Anne's Kind of World.aka enrollednurse.

Morecambe and Memories of a Misspent Youth!

2006-05-01T12:11:00.000Z

FLORAL HALL! GONE!

Oh yes, Those were the days! Anyone remember "The Dogs?" No, not a greyhound track, an amusement arcade! Meeting place for teenagers of the '60s. Then there was "Sportland." Another amusement arcade. I don't think much money was wasted on the machines though. Maybe the jukebox got most of the money in those days!
As time went on, we used to go dancing at "The Floral Hall." Sometimes the "Central Pier." Neither of them there now. Long gone. Many a romance leading to marriage, started at these places.
Off you would go, beehives heavily lacquered. One gust of wind and the hair stood on end, hence the chiffon scarves.
First time I heard "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Gerry and the Pacemakers was on the Pier. The Floral Hall had it's share of good groups too. I preferred the Floral Hall. Don't know why.

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My Leaving Presents.

2006-04-30T16:41:00.000Z

The last day of April 2006.
Over two years since I retired now. As you know, I still go to work now and then. Went yesterday, what a different shift. It was almost a pleasure to go.
When I first retired, the girls gave me a surprise party. And believe it or not, it WAS a surprise. I didn't realise that all the preparation was going on as I was working. On the same ward too. I did wonder why I was being shown how to use a new hoist though. But even then, I didn't "click on." I knew I would have to use the hoist at sometime in the future. I knew I was going back part time. And it was cold in those rooms. One nurse drew the blinds, said it was too hot with the sun shining in. I was frozen. We made a bed in the other single room and she closed the blinds in there too. What I didn't know, was, the girls were coming in from the car park and if I had looked out of the windows, I would have seen them. But knowing me, I would have thought they had come on a course or something. I will never forget that day. It was lovely of them.
These are some of the presents I received. Wonderful. Thanks to all!

Old Morecambe Railway Station.

2006-04-28T20:06:00.000Z

The old railway station on Morecambe Prom.

Testing!

2006-04-23T11:57:00.000Z

Got the blues, something is going wrong here. Help!

Saturday!

2006-04-23T10:34:00.000Z

It's Saturday, so that means football on TV. Not only does him downstairs watch his own team but every other team as well! Well, that's how it seems to me. I won't tell you which team him downstairs supports. It will only upset the Liverpool fans! But I will show you a photo! I bet you can guess.

Thank goodness for my computer! I wonder, when this computer goes to the great computer world in the sky, should I get a laptop next? (That's if a retired person can still afford one!) I really hope that this one will last for ages. I like it as I have said before. And also, have got used to it now. I find it easier than my other two.

Shame, I know I don't get as much as I could out of it. A bit like owning a Jag and only driving it 30 miles per hour. So much potential wasted. I keep wondering whether to go on a course and learn more. The last time I went, all we got to do was spreadsheets and databases. Now don't get me wrong, a lot of people need and even want to be able to do these things. I don't really. I can muddle along with the Wizard chappy if I need either one.

I still haven't sussed out how to put more than one sheet of paper in my printer. It's a good printer. An Epson. Like computers, these go out of fashion very quickly. Can't buy my printer any more. There maybe some equivalent to the one I have, and its may cost less now. My scanner is a Canon. So easy to use.

It took me ages to send a fax from my computer. I got permission to fax my work place. It amused me when they got it! I felt quite clever! Actually, it took me ages to find out I COULD fax from the computer!

I think it might be safe to go downstairs now.

Morecambe!

2006-04-22T22:25:00.000Z

This was the place where hundreds of holidaymakers came to the end of their journey and arrived at this railway station. Although the outside looks almost the same since its facelift, there aren't any trains. Long gone now.
This would be their first sight of Morecambe.

Restless Legs Syndrome....Ekbom's Syndrome.

2006-04-19T15:55:00.000Z

Restless legs Syndrome and Ekbom's Syndrome are the same thing. Dr Ekbom was the first doctor to describe it. That was back in 1945. I was one year old then! I don't know how he did that, it's a very hard thing to put into words. But you just can't keep your legs from moving. A most peculiar feeling, it can drive you to tears.
Interferes with sleep, that in turn can make you tired and "run down." As soon as you get up and walk about, it goes. Then, when you think it's safe to go back to bed, off it goes again.
I know this, as I suffer from it.
It used to be so bad, I lost a heck of a lot of sleep, disturbed my husband, then, the day after, I was shattered!
I saw the doctor about it and he gave me something to help and by gum, it did. I was working full time then, late shifts and early shifts, so you can imagine how tired I got. I was in my middle fifties I think when it first started properly. But I remember having it when I was having my second baby. After he was born, it went.Some of the information I have been reading, advised a sufferer to cut down on the caffeine, then experiment on how much you should be able to take if the symptoms lessen. I bet cutting down on the cigarettes will pop up somewhere too. Lack of iron may cause symptoms too. Best to go to doctors and check.
www.ekbom.org.uk

A photo of roundabout in Morecambe!

Tuesday. 18th April.

2006-04-18T10:24:00.000Z

Well, if that's my holiday, it's over!
Back to work today. Wonder what delights that will hold? Who will I be working with? That makes a heck of a difference. Some nurses pull their weight, some don't. I am not happy going to work so I hope I work with the ones that do.
The weather is miserable, bits of rain and grey skies. I suppose I should be used to it by now, after all, it's spring.
This is the Midland Hotel, it's maybe the biggest in Morecambe. It's having a "makeover."

Somewhere over the...........

2006-04-17T17:31:00.000Z

On they way home from one of our walks in the Lake District, we stopped so I could take this photo. Never got to the foot of it, so no pot of gold!
Recognise the bottom photo? Yes, it's Blackpool Tower!

Bad or good?

2006-04-17T17:03:00.000Z

03/09/2006

I would love to talk to my half brother!

I miss a man I'll never know,
Died in a place, I'll never go.
All my life I'll feel quite sad,
As I believe, he was my dad.

There are people out there, who knew him well,
His family, with tales to tell,
What kind of man he used to be,
I wonder if he knew of me?

My childhood dad was good and kind,
So why, the need to look behind?
But it's still with me, night and day,
Will it ever go away?

Yesteryear is far away,
I should only live life for today.
So if I'm brave, maybe I'll find,
The memory will fade, from my mind.
Written on the 25th September. 2005. By me. And it isn't fading! Not one bit. This is true!

2006-04-17T16:53:00.000Z

01/31/2006

New Machine!

To give me something to do while not working, I have invested in a sewing machine! Now I don't know whether this has been a mistake or not. I am trying to make a skirt. If you could see me, you would laugh. That's if you are experienced on a machine. I am just making this skirt with no knowledge at all.

I have three pieces sewn together. That has taken me a couple of days. Ok, I have had to go to work and that hasn't helped me any. I am now on the waist bit and I am utterly stumped. The skirt requires a zip, now that will be fun. These patterns are beyond me. lol. Not to worry, I mastered a knitting machine, (just.) More or less mastered the computer, so I hope, with a bit of practise, I will master the sewing machine. I don't think I will ever be able to make clothes for a living though.

