Last Monday I met a patient who lay propped up in bed, but who looked like he was climbing out of mineshaft. He was elderly and thin, skinny arms and shoulders and a bone-worn face. Very few teeth. His redeeming feature was a broad grin. As wide as the river Thames. This was “Dave” the Rocker. An eternal Teddy Boy and an Elvis nutter. He had Elvis tattoos on his fists, for he showed me his clenched hands as if he was a fighter too. There were tattoos all over his body. I think that’s when I visualised him as a miner, covered with coal dust.
It was difficult to understand what Dave was saying. I’m pretty sure he had breathing problems. But Elvis songs he wanted. He was desperate to hear Elvis. His hero. I could find the song titles but for the life of me I could not play them. Perhaps it was a faulty internet signal to my phone. But when I told Dave I couldn’t get each song to play, so he would ask for another Elvis song. The surprising thing was that most of these requests were ballads, whereas I expected them to be more rock ‘n roll. He didn’t seem to care that I couldn’t play any; he just asked me to look for another one!
At one stage he had asked for the Elvis song “The wonder of you.” Again, it wouldn’t play. I told him cheekily I was going to look up “I wonder who the hell you are”. His grin shot sideways even more. He was enjoying the banter between us. Perhaps I was the first person he had spoken with for a few days.
Quite often in life I get things wrong. I get my knickers in a twist. There was a simple explanation for why the tunes didn’t play. I had inadvertently turned down the volume control on my phone to zero!
And so I apologised and suggested “Let’s start again.” Well to compensate for my wasting his time earlier, I played the next four of his Elvis requests. All ballads. He also requested Buddy Holly song, “That’ll be the Day when I die”. It was here that I was going to move on to another patient, but he put his hands together and said “Please”. So, I played Buddy Holly and started saying goodbye. He again put his hands together and begged “One more please.” Of course, I relented and played another Elvis request. This guy was getting his own concert! Not only that but I was simulating playing the guitar. I had the whole bay to myself – no nurses were around.
Four times Dave pout his hands together and pleaded “One more please”. But now I had made my mind up to stop. (I have been trained to close conversations when working as a Prison Visitor.) But Dave wouldn’t have it. But I was adamant. I said “You’re the student and I’m the master. You must learn to listen. I am now finishing this session.” I had to laugh as David was amused by all this, yet fully expectant that I would play yet another request. But I drew the blue curtain to come between us and stuck my left arm out beyond the curtain and waved my fingers as goodbye.
Yet, I didn’t have the heart to walk away! I opened the curtain again to see him and then said “goodbye – see you next week” and I left. I think I had been with Dave half an hour or more. It was a fun session, and I won’t easily forget him. If he is still in hospital, then I am likely to see him tomorrow for "One more please."
Written by
Greenthorn
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30 Replies
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Are you a red cross volunteer then?
I have just started working in a hospital pharmacy and the other day I was on reception and a red cross volunteer came to see us to pick up some items for patients in a and e saving the healthcare staff a job!
Nope - I'm a volunteer ward musician at a London hospital. There are near 400 volunteers at UCLH. All different roles. Some wheel newspapers around the wards, some do errands or shopping, many others work not on wards but in A and E or reception areas of other departments . It is a great team run by a great management team. Many young volunteers serve a year or so and then are taken on full time in one role or another; many seeking employment in the medical sector. I'm just happy to chat at bedside and play musical requests on a Bluetooth speaker. I love it.
Thanks Bernadette - I know that SorrelHippo was looking forward to this 'Elvis' post. I wish I could have listed all this patient's requests but I have forgotten them! All I remember is "The wonder of you!"
I’m sure you’ll play more than just “one more please” if Dave is still there. You obviously made an old rocker very happy David. Well done you. Xxx💕❤️👍
Wonderful, regarding Dave, you may have been the first person to speak to him as if you were both adults, I find a lot of staff, these days, speak to me as if I was a slightly deaf idiot, who needs everything explained in a slightly higher pitched tone. The sort we use with dogs and children. Have a good time.
Thanks Threecats - I am about to visit the hospital in the next half hour so hopefully I will bank up some more stories. I wonder if my Elvis fan is still there. Anyway, I'm glad I have kick-started your day. It is gloriously sunny in London and I'm ready to go!
That's so sweet and so sad. I'm glad you were able to cheer this old gentleman up and hope he will still be there next week, in case his home life is as lonely as his life on the ward. You are really making a difference. xx
Yes I am about to travel into London so hopefully I will meet this lovable rogue again! We had such fun last week; he knew I was teasing him but he loved it.
Such a beautiful story Greenthorn. I am also a big Elvis fan of his ballads especially and he is still as popular today in this country with tribute artists doing many weekend events throughout the year that get very good audiences. Hope your day goes well. Your doing an amazing service. Brian
Thanks Brian, I did see Dave again on my visit yesterday morning, so there will be a follow-up post in the coming days. Yesterday I met a patient who used to be the agent of Max Bygraves and Les Dawson. And I met a well known actress, now in her 80's. All in all, a good morning's work. There were three of us (volunteers) going round as a team yesterday. We caused quite a buzz on the wards.
Well if you ever doubt that you make a difference that story illustrates the positive way that it does. The gentleman will be so pleased to see you if he is still there.
You've a big heart Greenthorn to give so happily and willingly of your time and patience and share your gifts of conversation and caring. It's good to hear your stories!
"Gifts of conversation" ? Sometimes its about shutting up and letting the patient find their voice and their memories! I'm a bit cheeky on the rounds, often making comments to break the ice. But I'm honest and I do allow time for the patient to climb into conversation mode. For the last eighteen months I have worked with Lucy, a fellow volunteer and retired nurse. Even our managers are beginning to recognise that two is better than 1. Yesterday there were three of us, walking the ward together. so that in a bay of 4 patients, we can cover three patients between us. I will have a follow-up story from yesterday morning ... so watch this space!
Thank you for the 'Elvis' post. I'm sure you made Dave's day and he would be singing the tunes for the rest of the day. He just wanted to relive his youth and you allowed him to do that, so very thoughtful Greenthorn, especially as your time is so precious when volunteering. xxx 😊
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