Death wish

[Angela Woodford]

I believe that it would be reasonably accurate to say that the need for a "a daily bowel movement" was common throughout the medical profession in the 1930s-60s, and by no means confined to the CH Sicker. Certainly, when I was in St Bartholomew's Hospitial in 1954 for an eye operation the entire ward (about 50 patients) was asked every day whether they had had a 'movement,' regardless of the reason for which they had been admitted. Sister had a special millboard and form for the purpose of recording this vital bit of information. And woe betide those who said 'no!

Medical or surgical?

I think this would be more of a nursing thing, than a pre-op inquiry by a surgeon, foureyes. I don't suppose that an opthalmologist would care a lot about bowel movement - whereas it would be part of the routine nursing charts.

[Foureyes]

I think this would be more of a nursing thing, than a pre-op inquiry by a surgeon, foureyes. I don't suppose that an opthalmologist would care a lot about bowel movement - whereas it would be part of the routine nursing charts.

As far as I remember, it was exclusively a nursing thing. Sister seemed to get very worked up about it and nobody - but nobody - crossed Sister if they could help it. Hattie Jacques in the "Carry On" films was a cuddly teddy bear in comparison.

[Foureyes]

I said:

"As far as I remember, it was exclusively a nursing thing. Sister seemed to get very worked up about it and nobody - but nobody - crossed Sister if they could help it. Hattie Jacques in the "Carry On" films was a cuddly teddy bear in comparison."

On second thoughts, I fear that I have been grossly unfair to the Ward Sister. Yes, she was very strict and, yes, she was very frightening to doctors, staff and patients alike. She also had a "thing" about bowels. But, what I should have added was that the ward was spotless, everything ran like clockwork, no patient ever caught a bug in that ward, and the nurses were always immaculately turned out - even at the end of their shift. And when the time came to extract the stitches from my eye (not a pleasant experience) it was done very quickly and precisely by Sister herself.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Apropos Sisters : If you would think Hattie Jaques was a Teddy Bear --- Try Marrying one --
My Beloved used to run Intensive Care and is a brilliant Nurse, provided you are wired to a Cardiac Monitor, on a Ventilator and connected to a Drip. (No Comments Please !)
If One sprains an ankle, or suffers a bruised elbow ----- call the nearest Teenager, who has done a First Aid Course.--
Specialisation to the Nth degree !
It may be obvious that I didn,t pursue her for her Nursing Skills !

[Angela Woodford]

Neill - to develop that a little further, I think that every nurse has something that they hold in horror. Just before I left nursing, I remember a staff nurse on a female medical ward declaiming, whilst hearing that some poor unspeakably ill woman was expected for admission "Well, at least it's nothing to do with willies. I don't do willies!"

I thought that this was a bit intolerant. However the task that turns many nurses shades of pale green is sputum Yes! the coughing up of, the disposal of, as it lurks in covered pots, and the harvesting of such a specimen to be sent off to the lab... And there's more. But you may be contemplating breakfast.

My own horror is eyes. Caratacts, and the dressings of! Applying eye drops - I dreaded it! Taking stitches out! As a student doing my stint in A &E, builders who had tar in their eyes were always arriving. Oh horror! I used to scrub out the bedpan washer in the sluice as a way of hiding from the Eyes in cubicle 1. Give me a dear gentleman of the road with untended toenails any time. Or willies. Willies hold no fear for me.

Mrs Neill sounds very splendid...

[englishangel]

I am so totally with Angela on the covered pot thing, I cannot even bring myself to type the word or I would be talking to God on the great white telephone. Any other bodily fluid I am fine with, you name it, I'll clear it up, but I could never do chest physio.

Eyes too, though my horror is narrower, it is empty eye sockets that make me sink ungracefully to the floor, I can manage the mangled eye, it is the absence that worries me.