My niece and I have decided to go to lessons. I think that will be for the best. In fact, I don't just think it will, I know it will. Any hints or help gratefully received. Thanx.

02/02/2006

Oh dear me!

Got the blues. I think that nursing is my forte. Sewing is not. The machine is ok. The material is ok, so that just leaves me! Thought I would give the skirt a rest for today. So started on a top. Three pieces, sounds simple doesn't it? Well, maybe for you. I now have a front and two bits of the back cut out.

BUT!!!!

I have cut out the two bits of the back alike. Stupid or what? I think, no, I am sure, I will have to go to the College of Knowledge and take lessons.

Later, I shall go back to the skirt. The zipper and I are NOT getting on at all well.

Work tomorrow and Saturday, will have a rest then! Before that, will have to go and see nice lady on Morecambe Market and buy another bit of material for the top. Didn't buy enough to allow for mistakes! Hope she doesn't laugh!

2006-04-17T16:47:00.000Z

My Favourite songs and singers.

Love this kind of music.
Jamie O'Hara...
Freddy Fender...
Bill Anderson...
Gene Watson...
Just some of my favourites. Also, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Meatloaf
Songs I like....
Angels, Robbie Williams.
It Wasn't me, Shaggy.
Ronan Keating, If Tomorrow Never Comes.
Loads more, too many to mention on here. Anything from Abba to ZZ Top I suppose!

Death, a Nurse's first time.

2006-04-17T14:43:00.000Z

Death & Dying.

Not A great subject for a wet Monday night is it? But it happens to us all. The thought could easily depress thee and me.

I have seen a lot of people die, I have also talked to a lot of bereaved people too.

It is a sad time for nurses and doctors as well as the family. Yes, the death of a loved one is a bit different to the death of a patient. Of course it is. But the nursing staff do feel it. Trust me. You may think they don't but they do. I have know the whole ward change after someone has died. One minute, all happy, then a kind of gloom descends even if death is inevitable, the patient old, even if the patient has given up on life. Some do you know.

Although I have nursed for donkey's years I have been very fortunate not to see a child die. I thank my lucky stars for that. I really don't think I could cope very well.

Death and the nurse.

INTRODUCTION.

What does death mean to you? Are you scared of dying? Are you scared stiff of the day when someone close to you dies?
I am sure that most of us don't like to dwell on these subjects, yet it is a subject we will all have to face at one time or another. I know that young nurses may only have encountered death in a hospital environment. Some may have that sad job yet to come. Others may have already faced death of family or friends.
Some of us were asked not too long ago what scared us about our own death and what we thought happened to us after death. I took the easy option and decided I would want to go quickly, without pain and any other unpleasant happenings. Am I being fair to my loved ones? Would they like to be there as I breathed my last? Would it help if they did not have to see me actually die? Would they grieve more if I suddenly died and did not linger? Would it be too much of a shock? I hope they would understand that I may, (and I am not too sure about this even yet,) want to leave this world on my own as I cannot see any dignity in dying however good the nursing staff and paramedics are. This of course is my view and that may change in the future. I may feel the need of comfort and support of family and friends.
As for what happens to us after death. Well that was a hard one! I cannot say what I honestly believe. I would love to think that I would be able to see loved ones and friends again and "live" happily ever after. But being a "Doubting Thomas" I really don't know what to believe. I really wish I had faith in the Hereafter; it must be a lovely feeling and lessen any fears of death.

Although I feel sad when someone dies, I am talking about patients now; it is the family that I could really cry for. Some blame themselves, doctors, nurses or any one they can. Some are obviously shocked; ashamed to let you see them cry, disbelief, anger, denial and some are very quiet. All sorts of emotions arise at this time. We, as nurses and human beings, as we all are, should try not to judge or say things like "I know what you are going through, something similar happened to me." We don't know what they are going though as every one copes and reacts in different ways. I know you would never say that to anyone, yet you might feel that the bereaved person/persons situation is similar to one you have experienced. We are all individuals.

There are many that deal differently with dying patients of different faiths. We, at our hospital are fortunate in having the clergy of different religions on call and they will attend after just a telephone call. Also they are there to help you in any way they can if you need their help. They may be called on to talk to relatives of poorly patients and not just after death has occurred. It is nice to offer spiritual help to patients or relatives at any time if you or they feel they need it. There are some people that are unaware that this service is easily available.
It is a fallacy, (I think this anyway,) to think that a person who has just died looks at peace. Some do but others do not however much care has gone into trying to make them look so. All that can be done is to make them look not too unnatural. E.g. don’t comb their hair straight back if they wore it differently while they were alive.

It can live in a bereaved person’s memory a long, long time how their loved one looked the first time they saw them after the death!

All we can do is try our best, sincere empathy and sympathy will not go amiss. Even silence can be comforting, no need for words, awkwardly said. Don't you be afraid to cry if you want to, you have feelings too! It is also nice to ask the bereaved person if they are all right to go home, have they someone to be with them when they arrive home. Even ordering a taxi or phoning a relative or friend to come and help at possibly one of the worse moments of the bereaved person's life can be a Godsend. They may be unaware of these things at the time, due to shock etc. Just imagine how you would feel going home to a lonely house and then the realisation and enormity hits you. If the bereaved person is alone it would be nice to try and organise a friend or relative to come and pick them up from the hospital, or at least to be at their home when they return, only of course, if that is their wish.

Sometimes it may be a while before you have to deal with death.

It will be somewhere. I am not trying to frighten you; there is nothing frightening about a dead body, possibly only your imagination.If you have any worries at all when faced with your first encounter with death on the ward, please try and voice your concerns to someone, do not go to the patient if you feel you can't cope. There will always be somebody to see you through it.

Violence in Hospital.

In A&E, you hear a lot about violence, also on the wards. We can call Security ot the Police.

But..............what if it's a little, confused old lady or man? Not aware of where they are, just want to get home. No amount of talking to them can convince them that they are unwell and in hospital. These elderly people are stronger than they look, they can sometimes, try to bite you, hit you or throw things. Part of the job, unpleasant it may be. It shouldn't be part of anyones job to face violence. I would feel really awful getting the police in to a confused elderly patient.
Myself, I have found the art of dodging the nips and bites. Up to now anyway!
It is against the law to restrain a violent patient.

I am still a bit unsure of what to do if faced by someone like that. I remember, a good few years ago, a gent was going to throw a punch, just because we wanted him to come back to the ward. I said to him, "You wouldn't hit a lady would you?" A look of uncertainty crossed his face and then he dropped his hand and laughed. THANK GOODNESS. He wasn't really, a bad man, just in a world of his own.
It isn't nice when you hear the poor people asking for their mum or wanting to be up for work next day. At the ages I am talking about, they will have retired many, many moons ago. There are the exceptions to the rules though but we know about them, usually!

