I’ve had my hair pulled, face slapped and my face mask pulled off several times tonight
Violence seldom happens in the hospice and it’s usually only a product of terminal agitation.
Everything is quieter now but I’m watching the sleeping patient closely.
Intensive care prepared me well for such occurrences.
It’s only 1.13 am
I’m not complaining , I’ve just read that my former colleagues on the local intensive care unit are having a real crap time of things see link
I send them all my love and respect
So many people have forgotten those Thursday nights
When we clapped for those on intensive care who tried so hard to help the victims of the first wave.
I will leave you with some frivolous and some hastily snapped shots of Albert who has decided that in Winnie’s absence he will settle for a “mini me” in the shape of a somewhat perplexed Dorothy.
God loves a trier
I read the article. Caregivers the world around need our respect right now, and what can we do except not get sick ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAlbert and Dotty ... I love those pictures! There is a bond being developed ... more on the part of Albert because he just needs his bulldog pal! Dotty will warm to it ... ❤
ReplyDeleteAnd try we must.
ReplyDeleteAlbert just wants someone to snuggle with.
ReplyDeleteSuch desperate times. We all feel such grief and helplessness.
ReplyDeleteOn a completely different note, can you tell an American how "Ysbyty" is pronounced?
Bonnie in Minneapolis
Is but ee, but this is an English woman's take on it so I'm happy to be corrected!
DeleteAs I read this, I am reminded of my sister sharing with me the recent death of her mother. Her mother was in hospice at my sister's house. Toward the end things, her mother had become a bit violent & slapped my sis in the face. My sister reacted angrily, she then felt guilty for having been angry. Carers have a tough job.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up, Albert! You can win her over!
ReplyDeleteMy SiL once worked in a psychiatric ward and has some stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteI'm rooting for you Albert!
ReplyDeleteIt can get pretty violent in nursing homes. No one is stronger than an 80-year-old women in a wheelchair who wants to do something unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Awwww... how sweet of Albert to boldly approach Dorothy and - surprise! - Dorothy seems okay with Albert! Hope he and she will be good for each other.
ReplyDeleteYou can't care for patients and stay out of range for pinches, punches, hair pulling, etc.
Hugs!
Lovely old carpet, it suits the house perfectly.
ReplyDeleteInch by inch Albert
ReplyDeleteTake care John and stay safe. Like you I get very worked up when I see the hospital teams. It's tough enough in the community, I had my first vaccine last week. I hope it will give me some protection as I worry about my family. God bless. Xx
ReplyDeleteBless the poor, bereft little Albert. Bless the poor, confused little Dottie......but bless YOU, whose capacity for tolerance seems to have no boundaries - though we know that it has, as all heroic efforts must have human limits. Take good care of yourself, being the deeply caring friend that you are.
ReplyDeleteSpot on.
DeleteJuls
No we have not forgotten, Love and respect to all NHS workers. My Mom is in hospital and now has Covid...those caring for her are amazing.
ReplyDeleteAlbert will win over Dorothy, he just won't take 'no'.
It's so lovely to see Albert trying to be friends with Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteDoes Albert ever snuggle up to you or Mary like that John, or is he a Bulldog lover only? Either way it is good to see him befriending Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteNo, he’s never really warmed to me .he liked my ex
DeleteAND Winnie x
DeleteI can't even begin to imagine what care givers are going through. It must feel like a tsunami.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see Albert and Dorothy forging their friendship. I hope all your shifts are peaceful and uneventful. xx
Albert could be just the reassurance Dorothy needs. I've been thinking a lot again about the caregivers who got our applause for weeks and are now just back to business as usual. I hope no one forgets the sacrifices they continue to make.
ReplyDeleteNot forgotten and totally respected X Good for Albert X
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to everyone in every sector of the NHS and Hospices at the moment. It must be so tiring to have to be strong and firm and yet also as gentle, patient and caring as possible with your patients when necessary.
ReplyDeleteAlbert will worm his way in to Dorothy's affection, he's a cat ... they always get what they want in the end. Ginger has this thing about washing Mavis' face every night when they are cuddled up on the chair with Alan and occasionally if Suky is in this position instead of Mavis she gets the attention instead, and she hates it. But she tolerates it for a while and then jumps down to get away from Ginger. Preferring the floor to the chair, a cuddle and a licking cat.
Oh John. If ever a world needed "frivolous, hastily taken snapshots" of two creatures making a truce, it was now. This Yank thanks you.
ReplyDeleteThey are about to reinstate the doorstep applause, but this time it will be for 'the heroes'. You definitely will come into that category.
ReplyDeleteAww...Dorothy is so cute. Sorry you had such a traumatic night. Be strong.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked in social work, violent incidents were a regular occurrence. However skilled one is at dealing with them, they still take it out of you. Take care of yourself - I'm sure you do, judging by the name of your blog.
ReplyDeleteI hear that the Thursday clap might be started again. But what the NHS needs isn't a clap but more staff (especially ICU staff), more specialist equipment, and those people who ignore the safety measures and happily spread the virus to wise up. As the NI Health Minister said, ignoring the safety measures is like slapping a nurse in the face.
