Only last week there was a news item on national television, about the Liverpool Care Pathway ........... and today I have a family member being placed on it.
There is only one word ... STUNNED!
Upon it's recommendation by the nursing staff, I could literally feel my head empty of all thoughts and any emotions simply drain away - a most peculiar feeling when you're not expecting it.
I'm more fortunate than most, as this is not a very close family member to me (ie parent or sibling) so it's a little easier to watch from the sidelines and absorb what's going on without observing through misty eyes.
So, to start with, over a period of days, all medications are with held. Then drips and oxygen, as it is assumed, at this point, that the patient is not responding to treatment, and has ceased to eat or drink.
Painkillers and sleeping drugs may be administered ... and then the waiting game begins.
It's different for everyone; how long we wait. We would hope for the patient, as we would for ourselves, to be comfortable and pain-free, and to simply drift away with dignity.
What more can we ask.
Monday, 28 January 2013
Monday, 14 January 2013
Observations and Niggles
It's snowing .... and the Postman is STILL wearing SHORTS!
Car drivers who didn't use their indicators last year - are still not using them this year!
People who request your friendship on Facebook.
Then ask about you and for all your news; you tell them and ask theirs ... they don't bother to reply and then ... they never 'speak' to you again! What's THAT all about!?
People who let their dogs wander, attached to retractable dog leads.
The dog looks as though it's going to run into the road, but somehow manages to stop abruptly, millimetres from the curb! Eeek! Meanwhile, my heart is in my mouth and I'm sweating as adrenaline is pumping madly as I stamp on the brakes! Thanks a lot!
People who 'tag' you on Facebook and then fill your page with their junk! Grrr!
That'll do for starters! I'm sure they'll be more! lol
Car drivers who didn't use their indicators last year - are still not using them this year!
People who request your friendship on Facebook.
Then ask about you and for all your news; you tell them and ask theirs ... they don't bother to reply and then ... they never 'speak' to you again! What's THAT all about!?
People who let their dogs wander, attached to retractable dog leads.
The dog looks as though it's going to run into the road, but somehow manages to stop abruptly, millimetres from the curb! Eeek! Meanwhile, my heart is in my mouth and I'm sweating as adrenaline is pumping madly as I stamp on the brakes! Thanks a lot!
People who 'tag' you on Facebook and then fill your page with their junk! Grrr!
That'll do for starters! I'm sure they'll be more! lol
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Les Miserables - The Film
WOW! Just got back from seeing the above! Really, really didn't know what to expect, and prayed I wouldnt be disappointed.
And guess what! I wasn't! It was fantastic! And for once a film lived up to it's own hype! I loved it, and so glad that I saw it on the big screen first, before seeing it on DVD.
It followed the story that we all know, to the letter (thank goodness) although they did slip in a new song.
The beauty of the film is, that they had the 'space' to magnify everything; so you had an incredible feeling of the poverty and misery on the streets of France, which is nigh on impossible on stage.
In my opinion Russell Crowe (Javert) was poorly mis-cast. He might have had the stature, but there was no air of authority about him and his voice was that of a crooner, when I believe the character warranted a booming Barritone (but I'm probably being a bit biased here because of the stage show again).
I really didn't like Amanda Seyfried';s (Cosette) thin, warble of a voice, I'm afraid. It wasn't enough to spoil the film, but out of all the thousands of singers around the world .... I'll say n'more.
Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) was incredible. They managed to age him convincingly, he more than sang for his supper but his acting was outstanding and more than made up for the fact that he's no Alfie Boe. If there's an Oscar for the taking, it certainly should be his.
Now ... whatEVER happened to the characters of Thenardier (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Madam Thenardier (Helena Bonham Carter) for heavens sake!?
I thought the writers made these two a comedy couple to lighten the mood, and if that truly is the case then Sacha Baron Cohen was also sadly mis-cast. He was fantastic in Sweeney Todd, but certainly not in this. Again Helena BC proved herself in Sweeney, but it wasn't happening in Les Mis. Shame really because I was disappointed.