One patient's dad rang the ward not long since, the look on the nurse's face! He was a 100 years old, so it isn't impossible.

Any nurses out there?

Any Nurses out there? I would love to hear from any of you. My e-mail address is bumblebees321@btinternet.com

I would like your points of view about nursing today! Is it as good as it was? Is it as much fun? Too much paper-work? Is there any reason why we have to write observations on a chart, write it in the Cardex/nursing notes? Do we really have to write an "essay" every day on a patient who remains the same? Too many chiefs and not enough of us? I am at the end of my career, you maybe at the beginning, as a student or RGN. Good luck.

Are they still training enrolled nurses anywhere?

Any replies, if I get any. will be kept private. If you do allow me to publish part or all of your letter, please tell me. Names will be withheld! Honest.
Thank you. Anne.

HUH!

I am a nurse, I am also a human being! I am sure some people think differently though!
Sorry to say this, but tonight, I have had fingers clicked at me and also the odd command. Not just me but all four of us. May I just say, not from the patients, no, from the visitors.

Now four nurses, on the late shift, looking after 24 patients is usually fine. Hard work but we manage very well. If someone is really not well, it's even harder. You tend to have to spend more time with them. Remember, I work usually on an Elderly Rehab ward. So the patients need more help that maybe usual.
So, 2 patients not well! Means we have to look after them a bit more. So, on my list of priorities, is patient care! Not a bunch of flowers.

Confusion, dementia and stuff.

The first time I heard a patient called demented, I was gobsmacked. But it was a medical term. Although now, we aren't allowed to say demented, diabetic, we have to say, they suffer from dementia and suffer from diabetes. We don't "label" patients any more.

Confusion is different from dementia, you can also have dementia and confusion at the same time.

In my opinion, these ladies and gentlemen should be treated the same as any other patient. Sometimes, we ask the patient if they would like a cup of tea. Well, we do a lot, but this is a sort of "for instance." If they have vistors, the visitors answer for the patient. Now, in rehabilation, we wait patiently for the patient to answer. This is done with people who have had a C.V.A. (stroke.) Some lose their speech. A lot can get their speech back, given time and the chance.

Then there are the ones who suffer from dementia. A lot of visitors are maybe embarassed about them. Some may and I have seen this happen, laugh at the antics of the poor souls. I don't think it helps anyone. Maybe the visitors are upset and don't know how to cope.

But, please, if you do visit a patient that is a bit confused, please remember, they have the right to say what they want. I have known arguments about whether So and So takes sugar in their tea. "She/He doesn't at home" How many times have I heard that one??? Things change when a person is in hospital. Have you tasted the tea???? lol

I realise that flowers are brought in to cheer people up, it's a lovely gesture.

Also, a few visitors would like to see their loved ones tucked up in bed before they set off home. This is OK if the patient wants to go. Most of them didn't tonight. I agree with them, it's a long night if you go to bed early. I would hate to be put to bed at say, 7 pm just because I was a patient.
Some are really grateful to get in bed as soon as they can.

Ahh well, should be used to all this by now. Sorry! But seeing I can't say anything while at work, I will tell you. Goodnight. X X X X X

Grades and Bands.

I am a bit annoyed. I am really, very annoyed actually. Listen to my tale of woe, please! They brought in Grading, now it's Bands.

As a "C" grade, I was good enough for back-up on a ward with an R.G.N. Just one RGN though. I got used to that, I always thought I should get the "D" grade if just for my experience and / or, common sense. But no. Trust me, I have helped many a young and new Staff Nurse. I am not bragging, just saying. Bound to know that bit more on occasions until they get more experienced and used to the ward. Not meaning to be awful to the young ones, not at all. Some are now Sisters'. They passed my experience years ago and by miles!

The night E.N gets an "D" grade. But since going on the Bank Nurse thing, it's the same. I am usually back-up.

Just before the Grading came into force, the E.N. wasn't allowed to give out tablets any more. I remember the days they RAN the wards. We had to go on a course to be able to do the medicine round. Ok, but although it was supposed to be on a yearly basis, we, or at least I, only did the one course. So that wasn't very good was it? In fact, a load of rubbish.

I know a EN or two, they ran Casualty (A&E) at night, now they are pushed out. They were excellent nurses too. Still work there.Just makes me think if I should have told the Health Authority to "Get Lost!" Too many Chiefs and not enough Thingies.

End of moan. Thank you!

Going to work.

Going to work in about an hour. Working on a mixed medical ward. I was there yesterday too.

Sad or what? I may have grumbled and moaned about my cold but there are people so much worse off. Of course, I know that! People on that ward are dying! There maybe one or two that won't be there today. I often wonder how we cope with all the deaths we see. Young or very old, it's still sad. Also, what I find sad, is the families that think maybe, if Mum /Dad ate a bit more, they will get better. I have been through that myself. Where there is life, there is hope. There isn't a way to tell them bluntly, that this will be impossible.

I remember when my Mum was dying, my sister and I got very excited if she ate a decent amount one day. That meant to us she was "picking up." Nothing the doctor would hint made us think any different. If I had known then, what I know now,
Yet I suppose I am grateful I didn't now I look back. Ignorance can be bliss. I know in the back of my mind, that death was inevitable. But I still had hope. Could not imagine a life without her. She was only 48. I have outlived her, seemed very strange being older than my Mother. Got used to it now but still missed. Can't imagine her being 85 years old.

No one knows what you go through when a loved one dies. They may say they do but everyone copes in a different way. Grief is different too. Anger, guilt, sorrow, disbelief, oh all sorts of things. You might blame the doctors, the nurses and everyone else. People have been known to pass by without a word, they just don't know what to say or if they will upset you or not! It's a lonely path.

My View.

Green for the good old State Enrolled Nurse. That is the colour at the place I work. I think other hospitals have different colours for their staff.I just missed the aprons and frilly cuffs, by the time I qualified, it was a white dress and green epaulettes. Royal blue for Staff Nurses and navy for Sisters or Ward managers. This mode of dress is now on the way out. Do I agree with it? Dunno. It's now the time for scrubs. So, half the hospital wear dresses, not the chaps of course, and half, tunic and trousers. Gone have the doctor and the white coats. A stethoscope is now the sign of a doctor on the wards. But I keep up well with the "new" trends. Makes me wonder what they will be wearing in another 20 years. Will they back to dresses? No nurses' caps either. Thank goodness. Even the paper ones were a pain. I don't know how how I would have got on with the fancy ones! Notice that a lot of girls wear jewellery. Too much sometimes. Ahhh, I remember when a plain wedding ring was just about acceptable.

So Sad!

It will be a while before I forget the gentleman from last night. Bless him, he had been told he had cancer. He was obviously upset, but then came from behind the curtains around his bed, smiling. That is true courage. Maybe a front. He then went home in a taxi. I really hope he had someone caring at home.

The word cancer frightens most people.

