Friday 20th November
I post on Facebook
And the fear is gone. I have slept on and off for the past 15 hours or so. I can't say I feel refreshed but I feel better. Covid is still here, but he's a different character now. His strength is gone. He manages the occasional coughing fit but they no longer feel life threatening. He is no longer the giant shadow but a sly, kobold of discomfort, a gnome of ill ease, peeking out from the shadows, scurrying away when Momo, my beautiful defender sweeps into the room with her fantastic smile and her endless supply of kindness. We laugh each time we see each other, a shared nonverbal joke that gets funnier every time we use it. BGL is 13!
I post on Facebook
Shamelessly eaves dropping on the morning staff arriving. A happy banter familiar from years of nights. Like a cheery morning chorus. A small cheer greets the news of having cannulated a particularly difficult patient.
"Oh she's adorable!"
A grim tale of incontinence
"Aw bless, she must feel miserable" does nothing deter them?
The handover, the traditional litany winds to an end, cheery voices bid each other sleep well, see you tonight and I wait to greet my morning angels.
On Facebook I post
Morning all!
Does my arse look big in this?
I post on Facebook
Music really is a key part of my life and I am lucky to be surrounded with some real talent. My friends have helped me through this process by doing performances for me. This one arrived when I really needed a boost. This is Barry Golten, the Legendary Barry
This is particularly true for nurses who for the most part just see themselves as doing a job. A job that they love. We don’t want to be considered heroes. We do want to be paid decently for the work that we do, the risks that we take and it’s nice to be appreciated. But Heroes?
Who wants that?
The other great line here is “be what you are!” Be what you are - always!
I post on Facebook
Hi
I sleep!
Covid Positive
My last night on the ward and I receive a very welcome visitor, Rose, another Frenchay veteran, we have known each other for at least thirty years. Rose is an intelligent, strong, independent woman, a skilful nurse with bags of experience, vast knowledge and has the kind of respect that comes from an extensive clinical knowledge and keeping doctors on their toes and reluctant patients in their place. Honed by long years of service, she has a razor wit and is renowned as straight talker.
Rose has found a worthy adversary in Covid. She sees it as direct challenge and is positive about the way that it is being treated
“Back in March when we first encountered the virus, we did not know what to expect. It kept surprising us. We know about the coagulant effect now, we know to start blood thinners, we know to start steroids early, we are aware of the effects it can have on the heart and the lungs. More people are surviving because we initiate interventions earlier, we know what to look out for. We have teams that coordinate care between the different specialties. We have poor PPE but a great technique. I have no doubt, we will beat this thing, eventually”