Well, what a palava,
As a spinal Nurse I know my neurology, so I knew I had a deficit in my right arm. I had trouble raising it against resistance. After a talk to fellow ex nurse and calming influence Nigel, I went to A&E.
I’ve never been a patient in casualty before.
I hope I’m never there again.
As soon as I arrived a confused elderly lady in a hospital gown, net knickers and a plaster cast tried and succeeded to get out of her hospital wheelchair. She was alone and unsupervised, and would have fallen if I hadn’t intervened. I got her sat down and went to find a nurse.
The nurse said nothing but did move her into the emergency room proper.
I sat down, next to two patients and their families. One was a 93 year old lady who had been in the department 24 hours. Another was a confused elderly man with his harassed wife. They had been in the department since 7 pm the day before.
This was 1 pm
I settled down with a game on my phone.
The confused man kept trying to poke a lady in front with his walking stick, so I engaged him in conversation, he told me he used to breed Bull mastiffs and this introduction cemented us together for the next nine hours where I helped supervise him, toilet him and allowed his wife to stand outside to stop herself from screaming.
I have seldom seen so many vulnerable people in one place before and it was an eye opener
The system is on its knees.
The staff were efficient , my doctor quite lovely, and very apologetic when I challenged the fact my consultation wasn’t confidential as another patient had been sat in the room, but the department looked and felt like a war zone rather than a semi rural Welsh district hospital.
I was called in for head CT whilst my band of brothers in the waiting room held crossed fingers up and waved. They were both waiting for a medical bed when I left the department at nine pm.
My CT was clear, and my bloods were taken.
The doctor still had no idea what the cause of my weakness was so wanted to admit me. I looked at the support worker, who looked tired but valiant at reception, and said what are the chances of a bed on a Saturday night?
She nodded sadly
So I took my leave, nothing realistically would be done I knew that, not over the weekend, so I will refer myself back via my GP on Wednesday. At least the scan is done and It’s unlikely I’ve had a stroke?
The low point of all this?
Apart from seeing a wonderful system stretched to breaking point ?
It was when the cheerful ward clerk popped over to me and amid the carnage of waiting patients asked “I forgot to check is Dr Burton still your next of kin?”
Hey ho
Not a good experience all round really.
ReplyDeleteAt least your scan was clear, which must be a relief. I hope the issue can be identified and resolved soon x
🌈🏥🚑🩼👩🏼⚕️🙏
DeleteThank heavens it wasn't a stroke. Having unfortunately had to attend A&E a couple of times, I think A&E nowadays shows both the worst and best of our poor beleaguered NHS. It amazed me both times that the staff were unfailingly cheerful and caring, despite being harassed, clearly exhausted and overworked.
ReplyDeleteI have never enjoyed working in A&E when I have done the occasional shift to help or as a student nurse.
DeleteGlad your CT was clear , sad that the A n E was so overstretched and you had to step in to help fellow patients.
ReplyDeleteRest, rest and rest my dear x
I’ve chilled today and took tonight off too, the dogs went to Trendy Carol’s for the day, this afternoon I slept
DeleteTAKE. CARE. OF. YOURSELF.
ReplyDeleteI’m trying
DeleteYour presence was a blessing for the old lady and the wife of the confused gent. Fingers crossed for a clear result. xx
ReplyDeleteI was glad to get home, it felt I’d done an extra shift lol
DeleteWell, I'm glad it wasn't a stroke. But something triggered it, so it does need more investigation. Time to take it easy, young man.
ReplyDeleteThe NHS has been on its knees for decades, but now it needs life support. It amazes me that the staff remain professional and cheerful despite being run ragged and exhausted. xx
🩷🩼🏥🚑
DeleteIt sounds like NYC emergency rooms -- or at least my experiences of them with my mother. How awful. But, typical of you, you got right to work while you waited. And then to end with the Dr. Burton question! You’ll be in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend x
DeleteYour emergency department sounds just like the one in our hospital. We now have a screen in the waiting room telling you how long before you will see a Doctor. Last time I was there it said seven hours but it ended up closer to nine. Our hospital is the main trauma one in the city so of course the stabbings gun shot victims are a priority and get you bumped down the list. I hope you get an answer to whatever is going on, take care and hugs. Gigi
ReplyDeleteI felt somewhat of a fraud given the obvious distress of some waiting
DeleteOh yes, this is so similar to my experience of a and e last year. Take care of yourself x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
There is a theme here of shared experiences , a sadness in itself
DeleteEmergency rooms can be the most awful places, but I imagine you, while waiting your turn, made a lot of peoples lives and waits a little easier.