I know that he will be visited by the cancer nurse and there will be people to help him. They will talk him through things. But last night, he wouldn't know what to expect, so frightening. But he smiled and that somehow made it sadder.

I don't know how I would react. Not as well as this gentleman did, I am sure of that. I marvel at the people with cancer, they are really brave and positive.

I suppose cancer is not the worst thing that could happen to a person. There are a lot of things that are worse. Conditions with big names.

But whatever happens, bless you Mr X and all the others that are suffering this disease. Think positive if possible.

Nursing or not? 'Flu Jabs.

I read today, they have run out of 'flu jabs. (Not our hospital especially, but all over the country.) Just remember, next year, get in early! If you are one the the people who are at risk, get the pneumonia jab too. You know it makes sense!!!

Well, this bank nursing work seems to be drying up. No money! I must admit, I have done well up to now.

Next week I am on short notice. This means I may get a phone call any day. Of course, it's up to me whether I wish to accept the work or not. I wonder how long they would keep you on their "books" if you said no almost all the time? Not long I bet.

The hospital is short of money and nurses.

Enrolled Nurse. A rose by any other name!

In our hospital, we are Enrolled nurses. In the USA and possibly a few other countries we would be known as....Licensed Practical nurses. Different name, same job!

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for sick, injured, and disabled people.

As people grow older, two things will happen. First, nurses will retire. Second, more and more people will need care, especially in nursing homes and assisted living centers.

Licensed practical nurses work under the direction of a doctor or registered nurse. Most LPNs provide basic bedside care to patients. They take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They treat patients for bedsores, give alcohol rubs, and apply dressings. They apply hot water bottles and ice packs. LPNs feed patients and record their food and liquid intake and output. They also help patients with other personal care activities, such as bathing, dressing, or brushing their teeth.

LPNs observe patients and report any negative reactions to treatments or medications. They collect blood and other samples from patients for testing. In some work settings, they perform routine lab tests. They also get patients ready for more complex tests and exams. They explain how procedures work and answer questions. They also set up exam or treatment rooms by displaying, ordering, and cleaning equipment.

In states where the law allows them to, LPNs may give prescribed medications. They may also start intravenous (IV) fluids. Some LPNs help deliver, care for, and feed infants. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.

In nursing homes, LPNs provide basic bedside care as they do in other settings. In addition, they may help evaluate the needs of residents and develop care plans. In doctors' offices and clinics, LPNs often make appointments, keep records, and perform other clerical duties. LPNs who work in private homes may prepare meals. They may alsoteach simple nursing tasks to family members. They keep patients' rooms neat and make sure that patients are comfortable.

In all work settings, LPNs record important data, such as vital signs, in patients' charts.

LPNs should have a caring, sympathetic nature. (Shouldn't ALL nurses???????)

Employers prefer to hire LPNs who have a strong desire to help others and a genuine concern for patients' welfare. Because work with the sick and injured can be stressful, employers look for LPNs who are emotionally stable. The ability to follow orders and work under close supervision are also important. Applicants must have passed the state licensing exam to qualify for LPN positions.

History...... Mine, anyway.

Things are harder now when someone wishes to train as a nurse. In my day............. things were so different.

I sat a little exam to get into The School of Nursing. I passed and merrily started Pupil Nurse training a while after. No O levels or A levels needed. I think it was the same for Student Nurse training too.

We Pupils did two years training. The Student Nurses did three. Students went more into more depth than the Pupils. We were bedside nurses, supposed to do the more practical jobs.

12 of us started, 10 finished the course. And we all passed!

We had to do about six weeks at the School of Nursing. There,we were taught the basics. Used to have trips round the local hospitals too. Got to know each other quite well during this time. Then, we were let loose on the wards. We worked the same hours as qualified nurses, same holidays too. We were paid a wage, just like any job. Different now with students getting grants. Shame really. We had to work weekends, late and early shifts and Bank Holidays. It was OK!

We wore a white uniform, green checked epaulettes and brown shoes and a paper cap. Now it is "scrubs," more practical I think. When we had qualified, the epaulettes changed to bottle green. Not all hospitals had the same colours though.

Transferring!

2006-04-17T13:01:00.000Z

I am transferring my old blog to this one! Why? Well, I seem to have forgotten my password for the other and try as I might, I can't get it back. Woe is me.
By the way Ally, Steve has now put you on my links! Thanks Steve!

No Work This Week & Retirement.

Not one phone call this week, requesting my presence at work. I must admit, even though it's only Tuesday, I miss it a bit. But I can live without it!
It does get me out and about when I DO go. Lovely to see my old workmates too. In fact, now I don't have to go unless I want to, it has become a bit of a social thing for me. I know it's hard work at times but I still like going.

Retirement can come hard to some people. I know of one lady who didn't like it at first. They may run Retirement Courses, but there wasn't room for me as the course was full.

I know you should plan for retiring. But when do things go to plan? In my case, rarely. All the things I was going to do, well, I haven't done any of them yet. So, it seems, up to now, I am just wasting my senior years! But I am happy.

Computer Mouse.

I love my computer! It's a Packard Bell. Runs XP. Not had a lot of trouble with it. But these last few days, the mouse seemed to have seized up. I blamed myself. Poor overworked little mouse, I had not long ago, cleaned my desk, so I blamed that!
Tonight, it was getting worse and driving me mad. I opened it up, you know, took the bottom off. Golly, the muck type fluff! I cleaned it off and now the mouse is quicker than me! (That is easy though.) Anything is quicker than me!

I am still on dial up. My boys and my granddaughter say it is so slow.
I see in the papers that the price of Broadband will be coming down, (Wish I could say the same thing about petrol.) So, one day, when they have all dropped their prices, I may arrive, at last, in the 21st century and speed things up.

The only trouble with that, is the people can still ring me up and try to sell me a stairlift, a walk- in bath or ask me if I have had an accident in the last few years. Not only do they want to know if I have had an accident but any family or friends as well.
I know they have a job to do, I try to be polite.

Sciatica.

Don't laugh, but him downstairs has sciatica! Very painful I know.
I had it last year, at least I think I did. Sounds the same as it describes it in my book. It did wear off. But limped about at work all Easter. The usual symptoms are pain along the sciatic nerve. Pain can be felt in your back, down the back of the thigh and to the ankle. It makes you walk with a limp, so that makes other bits of you, ache. Commonly due to pressure on a nerve, maybe by a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Have just read, that it should have investigation. Getting him downstairs to a doctor is a work of art. I have a little feeling he won't go. So it's painkillers for him.

Just looked in our cupboard. It's a virtual chemist shop. I am sure every hypochondrics cupboards may be the same! Some things are from Herbal Shops, some not. I should have a root round and see if any are past their sell-by date.

Another Bit of Humour. Keep Fit!

Sent to me by my American Pen Pal.

