Zoom Again


My patient died peacefully just a half hour before I finished my shift .
I said goodbye to his partner just as I was leaving the building and hugged him before getting into my car for home
You can't employ social distancing in a hospice...you just can't

I got home, collected the dogs from Trendy Carol , and set up the iPad just in time to meet up with the family on Zoom.
We had arranged to catch up with drinks
My nephew Chris, his partner Rebecca and daughter Evie, my sister Janet and hubby Ned, my sister in Law Jayne, sister Ann and brother in law Tim and great niece Ellie down in London had a bunfight  of a meet. Lots of shouting, lots of " We can't hear you!!!!" And lots of looking around flats and houses and artwork with lots of " ohhhhhss and arrrhhhhs!" 

It was a touch of base that was oh so needed, a grounding meet , a funny catch up.
Nothing sparkling, everything normal
And I am so lucky to have a dear family
After today's shift , and a review of life in Britain in general,
It is a family I am not about to take for granted
Hey ho x

46 comments:

  1. I agree with everyone else here. One thing this business has taught us is to appreciate people like you, and that includes bus drivers and shelf-stackers.

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    1. In the seventies pope john Paul said
      " if all the bin men and all if the cardinals in the world went on strike ...who would you miss first?
      Let no man degrade the work on another"

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    2. That is perfectly put.

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  2. Anonymous10:42 pm

    Thanks for sharing this,I so hoped for a message from you when you done working. Precious moments with your patient's partner... must make you realize how profoundly important you're being there is. May the love in your family be an enduring gift to you all, always xx oo - Mary

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    1. Anonymous11:06 pm

      Aw-w, heavy empathetic sighs and hugs, dear man...-Mary

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  3. My siblings and I had our 1st video call on messenger, 6 of us, we did not know what we were doing, but had liads of laughter. So important to have family at this time.

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    1. Yes..I'm doing it with friends from Sheffield tomorrow
      And a day or so ago caught up with blogger Rachel which was lovely

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  4. Connecting across the miles, is still connecting

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  5. As it should be even in difficult times like these. Glad you got home in time for the family "together". I am quite envious. xx

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    1. See above
      It was lovely to catch up with up the other day , even though you had no make up x
      Catch up tomorrow am?

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    2. Yes, let's do that. Thanks x

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    3. Get your slap on early

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  6. thank you for all you do, john.

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    1. And I thank u dearheart for your support ...it's always there x

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  7. My mother died in hospice. I understand the need to touch. But not now please. It's hard when someone is breaking down to not put an arm around them to offer comfort. But it can be deadly just now. If you must, please wash your hands immediately and change your clothes if you can. This virus is so dangerous. Take care and keep yourself safe.

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. I was hoping you'd say ..got home... collected the dogs and TOOK A SHOWER! lol Hmmm.. might have to figure out how zoom works.. Hugs! deb

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  10. John you really are a darling man.God Bless-sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite xx

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  11. I am going to have to come to terms with Zoom - for my voluntary work. My luddite self is dreading it.
    I do understand the need to receive and give hugs - but please be careful. You are important to a lot of people, many of us half a world away.

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  12. Thank You John, your blog always makes my day along with Weavers.
    parsnip xx

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  13. We had drinks with the family too yesterday. London, France, and Oz. It keeps us amused.

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  14. Barbara Anne4:22 am

    Sympathy in the loss of your patient and do take proper care after hugging. Not to be offensive but to be safe at this time.

    What better way to end today but with family on-screen and interacting as they always do when together? Of course they ooohed and ahhhhed when seeing your lovely sitting room!

    I'll have to look into Zoom, too.

    Good night from the east coast, USA.

    Hugs!

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  15. How lucky you are and what a wonderful family you have.

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  16. That people are ending their lives alone is the most of the long line of horrors from this virus.You take care Sir.
    From California where we are on our second week of lock down.

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  17. The need for a hug how could you not what a sad time some people are dying alone not even the touch of a hand or a familiar face I have always been afraid to die alone. Your a good man and I feel there will be someone there to stroke your hair when your not well.

    What a fun way to connect with your family John.

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  18. sounds like you have a very fun family John

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  19. I'm trying to imagine getting my family together via zoom.

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  20. My sister told me yesterday that she has been cleaning - curtains washed, shelves wiped, cupboards sorted, all that sort of thing. I don't have that gene but I don't care what she does as long as she's all right.

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  21. I wonder if Zoom would work with text messaging? I am too deaf to hold a conversation but would dearly love to see my family on screen. We rely on Messenger and WhatsApp at the moment.
    Take care x

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    Replies
    1. Me too JayCee which is why I love WhatsApp. I really struggle with 'live' chats.

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  22. That's so sad to hear/read, John. Losing people. But hey, at least we've got our families! I've heard of Zoom before, actually. I just hope all of this blows over soon.

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  23. Even worse to have to experience a loss in times like these. Glad you gave the hug; I would have done the same I think. We had a Facetime hour with our nephew, his wife, and their three kids yesterday.

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  24. Family, friends and friends in blogland John - they keep me going.

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  25. As everyone keeps saying, how lucky to have all the benefits of the internet when we're having to spend so much time at home. Keeping in touch with your family has never been easier.

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  26. Only angels work in hospice. I don’t think I could do it.

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  27. I understand the need to touch a patient to comfort them. But touching anyone else is exactly what the government has asked us not to do. You are a very compassionate person, I know. Take care.

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  28. Zoom is a wonderful thing to stay connected to those who are important to us.

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  29. Now I understand why you gave the cottage a lick of paint.

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  30. I wish I could Zoom with my family. My mom could never figure it out and my brother, who is allergic to most social media and Web interaction, would never go for it!

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  31. For us, Google Meet has been a wonder for doing calssroom stuff online. We all need face to face, not just emails and texts. Glad you got to see your family.
    Be safe everyone.

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  32. I was meant to Whatts App with my cousins but haven't fathomed it out yet x

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  33. I am really grateful for my extended family. I met with them thru ZOOM last night and I am thankful for ZOOM.

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