Well it’s Friday and I wonder what I should be thinking about. No not the C word, let us leave that out today.
Today is the winter solstice the shortest darkest day of the year, it may be difficult today , but there is a glimmer ahead as now we have more light to look forward to until we reach those lovely far off summer evenings again. I am going on a search for redwings and fieldfares today as they are all looking for the rich red Field hawthorn berries. I saw them yesterday so hopefully today I will be lucky. Enjoy your search or mission today, whatever that may be.
Best wishes
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MAS_Nurse
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I’m on a mission to get a district nurse to come and redress Petes leg. They were meant to come yesterday but didn’t. I’m new to all this and so far, not impressed! Xxx
What a bad start for you sassy59. Hopefully it's some kind of blip and that soon there will be a routine, so that both of you know what's happening and Pete will get the attention he needs.
They always say hey are short staffed and have to prioritise......this to them seems that they are doing their best to cope but in fact it makes it worse because the powers that be say "There you are they don't need any more resources they are managing ok. and go home thinking they have done a good job.
It is not helped by the fact that district nurses and hospitals come off different budgets. From a FINANCIAL point of view the district nurses are helped when Pete spends 4 weeks in hospital. We know that it is better to spend on district nurse visits than 4 weeks hospital but that is not how it works.
This is why I always "Never take no for an answer" Never let "them up there", whoever they may be, delude themselves that everything is fine when it is not.I you don'tlike the idea of making a fuss just read the reports of the various Bodies in charge . Read the government saying there are plenty of economies to be made - so there are - do dressings less often and if people end up in hospital with sepsis that cuts the demand on the district nurse service - no problem!!!!. There, we said there was room for economy.
Then the hospitals say we need moremoney............
Sorry about the rant but the health services are all untimately the responsibility of the government. Governments can always find money for what they want to do. Government finance does not run the same way as our own finances and to try to make us beleive that it does is a cruel deception. Get on to you MP. Don't be rude or nasty but make sure that they are aware of what is happening and that their re-election next time depends on them taking the matter seriously.
Yes, I know you have no time or energy - any relation willing to help?
Thank you FredaE, I felt we were made to feel guilty because they were all so busy and trying to recruit staff etc. Petes leg is thankfully healing well but given that he’s housebound and I did lots of caring for him in hospital, I feel that someone can come and change a dressing every four days or so.
What upset me was that I waited and waited for a district nurse visit on Thursday but nobody came so when I rang to ask, I was told they just couldn’t fit us in! No phone call or apology.
I do have time and energy to contact our MP and intend to do just that. Thank you for reminding me. Money needs to be spent.
Hiya. Sorry that you are having problems. When they come ask them to leave you some dressings or organise a prescription for some dressings and get them to show you how to do it yourself if they cannot get to you. If the dressing has 'strike through' which means that there is staining visible on the outside of the dressing then it needs changing, but otherwise it won't hurt an extra day. Hope this helps. AliBeexx
Thank you for your reply. Someone is coming soon. We have dressings but no swabs, saline or gloves. Petes leg is bad so a nurse needs to do it.
Pete nearly lost his life to sepsis and spent over four weeks in hospital. I feel a nurse should redress his leg and it should be done at least every three days. Xxx
Nigel had sepsis in 2017 so I quite understand your fears. I buy my own Nitrile gloves and they left me some sterile swabs and saline and although I too feel it is their responsibility I do not feel as helpless if I can do it in an emergency. I hope Pete's legs start to improve soon xxx
The birds must be a consolation kernowdame, and I'm sure they appreciate your help to get them through their winter. I'm so envious of your robin! Best wishes.
Hi MAS_Nurse
Happily, as you say, for all winter haters, today marks the turn towards springtime and lighter evenings, even if it'll be a while yet to be noticeable.
But, as I've mentioned before, I'm the idiot who loves dark winter evenings. I love spring and summer evenings too, of course, but I think I'm just an appreciator of all seasons. Maybe that's come about from spending so many years in the tropics, where every day is the same; the only difference being degrees of heat and wet or dry.
I'm also lucky that my apartment is cosy even without heating on for much of the time, and I also live on a busy thoroughfare with a big window overlooking everything that's going on outside. It's endlessly interesting, people watching, and to me, one of the prettiest sights is on a wet night, seeing the reflection of all the traffic lights on the road, and people outside scurrying up and down in the cold whilst I'm smugly and snuggly safe and warm inside.
But for everyone who struggles with winter nights, I hope the solstice brings a crumb of hope that brighter days will soon be on their way now.
Hi Callendersgal, Thank you for your lovely descriptive post. I can just imagine you looking out of the window and people watching. I must confess I enjoy that pastime too. Although the arthritis plays havoc with the bones at this time of year there is nothing I like better than walking the dog through the autumn, winter colours in the park opposite to were I live and putting the world to rights in my mind as I walk. Yes roll on warm summer nights but also lets take time to enjoy all seasons. I wish you all a very happy, healthier and peaceful Christmas.
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