I'm on my break
Sipping a large Diet Coke
My face mask has been up and down on my face like a tart's knickers
And I feel dehydrated and rather tired tonight.
I'm on holiday after this shift
The Emergency meeting at the Village Hall allocated me and Sailor John two streets in Trelawnyd to police.
Our jobs is to liaise with every household and let everyone know how to contact us if they need anything.
The velvet voiced Linda from Well street was well in charge and sweetly asked if I needed anything
I told her that I was always concerned about dog food given the selling out of doggychunks at Sainsbury's . She kindly said she would look out for some
I'm tired but fine.
I'm mindful that others are somewhat less robust than I and are in need of a Kind word and an appropriate quip. A matron from the local hospital has been in touch asking if I can possibly return to Intensive Care .
The thought of proper 12 hour shift PPE sends a shiver down my spine
My present face mask is claustrophobic enough, even though it's generally useless.
I hear there are no visitors allowed on ITU
No one to stroke your hair
The world is going crazy and you are on the front lines. Take care of yourself John.
ReplyDelete12 hour shifts - not healthy under normal circumstances, but in these abnormal ones? I am still (just about) registered as a nurse, despite years of Public Health and university health education work. I kept my registration going as a 'just in case' and at 58 was not going to bother revalidating next year. Wondering now if I'll get my call up papers. And if I can find dog food too - the shelves seem to be emptied of everything. The young nurse crying on the tv tonight because she couldn't buy any food, the picture of a very old lady using a rollator and staring at empty supermarket shelves, the people in pubs ignoring warnings until the government shut them down, just seem to sum up what a nation we've become. Perhaps it was ever thus? There are a lot of good people in this world - as the community spirited actions in Trelawnyd demonstrate, but there are also a lot of very selfish people. In 'normal' times it's unpleasant but in the circumstances we find ourselves in now it's dangerous. This is a terrible virus. Medics and nurses are not immune. Stay safe John.
ReplyDeletethank you for being a first responder, john. get a good rest and a hot bath after y=this shirt.
ReplyDeleteNo one is in demand these days like nurses and healthcare workers! Everyone is depending on you.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't working in Intensive Care put your hospice patients at higher risk if you were to pick up the virus? I never ever considered going into health care of any kind (couldn't handle all the bodily fluids!) but if I had I'd be stressed through the roof right now. What courage it must take to treat folks with this virus and even to be part of the cleaning staff in medical facilities. My heart goes out to everyone in the line of fire.
ReplyDeleteOh John what a mess this all is. Take Care.
ReplyDeleteHug the Gud Dugs and Kitty for me !
parsnip xx
Elmo needs his mask to cover his nose but I know his intentions are good.
ReplyDeleteI agree that ICU duties would imperil your hospice patients and although it's hard to choose in this situation, go with your heart.
First, get some sleep and enjoy your time off.
Hugs!
The rate of suffering and worse would be far higher without the likes of you. Thanks a million and more.
ReplyDeleteYou front line folks are priceless angels. Hope you get to use that downtime to it's fullest.
ReplyDeleteTrelawnyd is in safe hands.
ReplyDeleteI know it's tough times but haven't you done your bit already John and some? And the work you are doing now is important. It doesn't sound like you're much keen. You'll do what you know is best. I so feel for people. I've had three days away from the office this week and have run around like a blue arse fly sorting out things and shopping (not hoarding) and generally trying to adjust life so we can deal with any future lock down. I don't know how people are meant to survive working long hours and then being expected to do their own shopping and things as well!
ReplyDeleteTake care John, you can only spread yourself so far.
ReplyDeleteDon't try to do everything. The work you are doing is so valuable.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbours have initiated a traffic light system and issued all the houses in the Close with red and green cards. Every household has been asked to display the green card in a front window to signal that everything is okay and to display the red card (with my telephone number written on it) if help is needed. Someone is walking past every day to check the cards but neighbours are also able to see them and can raise help sooner if needed. Something to consider for your village, maybe?
We have a similar system
DeleteBe careful with these cards. Tweet from Michelle Dewberry.
