Observations As A Hospital Patient - Wards Are Just Full Of Lonely Elderly People Refusing To Go Home.

[Smowball]

Have been in hospital since Monday morning, have moved ward 4 times, and I am shocked at how many patients do NOT need to be in here, when the hosp is desperate for the bed.(and I'm asking every day to go home, but tomorrow looks hopeful)And I'm not being ***, honestly.

For example, at this current time I am in a ward with 3 elderly ladies(I'm like the baby lol). The one to my right I have silently christened Madge(from the tv show BENIDORM) because she is skinny, tanned, has blonde hair piled up on her head, and is quite crude. She is 83 & sharp as a razor. Sits in bed tapping on her  IPhone all day. Originally had some breathing issue but all her sats are perfect now. But..... she does not want to go home. She has admitted to the other ladies that she lives alone and hates it. Even tho she has neighbours, daughters who visit every day, etc etc, but she clearly likes being in here.....talking to anyone and everyone non stop. So yesterday the doctors came round & said she could be discharged. Well, it had to be seen to be believed - she said if they discharged her she would throw herself out of the window! (It only opens 2 inches so not possible but she didn't know that). She said I am NOT going home, I am ill,and then went into an Oscar-worthy performance of chest pains, feeling faint, followed by she decided she was having a heart attack. Long story short, they decided to keep her in till Monday and reassess. As soon as they had left the ward she hopped out of bed, gets on her ifone, rings someone and says I'm here for another few days! As though she's at a holiday camp. 
I don't know the answer, but I suspect there are many like her in here. 
Anyway, I've been off oxygen for 24 hours, sats still borderline acceptable. So today they're seeing if I can go all day with no nebuliser and if I can they cud let me home in the morning. (Have everything crossed, as I can't cope with another Madge day!!)

Wish me luck!! xx

 

 

 

[haras2]

What a nightmare you're having, so unlucky with your fellow travellers 🙄

It can be so frustrating when you really feel you could cope at home, when I was in with double pneumonia , for days the answer would be "No.Blood pressure too low, temperature too high" although there were 3 family members available to help. I have say though, my fellow patients were much better  than yours! Hope that you are home soon feeling much better...

[Smowball]

Well Madges Ifone has rang non-stop all evening with all these friends/relatives that she apparently doesn't have. Not sure who chose her ringtone, but every time 83 yr old Madge's fone rang we were all treated to a full blast of Britney Spears 'Hit Me Baby One More Time!'... last time it rang a male porter was dropping off something and as soon as Britney started wailing her seductive tones whilst being innocently picked up by Benidorm Madge I thought he was going to choke because he had such a fit of laughter! 

[hollytree]

You must be used to being in hospital given your history of cancer diagnoses.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1804414.html

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1729166.html

[Canary42]

They ought to go back to the good old days - with a draconian Matron who would put Madge on daily blanket baths and other less comfortable treatments (enema anybody?).

 

P.S. Convalescent hospitals are now called Rehabilitation Centres (Rehab for short)

[Smowball]

lol, yep I don't think Madge would be quite so keen to stay in one of those!!

[barry1010]

There is a fantastic NHS rehab centre in Birmingham but it is not for convalescence.  It teaches severely disabled people and recent amputees how to walk and get as much movement in their limbs and body as possible. 

They deal with prosthetics, wheelchairs and other aids to help people be independent or at least live at home with help.

Last time I was there (visiting) there were a lot of injured service men and women getting rehabilitation.  

[barry1010]

Hope today's the day you go home, Smow.

What was the nebuliser for?

[Smowball]

Hi Barry. Waiting for doctor to come round. Fingers crossed.

Nebuliser was because my sats were so low, my asthma was really playing up. Not 100% this morning but definitely well enough to go home! 

[Rosetta]

Fingers crossed for you Smow. Is Madge still there?

[Smowball]

Madge is apparently being  told she HAS to go home today lol. She is NOT happy! 

[Smowball]

I can escape!!! Just seen doctor and he says I can go home - thank god! Just have to wait for discharge letter etc etc......

[barry1010]

Yay! Is your husband picking you up?

[Rosetta]

😁

[Canary42]

When assisted dying comes in, the likes of Madge will be swiftly despatched.

[Arksided]

Yeah, pleased for you Smow, still take things easy 😀

[calmck]

FYI Convalescent homes and Rehab facilities are not the same. Rehab is for recovery to independence from life changing injuries, paraplegia, amputation etc. Often long term stays. Convalescent homes are short stay

[pastafreak]

Happy dancing for you Smow! Now...just take things easy!!

[ladybirder]

I hope you get your discharge letter sooner than I got mine one time years ago.  They usually came late in the day but this time I remember getting home in the middle of the night - 3pm ish.

[Impatiens]

Very pleased for you Smow. No rushing out tomorrow to make deliveries - OK?

[ladybirder]

Smow was looking in here at 09.33 this morning so perhaps having a lovely uninterupted sleep now.  I do hope so.