ReplyDeleteGood news about the scan. Take care.
The stoicism of the wife and the elderly lady was impressive, over a day in a hospital waiting area
DeleteTake very good care of yourself and hope the news next week is good. Sorry about that question - it's always the way, isn't it? Hugs, Jan xx
ReplyDeleteI did laugh to myself , and uttered Lee’s favourite JESUS!
DeleteGlad it wasn't a stroke. Once a nurse, always a nurse?
ReplyDelete42 years a nurse this year
DeleteI hope that they get to the bottom of this tout suite. We don't want you going gently, we want you to stick around like an oak tree.
ReplyDeleteNext time I’m in Sheffield we will raise a pint together , the Dog and a partridge ?
DeleteTrippet lane?
DeleteQuite a few people were grateful you were there, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteI hope there's only good news for you from here on
Lots of ups and downs this year
DeleteThe ER is always a zoo over here too. Ever the professional, you nursed others all through your own waiting time! Glad the CT scan shows no sign of stroke. Hopefully it was just some kind of brain fart or something and you'll get answers on Wednesday, if there are any.
ReplyDeleteI have two friends that are doctors, they have been useful today
DeleteIt must have been such a relief to find out your scan result was clear. I hope you manage to get some answers on Wednesday. In the mean time, rest up. Xx
ReplyDelete🙏🌈🚑
DeleteIt sounds like you helped, as much as you were helped. Do take care of yourself. My only ER experience was amazingly efficient. But the bills were unbelievable (Almost $500,000 in six months that year - all but about $5,000 covered by insurance.)
ReplyDeleteA timely reminder David, that I paid nothing as didn’t the other 100 patients on Saturday night
DeleteSobering
Oh John, what an experience. So sweet of you to help the other people while you waited. You could write a thesis on the NHS and be awarded a doctorate. Sending all good thoughts and virtual hugs to you and hope to read that this was a temporary event with your arm.
ReplyDelete🩷😊🚑
DeleteA worrying episode, John, but what a blessing you are, even as a patient. Could it have been a TIA? I hope the effects wear off soon.
ReplyDeleteYou could be right, having no “official” next of kin hurt
DeleteIt was a red hot day the day of my husband's funeral and I returned to a dreadfully hot house around 9.30pm. I went upstairs to change and stood on the bidet to open a top window, slipped and fell cutting my head open on the corner of the shower. Being on Aspirin it bled like crazy. My friend took me to A&E . They asked if B was my next of kin.... It hit me like a stone, I'd just returned from his funeral, I no longer had anyone.
DeleteJean.
Oh my Lord. John- that all sounds like a nightmare. Any improvement in your arm?
ReplyDeleteNo xx
DeleteWhat a confusion. It was nice that you could help others while you were there. Certainly makes me appreciate my hospital's ER much more. Hope you find out soon what is going on with your arm. Take care, John.
ReplyDeleteThank u
DeleteJesus !!!fuck John!
ReplyDeleteHug ya
Lee
I quoted your “Jesus comment” earlier lol
DeleteFan fucking-tactic
DeleteLeexxx
Good luck to you and I hope you get a proper answer on Wednesday.suep
ReplyDelete😊🚑🩷
DeleteI agree w/Nelliegrace: even as a patient, you are a such a helper. ERs here in the US are the saddest places. I have sat in many of them w/my son, who has epilepsy and asthma. Small, heartbreaking stories play out all around you. Glad you are home; hope you get your answers quickly.
ReplyDeleteYes, a man with a terrible facial dog bite took centre stage for a long time
DeleteAny chance it was a trapped nerve maybe...