Diary:
For my seventieth birthday this year, my wife (the
dear) purchased a week of personal training at the
local health club for me.
Although I am still in great shape since competing on
my college gymnastics team over 50 yrs ago, I decided it
would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservation with a
personal trainer named Belinda, who identified
herself as a 26 yr. old aerobics instructor and
model for athletic clothing and swimwear.
My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get
started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to
chart my progress.
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 am.
Tough to get out of bed, but it was well worth it
when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda
waiting for me. She was something of a Greek goddess
with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white
smile.
Woo Hoo!!!!!
She took my pulse after 5 minutes on the treadmill.
She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I
attributed it to standing next to her in her Lycra
aerobics outfit. I enjoyed watching the skilful way
in which she conducted her aerobics class after my
workout today.
Very inspiring, Belinda was encouraging as I did my
sit-ups, although my gut was
already aching from
holding it in the whole time she was around. This is
going to be a FANTASTIC week!!
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it
out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and
push a heavy iron bar into the air, and then she put
weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the
treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's
rewarding smile made it all worthwhile.
I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the
toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back
and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both
pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to
steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club
parking lot. Belinda was impatient with me,
insisting that my screams bothered the other club
members. Her voice is a little too perky for early
in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this
nasally whines that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurts when I got on the treadmill, so
Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the hell
would anyone invent a machine to simulate an
activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda
told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy
life. She said some other stuff too.
THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like
teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled
back in a full snarl I couldn't help being a half an
hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Belinda took me to workout with dumbbells. When she
was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room.
She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put
me on the rowing machine-which I sank.
FRIDAY:
I hate that bitch Belinda more than any human being
has ever hated any other human being in the history
of the world. Stupid, skinny, anaemic little
cheerleading bitch. If there were a part of my body
could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her
with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I
don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents
in the floor, don't hand me the*&%#(#&** barbells or
anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health
and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been
someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir
director?
SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in
her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not
show up today. Just hearing her made me want to
smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked
the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up
catching eleven straight hours of the Weather
Channel.

SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services
today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is
over. I will also pray that next year, my wife (the
witch); will choose a gift for me that is fun --like
a root canal or a vasectomy!!

It's on again! Footie!

Yes, I've got the blues!!! Just watched Mike on Corrie being taken into hospital. Ok, I know it's just a programme. But I have seen the same thing happen, over and over.
Anyway, him downstairs is watching footie. Keeps him off the streets I suppose. He tells me it will be all finished in May. But didn't mention the "Friendlies." But I know, have lived through years of it. Then it will be cricket. Somehow, it always seems to rain when Yorkshire & Lancashire play. I don't suppose it does every time but according to him downstairs it does. I suppose that I only know when he complains about it.
Not to worry, I have my computer! Have downloaded a great, annoying and time wasting, Space Invader game. Pacman too but I am even more useless on that. A few other games too. I have also found a way to transfer my audio song tapes to CD. We have such a lot of tapes. So it will take a while to do them all. Might just do the ones I like the most. Then, there is a way to do our old LPs. Trouble is, as soon as I sussed it out, I gave up! Still trying my sewing. Have made a top and now on my second one. Trust me, I won't be wearing them for best! They will look better under a cardigan.

No work until Saturday, I thought it was Sunday, I must be getting old.

Acne, rashes, spots, itches and stuff.

It's quite distressing to suffer from skin complaints. Teenage spots, leading on to permanent scarring. Not nice at all. You can read about all these wonderful creams and diets to help. Do they really help though?
Itching, due to dry skin...... awful. Slap all sorts of stuff on the rash, sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.
Best to visit your doctor, or is it? Do they give enough help? With acne, maybe but the common or garden itching, no, I don't think so.
I knew someone who was diagnosed with scabies, doctor said he could see the "tracking." This led to quite a good bit of distress. Not nice thinking you have such a complaint. The "tracking" was where the patient had scratched! How he could have diagnosed scabies from the other side of the consulting room, I don't know. This person had very dry skin and was told by the Infection Control Lady that, indeed, it was not scabies.
Of course there are more skin complaints, some sufferers have to be admitted to hospital. Poor souls. They must go through hell.

CVA / A Stroke

Worked the late shift, went on another ward, spotted someone I thought I knew. It did turn out to be him. He seems to have had a stroke. What a bloody shame, please excuse language. But although I have worked with hundreds of people who have suffered a CVA, it's so different seeing someone who walks past your house most days. Looking healthy and happy. Such a shock.
I am sure he is younger than me too.
The hypochondric in me is now coming to the fore. Should try to have a healthier lifestyle etc.
The good thing is, he is on the right ward, if they can't get him going, no one will. They work miracles!

Stress. Acne Rosacea! Work.

Can stress help cause Acne Rosacea? Can food? I think they can. All I can find, is, a prescription only cream or antibiotics. Is there anything else that could help clear it? Any one out there that suffers from it? Have you had it cleared up? Would love to hear from anyone with this complaint or nurses etc that know about it.

Went to work yesterday. Lack of staff again. Just one night nurse turned up. Not good is it? They are short of staff today as well. I suppose they will find someone to come and help. Well, they have to! Not only dangerous, but impossible to look after 24 elderly people! Then I read in the papers, they are shutting wards down and hiring more bosses. Unfair. The bosses won't want to get their hands dirty, oh no.
So it goes on. The nurses will work their socks off, get tired, get ill, then the whole thing will start again. The ones that were off sick will return, then work their socks off, then............................

Dementia!

Today I was browsing through a leaflet at work. It was telling people about dementia. One part said that we shouldn't correct the patient if they think they are, say, in a shop or maybe waiting for their mother or have to get home to make the children their tea. Even if they are very old and the children, even older than me. It said you can cause distress to the person.
I agree, if you were told your mother wasn't alive any more, it would be distressing. But we were told to try and put it in a different way, like ask the patient how old THEY were. Then take it from there. That's ok but a lady tonight said she was 34.

I always thought it best to tell the patient the truth, in fact, that is what we were taught to do. It is distressing for the person to be "kept back" from their loved ones too.
How do the nurses from the Mental Health team deal with this? I would love to know.

Bowels, Elderly and us!

One day last year I went to my GP with a problem that had annoyed, worried and upset me for ages'. I found it an embarrassing subject to bring up. But as my Mother had had bowel cancer in her middle forties I felt I had to go and have my problem sorted out.

After working with elderly patients for quite a few years now, I am used to the often-used saying" obsessed with his/her bowels!" Imagine how I felt telling my GP that I was not obsessed with mine, I felt they must know where I worked. If I can get embarrassed that easily at my “tender age” how awful it must be for older people. Never had problems before, fall ill, have an operation, C.V.A or anything else, slow down, peristalsis also slows down, not feeling up to scratch, appetite not good, drugs to make you feel better, painkillers, diuretics, the list is endless. All these can lead to constipation and/or diarrhoea.

A patient's view.

"My diuretics make me want to wee a lot. No thanks, I won't have another drink nurse or I'll be up all night. A few days of that combined with the 100 mgs of paracetamol or other painkillers I take four times a day and I'm in trouble. The pears and apples are too hard to eat with my dentures and the grape seeds get under my plate.

