I have just escaped from 5 days of solitary confinement in hospital and got home just in time to celebrate my birthday today. I know how short of beds the hospitals are here in the West Country so when I developed a high temperature after a blood transfusion I decided to see if I could reduce the fever overnight in a cool bedroom with some paracetamol. It worked to a point but I thought I should phone and let them know what happened and was told to get to A&E ASAP! I did get a friendly rap on the knuckles for delaying going to hospital and told not to do it again! They recognised that my motives were pure though!
I have spent 5 days on intravenous antibiotics every 6 hours. I was in a side room for infection control. They are still not sure if it was a reaction to the transfusion or another infection. The staff could not have been nicer to me the whole time though. The thing that shocked me most was that they didn’t make my bed in 5 days! I had to do it myself!!
My granddaughter aged 6 immediately picked up on the fact that I wasn’t allowed out of my room even for the toilet. I think she thought I hadn’t been able to ‘go’ for five days. She was very relieved to learn that they brought a ‘toilet’ to me!
Today I have pottered a bit but everything feels like lots of effort. I need to be kind to myself for a few days!
I hope you are all keeping well. Very best wishes from Jan
Written by
beetle
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🎶Happy Birthday to YOU ! !🎶 Pleased to read you're recovered and home Jan after doing time. Bit of a shocker on the bed front, either they suspected Covid and kept clear or were over stretched. I assume you got clean sheets at least. Did they say why you had to do it. Good that you felt well treated generally.
Bet your Grand-daughter wasn't as 'relieved' as you 😉, but aren't kids funny , I love their innocence and honesty when they see things in black and white.
Please take your own advice and go easy until you're stronger.
And goes without saying but I will "Many Happy Returns"
Thanks Chris. No, no clean sheets. Maybe they might have done something if I’d asked but it was easier just to get on and do it myself - proper hospital corners too. Maybe they don’t teach nurses that anymore? Bring back Matrons I say! Sheets get very wrinkled and if the beds are not made daily I’m surprised they don’t have many more bed sores to deal with. At least they were not short of blood vials judging by the number they used for me. It tickled me that the phlebotomists wear a red uniform too. Well you have to find something to laugh at😂
Take care my friend and thanks for the birthday wishes. My family spoiled me and I felt very loved 🥰
Aww Jan I'm pleased you had a good day. . During my stays in isolation the nurses and cleaning staff were fab. The nurses stripped (wait for it ! ) my bed , washed the mattress surface with anti bac and remade it with lovely fresh sheets every morning. I'm impressed by your doing proper corners , had I to make my own bed I dread to think what a mess I would of got into. Used to chucking a duvet on. Sensible colour of uniform for a blood bod is red I guess in case they get a spurter 💉.
Congratulations on your birthday 🎂 Great you’ve escaped the solitary confinement…. Understandable you’re not on form yet, plenty tlc needed, take care x
Hope you had a happy birthday Jan and are feeling much better and getting back to normal. I too love the story of your Granddaughter’s reaction.take care.xx Fran
Good to hear you were able to get out for your Birthday. Just a matter of taking it easy.Did you do hospital corners on your bed, 🛌🛏 cant believe you had to make your own bed how strange.
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and wishing you well x x 
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