ReplyDeleteThat’s an option according to my medical buddy
DeleteHope you get some answers from the doctor. A&E are hopelessly understaffed and the wait times these days are horrendous.
ReplyDelete🩷
DeleteWhen my relative had a fall and bones were protruding through his skin 2 surgeons came down to A&E to try to manouvre them back into place, to avoid him needing an operation that night, it was a Friday. It didn't work and he eventually went for an emergency op. The manipulations were carried out in full view of a packed waiting area with me giving him gas and air as there wasn't a nurse available! There was vomit, blood and faeces from another patient on the chair and floor next to us and it came as no surprise that my relative developed an infection. Yes the staff were cheery and hard working but the whole experience was dreadful.
ReplyDeleteOh lord that sounds medieval
DeleteOh, Lord, what a palava indeed. I hope you get answers soon enough. The last time I went to A&E I was there all night and I vowed never to do that again. So far, so good. I'm surprised it was so backed up in your semi-rural area, though.
ReplyDeleteThe hospital covers a large area and some poorer socioeconomic areas
DeleteI had a visit to A&E here in Australia just before Xmas and had a 10hour wait before I could be taken to surgery. I had to take notes on my phone to put stories behind all the different cases that walked in during that 10hour wait. What has struck me by being a patient in the health system here in AUS, is how many vulnerable people there are with no one to support them in their health crisis. Fortunately, I had my son and friends and family for moral and logistic support. And there was a bed on surgical ward after my emergency surgery. I reckon I was cared for by 5 or 6 nurses who were from the UK.
ReplyDeleteI was alone , but was physically robust and mentally savvy to support myself and others, so many others I saw wasn’t that fortunate
DeleteI--and I m sure you!--are so relieved it is not a stroke! I hope your GP can help resolve the issue.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that you were surprised by conditions in the A & E, weren't you an A & E nurse before hospice job? Tho maybe pov is different as a patient.
I have to say I have always been assessed, treated, given a bed almost immediately here in the NY area. I have never waited longer than it takes to fill out the paperwork, like 1/2 hour. Of course I only go if ''dying''. I did wait a long-ish time last visit when I was rushed there for blood transfusions--admitted right away but waited 8 hours for blood to arrive. Annoying.
As for "Dr Burton"--best she checked! How humiliating if they had called him. Best to change to your sisters?
I was a spinal and intensive care nurse as well as a hospice nurse so I have always worked in areas with high nurse patient ratios
DeleteI have hated every time I worked on the ER department , even though it’s numbered perhaps only on three occasions
Oh yes, now I remember, you did intensive care not emergency. Pls keep checking in so we know you are okay.
DeleteThe ERs are the same here, with longer wait times. The good thing about right arm weakness, a long list for a differential diagnosis. I'm glad the CT scan was clear. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks xx
DeleteGlad to hear the CT was clear and you were able to go home. Hope all goes well with your GP. Take good care of yourself, and relax with Mary, Roger, Bun & Weaver.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and wishing you the very best!
I did sign myself out x
DeleteSo glad your CT was normal and hope your bloods are, too. If you still have the right arm weakness, it may be a pinched nerve and if it's gone, perhaps a TIA.
ReplyDeleteI worked ER from 1975 until 1980 in Memphis, TN (yes, Elvis is really dead, our ward clerk got the info from the ward clerk where Elvis was taken) and there were already many patients lingering in the waiting room for their turn in the triage line-up.
Loved your "band of brothers" and the way you helped everyone (and made friends) whilst you waited your turn. Another one for the book!
May this be just one of the hiccups of life and nothing worse. Just in case, hope you can see or at least talk to your GP before Wednesday.
Big hugs!
Wednesday will be fine x
DeleteThinking of you and hoping everything is okay.
