We all walk
through life hoping to get somewhere and forever focussed on the end goal, be
that a job, a relationship, where we want to live, etc. Often we all forget to
enjoy the journey because we are so focussed on the end goal. I have been
guilty of this most of my life, as I have focussed on bringing up my children
and getting a career, however since last year I started to consider the present
more than the past and the future and interestingly the cancer journey has also
forced me to focus on the present. I realise that I don’t need to get anywhere
fast, all I must do is live this journey to the best of my ability so I can be
as healthy as I possibly can to live and enjoy the present. Why worry about a
future that we have no control over! What will be will be. So as I post this I
remind myself to live for today and enjoy the day regardless.
I am back
in hospital and we are discussing my treatment and the fact I have to have some
sort of port inserted into my collar bone after today’s procedure. This will
allow Chemotherapy treatment to be administered intravenously without using the
veins in my left arm continuously. So my son suggests that he jack me up to his
guitar from the port and play music which they both find hilarious. Humour is definitely
the best medicine when you’re worried and as long as he doesn’t jack me up to
his amplifier it should be ok.
The
attitude of the nurse yesterday morning was so poor that I wonder why some
people do the job they do. She asked me all the relevant questions without
engaging with me whatsoever and then just left the room without going through
the procedure. She returned and put a packet of socks on the bed but still
failed to tell me when I would be collected, whether I needed to wear the socks
because I did not recall having to wear them the last time. The kids and I
looked at each other wondering what would happen next, so my son went to locate
the nurse and ask her to go through the procedure. She was apparently quite
rude and told him that I should know the procedure given I was in hospital not
that long ago. This is not the sort of attitude you expect from anyone when you
are going in for an operation. I have an excuse to be rude and stroppy but why
do these professionals think it is appropriate to behave in this way. It’s not
just been this nurse but others also have behaved as though they are doing you
a favour, e.g. the nurse who brought my medication. The jug of water is quite
heavy and I am not allowed or able to lift with my right hand and I am unable
to lift with the left hand because of the weight. This does not occur to the
nurse despite the fact she is supposed to be caring for breast cancer patients.
She only pours the water when I ask her to so I can take my medication. I am
appalled at the attitude and service this place has provided. When I arrived
yesterday morning reception asked me to check my details and lone behold they
have the name of my GP wrong again. I make a point of this and the receptionist
tries to fob me off with a very poor explanation of how my GP may not be
registered on their list. Then why bother asking for these details if they don’t
correspond with their lists. The last time I was here and having an ultrasound
on my breast, my son was told not to sit in the waiting room directly opposite
the rooms as women were changing, however when I was getting changed the nurse
left the room opening the door. Opposite the door were 2 chairs in the waiting
room, sitting on the one, that faced directly in to the room I was in was a man
who could see everything as I changed. This happened twice once when the nurse
left the room and then when she entered. I was so exhausted on this day to even
raise this with the staff and somehow, I don’t think it would have made any
difference. A few years ago I had a motorbike accident in Thailand and was
treated in a private hospital in Phukett. The care provided by the nursing
staff was second to none, from how they removed dressings to how they spoke to
you. I noticed when I returned to the UK how different our care was. So what
has happened? Are our healthcare staff overworked and underpaid? I would have
considered this a possibility if I was in an NHS hospital and not a private
hospital. These are certainly issues I will be raising with the board of this
hospital.
Also the
nurse asked me for the same information I was asked 4 weeks ago, the same
information the anaesthetist asked a few minutes later. She completed the same
paperwork that was completed 4 weeks ago. I look at the paperwork and wonder
why in todays modern world this hospital is using paper records which is a
complete waste of money and resources. Why are they not investing in modern
technology and have digital records and information for nurses to access which
would subsequently reduce the amount of time they would have to spend doing administrative
tasks and increase the patient care time. Or am I thick?
I had my lymph
nodes removed yesterday and the pain was excruciating inside, that tears just
rolled down my cheeks. It’s easier now but it is so much more uncomfortable
than the mastectomy and reconstruction. Oh and not to mention the dreaded drain
again so no wonder I’ve been unable to sleep despite having had an anaesthetic.
Ah well I have all day tomorrow to sleep given I’ll be in hospital another
night tomorrow.
When I
spoke to the surgeon this morning and he was highlighting the risks of this
type of surgery. He explained the risk of lymphedema, swelling of the arm,
infection in the implant and numbness in the top part of the arm. This was worrying especially as I already know
how easy it is for nerves to be damaged in surgery. As a result of surgery I
have numbness in my left leg from an ACL
reconstruction, I also have numbness on the right side of my jaw after I broke
my jaw in Thailand. So I know only too well however my arm is still functioning
well and there is no numbness, what a relief! Having said this the surgeon
informed me that I have to be careful with my right arm from hereon. In other
words I have to be very careful not to cut it or subject it to any type of
trauma, he specifically used the example of gardening and being careful that
nothing cuts the arm or hand. Also if I travel on flights I have to wear a
stocking on the arm to protect it. I ask the children to buy me one of those
cancer bands to wear on the right wrist as a reminder because its so easy to
forget and allow a medical profession to carry out a procedure on that arm.
Today it has been hard to tell myself to enjoy a journey where my right arm is in so much discomfort and even more incapacitated than I was before.
Sometimes the
nights are long
And the world
has deserted me
No one here
to hold my hand
Or bring
comfort to the pain.
You come
alone and leave alone
Life stops,
not for you or me.
Walk the
line and shed some tears.
Pain is
just a journey.
Everywhere I
have been
And everything
these eyes see
I see
alone.
Because the
world has no sympathy.
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