"Staff were all wonderful. Treasure them!"

I go into hospital and I’m terrified I’m going to have an operation that will hurt. I will be in a lot of pain. I’m worried about husband at home. He’s sick. How will he cope? Everyone is pleased to see me. They are kind and friendly. I’m not a nuisance because I don’t know where to go or what to do.

Every single person in my four day stay was kind and friendly. They were cleaners, receptionists, catering staff, doctors, nurses – they all had problems and worries of their own but suppressed them through supreme professionalism.

Night-times in hospital are terrifying! You wake and need the bathroom. You try to get out of bed but it isn’t your bed and it isn’t your bathroom and you fall and wet the bed. (you haven’t wet the bed since you were a baby! ) The nurse comes- she’ll be angry- she’s not angry. She changes sheets and night gown.

She’s tired- I can tell- but she doesn’t make me feel a nuisance. The next time she brings me a bed pan. I wee and then I’m sitting in the “wee” in the pan. Perhaps I can just move it away and put it on the floor. But I spill it and wet the bed again. No of course she’s not angry (gritted teeth? ) but next time wait for her to come.

Then the doctor says you can go home. Goodbyes are said between the other inmates. Phone no. exchanged. We must meet up- oh yes, we’ll chat about our respective bowel movements! I don’t think so…

Staff were all wonderful. Treasure them!