I truly adore my #elderly patients. I will go to the ends of the earth to help them.
Probably because they all remind me of my grandparents.
I lost mine by the time I was born and then in my late teens.
Today a 96-year old had suffered 4 days...
1/
Probably because they all remind me of my grandparents.
I lost mine by the time I was born and then in my late teens.
Today a 96-year old had suffered 4 days...
1/
before he owned up to swallowing difficulty with his abx for his cellulitis.
He has private carers who gave him all the “well let’s try this” advice.
Today he felt he needed someone who knew a little more than the carers.
We spoke about his legs, they were getting better.
2/
He has private carers who gave him all the “well let’s try this” advice.
Today he felt he needed someone who knew a little more than the carers.
We spoke about his legs, they were getting better.
2/
I changed his abx to liquid so he didn’t choke every time he tried to swallow.
We talked about his care, dressings, infection rate.
"It’s good I pay them well".
We talked about his food. "Yes, I have plenty my 2 daughters have taken care of that, and ..
3/
We talked about his care, dressings, infection rate.
"It’s good I pay them well".
We talked about his food. "Yes, I have plenty my 2 daughters have taken care of that, and ..
3/
also, I get cooked meals delivered which I pay for".
We talked about the weather, about #COVID, his doctors. Self-isolation.
"I’m just trying to think of anything else I can implement for you as it’s Sunday?"
4/
We talked about the weather, about #COVID, his doctors. Self-isolation.
"I’m just trying to think of anything else I can implement for you as it’s Sunday?"
4/
Silence. Mild panic. "Are you ok?"
His voice breaks a little.
"Can you help bring back my wife?
I lost her 12 years ago but every day is like that day".
I zoned out for 3 seconds. I truly sensed his loneliness.
I wanted to cry, and offer an apology.
Instead...
5/
His voice breaks a little.
"Can you help bring back my wife?
I lost her 12 years ago but every day is like that day".
I zoned out for 3 seconds. I truly sensed his loneliness.
I wanted to cry, and offer an apology.
Instead...
5/
“Tell me about her. How you met?”
He was a postgraduate Ph.D. student in anthropology at an elite university. She used to work part-time in the library, but also an undergrad student in art and literature.
She had to work because she needed to support her family.
He didn't.
6/
He was a postgraduate Ph.D. student in anthropology at an elite university. She used to work part-time in the library, but also an undergrad student in art and literature.
She had to work because she needed to support her family.
He didn't.
6/
Ever had that moment when the patient becomes the storyteller?
Love blossomed. They wrote letters & left messages in an encyclopedia which she moved around the library. Just because she thought it was fun.
And it was.
She proposed with the line from a famous author.
7/
Love blossomed. They wrote letters & left messages in an encyclopedia which she moved around the library. Just because she thought it was fun.
And it was.
She proposed with the line from a famous author.
7/
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
-Jane Austin
Listening to him made my world light up.
I was sad when he said,
"I better let you go, I know how busy you must be."
8/
-Jane Austin
Listening to him made my world light up.
I was sad when he said,
"I better let you go, I know how busy you must be."
8/
"God bless you for helping and listening."
I don’t know if we will ever cross paths again, but it’s been the highlight of my day!
I truly adore my elderly patients. I will go to the ends of the earth to help them.
(shared with permission)
end/
#nhs111 #urgentcare
I don’t know if we will ever cross paths again, but it’s been the highlight of my day!
I truly adore my elderly patients. I will go to the ends of the earth to help them.
(shared with permission)
end/
#nhs111 #urgentcare
