All Alone …

When you are in hospital with CoVid19 you are never all-alone. Of course, you may feel isolated as people you’d like to drop by can’t come in. Mums, dads, family and so on, are all blocked at the hospital door. There is the mobile phone of course. In reality, no matter how we dress it up, most of us have a network of supportive cheerleaders pushing loving/caring energy our way.

Is there a tendency to negative reporting?

There may be some negative and unhelpfully reporting of the CoVid19 situation. Factual reporting is helpful. How many people make their way quietly from the Red Zone entry experience to a return home? If you enter the CoVid19 Red Zone as a patient, expecting negative things may become a self-fulfilling expectation. Turning on a positive attitude can awaken a constructive and positive spirit. Think well, be well. There is always a hand to hold.

The shock of entry to a strange world on your own

Of course, a trip into a challenging healthcare environment is different. In my case fever and disorientation affected me. But not for long as the endless patience of the professionals assessing me was uplifting. Nothing to scared of here, only my fear itself. It’s amazing how a glass of water can ease the pressure. In my case, I spent a couple of days in a separate room while my swabs were tested for CoVid19. Then I moved to a Ward. There, there were people I could engage with and simply see. I shared with a few. Taking showers on my own gave me a great feeling of healing. Naturally enough, I saw some sad sights – I don’t dwell on them – I shared a friendly face with others.

A surround-sound of doctors/nurses/cleaners/etc

One of the human factors available all day every day in the Red Zone is many of the NHS team caring for us. Sure, some of them stick needles in us, take our temperatures, blood pressure and Oxygen levels. Others bring us food, help people (who need it) wash, clean the premises and floors with disciplined thoroughness and generally do it with a cheerful air. The reality is that being surrounded by loving and caring professionals means you are never alone – even in the middle of the night. If you need to talk, they’ll stop and give you time.

All alone? Really?

And here is the point of these few words. You may feel:

1. Scared – but look around you – fear and unfamiliarity can go hand in hand. If you can bring yourself to share with a professional, you’ll be fine
2. Alone – but look around again – there are many carers there for you. Feeling lonely isn’t the same as being alone. Maybe you moan to your parents or partner. Perhaps you cry and upset them. Aloneness disappears when you: engage with others, smile at a sick person across the ward and get a smile back, share a bit of your self. Is it possible to be truly alone in a vibrant life-saving environment?
3. Upset – it can be scary and upsetting. Share where you are. The NHS healers are perfectly aware of emotional and support needs, we all have them. I remember waking to a doctor who came in to see me. I fell out of a dark dream/nightmare. She said, ‘you’re a bit disorientated.’ I agreed and felt hugely supported by that recognition. Later a co-survivor and I swapped notes about the dreaming and delirium. This was hugely helpful, shared across the ward.

What I’m saying is a problem/fear/concern shared with a helpful person lifts weight and helps settle a person for the task of becoming well enough to go home. In hospital, in the Red Zone one is never alone.

Love and support to anyone who reads these words.

© Mac Logan