The general medical ward just seems to be filled with frail elderly (big) men and (little) women, mostly confused, incontinent, suffering from heart / kidney failures, pneumonias, urinary tract infections; they all seem to merge into one big patient at first. But over the last 3 weeks spent in the wards I’ve really grown fond of them, especially the longer-staying ones, each with their own little unique and special personalities. A number of them have gotten better and are getting discharged tomorrow, I think I’m gonna miss them (especially the really pleasant ones =P)!
A few interesting characters…
There was this lady in her 80’s who believes she should look her best though staying in the wards. Makeup, neat hairdo, even the hospital gown somehow appears stylish when it’s on her. When I told her she’s well enough to go home, she was overjoyed: "Ohh.. thank you, doctor! You have been very kind to me, and you are always dressed so neatly, yes, I’ve noticed that everyday you make an effort to dress well, and you look really pretty."
????????????
Then there was my favourite confused gentleman…
We normally ask the delirious i.e. confused patients three simple questions to see if they’re oriented to time, place, and person. So..
Me: Hello Mr Z… can you tell me which year it is?
Mr Z: Errr.. 2001??
Me: It’s 2006, Mr Z. Do you know where we are?
Mr Z: Surrey Hills!
Me: We’re at the Austin Hospital, sir… Now do you know who I am? (which you’d expect them to say doctor / nurse, or my name if they’re really good)…
Mr Z: You?? Hehhh… you’re a Chinese girl!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And lastly, this old little lady who was getting better from her infection but decided one day that she didn’t wanna eat! So I was trying to persuade her…
Me: Mrs Y… I heard that you haven’t eaten very much today. Why is that?
Mrs Y: I don’t wanna eat!
Me: Uhh..okay.. can you tell me why?
Mrs Y: I’ve had enough to eat (which she hadn’t eaten anything yet).
Me: Hmmm.. but if you don’t eat, we’re gonna have to keep you on the drip.. and you won’t be able to go home if you still have the drip running into your arm…
Mrs Y: No.. I don’t wanna eat.
Me: (points at dinner) Ohh but look Mrs Y… tonight’s food is really yummy.. there’s roast chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies…
Mrs Y: NO…
Me: Not even a little bit?? Please??
Mrs Y: Sighh.. you know, you’re gonna nag your husband to death next time!
Me: (a bit speechless for a while, then there’s almost the AllyMcBeal-type of mental imagery of me shoving the food into her mouth =P)…