ReplyDeleteAnd how are you doing dear Yael? x
DeleteDear Yael and Kath , thank you both for being here
DeleteSo sorry to hear you’ve had such an awful weekend and had to go through the hell of a/ E After an accident a year ago I spent 12 hours in an ambulance as
ReplyDeletewas no room in the dept . I felt really sad to see young nurses too exhausted to engage with people and just dead behind their eyes . Sad for the sick and sad for my profession . Hope you’re feeling better soon . Scary when you’re living alone . Look after yourself John . Good you make a speedy recovery
Yes, they looked beaten down before they started work
DeleteX Bernie
ReplyDeleteWhat a flipping ordeal. I do hope it's nothing serious. Be waiting for news xx
ReplyDeleteI’m always writing only death will stop me
DeleteI thought the Healthcare system there would be better than here in the states. It is crumbling in so many places; it is disheartening. Be well, John.
ReplyDeleteI must remember ours is free
DeleteWell, that was a nightmare, pretty much like the ERs are here in the US. Good news on the CT scan. Hang in there John.
ReplyDeleteI’m keeping on swimming jimbo xx
DeleteSadly, ER is like that everywhere. Overcrowded with not enough staff. Good for you supporting fellow patients. Hopefully your doctor will be able to identify the root cause and help you heal. Take care of yourself! Cali
ReplyDeleteThank you cali
DeleteThank you for providing care when you yourself needed attention. The picture you paint is bleak, indeed. Take good care. xx
ReplyDeleteLet’s look at things differently , a few professionals dealt with 100 patients ( the porter told me) designed to hold a max of 60
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. I hope that there is some improvement in your arm today? If it is any consolation, the ER care here is still pretty horrific as well.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a universal picture
DeleteYour first-hand experience at the ER is eye-opening. The ER staff sounds over extended and exhausted. So many people in the ER makes me think many people are not getting routine and preventative care. Thus, many end up in the ER. The same thing happens in the US. Primary care doctors are in great demand and there simply is not enough of them.
ReplyDeleteIs your arm better today? Ideally, you'll have full answers next week. Take care.
It’s the same susan x
DeleteI'm glad the scan was clear, and I hope any follow-up is done quickly and efficiently. Sadly my last experience of A&E and them wanting to keep me in was as useless as yours. You just know that nothing will be done, especially over the weekend. I too discharged myself, ended up back on the Monday and all they did after 6 hours of being on a day ward was increase my meds by 5mg. The NHS is stretched to breaking point, and the system is failing the wonderful staff and us. ☹️
ReplyDeleteI’m glad I’m not the only one to sign myself out
DeleteI am glad to hear the scan was negative and will continue to keep you close in heart!
ReplyDeleteSusan M/ Calif.
So so pleased your scan was clear, lets hope the Wednesday appointment clears up the reason. The A & E departments in NZ are no different, over worked staff, not enough doctors, horrendous wait times. Winter becomes more nightmarish as the lower socioeconomic areas, lacking funds for primary care all turn up at A & E for conditions that should be seen by local GP's. However, everywhere local GP's are thin on the ground and in my experience it has taken a least a week on occasions to see my Dr, by which time I am usually well.
ReplyDeleteSorry you got asked THAT question!
Yikes! And after you've been doing so well with your diet! I hope it just turns out to be a one off. It was really so kind and unselfish of you to help others when you had your own problems.
ReplyDeleteI feel so grateful that here in the Philadelphia PA suburbs the ER and hospital is top notch and most was covered by insurance when I had to go to the ER several times in one year.
Take care John. Linda in Pennsylvania
Just a thought, your post the day before this incident said you had been repotting flowers. Did you lift anything heavy or do any repetitive but awkward or unusual movements while doing that repotting? Sometimes, especially as we age, we can overdo it without realizing because we think "well, that was never a problem before" . . . I know it's a long shot, but thought I'd mention it.
ReplyDeleteP. S. Good luck with the followup!
DeleteMaybe just a strain as jenny_o suggested..or stress, which can do weird things to the body...and now you have proof that you have a brain!! ( I've been there , had the scan!!)
ReplyDeleteStart questioning night shifts?
Yikes. Neurological issues are terrifying when you see them happening to others. I can't imagine seeing them in yourself. I am so glad it was not a stroke.
ReplyDeleteHugs. I hope you get it figured out soon.
ReplyDelete