Leaps of Faith

Trust is.......
Today's post is "inspired" by memories dug up by yesterday's post and  is centred around the use of basic psychological principles when caring for people and when looking after a troupe of eclectic animals.
This morning the last "first job" of the morning is to move the blind Cogburn from his sleeping quarters into his daytime run.
His two hens can negotiate the steep ladder down to the run, he obviously cannot, and so I have to physically lift him from his sleeping quarters, which is at a height of five feet or so from the ground..
From day one I have always talked to him and stroked him to reduce his anxiety of any new procedure and every time I was about to lift him, I say "come on". It is a key phrase that signals "safety" to his peanut sized brain.
Today  every time  "come on" is uttered Cogburn will launch himself forward into space, confident in the fact that I will "catch him" . His leap of faith is  simply a result of reducing his anxiety with continuity.
It's not rocket science.

Today I am reminded of an ex patient of mine called Raymond who I met him around 22 years ago when I started my staffing on the spinal injury re admission ward. Raymond had sustained a complicated spinal injury after a truly horrific accident when he was crushed between the buffers of two trains at work.
He had been in different hospitals for months, and had been transferred to our hospital for treatment for pain issues, skin problems and for rehabilitation.
Raymond clearly needed consistent nursing care and expert psychological  support. Back in the early 1990s we had not then employed a clinical psychologist and so much of the hands on care (physical and mental) was left to us, the nurses.
I was allocated to Raymond as his "Primary Nurse" and a slightly dim, cheerful nurse called Jane was chosen as his "associate" and I remember getting together with Jane to work out a way of approaching Raymond's pain issues, which were vast.
Every other day Raymond would have to have various dressings renewed and every other day he would scream the ward down in pain and fear when this procedure was carried out. Our job was to gain Raymond's trust by employing a whole range of interventions to reduce his anxiety and his pain.

When he was "well" Raymond was described as being a bit of a comic and a flirt (this information we gained from his wife) and so I had an idea to employ a slightly unconventional method of anxiety reduction when we turned him
The conversation between Jane (remember his other nurse?) and myself went roughly as follows.
Me: " Before we turn him towards you...  you stick your tits out and flirt a bit"
Jane:"huh?"
Me: "stick your tits out and give him an eyeful when he turns towards you.. you have a nice cleavage!"
Jane: "you really think so?"
Me "definitely!"
Jane sounding rather pleased: "ok!!"

I am simplifying the interaction somewhat but you will get the "Carry on film and sexist gist" of where I was coming from....
Politically so incorrect, but do you know what? It bloody well worked.

Jane ( who I thought  was secretly enjoying her role) stuck out her boobs in front of a slightly  impressed Raymond before we started and before he could scream she had rolled his face within a knat's crotchet of her straining and pneumatic bosom..
Of course we employed a huge amount of banter and humour before and after "the deed was done".We also used entinox gas and air and organised a plan with Raymond that we would be performing the dressing turn. all together everytime Jane and I were on duty.
In one fell swoop we ensured consistency, humour, effective pain relief and boobs.
It worked like a charm.

Was it professional? perhaps not.
Was it terribly sexist? --too bloody right it was
Would modern day nursing approve?
Perhaps not
Did it work?
Yes it sure did.......
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Good news today
Chris is just leaving Melbourne this morning
and 
The Walking Dead returns this evening.....

50 comments:

  1. It always worked for ME (the threepenny bits, I mean).

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  2. Do what it takes to get the job done and if Jane was willing what was the harm ?
    a bit of harmless flirting & banter goes a long way.

    Enjoy the Walking dead you deserve it after your morning routine. I imagine you have to put Rooster Cogburn to bed too !

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  3. Cogburn is lucky to be cared for by you . . . Sounds like Raymond was too!
    One more sleep! x

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  4. EARL...Finally, I see the link between your nursing career and being head keeper of the Trelawnyd menagerie. Essentially it's just the same except most of your present "patients" are in fact A.OK...So yes - perhaps more Hattie Jacques than Sid James!

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  5. I want to be reincarnated as one of John's animals.

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  6. Do you really 'stoke' your chickens? I hope you meant 'stroke', otherwise a visit from the RSPCA might be in order.

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  7. Can't wait for the new series of The Walking dead-which reminds me hubby returns from his trip tonight *sigh*

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  8. Chris was here?? Kidding.

    Your kindness knows no bounds, John. That is what you makes a wonderful nurse, mate and animal lover.

    I'm your witty thoughtful care is solid with each patient. Keep up the good work, politically correct or not, I would say use what works.

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  9. its techniques like this that built the British Empire... in the last few months of her life I used to carry my dog upstairs to bed, she would physically lean forward as I bent down to pick her up... I love that in animals, the trust they give you is the ultimate in heartwarming love.... SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about the walking dead!

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  10. Love, love, love The Walking Dead! Cogburn is very lucky to have you in his life.

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  11. Walking Dead is pretty good this year - saw the first episode last Sunday. Lots of gory zombie scenes! All is right with the world.