Right, so now I can't go, this worries me a lot. I ask for something to help! Does it? No, I either overdose on the bowel softener and get the runs, and then I have an accident. How awful, everyone seems to have noticed.

I also take senna tablets, they do seem to help but are they making my bowels "lazy? So then I end up with even more problems. Before I fell ill and was up and about I had no problems; I went to the toilet about the same time every day. In hospital with the routine and things it can be hard to keep to the same routine I have at home. I certainly cannot reach the toilet before her/him in the end bed. I actually hate going in just before or after someone else anyway, there's no toilet like your own is there?"

As for me, I was diagnosed with diverticular disease. It isn't bad enough (thank goodness,) to operate on. I just have to live with it with Colafac tablets and a high fibre diet and pray it doesn't get infected.
This was written a good few years ago

Life before death! Alzhiemers Disease.

Just been watching Corrie. Poor Mike, I know it’s just a programme but it’s true.

Alzheimer’s disease is a horrible thing to happen to a person!

It’s like death before you die.

For the sufferer, it is bad and for the family, it is bad.

You lose the person you know and love, long before they die.

I personally think, this is the case with a lot of illnesses. One day, you are with someone, they are as you have always known them. It can creep up or come as a bang, They suddenly are not the person you knew. It is a shock.

I honestly don't know who I feel more sorry for. Just imagine, your mum, dad, wife, husband or sibling not knowing who the hell you are! Then the poor sufferer, trying like heck to remember things, people and places. Must be terrible, especially at the onset of the disease.

Imagine too, having to repeat things, over and over again. As a nurse, you can walk away after your shift is over. If the person lives at home, it is a 24 hour job. Night can turn into day for the sufferers. So the poor carer is up at all hours.

This disease can appear quietly. The odd things seem strange.

As a self confessed hypochondriac, I worry if I start forgetting things, simple things. Today, I sent an e-mail to my friend, or did I? Have had to write to ask her if I did send it. I know we all forget things at times, so I won't start worrying yet.

Acute Coryza.

Got a cold. Acute Coryza really. Sounds good doesn't it?

You know what it's like, we all have suffered at one time or another! This was given to me by my everlovin'.

The first day is usually the worst. Sore throat, headache etc. Plenty of fluids, tablets for headache. Whatever, if no complications, it will take about 5 - 7 days to clear.

Apparently we spend a lot of money on the common cold. As long as these things do us good and help, so be it.

Woe is me!

Stress Incontinence.

Oh, how we ladies suffer! We bear children, ok, we wanted to in most cases. But it can weaken the bladder. Not always of course. As we get older, the bladder may not function as it did when we were younger. I don't blame babies for this, it can happen to anyone. Then comes the dreaded time, laugh, cough or sneeze, and there you go, damp.
I think maybe Pelvic Floor exercises will help. I know we did them after we had given birth. Such a long time ago now, I forget most of it. But they do help if done regularly. They can mostly, be done anywhere. One Physotherapist told me that you should leave little notes, by the sink, by the ironing board and cooker. Help to remind you to do them. Hopefully it will stop the distressing feeling of being damp.
You maybe have a water infection. If so, see your GP. That will cause pain and or stinging as well as frequency. Drink plenty of water, drink anything to ease the pains and dilute your urine. I know you can buy tablets for cystitis. They do say Lemon Barley drinks are good too!
Just don't suffer too long, it will hurt and maybe you will need help.

Look on http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ That has an excellent page on Pelvic Floor stuff!

Migraine.

What is Migraine?
The pain of a migraine headache is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head. It is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Some individuals can predict the onset of a eople with migraine tend to have recurring attacks triggered by a lack of food or sleep, exposure to light, or hormonal irregularities (only in women). Anxiety, stress, or relaxation after stress can also be triggers. For many years, scientists believed that migraines were linked to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head. Investigators now believe that migraine is caused by inherited abnormalities in genes that control the activities of certain cell populations in the brain.

Is there any treatment?

There are two ways to approach the treatment of migraine headache with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve the symptoms during the attacks. Many people with migraine use both approaches by taking medications originally developed for epilepsy and depression to prevent future attacks, and treating attacks when they happen with drugs called triptans that relieve pain and restore function. Hormone therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be linked to their menstrual cycle. Stress management strategies, such as exercise, relaxation, biofeedback, and other therapies designed to help limit discomfort, may also reduce the occurrence and severity of migraine attacks.

What is the prognosis?

Taking a combination of drugs to prevent and treat migraine attacks when they happen helps most people with migraine to limit the disabling effects of these headaches. Women whose migraine attacks occur in association with their menstrual cycle are likely to have fewer attacks and milder symptoms after menopause.

What research is being done?

Researchers believe that migraine is the result of fundamental neurological abnormalities caused by genetic mutations at work in the brain. Investigations of the more rare, familial subtypes of migraine are yielding information about specific genes and what they do, or don't do, to cause the pain of migraine headache. Understanding the cascade of biological events that happen in the brain to cause a migraine, and the mechanisms that underlie these events, will give researchers opportunities to develop and test drugs that could prevent or interrupt a migraine attack.
What is MRSA?
The organism Staphylococcus aureus is found on many individuals skin and seems to cause no major problems. However if it gets inside the body, for instance under the skin or into the lungs, it can cause important infections such as boils or pneumonia. Individuals who carry this organism are usually totally healthy, have no problems whatever and are considered simply to be carriers of the organism.
The term MRSA or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is used to describe those examples of this organism that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Methicillin was an antibiotic used many years ago to treat patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections. It is now no longer used except as a means of identifying this particular type of antibiotic resistance.
Individuals can become carriers of MRSA in the same way that they can become a carrier of ordinary Staphylococcus aureus which is by physical contact with the organism. If the organism is on the skin then it can be passed around by physical contact. If the organism is in the nose or is associated with the lungs rather than the skin then it may be passed around by droplet spread from the mouth and nose. We can find out if and where Staphylococcus aureus is located on a patient by taking various samples, sending them to the laboratory and growing the organism. Tests done on any Staphylococcus aureus grown from such specimens can then decide how sensitive the organisms is to antibiotics and if it is a methicillin resistant (MRSA) organism. These test usually take 2-3 days.

Why bother with MRSA?
MRSA organisms are often associated with patients in hospitals but can also be found on patients not in a hospital. Usually it is not necessary to do anything about MRSA organisms. However if MRSA organisms are passed on to someone who is already ill, then a more serious infection may occur in that individual. When patients with MRSA are discovered in a hospital, the hospital will usually try to prevent it from passing around to other patients. This is known as infection control.

