Day 23 – A Typical Day

My day begins with being woken at 6ish by the healthcare assistant on the ward doing morning observations and a blood sugar pin prick test. However in reality I seem to wake in pain at 5. Then most of the ward goes back to sleep. At 7 the lights go on and the handover begins to transition from day to night staff. At night there is one nurse and one healthcare assistant looking after 12 patients and during the day there are two nurses and one healthcare assistant.

The staff work extremely hard, and I think the night nurses have to do meds for 12 at the beginning of their shift and this can take up to 2 hours. To do the shift of 12 hours is really tough.

Breakfast happens next for those who are eating and then the healthcare assistants and nurses get everyone up, washed if they need help, bedding changed and sorted.

From approximately 9 onwards the doctors ward rounds start to happen with the consultant followed by their junior doctors and medical students – do you remember Doctor in the House? It has not really changed much. The consultants and the matrons have all the power. Lots start to happen after this as tests need to be carried out, the phlebotomists come round for blood tests, pharmacists consulted. I have also been seen by stoma nurses, who monitor my bag where the fistula has been getting rid of what ever it wants to get rid of from my body into a bag, and change it where necessary. The nutrition team who look after the TPN (the food) and look at the blood results and tweak where necessary.

The physiotherapists come and help people up an about. The ward is a bustle and hive of activity. Lunch is at 12 and then from 2-3 there is a rest period on the whole ward, blinds are drawn and lights out and no teams are allowed to come onto the wards and supposedly no visitors. From 3 – 8 is visiting time and then from 8-9.30/10 ish is meds and getting ready for bed. The hand over is 7am and 7pm.

It is very regulated and a set pattern and I find myself adapting to the ward cycles. I have good days and bad, some pain free and some in pain, I generally find if all my pain medication has worn off I know it, but if I keep myself topped up I cope. Yesterday I was picked up by Rowena and went home to see Graham, one of Marks best friends and it was lovely to see him. Yvonne had come and kept me company before Rowena came. Today I hope to pop out to Rowena’s final parents evening. I usually dress for these parents evening, they will have to cope with my baggy exercise trousers and comfort. (I am hoping I have found a solution to my dressing and might get a dress so I don’t let the side down!) Most of Rowena’s teachers do not know that I have been in hospital and not so many parents, so it will be interesting to go in.

I read this back and find it a bit dull so I do hope I have not bored you all.

If there is anything any of you want to know then I am happy to share other information and any ideas are welcome.