    I think if I ever need nursing care I will go to Trelawnyd to get it. There's a talented, funny and gentle nurse there named John who is absolutely world famous. Also, you get to see tits.

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  12. Awww, I think it's great you found a way to make things easier for Raymond. A sense of humour helps everything. And I love the faith your rooster has in you!

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  13. John I would never hesitate once about putting myself in your care one iota !!! I would be right there with Cogburn leaping off that stoop.

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  14. The more I get to know you, the more I love you :-D

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  15. If Raymond had been into male strippers I'm sure you would have been equally obliging! xx

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  16. Anonymous12:31 pm

    Suit the treatment to the patient....whatever works has been my motto for years.

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  17. Not only good with animals but good with people too! Enjoy the telly tonight. x

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  18. Lucky Raymond on both counts!

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  19. Do you think that wth all the PC rules now in place that we have completely lost the human touch?
    Jane x

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    1. Yes! We are so busy trying not to step on anyone's toes that we completely avoid dancing at all.

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  20. As Chris is now on his way back I expect you are cleaning, polishing, filling the house with the smells of baking, fresh flowers etc., and eliminating all dog odours.

    Re the bursing care - who cares what method is employed as long as it lessens the distress and pain? Long live the individualist nurse who thinks up such amazing ploys.

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    1. just cleaned what's left of the bog pat and now am making bread

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  21. Anonymous2:33 pm

    Boobs? Cleavage? I am shocked. Jx

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  22. Yes, those leaps of faith can be amazing, and finding ways to build a platform so the leaper can find the courage to jump is also an amazing process.

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  23. Lovely relationship that you and the rooster have!

    Boobs? Flirting? Whatever helps!

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  24. I'm that sick of PC this and PC that, it has gone too far. I think I would have recovered way quicker if I had boobs stuck in my face.

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  25. I love how you thought to give him a show...bravo man, bravo! Some "Modern day" Nurses could take a page from your book.

    OMG...we just had our season three premier last sunday night...it's a killer episode :) love me some zombies, and the new bad ass Rick aint so bad either :)

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    1. I prefer the damaged daryl dixon myself a more more interesting character!

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    2. yes, agreed he is interesting...and the inneraction with he and carol in the first episode of season three made me laugh out loud...but Rick, well let's just say I would go on the run from the zombies with him anyday :)and just think when the apocolypse hits, you and I along with daryl and rick could go on the run, and we would never fight over who got who as a mate...lol

      Just soooooooooooooooooo glad to finally be rid of shane.

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    3. I am a bit of a carol fan too, which doesnt go down well with most walking Dead geeks who seem to hate her!
      (how sad am I?)
      ANSWERS ON A POSTCARD

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    4. well then I am sad too...I love her, and when she lost sophia...OMG...yes I cried :)

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  26. Three things John........you must have been a fabulous nurse and you still are lovely and tender towards your animals.....you must be so looking forward to Chris coming back, enjoy your reunion.......and I would love pneumatic boobs.

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    1. thanks lib...but I am still a nurse albeit a part time one!!!

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  27. It goes to show you don't learn everything from books, you have to have common sense as well. Shame it's lacking in a lot of people........

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  28. And so...what trick would you have pulled out of the hat, if it were a lass that needed something of distraction ?
    In the name of compassion only of course.
    Lol :)
    Lucky Cogburn he knows you will not let him down.
    Happy reunions with Chris this weekend, I hope the toilet is fixed !
    ~Jo

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  29. I couldn't wait, I've watched the first episode already online! The tail of the blind cogburns faith in you brought a tear to my eye.

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  30. Well, I'd never tell, and I'd do the same thing now. Brilliant solution.

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  31. I loved both those stories, John. You can only make that leap of faith, when you feel safe with the one who's holding you while you leap.

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  32. Distraction and systematic desensitisation. Works every time. I had a cat that could be persuaded to 'launch' like Cogburn.

    Agree whole-heartedly with Cheryl, Jane and Chris.

    Happy home-coming to Chris! Give him a hug from us all!

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  33. Now hum the tune to Janis Joplin’s Mercedes Benz song. Oh Lord, won’t you send me a man like John Gray. Been searching for years Lord, but none will come my way. I wait for delivery each day until three. Oh Lord,…. You are such a kind and loving man. To even care about a blind rooster and his quality of life is just amazing, and to ease the suffering of someone in such a sad condition is indicative of a very blessed and loving soul!

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  34. At least you made your patient fell as well as you could, John.
    Hope Chris' flight is uneventful and he is or will soon be home safely.
    Have a wonderful weekend back together! ♥

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  35. If it works - do it. And I am happy for you that Chris is on his way home.

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  36. Indeed, totally sexist but obviously very effective! And as you say, Jane seemed to be enjoying this unorthodox procedure!

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  37. ah, entinox ~ fabulous stuff ;-) I spent 2 1/2 weeks in hospital a few years back being "treated aggressively" with drugs when I had a prolapsed disc. Entinox and liquid morphine made me realise how addicts can get, well, addicted to the pain-relieving and just plain feel-good factor these drugs induce!

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