ReplyDeleteThose two seem to be getting on very well!
Sorry to hear you had a rough night and your colleagues are struggling. 2021 is only a week old and I'm an emotional wreck!
ReplyDeleteThe medical profession must feel that between Christmas, New Year, and those who continue to insist that Covid is nothing more than flu, that there is indeed, as happy hooker says, a tsunami coming towards them, and I really feel for them.
ReplyDeleteTo quote one consultant interviewed recently - there are people who have blood on their hands, not that they will admit it.
Happy they can become friends
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the penny will drop for Dorothy and she will take up his offer of freindship and comforting reassurance, that`s what we all need more than ever right now. For what it`s worth every day I think of those battling this virus as a frontline worker, we owe them more than I can find words to express.
DeletePrevious delete due to typo
Caregivers have the most challenging work of anyone. You have my utmost respect. Returning to even a modicum of normality will go a long way. We all need some relief.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pix! stay strong, john!
ReplyDeleteI learned long ago that patience is needed when you visit the hospital. Years ago my son needed emergency brain surgery after an accident at his high school. They rushed him through and saved his life. I know now that if the nurses have you waiting - that is a good sign that you are not in urgent danger! So I never complain about waiting. Thank you for your work, John.
ReplyDeleteYou've had your hair played with. Utter delight x
ReplyDeleteI love Trier too! The Roman gate, the cathedral, the... Oh, wait...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry John, take care
ReplyDeleteIllness and stress sometimes bring out the worst in people, thank you for understanding. It is good to see Dorothy has a new friend.
ReplyDeleteMany, many years ago prior to a career change I was deputy manager of a nursing home for people with Alzheimers. The home also catered for people with other conditions, including people with Huntington's Chorea, an awful condition for those who inherit it. One resident with said affliction was a man with a violent temper and not beyond threatening staff. Unfortunately on one occasion I walked into the manager's office to find that he had pinned a nurse to the wall and was threatening to hit her. As I walked in he turned round and swung a punch - which landed square in my face sending me sprawling - unfortunately into his daughter who was following me into the office to discuss his progress. Hey ho. Not an everyday occurrence, but something that nurses are sometimes subjected to in the course of care. As I recall the police were called - but outbursts of temper and aggression are features of the condition my assailant had so I didn't want any further action taken. I did sport a good black eye for a while afterwards.Life's rich tapestry...
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the ICU staff are managing to keep going. When this is over they all need to be treated to a month in one of those posh spas where you get do nothing but have massages, facials, a swim in the pool, yoga at sunrise etc. Seriously, someone better be paying attention to their needs and not expect them to just carry on although I fear this is what will happen.
ReplyDeleteI hope they form a firm friendship now that Winnie is gone.
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear that you are taking care of yourself, John. You can't help others when you are past your limits.
ReplyDeleteAlbert's got a 'type', doesn't he!?!
Looks very promising for them both.
ReplyDeleteThey look so sweet together John-I love it when I notice my furry ones interactions x
ReplyDeleteAlbert Albert ALBERT! He misses Winnie too. Perhaps this will help Dorothy calm her anxiety. We all need a friend. And one to understand us is even better.
ReplyDeleteRuth in Oxnard USA
Respect for you and all the carers out there. Albert seems to have taken the lead and could just be the key to helping Dorothy through the tough times.
ReplyDeleteSo cute. Thanks for making me smile.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased for Dotty that Albert has had a transfer of affections; lets hope more smooching is in the offing. Sorry you are having such a terrible time of things in the UK. The frontline workers are all heroes in my book I only wish people would take the virus seriously.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
I'm glad Albert is trying to be friends with Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think he will ever give up, he’s not the type
DeleteDear Albert.
ReplyDeleteFunny ... over the years, your home has been, primarily, a dog's heaven. But small Albert, lone cat, longest standing four-legged resident, has gotten along after a fashion with everyone. In fact, he's the only one other than you who has known everyone, all those special characters in your life. Now, in the end, he might be what, over time, calms Dorothy down and helps to give her confidence about herself. Stranger things have happened. Bravo, Albert.
ReplyDeleteI have such admiration for you ,the job you do is just incredible, it takes a special person to look after those who through no fault of their own develop abusive tendencies either physical or mental. I am having to learn how to deal with outbursts from my son, he had brain surgery to stop his seizures but sadly it hasn't worked, he has mood swings now that he can't help and doesn't realise afterwards but he can be very cruel and nasty, and yet he is such a sweetie, he has even punched my husband, sometimes I shout back and I feel dreadful but I am slowly learning to cope, on other occasions he is totally the opposite way and is so funny and inhibitions go out the window and will moon at us as he walks through the lounge and at the age of 38 can behave like a naughty boy, I love him to bits and everyday is precious, he often goes into status which is so scary but the paramedics are amazing as are all the nhs staff that we have relied on for years. You and your colleagues are selfless and amazing, thank you, thank you ,thank you.x
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