HOWDO WE PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MRSA?
Measures to prevent the spread of organisms from one person to another are called isolation or infection control. The type of infection control or isolation required for any patient depends on the organism, where the organisms is found on an individual and the patient.
The most important type of isolation required for MRSA is what is called Contact Isolation. This type of isolation requires everyone in contact with the patient to be very careful about hand washing after touching either the patient or anything in contact with the patient. If the organism is in the nose or lungs it may also be necessary to have the patient in a room to prevent spread to others by droplet spread. Because dust and surfaces can become contaminated with the organism, cleaning of surfaces are also important. This usually occurs after the patient leaves the hospital.
If a number of patients are infected with the same organism it is possible to nurse them in the same area. On occasions for the sake of other patients it may be necessary to move carriers of MRSA to an isolation unit such as ours which specializes in isolating all types of infections to protect other persons. The medical care of such patients will continue in an isolation unit which are well used to caring for all types of medical and surgical problems associated with infections.
Heart Attack
Myocardial Infarction.
A Myocardial Infarction, also known as a heart attack or an M.I. is death of the muscle in A heart attack is the result of a blockage in one of the coronary arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When the blood supply is cut off, a part of the heart muscle dies - or infarcts. A heart attack is also known as a myocardial infarction (MI), coronary thrombosis or, simply "a coronary".
Causes of a heart attack
The underlying cause of most heart attacks is atherosclerosis, a disease of the coronary arteries that usually develops over many years.
Atherosclerosis involves the formation of fatty deposits (plaques) on the walls of the coronary arteries. These plaques can rupture, releasing substances that cause blood flowing in the coronary artery to clot. Combined, the plaque and blood clot (thrombus) can block the coronary artery altogether, resulting in the symptoms of heart attack.
Lesser degrees of narrowing, without complete blockage, of a coronary artery may cause angina
Who is affected?
Heart attacks are more common in elderly people and, up to the age of 50, are more common in men than women. After that age, the difference between men and women narrows.
In addition to age and sex, doctors have identified a number of factors that may occur together to make atherosclerosis, and so a heart attack, more likely. These include
A family history of heart disease, an inactive lifestyle (less than 30 minutes per day, on most days, of physical activity), diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol. Smoking.
Symptoms
Most heart attacks cause severe pain in the centre of the chest. However, sometimes there may be no symptoms at all (silent MI), especially in the elderly and people with diabetes.
The central chest pain is often described as heaviness, squeezing or crushing, and may come on suddenly causing the person to collapse. It may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, face, back or stomach. A person having a heart attack may appear pale, sweaty and breathless. They may feel or be sick. The symptoms can come on suddenly, but sometimes the pain comes on more slowly. Heart attack pain is more persistent than angina and can last for hours. A person who is used to angina will find that the pain of a heart attack will not respond to their usual medicine (eg glyceryl trinitrate). Treating a heart attack
If a heart attack is suspected, emergency treatment is vital - getting to hospital quickly and receiving specialist care greatly improves the chances of survival. If you suspect someone is having a heart attack call 999 immediately. If the person can swallow, give them a single aspirin tablet to chew. This thins the blood and can help to prevent the clot that is blocking the coronary artery from spreading.
Before hospital
In response to an emergency call for a suspected heart attack, the ambulance service will send a paramedic as quickly as possible. Their job is to stabilise the person and transport them to hospital quickly and safely for further treatment. A paramedic may have to resuscitate a very ill person, give oxygen and pain-relieving drugs. In a suitably equipped ambulance, they may take an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a trace of the electrical activity of the heart. A heart attack can be diagnosed with this test.
At hospital
An ECG will be taken and blood tests done to confirm the diagnosis. Oxygen and pain relief is given - usually by giving an intravenous injection of diamorphine (heroin), which is combined with an anti-sickness medicine. This will make the patient comfortable and calmer and in this situation has no danger of causing addiction.
Low dose aspirin, if not already given, is used to thin the blood. Ideally, the person should be transferred to a coronary care unit for specialist medical and nursing care. At the coronary care unit, or sometimes in the accident and emergency department, a slow intravenous injection of a drug called a thrombolytic (clot buster) is given. This dissolves the clot in the coronary artery. The drug is not without risks and a heart attack must be confirmed before giving it. But if the clot dissolves, the chances of a full recovery are much better. Other drugs may be given if pain persists, if there is fluid on the lungs or a fast heartbeat.
Complications
In the first few days of surviving a heart attack, there may be irregular, or abnormally fast or slow heart rhythms, which are known as arrhythmias. As a result of the attack, the heart may not be able to pump around the body as efficiently as before the heart attack. This is called heart failure. The larger the area of the heart muscle affected by the heart attack, the more likely heart failure is to occur.
Other rarer complications can include blood clots on the lung, stroke, inflammation of the membrane covering the heart (pericarditis), a bulging weakness in the heart muscle (aneurysm). There is also an increased risk of further heart attacks.
Long-term treatments
A small daily dose of aspirin is usually recommended for all heart attack survivors. Then, a range of other medicines may be required to promote blood flow, widen narrowed arteries, to give the heart less work to do or to make it pump more effectively. Other drugs reduce levels of blood cholesterol or control blood pressure. People who have had a heart attack may have to take a number of medicines daily, and long term.
Books, films and hobbies.
Two of my favourite films are.... E.T. and Forrest Gump. Although I like anything with Tom Hanks in it. Always like to watch Grease now and then. Gone With The Wind and the original Goodbye Mr Chips.
Well, what can you expect from someone who used to watch Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons?
Books, anything fictional about WW2. The stories make you wonder how people managed. Air raid sirens, gas masks, rationing, evacuating their children. And of course, all the deaths of soldiers, airmen, sailors and civilians. The brave acts of the Fire Watchers, ambulance, doctors and nurses. A home being there one minute and gone the next. I am sure that I have missed a lot of people out! Apologies. Used to like love stories too. Not any more. I enjoy a good autobiograhy too.
Hobbies. Computer! digital pix, reading and knitting. I must admit, haven't done any knitting either by hand or with the machine since I got the computer! May try this winter. Also enjoy walking in the Lake District with my sister. Only small walks though. Not much climbing!

Easter Sunday.

2006-04-16T12:30:00.000Z

Another lovely day. Perhaps not as warm as yesterday though.
Not doing much today. Just a bit of, knitting, computing and I suppose I will have to make something to eat later.
Reading a good book by an author that I have never read before. Martina Cole.
I need a new author, I have read and re- read Catherine Cookson, Freda Lightfoot, Lynn Andrews, Lynda Page and Katie Flynn. My kind of books.
This is the one I am reading now!

Thank you!

2006-04-16T10:10:00.000Z

Thank you my son. for putting the stat counter in, I will not touch it again. I promise! Have a great day all of you.
Luv from Mum.

Health Links!

2006-04-15T22:49:00.000Z

Some WWW Sites for Health.

Just a few Websites to try now and then. NOT INSTEAD of your GP of course!

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

www.besttreatments.org Common health probs.

www.netdoctor.co.uk General Health.

www.food.gov.uk Food.

www.cancerhelp.org.uk

www.quackwatch.org Worth a peek.

www.mht.org.uk Mental Health.

www.bhf.org.uk Heart Issues.

www.strokeassociation.org.uk CVA, Stroke.