[sejintenej]

Apropos Sisters : If you would think Hattie Jaques was a Teddy Bear --- Try Marrying one --
My Beloved used to run Intensive Care and is a brilliant Nurse, provided you are wired to a Cardiac Monitor, on a Ventilator and connected to a Drip. (No Comments Please !)
If One sprains an ankle, or suffers a bruised elbow ----- call the nearest Teenager, who has done a First Aid Course.--
Specialisation to the Nth degree !
It may be obvious that I didn,t pursue her for her Nursing Skills !

I agree almost entirely. It was Dr Scott who opined (during Civil Defence classes) that the last person you want at an accident scene is a qualified doctor. His take was along the lines of don't worry about getting wounds clean - just stop it bleeding and let A & E worry about infection.
Working in a rescue capacity we used to have doctors and paramedics on call but until they would arrive we would simply throw off gauntlets and use bare hands (and lips for CPR) whereas they would take the time to get out and put on gloves, sterile dressings etc. .......... A simple example from Dr Scott; to control bleeding bung your hand over it and press (or pinch it with a couple of fingers as appropriate); what would a doctor do?
I should comment that those regular doctors and paramedics on the track were actually a bit more practically minded than the average

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I'm sorry about Angela's phobia about Cateracts ---- I have had a removal on both eyes -- leading to Eyesight as if I were 30 again !!
I've also had both eyes Lasered-- being, as I have mentioned, on Insulin for 52 years, also wonderful results, except that the one on the right eye left a scar right where the Foresight should be in focus.
You may think this is unimportant, however, if the Grey Squirrels find out, I shall, once more, be overrun !
I love Wildlife, but with 7 Apple Trees and 2 large Victoria Plum Trees,--- in competition I am RUTHLESS !
Sorry Angela, Delete the bit about Eyes.
The Blessed , and forgiving, Anne, ( My Wife) says that as a Student Nurse in Charing Cross Hosp. Cleaning out Sluices, sweeping the floor and doing "Horrid Things" were part of the job, her views on the disposal of the old Matron (We now have Male Matrons !) was a Disaster, as was the contracting of Cleaning, both of which she believes contributed,greatly to the current Bugs prevelant in hospitals today ! I wouldn't dare to dis-agree !
I believe HER phobia was vomit -- but she had to overcome it.
I Also think she is splendid -- and so do the Karen Tribes and Lepers which she attended on the Thai /Burmese border for 5 years as a Missionary.

Soldier --- Missionary --- How did we get together ? Thats another story !!!

[englishangel]

I have given many instructions for my Funeral (Cardboard box to Crematorium !) one of which is that I shall HAUNT anyone who sings the 23rd Plalm to "Crimond ! No Black to be worn and that bit from the Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha) about "In the sight of the Unwise they appeared to die, and their departure was taken for Misery ----- but they are at Peace !"
I don't think this is a morbid subject, and I learned a lot from my Father, who sat me down and informed me where the Will was, who to inform, what to do with Investments, to avoid Administrators taking "Cuts" and Commission.
My Computer has a Note "When I die " which contains all this, It does save a lot of Hassle for those who have to deal with things, and are presumeably grieving
Last Point ----- As a C.A.B. Advisor -- There are more troubles about, than you can imagine , if you haven't made a Will !
Don't mention Aunt Nellie's Diamond Ring ---- It may be lost or stolen by the time the Will is read ---- Make a list NOT ATTACHED IN ANY WAY TO THE WILL and show how you would like personal things distributed.
The Legal Brethren among you may wish to correct me, I should be glad of it -- but it seems Common Sense !

Oh Dear ! Have I started another Topic ? Slap on the Wrist from JR !

I have copied the above quote by Neill the Notorious as I thought it deserved it.

My Mum had planned her funeral 25 years ago, as her parents had both died in their early 60s of heart disease it seemed like a good bet she would die young. In fact she died on Easter Sunday this year of cancer at the age of 80. She also wanted a cardboard coffin,but apparently you can't cremate them as the chemicals which make them firm enough to hold a body are toxic when burned. We chose a wicker coffin which was absolutely lovely, (though my sister did mutter something about laundry baskets) it had a garland of spring flowers round it and a simple white wreath on top. At her request (and Dad's wish) only immediate family went to the cremation and then family and friends (one going back nearly 75 years to Orkney) gathered at the chapel for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance filled with tears and laughter. Many happy memories.

