“What I know for sure…”

Yesss! I’ve finally negotiated an early parole on the promise to the Doc that I can juggle meds/pain levels at home. “Don’t y’all worry. It ain’t nothin’ little Big Al can’t handle!”  A painful/weakened left arm is a small price to pay for freedom after 10 days incarceration at “Le ‘otel de Wesley”!

During my hospital stay a lot happened “on the outside” (including a changing of the guard and way too much politics on telly than any captive audience should be subjected to!) And once again I found myself with enforced time  to ponder and Tweet – sharing my observations about life, human nature and the many different styles of communication. Now, on my first day out and with a clearer, drug-free head, I thought I’d share with you some more of my lessons learned:

This is what I know for sure…

• That I am truly blessed. While I may not have been blessed with a body that works too well on the inside, I’ve been blessed with one that I am thankfully able to maintain well enough on the OUTSIDE. At least enough to be able to fool the world that the inside isn’t as rotten as it is!

• That I sure do have the best hubby & kids, and wonderful, true, selfless, generous, kind, supportive friends who get me through many obstacles every time.  Hopefully, they all know how much I appreciate them, because, come to think of it, I’m not too sure they even read my blogs! Some visit, some text, some cook, some make you laugh, some let you cry, some watch movies with you, some bring you those little daily things that make you feel more like you (your Equal’s, your salt, your olives, your cheese, even your wine – just a pity I couldn’t have any of the latter!).  It’s the little things in life that often mean the most, and the picture below is an example of this…right down to the white tablecloth, champagne glass and ice-cubes! See? It’s not what you do/say, it’s how you do/say it!

That you can (and should!) never miss an opportunity to connect with the people who cross your path each day. You do still have the power to make someone’s day with a genuine compliment, a smile, or a thank-you. I can’t tell you how much I looked forward to my breakfast and morning tea each day. And NOT because I loved the food either! Actually, breakky was usually the worst meal of the day in there! I looked forward to seeing Lisa from Food Services  because she’d always smile, and stop by long enough for me to actually be able to thank her. That also enabled me to feel able to connect with her – to ask her how her day had been and to learn a little more about her story.

That there are some genuinely HAPPY people out there – and their very happy-ness is infectious too! Pablo, Ward 7E’s Orderly was one such man. He loved his job and it showed. And what a damn fine job he could do – the pride he took with his hospital corners was as obvious as his smile!

• That there are nurses and there are nurses. Note to any NITs (Nurses in Training) reading this – if you don’t like connecting with people and making them feel better even just by entering their room, then please don’t become a nurse! Taryn, Claire and Lisa,  the lovely male nurse with the ponytail (who’s name escapes me), and the lovely nurse with the amazing wavy blonde hair (again..who’s name escapes me – but I know you by your hair also!) all made such a difference to me each day.

• That you actually can make another human being (almost literally) walk on air! A genuine compliment can really (and I mean really) lift someone’s spirits and make their day. See the photo above? It was taken on my iPhone. Gillian is the lovely Volly (volunteer) who came in to see if I needed anything. I was honestly taken aback by her classic beauty. He hair, makeup, and moreso her beautiful, gentle nature. And I told her so! I think I embarrassed her, but when I asked her permission to use her photo in either my Style  presentations or website she was visibly chuffed! And so she should be! I doubt she’ll ever get to see her own photo on here (when I showed her on my phone she cringed – as most do when they see a photo of themselves! Why is that?) but I do hope that by actually sharing my thoughts with her made her feel as good about herself as it did me sharing it with her!

• That eye-contact is so so very important if you want to make someone feel visible or even just heard! There was one nurse who was lovely but she seemed to be unable to speak to my face (am I THAT scary?). She would talk just off to the side of me…she’d leave my room saying all the right things but not looking anywhere even near me as she did. She may have been shy, granted, but her verbal expression really didn’t match her facial expressions so I never quite knew if she meant what she said to me about “feeling free to ring the bell if I needed anything”.

Well there you have it. My ponderings of life from the inside looking out. More to follow next week (you lucky devils!)…