Keep in touch
And so hospital life grinds on.
Not that many years ago hospitals used to be full of warning signs. Dire warnings were in place should you have the temerity to produce a mobile phone
I assume this ban on phones was because they were afraid the signal would interfere with their equipment. A quick call home could see poor old Pat in Ward 3 keel over and die because of interference to his pacemaker.
Things have changed.
Looking around the wards these days all you will probably see are heads dug into smart phones and iPads. Speaking for myself, my technology comprises this laptop, a phone and a Kindle. I’m in the ha’penny place. The record holder currently has an iPhone, an iPad, a Kindle, I suspect another mobile phone of some sort and a yoke on his wrist that he has long chats with. He spends the day tapping away with his corner of the ward set up as a mini-office. Fair play.
The last ward I was in [I’m currently in my third] I shared with a chap who was a real soap fan. He seemed to have an endless supply so I can only assume he had tapped into streaming services. He would spend the entire day engrossed in these which is a real testament to the endurance ability of the human mind. Every now and then he would get bored of soaps and would switch to an American comedy. I don’t know what the latter was but the comedy in it was of such poor standard that even the canned laughter sounded forced, half hearted and very unconvincing.
This morning I awoke [obviously!]. I remembered having my phone somewhere about my person last night so before doing anything else I started a hunt through the bedclothes. No sign. A nurse came around to change my bedding [bearing in mind that this wasn’t long after seven] and I mentioned to her to look out for my phone. Immediately there was a chorus of queries from the other beds. They all wanted my number. I called it out and almost instantly my phone rang and was retrieved [it was on the floor]. That little trick wouldn’t gave worked if phones were banned? Though I suppose I wouldn’t have had a phone to lose if they were.
Life in here would be almost unbearable without electronics. They allow me to keep up with the news. I can chat with friends. I can buy a car. I can monitor my front driveway [!] and I can keep an eye on emails and bank accounts.
The only thing that really requires effort is to update that damned Rambles site.
Hopefully this one won’t go into moderation like all the others. (probably my fault)
Glad you’re up to posting otherwise I’d have no way to tell if you were still around. 😉
Hope you get home soon.
As for me I seem to be following in my fathers footsteps as I’ve been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I don’t mind following in some of my father’s footsteps but some of them I’d rather avoid. Like the aforementioned one. Otherwise life goes on–no real complaints though I tend to bitch a lot. But that’s just natural.
Damn it but you have had your share of health problems and then some. Just keep focused on that beer we have to share on your porch some day.
Heh, like I said, I take after my father but I forgot to mention he lived until he was 84. So who know what the future will bring?
Ah you’re grand so. Just do as I did and make sure you live longer.
At least you’re in the 21st century. 18 months ago, I was hospitalised with Guillen Barre Syndrome, an attack on the central nervous system, which left me paralysed from the waist down (some people have been completely paralysed, so I was told I was lucky), and had to have a series of infusions.
For some reason, mobile phone, kindles, etc, were not allowed and, after being lifted out of bed into a chair, was given a selection of magazines, some really old (What a shame it was about that Titanic), so when the physio came round to see how I was, the standing and walking exercises, were the only way to pass the time, apart from meal times, but you’ve covered that. I was told that they had rarely seen someone so determined to regain use of their legs, but I couldn’t tell them it was so I could get out of that place. The treatment was excellent, as were the medical staff, but it was so boring.
At least you’ve been allowed to continue in the technological age. Get well soon, and more info on daughter and herself, please.
Wow! I would go stark raving if I had to just stare out the window for weeks on end. That would be pure sadism! The internet can be pretty bland and boring but it does pass the time.
Even beyond your illness, you have my sympathy for having to endure hospital for as long as you have done. I doubt that I would have been able to stay as cheerful as you obviously are…..and with soaps by proxy too!
Well done Grandad.
Just entering my seventh week. Having some difficulty with the cheerfulness bit today
You seem to have solved the spectacles problem, and I’m wondering how. I’m so glad you’re ‘on the mend’, anyway. Keep buggering on, that’s the thing.
You do seem to have mastered the enforced idleness, although the regular meds/inspections must mean nubile(?) young nurses ‘disturbing’ you at regular intervals. I imagine you’re eager to get to the next stage – any news on that front? I don’t suppose they let you out of the ward to wander around – too unhygenic slipping outside for a smoke even!, but just think how healthy you’re becoming (with no fags or booze). I’m sure I’d be planning an escape attempt by now – just too independent (bloody-minded, some call it). Am a bit restricted myself for a few days (in case my eye falls out?) but am pushing boundaries, so today I’ll be in the garage rebuilding an axle (or trying to, if I can find all the bits). Nothing strenuous there then! I’d better hope I don’t get caught!
Keep your batteries charged and keep up the healing!