As for me, wrap me in a cotton sheet and bury me under a tree, after removing anything suitable for transplant of course.

[englishangel]

I don't think anyone of us "Failed" on the presentation of the School Bible, I still have mine, which adorns the Bookcase, since I tend to use the NIV. The School version is interesting, in that it is the "Revised " not the beloved Authorised and contains the Apocrypha, -- wonderful tales of "Bel and the Dragon" and the "History of Susanna"
I have given many instructions for my Funeral (Cardboard box to Crematorium !) one of which is that I shall HAUNT anyone who sings the 23rd Plalm to "Crimond ! No Black to be worn and that bit from the Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha) about "In the sight of the Unwise they appeared to die, and their departure was taken for Misery ----- but they are at Peace !"
I don't think this is a morbid subject, and I learned a lot from my Father, who sat me down and informed me where the Will was, who to inform, what to do with Investments, to avoid Administrators taking "Cuts" and Commission.
My Computer has a Note "When I die " which contains all this, It does save a lot of Hassle for those who have to deal with things, and are presumeably grieving
Last Point ----- As a C.A.B. Advisor -- There are more troubles about, than you can imagine , if you haven't made a Will !
Don't mention Aunt Nellie's Diamond Ring ---- It may be lost or stolen by the time the Will is read ---- Make a list NOT ATTACHED IN ANY WAY TO THE WILL and show how you would like personal things distributed.
The Legal Brethren among you may wish to correct me, I should be glad of it -- but it seems Common Sense !

Oh Dear ! Have I started another Topic ? Slap on the Wrist from JR !

I have copied this over to General chat Non-CH as "Death wish", then come back here to tell you and it appears I was not logged in.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

I thought that this was a bit intolerant. However the task that turns many nurses shades of pale green is sputum Yes! the coughing up of, the disposal of, as it lurks in covered pots, and the harvesting of such a specimen to be sent off to the lab... And there's more. But you may be contemplating breakfast.

You might spare a thought for the poor Scientist on the receiving end of such specimens.

My first day working at The Brompton I read the back of some bits of scrap paper that had been turned into memo pads. They had originally been part of a patient questionnaire and included questions about the colour of the stuff they emitted from their lungs: clear, white, yellow, green. GREEN???????????????????????

and the amount: teaspoonful, eggcupful, half a teacup.

Er, excuse me while I commune with the large white telephone.


But, of course, we not only have to observe the specimens, but have to try to suck them up pipettes ......................

Then, a few years later it got worse when emphysemic father in law came to live with us. He flatly refused to give up smoking, saying that (cough, cough, splutter, gasp, cough) I had no idea what I was talking about when I commented on the effect that smoking cigarettes has on health, and that I was paranoid because I had once worked in a chest hospital.

Whateva.


I have also had the pleasure of analysing stool samples for occult blood (sometimes made difficult by the fact that the patients provided urine), but never been faced, Thank The Lord, with faecal fat analysis (three days worth of stools collected into a 4 litre paint can and shaken for several hours with methanol or some other solvent. Imagine the gases that emerge from the sample and what happens if the lid isn't adequately attached to the can).

My current preoccupation is with saliva.

xxx

[Angela Woodford]

Yes, well, Caroline, how often have you tormented me with a maddening brain haunting tune?

Now I'm nostalgic for the furtive covered-pot world of sputum!

That's if the sputum makes it into the covered-pot. It can be awaiting the unwary nurse in a tissue. Or even,maybe having been violently expectorated, quivering on the side of the patient's locker.

