As a child I was frequently told off for ‘staring’. I’d be nudged discreetly and sometimes firmly, mocked and told not to do it. I didn’t always recognise I was doing it, but sometimes I was lost in the staring – lost in the trying to figure someone out, trying to ‘see’ who a person … Continue reading It’s rude to stare..
*Jamie and Irene's names have been changed Driving home in increasingly thickening fog. Beautiful streams of light shine through the lulling mist I know at least three of the nine patients I have seen today may not still be there when I return tomorrow. ….They may well be part of the mist. And here we … Continue reading Misty December Nights
*Adeline and her cats names have been changed I named her Adeline because when I said goodbye to her for the last time I got in my car and a song called ‘Adeline’ by The Dip came on as I drove away. And so to me…and now to you, she became ‘Adeline’ as she took … Continue reading Adeline
I’ve thought long and hard about writing this, in a time where there are many opinions, a variety of views, very personal challenges and hardship and grief that can be all consuming regardless of what has been lost. But I felt compelled. And it’s taken me a while to get it right...Oh and it’s a … Continue reading Covid-19 – my nursing perspective
I was inspired to write this after spending a a study day at the wonderful Florence Nightingale Hospice in Stoke Mandeville. *Magdalena and Duke are fictional. The courtyard garden, centre stage to a surround of tinted windows and sliding doors, each one reflecting the colours of the garden. Behind every window is a life story. … Continue reading The Hospice Garden
It's really interesting to me to re-visit this reflection I wrote about *Grace. This was my first experience of a patient dying when I was a first year student nurse. It's so interesting to look back on especially now that I work in palliative care, to see the knowledge I had, or should I say … Continue reading From the Archives: Grace
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