I LOVED Marius! (Eddie Redmayne) Excellent casting! The right age (for a change) convincing, emotional, beautiful voice and although not necessarily one of 'God's beautiful people' it was refreshing. (No disrespect to Eddie intended) :)
And my final say goes to Anne Hathaway!! (Fantine) WOW! WOW! WOW! Her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream was heart-wrenching! It didn't 'get me' in the stage show, but I sobbed (as quietly as I could) in the film ... Taxi for Susan Boyle!
Go see it!!!
And guess what! I wasn't! It was fantastic! And for once a film lived up to it's own hype! I loved it, and so glad that I saw it on the big screen first, before seeing it on DVD.
It followed the story that we all know, to the letter (thank goodness) although they did slip in a new song.
The beauty of the film is, that they had the 'space' to magnify everything; so you had an incredible feeling of the poverty and misery on the streets of France, which is nigh on impossible on stage.
In my opinion Russell Crowe (Javert) was poorly mis-cast. He might have had the stature, but there was no air of authority about him and his voice was that of a crooner, when I believe the character warranted a booming Barritone (but I'm probably being a bit biased here because of the stage show again).
I really didn't like Amanda Seyfried';s (Cosette) thin, warble of a voice, I'm afraid. It wasn't enough to spoil the film, but out of all the thousands of singers around the world .... I'll say n'more.
Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) was incredible. They managed to age him convincingly, he more than sang for his supper but his acting was outstanding and more than made up for the fact that he's no Alfie Boe. If there's an Oscar for the taking, it certainly should be his.
Now ... whatEVER happened to the characters of Thenardier (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Madam Thenardier (Helena Bonham Carter) for heavens sake!?
I thought the writers made these two a comedy couple to lighten the mood, and if that truly is the case then Sacha Baron Cohen was also sadly mis-cast. He was fantastic in Sweeney Todd, but certainly not in this. Again Helena BC proved herself in Sweeney, but it wasn't happening in Les Mis. Shame really because I was disappointed.
I LOVED Marius! (Eddie Redmayne) Excellent casting! The right age (for a change) convincing, emotional, beautiful voice and although not necessarily one of 'God's beautiful people' it was refreshing. (No disrespect to Eddie intended) :)
And my final say goes to Anne Hathaway!! (Fantine) WOW! WOW! WOW! Her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream was heart-wrenching! It didn't 'get me' in the stage show, but I sobbed (as quietly as I could) in the film ... Taxi for Susan Boyle!
Go see it!!!
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Happy New Year 2013
Out with the old, depressing 2012 .... and in with the new upbeat, positive 2013!
Well, it's a start, isn't it. Don't get me wrong, I do like Christmas; I'm not an old bah-humbug like I might sound, but I am glad it's all over.
It's New Year's Day and the tree is still up, but everything else is back in it's box. I'm loving all the clear surfaces and seriously thinking of not bringing all the bits back down, which were taken upstairs to make way for Christmas. Wonder how long that will last.
There's no NY resolutions for me this year. I set my aims too high and am always bitterly disappointed when I don't achieve them, so it's a new, Devil May Care, Mouse for now ... let's see how I get on with THAT then!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to ya!
Well, it's a start, isn't it. Don't get me wrong, I do like Christmas; I'm not an old bah-humbug like I might sound, but I am glad it's all over.
It's New Year's Day and the tree is still up, but everything else is back in it's box. I'm loving all the clear surfaces and seriously thinking of not bringing all the bits back down, which were taken upstairs to make way for Christmas. Wonder how long that will last.
There's no NY resolutions for me this year. I set my aims too high and am always bitterly disappointed when I don't achieve them, so it's a new, Devil May Care, Mouse for now ... let's see how I get on with THAT then!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to ya!
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