DeleteHalf of me loves this. Such a great sentiment (I love #communityspirit)
The other half of me worries that those with ‘red’ cards are basically advertising to wrong ‘uns that they are vulnerable/elderly etc. I worry they would be robbed or similar.
Tweet from Cumbria Police.
@Cumbriapolice
· 23h
Please RT!
We are urging the public not to display posters on their doors or windows to let people know they are vulnerable.
We are concerned that criminals will use this as an opportunity to target those who are vulnerable within our communities #coronavirus #COVID19
My thoughts too.
DeleteI can see why some people are concerned. However, every house will display a green card for the majority of the time (even the elderly and vulnerable) to indicate that all is well. It would only be in an emergency that this would change and the red card displayed and the card will be changed back to green as soon as contact has been made. This isn't the system where elderly and vulnerable people display a card all the time that actually highlights that fact.
DeleteEnjoy next week x
ReplyDeleteJohn, you must take care of yourself. You are on the front line. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and please pass the message on to all your fellow workers. xx
ReplyDeleteNurses, Doctors and carers are amazing. Our village help group is getting underway. I shopped for three elderly vulnerable neighbours yesterday.
ReplyDeleteKeep on caring dear John x
John, with 3 dogs, 1 cat plus your job and community spirit as well!
ReplyDeleteYou have more than enough to do.
Can l ask you specifically what type of dog and cat food you use please?
Stay safe, my friend never met!
Tess xx
Hope you have a good holiday and a nice relax. Im in my last shift tonight for 6 days. Were all working overtime at the moment so 6 days off will be most welcome.
ReplyDeleteSleep John, sleep.
ReplyDeleteYou are needed more than ever John. Rest well on you 'holiday' and look after yourself. x
ReplyDeleteHappy to know you said no to ICU, John. One can only do so much.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break.
Try and enjoy a bit of relaxation in your time off. You can't be everything for everyone. (I don't mean to lecture... but, well I guess I am.) Take good care of yourself, as well.
ReplyDeleteYour ICU skills are in big demand and as your vocation is nursing I know that you will be torn about the matron's request. From the outside, not being a nurse, I say look after number one and the hospice patients. You have been through enough over the past year.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a junior daughter in ITU. We are self isolating on her instructions (day 10 already) I am frantic with worry about her. Need I say more.
ReplyDeleteThank you to all NHS staff in these dangerous days - we applaud your dedication and wish you all well.
Susan
Did you hear/see that recording of a nurse getting off a 48 hour shift to find the shelves of the supermarket empty? It should be mandatory listening for all the hoarders and panic buyers.
ReplyDeleteHello John. I have just caught up on about a month's posts. I hope you stay well. I am grateful for your faithfulness to Going Gently, and to your patients. I hope that we both emerge fom the other end of this oddness both safe amd sane. ❤
ReplyDeleteRest, rest, rest. It sounds like all of the hours you can tolerate for the near future - the money will be nice - and you are making a real difference in the lives of people. Isn't that what this kind of work is really all about?
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a sterling job John and as others have said you must take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteTake Care John! So glad your getting a little Holiday. I work at a State Park here in Arkansas... As of close of business yesterday they are CLOSED... thank goodness.. last weekend we had a couple hundred people go through the visitor center. Seriously?! You know they tell people to go to the trails and outdoors and thats great.. but that does not mean to congregate at the visitor center.. geesh.. So.. i go in today to help with inventory and then i don't know what.. I'm out of a paycheck for awhile but i feel safer... Wish i could find toilet paper.. Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself as you will be no good to anyone. How often have I heard and ignored these words. Time to take notice of them now, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou needyour break ohn - take it easy.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I am glad me dad died before this virus outbreak. He would have been in and out of the hospital during all this.
ReplyDeleteI can only echo everyone else, you have done your dash in the hospitals... stay with your hospice patients they are the ones that need you now. Enjoy your break.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
Good that people are looking out for anyone with a problem. We had a card through the door yesterday from a local resident giving her phone number and saying to get in touch if we need anything. Very reassuring.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear that there is a village someplace where people care about each other and are looking out for each other. We need that.
ReplyDeleteI think you are really needed where you are working right now, not back in ITU.
ReplyDelete