Well. I think I may have managed to set up a blog succeesfully so I will carry on...



A BIT OF A BLIP!



Had a bit of a temperature on Sat and Sunday which (to cut a long story short) resulted in me having to stay in North Middlesex hospital for three days. My white blood cell count was extremely low so I was at risk of infection and had to be in isolation.

The whole experience did not fill me with any confidence in the nursing capabilities of the staff there. Here are some of my experiences - some are funny, but some are downright scary!!



1. First night, a nurse comes in at midnight to change my saline drip (necessary to stop me dehydrating) . She gets half way through, stops and says she will be be right back. I doze off and wake at 4am to find she hasn't been back! I feel very stuffy, headache and am very very thirsty. I buzz for attention and the nurse arrives. "Oh sorry" she says, "I went for a break then something must have happened...." Too right something happened, I dehydrated!!



2. Same nurse, later on, comes in and hands me a tablet. "The doctor says you can have this" she says "What's it for ?" I ask. She looks up at me and says, "Oh my God it's not for you -its for the lady next door!!" Now I call that DANGEROUS.



3. In the morning, (you have to appreciate that I am in a single room with the door closed and all who enter have to apron up and wear gloves etc) the door is pushed open, and an old man in a wheel chair is slowly pushed in by a porter. The old man is looking very confused, as am I, and the porter just looks up and says"Oh, I don't think this can be right." Now I know there is always a shortage of beds in the NHS but..........!



4. 11.50 a.m. The nurse knocks on the door and enters, "Are you feeling sick ?" she says. "No" I reply "Well someone is.." she says and walks out, closing the door!!



5. A nurse comes in with an injection for me. She looks at me, holds up the syringe and says, "Have I given you this already?" I really couldn't believe it.!!!!!!



Once I was sure that I was definitely being let out, and they couldn't get their revenge by being less than gentle to me with needles etc, I spoke to the ward manager and voiced my opinions. All I can say is try not to be admitted to The North Middlesex Hospital.



It was not a particualrly good experience and hopefully not one to be repeated. Apparently they can give me something prior to my next chemo session to stop that happening.



And I was feeling so good too...........................!! Never mind. Feeling fine now, so a week to enjoy taking it easy before the next round.



See you later, Gilly x