Tread quietly when you see it
The swan above the bed
The person that you see in there
Has a difficult path ahead
The Swan Above the Bed.: Tread quietly... - Lung Conditions C...
The Swan Above the Bed.
52 Replies
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I'm in hospital at the moment and saw the Swan Suite today,so sad.x
in reply to Aingeful
That is sad, but at the same time peaceful. Better than seeing the person and not knowing I think.
in reply to Aingeful
I hope they have made you comfortable in there Aingeful and you will soon be on the way home. 😘
Aingeful in reply to
So do I! Comfort wise they do their best but the beds could be hired out as instruments of torture!
Thinking of you Aingeful 💐
I’ve not heard of that before Don and find it sad yet somehow the right thing. Thank you for posting that. Xxx💜
in reply to sassy59
They certainly need to be very careful in the use of them. xxx
I knew nothing of this until this week. Good principles but I don't really care for the chosen image of the swan.
in reply to CDPO16
That was my first thought, but then I thought a swan silently gliding on it's way would be right but the imagine wrong. Incidentally, I'd prefer it flying right instead of left, don't ask me why.
Now I know what this means Don it brought a tear to my eye x
in reply to Izb1
I didn’t know until David Greenthorn mentioned it in his message about his experience as a hospital volunteer.
I haven’t heard of this and tbh I , personally, don’t like it . When I worked in a care home people were constantly being put on “the pathway” One lady was on and off it five times ! It seems to me that for some reason people feel the need to come up with new labels for what has been happening since life began and should be an entirely private situation When I or my loved ones are lying on a hospital bed there will be no swan or any other signage telling all and sundry we’re about to peg out ! I totally accept many people will like the idea but sorry not for me ☹️
in reply to Thepainterswife
The Liverpool Pathway was a terrible thing, legalised murder in my opinion. When my wife was in hospital one of the patients was crying out for a drink of water and I was prevented from giving her one. I found later she wasn’t given food either.
Thepainterswife in reply to
I heard of that happening though never saw it myself but definitely some of the ideas these unknown “experts “ come up with aren’t great . I can’t help but think some of these new initiatives are just another example of keeping someone in a job . At end of life people should be comfortable, pain free and their privacy and dignity respected what they don’t need is to be labelled
I am in two minds about this. It may help others to see me in this way, if I am in this state. However I do not want to be treated differently, as in the way people talk to me, and fear that the knowledge might make others change in the way they approach me, horrid.
Agree they should also be treated as a beautiful unique human being.
Cloudancer in reply to
I agree with you Don,awful protocol.Love your poem-rather like the swan myself although a picture of a thoroughly disgruntled hissing goose would be apt for me!
in reply to Cloudancer
I’m beginning to see it’s maybe not a good idea after all. I fully intend to die at home in bed and I keep spending more and more time in there to increase my chances. 🤷🏽♂️
Cloudancer in reply to
Bless you Don.How I wish we as a society could have the resources available to enable folk to pass where they choose ,at home if wanted and with full support.
Gentle hugs and best wishes x
watergazer in reply to
My dad insisted he was going nowhere and would die at home - and he did He was found sat down at the top of the stairs x
in reply to watergazer
It’s traditional to commiserate in those circumstances but there are occasions when I’m tempted to say ‘Well done!’. x
Thank you Don..it’s useful to know
Lovely little poem- so simple, so touching. xxx
There is a wonderful moment at the end of Sibelius's 5th (?) Symphony, which represents wild swans, inspired by the sight of them in flight. Like Mr. S I've always associated swans with flying away to freedom and a new life. Quite see that The Painter's Wife and others will feel differently.
When I worked in a care home I sat with a dying lady who I was very fond of and had no family , when she passed the manager was informed and he returned from his home ( it was 8pm) to see to her personally. He and I washed her , and dressed her in her nicest clothes ( the first and only time I’ve ever done that) but the first thing he did was open the window he said he always did this to allow the spirit to fly free . I was so moved and I truly believe that at the last breath the spirit does fly . My objection is purely to the physical labelling of someone as a “dying person” they are the same living , breathing human they have always been until the moment ( and it is after all a moment) when they pass , I just don’t think a label is necessary during the time before but if it brings comfort to people and they or relatives are given a choice then that’s fine 😊 xx
I think the thoughts and feelings are probably the same, it’s just the way of expressing them which is different.
Don I've never heard of this but it would have been wonderful when I lost my husband 5 years ago. Thank you so much for sharing. Mags
in reply to 1947Mags
We have Greenthorn to thank for enlightening us.
I have never seen or heard about the swan. Brought a tear to my eye xxSheila 😥
My daughter was in one before she died in May,they are very peaceful and family could visit.
Makes me feel very sad Sheila, but I can see how lovely it was you were able to visit. Get well soon xxSheila 💕💕
I didn’t realise your daughter had died , I’m so sorry for your loss 🥰 My mother in law died in a hospice and I can honestly say it was beautiful, she was surrounded by family and about an hour before she passed she said “I’m ready to go now “ I said “are you Mildred ?” and she said “yes I want to see my mum and dad “ They were the last words she said before closing her eyes and slipping away peacefully 😌
I guess we all have differing opinions about this, Don and I'm not sure where I stand on it, but it's good to know about and your poem was poignant and respectful, so many thanks for that. xx Moy
in reply to MoyB
It's good that we can discuss it on here without any histrionics. 😊xx
MoyB in reply to
I have always had an academic interest in death and dying and did one of my social work placements in our local hospice. Now that I'm getting older it has become a lot more personal. Reading your comment on here about the Liverpool Pathway prompted me to look it up as one of our nephews was put on it, but at the time, we didn't really know what it meant. It seems that it was well intentioned but not universally understood and as a result, it was not well implemented in some hospitals.
I don't know if my family would like to see a swan on my door or above my bed or not. When my brother was coming to the end of his days, I couldn't tell you what was on his door, above his bed or anywhere else as he was my focus, not his surroundings.
It's a long time now since I did my training and so things have changed. However, I always understood that the fundamental difference between a hospice and a hospital was that in the hospice, the focus was to have a 'good death' so that a person died pain free and in peace, close to those they loved whereas, the focus in hospital was to try everything to prolong life, regardless of how intrusive or painful the treatment may be. I think the Liverpool Pathway and those that have followed are intended to offer a palliative option, but if staff don't have the right mindset and training, they may not fully understand the difference in care. Some staff, I may say, are wonderful, and are kindness on legs, but others 'go by the book' and if they've been told a person is no longer having drinks, they will leave it at that and may not think about swabbing their mouth instead.
See, Don - you really got me thinking this through this morning. Well done! I like the fact that, as you said, we can discuss it on here without any histrionics.
👍 xx Moy
Thank you Don. Your poem is beautiful. Grace
Sorry but have no idea what this means if it's good news or bad
I'd no idea about this.thanku Don x
Thanks Don,I'd not heard of this, it's nice symbolism for something that comes to us all.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and all the best for next year.
Love
Joan xxx
in reply to Burbagegran
Thank you Joan, we don't see enough of you on here. I hope you have a save and happy Christmas too. Do keep in touch. Don & Puss xx
Burbagegran in reply to
That's very sweet of you , Don. I don't get on as much as I'd like to, I'm so very tired most days. Its always good to see your input and I thank you for it.All the best
Joan xxx
Thank you, it's so true and a very moving poem, Don. I trust you get your wish xxx ❤️
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