Collaborative practice I’ve been in hospital a few days now. I’ve settled in. Well as much as you can be expected to when you’re in a strangeenvironment. The first day was awful for me though, I had no idea what was going on. I’d just started my 3 weeks annual leave (l work abroad so I was looking forward to spending time with myfamilyetc. ) and I started having severe chest pains at home. They were crushing pains I can’t explain the pain in any other way than it felt like a vice. My wife called 999 and the ambulance asked a lot of questions, before I knew t I was on my way to hospital.
I remember everyone just running around, it felt like no one was actually talking to me. Like I was invisible! The doctors were saying something about a possible stroke, but not to me, they were talking amongst themselves. They attached a load of wires to me and the monitor they attached me to constantly beeping. Still drives me crazy that noise all around the ward. Some of the nurses are nice, not all of them seem to like me though. Maybe I’m an inconvenience? Hope they don’t think that. I know they are all really busy, that’s obvious.
I finally found out that have suffered a stroke and I need to stay in the hospital until I’m well enough to go home. Although most of what they said to me was not in a language I could understand! I can remember asking where my wife was a lot and no one answering me, which was really frustrating as I knew she would be equally as worried. Didn’t get told when would be able to see her for at least an hour after arriving at the hospital. The ward I’m on has really strict visiting hours so my wife can only visit me for two hours a day and she isn’t allowed to bring he children which is a shame.
But have been told I will probably only spend 5 days on this ward and that if I’m not ready to go home I will be moved on to a ward with more flexible visiting hours. I’m looking forward to that. The thing that hate the most about being on a ward is having to use a commode behind a curtain. I am a 41 year old man and to be honest I find it very embarrassing and undignified. I’m not saying my experience her has been completely unpleasant but the sooner I get out of here the better and I will be in no hurry to come back.