Sitting in A&E. Thank goodness there's free wifi.

[freefaller]

Sitting here waiting to see my 88 year old aunt who was brought in this morning. No beds, few docs and over worked nurses who are holding everything together. So glad I am not in here for my own benefit.

Sian

Xoxoxoxo

[sassy59]

Hospitals are quite an eye opener. Wishing your aunt well. Xxx

[freefaller in reply to sassy59]

Things could go either way I am told by the wonderful nurse looking after her. Auntie Lil also has advanced dementia and can get quite violent. Last time she was in here she fought and kicked with the nurses and doctors so they must be pleased that is not the way now. When she is we know she will be OK

[Hidden]

We were in with dad at Christmas. He was more than 24 hours on a trolley. Hope you experience is a bit quicker. Can't fault the docs and nurses though.

[LadyoRockee in reply to Hidden]

Why are there no beds? Is the hospital really small?

[freefaller in reply to LadyoRockee]

Yes it is only a local hospital. They have to wait for beds to be vacated. Thankfully the hospital is very good and actually the new A&E department is brilliant and probably has better equipment than the wards. We got a bed after less than 24 hours in the clinical assessment ward and then 4 days later (should only be 24 hours in assessment ward) been moved into a private side ward off a larger ward. It is just a matter of time now and we have all said our goodbyes but don't want her to pass alone so still spending a lot of time there.

[freefaller]

The Doc we first saw was useless! Both the nurse and I knew he was talking bs so we went ahead and made her comfortable as she should be. The nurse's face was a picture but bless him he didn't say anything just did as he and I knew was right.

[Hidden]

Hugs thinking posative thoughts for you both

[Hidden]

What is good is that you are there for your Aunt. Anywhere can be a frightening place especially if suffering dementia. We think we know how overworked our medical staff are, but we don't know the half of it. It must be very stressful not being able to give more time to patients, and at least your Aunt is calm at the moment.

[katieoxo60]

Sounds like our hospital Sian at the moment, the usual winter crisis that our poor NHS can't cope with. Good luck with your Aunt and keep well yourself xx

[camping-girl]

Hope they get a bed for your Auntie Lil Sian, our Auntie got one at 1 am & been moved already bless her. xx

[Nanaeal]

Good Morning Freefaller. Hope your Aunt now has a bed & continues to be calm. Thank goodness you had a good nurse to support you. It's still awful waiting in A&E best wishes Nan

[freefaller]

Quick update for have made Auntie Lil as comfortable as possible and she seems very peaceful. She has been on the "pathway" since Sunday lunch time but is still holding her own. They are medicating her to prevent the "fitting" caused by the infections (pneumonia and urinary infection). The urinary infection has cleared with the massive doses of antibiotics but the pneumonia is still there.

[freefaller]

My Aunt died last Wednesday night and was cremated today. Would love to be able to say that her passing was peaceful but really it was anything but. First of all they failed to give her the medication the Dr had written up for her so she was "fitting" every hour for 12 hours. When they did give her the medication they were unable to control it totally so the last week of her life was quite shocking. Wish that once my cousins had agreed to the "pathway" we could then have organised an injection to take her away without all the suffering instead of starving and dehydrating her as well. Such a sad end for someone who was such a gentle and loving person.