"Thank You to the NHS"

During the evening of 18th September 2020 I was admitted to the Emergency Department at Wishaw General Hospital. A very kind and caring Ambulance Team had come to my rescue at my home in Rigside, near Lanark. They had found me lying on the concrete in my back yard. I had fallen from a very high step ladder whilst collecting elderberries. On arrival at hospital I became aware that I was broken in mind, body and spirit. 

It was Dr Ryan who first looked after me. Having refused pain relief in the ambulance Dr Ryan soon sorted me out. After visiting the Xray Department it was Dr Ryan who explained exactly how many bones I had broken. I remember saying that I had to go home because I had so many pets which relied on me. He explained that if I wasn’t treated I would most likely never walk again. I got the message.

What happened to me through that first night is very hazy. Various procedures were carried out and I only remember feeling terribly thirsty and not understanding why I couldn’t have a drink of water. I have no idea when I was eventually taken to Ward 15.

I have a very bad memory of my time on Ward 15, not because of my own pain but because of a fellow patient who persisted in howling out her pain constantly. This howling, crying and screeching was truly unbearable. In fact, when I was being prepared to go to theatre early on Sunday morning I couldn’t wait to go to get some peace. I was later to learn from other patients that they’d suffered the same fate on Ward 15.

The operations went well and thanks to an incredible team in the theatre I was blissfully unaware of whatever procedures were performed on me. I was taken from there to the ACCU (Adult Crisis Care Unit). I soon became very frightened indeed as wires and tubes were attached to me and the pain built and built into total agony. This was when my mental state began to deteriorate. The fear gave me the strong impulse to flee. I remember, especially during the night, pulling out tubes and wires to free myself so that I could escape. My bed was close to the nurses station and they were ever alert to my antics.

I’m not sure which night it was but I just wanted it all to end and called out for help to kill myself. This turned out to be my turning point. Someone looked into my eyes and told me severely that I wasn’t going to die. I began to accept my situation and begin the process of allowing the medical professionals to heal me.

Day by day life on the extremely busy ward became easier. I soon began to feel overwhelmed by the kindness shown to me by one and all. I became an observer and watched, with great fascination, as each team seemingly danced through their 12 hour shifts. Every team member both smiled and laughed as they tackled their enormous workload. The atmosphere on the ward was so very special.