Pressure Sores.

2006-04-15T22:47:00.000Z

Pressure Sores!

Simple help for prevention.

If you are reading this, please sit perfectly still. No moving at all. Try to stay sitting in the one position for a little while. Hard to do isn’t it?

We are not immobile, we wiggle, move, we change our positions very regularly.

More times than we realise.

Then, cross your legs. Keep them there for a few minutes. Then look, there will be a red area on the part you had crossed. Leave it longer and that red bit will turn white. The blood supply has been “cut off.” So imagine if you will what it would be like after an hour or so.

So, say that you are really ill and bed bound for ages, not eating much, if anything. You can’t move yourself; you have to rely on help. You maybe old and can’t get about much. So you sit in a chair for hours on end. What could it maybe result in?

Pressure sores!

The best way of preventing pressure sores is regular “pressure relief.” Either by changing position if in bed or standing a person up if they have been sitting in a chair, unmoving for a while.

People that are prone to pressure sores sometimes known as bed sores, are, the elderly, people who have had a CVA/stroke. People who may have a broken leg and cannot move very well. They maybe able to shuffle

about though. So really, anyone who is immobile could be in danger! The very poorly person who is unconscious needs their position changing.

There is no better treatment for the prevention of pressure sores than regular movement.

Pressure sores, for the person in bed, crumbs in the bed, yes, crumbs! Wrinkled sheets and/or night wear. If the person is incontinent of urine or faeces, this could aggravate any potential problems. So the person needs to be kept dry and clean. Don’t overdo the talcum powder!

In the hospital environment it is sometimes know as pressure area care. We used to call it the back round once upon a time; also it could have been called two hourly turns. It was also a time to talk to the patient, responsive or not. Do their mouth care, comb their hair and make them as comfortable as possible.

I have been known to start at one end of the ward, then when the whole ward had been done, begin again as the two hours had passed. If there was enough staff, two would start at one end of the ward and the other two at the other end.

We felt it was a job well done.

Scooter Weekend. Morecambe.

2006-04-15T14:18:00.000Z

It's Easter and in Morecambe, it's Scooter weekend. There are hundreds of them! The weather is lovely, possibly the best day of the year so far in this part of the country, (north-west.)
This happens every year. They don't take over the market place for concerts, I don't know what they do really. Maybe just to meet up? I hope they enjoy it though. Very little publicity about it but Morecambe prom was very crowded today!

Please bring back the Punks!

It worked!

2006-04-13T20:32:00.000Z

I have managed, after an age, to link this Blog to another one!
http://enrollednurse.blogspirit.com
I am getting clever! I just have to suss out how to get links onto THIS blog now. Not easy. Even if Ste did show me how to do it the other day!
Please have a great Easter, enjoy your holiday. If you are working, sorry!

Testing.

2006-04-13T20:20:00.000Z

Just testing something. Don't know whether it will work or not!
Fingers crossed and here goes.........

Grasmere and old car.

2006-04-11T17:09:00.000Z

We saw this car while we were in the Lake District.
The other photo was taken in Grasmere. October the 8th 2005.
My sister and I enjoy these walks. She has more stamina than me though!
There are some lovely places in that part of the world.
It is so relaxing, sitting on a grassy mound, munching sandwiches and swigging water. Just sat, talking about almost anything.
Looking forward to summer and going again.

Where is it? P.E.I.

2006-04-10T20:54:00.001Z

Prince Edward Island. Is Nova Scotia on the island? Is Halifax? Or are they on the Canadian mainland?
My education in geography is zilch. I learnt all I know about that part of the world from "Anne of Green Gables." And yes, I have looked it up n the Internet but my searching isn't very good either. Woe is me.

However, I can now, manage to copy all my audio tapes onto Cd. That will be a mammoth task. We have loads of them. Also, if we can fit the record player, I will be able to do our old LPs too. Will have to cough up for a million blank Cds. I presume, since we bought the tapes etc, we have a right to do this without infringing on copyrights? They are for our use. That is, if I do ever get around to doing them all. Don't want to end up in this Courthouse do I?

Punk Festival.

2006-04-10T17:10:00.001Z

For a few years there has been a Punk weekend in Morecambe.
I may be in my 60's but I love them. This year, there are not having the Festival here. Blackpool I think.
The Punks come from all over the world for this Festival, they cause very little trouble. I will miss them.
Here is a photo I took last year, well I think it was last year!
Punks. Morecambe. 2005.

Sunday. 9/4/06

2006-04-09T21:07:00.000Z

It's Sunday. My younger son came to help me set this site up. Thanks Ste.
He whizzes through it very quickly. I find it hard to keep up with him. He put me a counter in, from Google Adsense, I messed about after he had gone and lost it! Managed to put another in it's place. I wonder if he will ever notice? :<)

Going for Easter eggs at Asda tomorrow. Him downstairs thinks they will sell out soon. I don't agree, I am sure they will have loads left.

I know it's a week off, but please, have a great Easter.

USA.

2006-04-04T16:32:00.000Z

Ever since I got a pen pal through the girl Guides, I have always wanted to visit the USA.
(By the way, whatever happened to Susan of Monson, Mass? She will be in her 60s too by now, I apologise if she reads this and is a bit younger. Also Doreen in Canada, went by the e-mail name of shirleyvalentine@??? Karen and Kevin in Australia? Okiemamma Sue too? And Mary-Jo from Dallas.) I miss you all. All your addresses lost when computer crashed.
I have had two e-mail friends visit here from two different states. One last April and one, the year before in May.
I would love to fly over. Just scared of that long journey though. Then, if I did go, I have to choose between two good friends to visit. Such an big country. Miles and miles apart.

Tuesday.

2006-04-04T15:31:00.000Z

Today we went to Morecambe.
It has been a bright day. Just mooched about and bought a few none essentials. Printer ink, freesia and some alium, bulbs. (Maybe two LL s in that.) I am not fond of gardening so him downstairs can do it! I am so kind to that man. He just doesn't realise it. You would think, after 40 years, he would.
Today, I am treating you to a picture of Morecambe. The hills in the background, are the Lakeland hills. You can see the Stone Jetty too.

2006-04-03T20:32:00.000Z

Have just arrived home from work. It has been quite a long five and a half hours! I wonder how I used to work full time. Early shifts and late shifts?
Nothing to tell you tonight really.
If you live in England, you will know the weather has turned colder. We had hail this afternoon.
My daffodils are all out, bending a bit with wind, rain and hail. The rhubarb is appearing too. Cusses, him downstairs will start muttering about rhubarb pie soon. I will show you the daffodils. You are SO lucky!

Hello!

2006-04-02T22:07:00.000Z

Hello everyone.
I am a 62 year old woman. married, two kids, ok, men now! One granddaughter. Part time Enrolled Nurse.
This is my world.