Committed writers dedicated to working together to produce excellent poems, short stories, drama, life writing, and creative non-fiction

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Sheila 01823 67 28 46 sheilarogers4322@yahoo.com

Valerie 01884 84 04 22 valtay@btinternet.com

Wednesday 30 March 2011

TOO MUCH INFORMATION

All we need
is under the bed,
first drawer, on the right.

There are three catheters;
a dozen night bags;
a box of leg bags
a handful of flip-flos;
an abundance of G straps and leg straps;
Dressing Packs; Mepore; saline solution;
more than enough empty syringes;
Instillagel; barrier cream, Betnovate ointment,
Gabapentin; and a blue plastic Night Bag stand. 

Bladder Washes are under the table,
next to the patient’s copious Notes.
Update in triplicate, please.

In case of emergency
If all hell breaks loose.
It happens.

In the morning, before we get up
the two litre drainage bag comes off.

Carry it carefully to the loo, and empty.
Use the special bin marked Clinical Waste.

Wash your hands.  And before.  Obviously.  
SorryTeaching my granny how to suck eggs.
Force of habit – 40 years come this June.

Bladder Wash days are Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.  Before
our first cup of tea. Less mess.  Trust me.

After our bath we’ll need a new G-strap
on our right thigh; and yesterday’s leg straps –
unless it’s change-over day.  Every Thursday.

Twice a year we see the consultant.  He only smiles,
like a little Buddha; repeats the same old, same old,
“I’m sorry, there’s no cure.”  I mean.  What is the point?
  
© Sophia Roberts
All rights reserved

2 comments:

walking the yarn said...

Revised, after sharing at the last meeting. Thanks to Tim for the amended title!

walking the yarn said...

Thank you R. Rushworth for the chilling image - http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com