Day #2

Today was much more quiet, as it usually is on Sunday's. My Mom and my friend Q came to see me which was absolutely super. Mom brought wonderful macrobiotic quiche that she made. It was so delicious after salt and vinegar hula hoops for breakfast. Ahem. A mere slip in desperation.

I was up pretty early and  another girl with CF that I knew died this morning. I don't feel it's my business to say any more than that, but it was a very sad, sad day. There was also a really interesting discussion on when a death should be announced and who should announce it. People often find out about their dead friends on facebook, which can be terrible. The way social networking is changing the way we grieve is fascinating. I spent a lot of time thinking about that today. And trying to read, and craving a blue Slushie - neither of which happened.

I was also pretty exhausted because of the drugs and the noise, but this is definitely not the worst ward I have been in. Because I have been on the new IV's for over 48 hours now they are starting to affect me and really wore me out today. I bought The Observer and just kind of stared at it. IV's can turn my mind to mush and make it impossible to focus or concentrate. It drives me mad because it's like hitting the pause button on current affairs for two weeks. I can't absorb and forget so much - what a time for it! The lack of sleep just amplifies it to infinity.

Thankfully the large, grey sheets that were covering the entrance and exit to the corridor have been lifted. This means I no longer have to walk through two other wards to get 'out'. This is brilliant. I was afraid it would be one of those things that's meant to finish at a specific time, but drags on for weeks. It looks like it was just a paint job. I was actually holding my breath walking through them or trying to and keeping my hand over my face.

Two of the women in my room are actually great craic. The lady who yells at me is really lovely too and very very forgetful. God knows what she's experiencing when she hears me cough. Earlier she asked 'Where is that dog hiding?'. We had a nice walk along the corridor earlier while the nurse got her tea. It was actually the highlight of my day. She's not yelling so much tonight either. But someone else is snoring loudly. Hilarious!


I got a call from Eamon Gilmore's assistant today to say he would call tomorrow. I really appreciate that. I also got a communication from Mannix Flynn (Ind), Ciaran Cuffee(G) and Oisin O Halmahain(G) saying they would all love to visit. Since I am exhausted and have limited energy it would be great if only the leaders came in. But I'm not so sure that will happen. Wish we had a country where it did though. The offer is still open. They can just tweet me @orla_tinsley or call Vincents and ask to speak to me. I think all the women in this room deserve that respect.

By the way, the empty Azo wipes tub that I replaced on my first morning here is still beside the new one in the same bathroom. As in no one has coped that it's empty yet and thrown it out.
The nurses are really lovely on this ward though, and they are better than some other wards on their knowledge about CF.

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