The more infected the sputum the more green and sticky ("tenacious" in the lingo of sputum) it becomes. Sometimes, a sputum can be frothy - an interesting variation. White, yellow through to green, sometimes bloodstained or tarry with nicotine... and then maybe set, blancmange-like, into a container-shaped consolidation, which one shakes, shudderingly, into the sluice. Don't forget to retain a specimen for the lab, nurse! Yes! with the wood spatula in that tray over there... well, take some deep breaths then! You'll feel all right in a minute.

Perhaps I should be posting in this new Death Wish thread.

[jtaylor]

Split out from the "EXIT CH -- EXEUNT TRADITIONS !" topic, as requested.

J

[gma]

analysing stool samples for occult blood

I'm sorry? I thought it was just teeenagers that had seances in darkenend college buildings!!

I had once worked in a chest hospital.

You may be pleased to be over there rather than here when I tell you the following. I've been trawling my step-pa-in-law around as he goes for tests etc, he was xayed and told that subesequent to the prostate cancer he had had and beaten, he now had suspicious shadoes on his lungs but 'not to worry'. Then got hauled up to Tooting for exploratory ops to be then told they weren't on the lung interior but exterior and to toddle off home and await the results. Which he duly did, coughing and spluttering all the way home (in my car) as he doesn't do well with breathing tubes and bracheoscopys (or therabouts) and had a sore throat.

He had recall yesterday to have the consultant gaily announce that he didn't have lung cancer after all but did have TB and 'could have had it for years, so pop these tabs and run along old chap' Nurse said 'Don't worry, all will be well'.

I'm sorry?

So nursey nurseys, should we all be running screaming for the chest clinic?

[Jude]

analysing stool samples for occult blood

I'm sorry? I thought it was just teeenagers that had seances in darkenend college buildings!!

I had once worked in a chest hospital.

You may be pleased to be over there rather than here when I tell you the following. I've been trawling my step-pa-in-law around as he goes for tests etc, he was xayed and told that subesequent to the prostate cancer he had had and beaten, he now had suspicious shadoes on his lungs but 'not to worry'. Then got hauled up to Tooting for exploratory ops to be then told they weren't on the lung interior but exterior and to toddle off home and await the results. Which he duly did, coughing and spluttering all the way home (in my car) as he doesn't do well with breathing tubes and bracheoscopys (or therabouts) and had a sore throat.

He had recall yesterday to have the consultant gaily announce that he didn't have lung cancer after all but did have TB and 'could have had it for years, so pop these tabs and run along old chap' Nurse said 'Don't worry, all will be well'.

I'm sorry?

So nursey nurseys, should we all be running screaming for the chest clinic?

It's somewhat terrifying that TB, once thought to have been erradicated in the UK is now one of the fastest growing illnessess in the UK! Most of us get given anti - TB shots at school - Is it BCG - that one that goes all nasty and leaves you with a scar on your arm... (I passed out when given mine, and weirdly have no scar at all - others had terrible times with yellow and green puss coming forth from the injection site!)???? My brain has gone into a large spinning top - well I have, so am off driving AGAIN, and am parked in bed, with steroids about to be shoved in my arm if it continues for the next 4 days.. argh and all the weight I have lost! Steroids are so crappy!

As a nurse I was fine with eyes, teeth, hearing aids and shaving men - so I used to go & put in contact lenses, hearing aids, ensure that the teeth were clean and then installed correctly. There was only one thing I couldn't cope with then - and am still the same now - a room with no windows - on my surgical rounds I had to do 16 weeks in theatre - after passing out 3 times in the "oh so new and up market " Theatre, they discovered what I had known all along - and I went and worked in the "oh so old" theatre that had windows - and didn't pass out again!

There is only one part of the anatomy I can't cope with - and you will think I am totally mad (well it's a forgone conclusion anyway!) I can't "DO" belly buttons! ugh, the thought alone has me stretching away from the computer and feeling rather sickly.....

Give me sputum, faceces, blood, injections, cathertisation, ANYTHING but belly buttons.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOt to go and calm myself down now!
ugh!