The poem below was written by one of our patients whom I work with over the telephone (since April). We continued our therapeutic relationship after the patient had to go into hospital for several weeks for chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplant.
I have been alongside the patient all the way, prior to her treatment in helping her prepare in every imaginable way, during and after treatment. Yesterday Suzie was able to walk for 55 minutes and is delighted! Suzie's new birth date (transplant) as she calls it was April 17th and she is doing very well indeed. I know you will all be delighted to hear this news and also that our involvement of supporting the patient has not needed to end. This is a lovely example of how therapy can help prepare a patient prior to treatment to hold onto their creative skills and communicate their experiences of ward life whilst in hospital.
Sharon Fairclough
Head of Psychotherapeutic Care Services
August 2015 (Patient name changed for privacy & confidentiality reasons.)
Feel better this morning
Good night
2 lap walk
Just going to have breakfast
Nellie arrives, my nurse for today
Hurrah – with pills
Just going to have breakfast
And the doctors come in
Just going to have breakfast
Rich rings
Just going to have breakfast
Text from Mark
He’s coming to see me at 11.30!
Fab – Oh Gosh! Can’t have a shower
Will spot wash important places!
Just going to have breakfast
The cleaner comes in
To clean my room
Just going to have breakfast
M-a-y-b-e I should rephrase that
Clean my room w-i-t-h
Spring clean my room!
At last floor dry
Eat breakfast
Just going to get dressed
Vigil, the Nutritional Assistant arrives
With my morning banana smoothie
Look at clock
26mins and counting!
Spot wash!!
Give up idea of getting dressed
Just going to put my make-up on
The Ward Clerk arrives
About my ultrasound appointment
Put on face cream
Just going to put my make up on
The Healthcare Assistant comes in
With a wheelchair to weigh me
Just going to put my make up on
Put on foundation, powder, and eye shadow
Just going to finish my make up
Nellie arrives
My immunosuppressant time
Knock on the door
Look at the clock
It’s 11.30!
Mark and Dave walk in
I’ve failed!!
Nellie and I burst into laughter.
