not why I wrote the blog....it was just something that crossed my mind when out for my early morning walk!
ReplyDeletethank you all again xx
as for bed baths pud!
I take the skin off.... you've KNOWN you have been bathed!!!!
nice atmospheric shots John
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow nurse/midwife I totally empathise
ReplyDeleteJane
That is just the right kind of attitude - to observe, to be there to offer help and comfort but not to question. I think the people you nurse are jolly lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteIs it ok to do an Oedipus joke now?
ReplyDeleteoff you go thomas!
ReplyDeleteCripes an crikey John, I only got back from your blog last night at lunch time - turned on my PC and bugga me if you havnt gone and blogged another post already. All the way back up the M5 again, just to say "Nice post John. Touching too. Truly."
ReplyDeleteNow let me totter off home again and fall into my cave before you blog off again. Ta.
P.S. When i joined your blog, forty two years ago, it refused to show my Blogga Icon. I was wearing lots of make up too, so it shouldna have been too scary wary?
Hmmm.
Ok - an old joke:
ReplyDeleteA classic Jewish mother takes her son to a shrink, and afterwards, the doctor takes her into his office for a talk.
"I am afraid to say that your son has an Oedipus Complex, Mrs Green".
"Is it life-threatening?"
"No, not really".
"Well then - Oedipus, Schmoedipus - what does it matter, so long as he loves his mother?"
boom boom!
ReplyDeleteMy Mother cared for my Sister, who has M.S., for years until she could no longer care for her in the way that my Sister needed. My Moms heart breaks for my Sister every day. As does mine.
ReplyDeleteYour Friend, m.
I can smell the mist from your photos.
ReplyDeleteJohn you are most definitely an awesome person. You understand deep feeling as a nurse and animal lover. You are compassionate and loving. I hope some day in our lives I can meet up with you.
ReplyDeleteA parent and child relationship is indeed God's greatest gift. How a parent can go on after the lose of a child is beyond me though. I hope to never feel that in my life time.
I'm sure you give exactly the right amount of support, care & empathy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other comments, you are a very special person....
ReplyDeleteGill
As a nurse of 25 years (15 of them on nights )I can tell by your writing you'd be a nurse I'd love to work side by side with. We are gifted with the sights, sounds, sorrows during the night that other staff rarely experience. We're the lucky ones aren't we ?
ReplyDeleteJohn your photo's are wonderful. I agree with the others....I think you do know what it feels like to be a parent of a sick child when it comes to your beloved pets. Love is love. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteMaura :)
Love those pics! And I love nurses like you. Anytime I've hospitalized, it has aways been the nurses I remember. The doctors, by and large, have sucked. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're doing an amazing thing. Beautiful pictures too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDelete