"Hop this way"

After four cancellations, due to others need being greater than my own, I had a partial right knee replacement operation. Everything went like a well oiled clock and within hours of admission I am at the receiving end of an anaesthetist's explanation on types of anaesthetic available. Within an hour and a half I was back in recovery and receiving very good levels of care and understanding.

Back to the ward, where I quickly realise that nursing is not like any other job and must be truly vocational. I saw one patient carping about the food and making a serious issue about not being allowed to smoke on the ward! Threatening to book himself out even though his need is great. But there you go. I found it difficult to sleep at night, I could hear shouting patients and I had a suspicion that the smoker was actually smoking in his bed in the early hours. I thought the risk factor was huge as many are on oxygen. After three nights I heard the sister again tell the patient what she suspects and that she will put a nurse at the end of the bed and will prosecute if need be.

Whether it was fear, lack of nicotine or whatever, I don’t know whether he was treated finally.

But back to me, I found the physio understanding and they explained everything fully. Within a couple of days I was discharged and on the mend. Job well done, big thank you, I couldn’t do your job!