Skip to main content

Since the big reveal

Since my last post, I’ve received quite a lot of feedback including well wishes and concerned interest. I really do appreciate both - it reminds me that I am taking on a big responsibility and hopefully keeps me encouraged as we tackle this new chapter head on. But some of the questions! These are the most common three - 

Q: Is this something you’ve wanted to do?
What I’d like to say
A: Not really. I chucked a few options in a hat alongside nursing – including mechanic, baker and juggler – and picked one!
What I rather say, because it’s true!
A: Yes! I have a real desire to serve people – which could shed some light on my 10+ years spent being a Personal Assistant. More specifically, I’ve wanted to help people with more than just a kind smile and a listening ear, but also with the necessary skills - to be available, to be knowledgeable, and to put high standards and quality care into action.
At school-leaving age, I considered a few roles that could match this description; Teacher, Coach, PA and Nurse. Finally, this door has been opened and I am sure that I am in the right place at the right time.

Q: What about the blood?
What I’d like to say
A: Hadn’t really considered that. I mean, imagine patient care involved snot and vomit too?
What I rather say, because it’s true!
A: I will admit to feeling that excessive blood loss is messy, snot is slimy, vomit is most times smelly and hardly ever lands up in an easy to dispose of area. And I realise that I will not be exempt from dealing with this on the job. But drawing on my older sister and Mom experience, I can’t quite determine the limit to the exposure to these and other messy mediums.  More people have asked me about bed pans than anything else since the news broke. I’m not kidding myself – I imagine that it’s going to get real gross at times. Let’s just hope that in good time I will learn how to be efficient and well-skilled in the clean-up, monitoring and assisting under these circumstances.

Q: Aren’t the hours long?
What I’d like to say
A: No! Study hours, shift work and sleep deprivation is what my body needs
What I rather say, because it’s true!
A: Emergencies, aging, dependence and pain (much like good ideas) do not keep office hours. I’d be silly to think that wanting to do this would need to fit into a 9-5 kind-of-day. I don’t wish for interrupted sleep, limited family time and tired feet…all I’m saying is that this is the requirement and I’m willing to do it.


Comments

  1. Well said! So on the eve of your 'new' life, here's wishing you God's richest blessings and guidance. May you fulfil all the potential that I KNOW you have. Enjoy every minute!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 22

In no apparent order, some of the highlights of the last week have been: Carolling around a log fire with a Yankee Swap, cookies, coffee and new friends Last Friday evening we set off for somewhere near Norwich for our Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) Christmas party. As visitors to the church, there's already an element of insecurity...now to be heading into someone's home, as Dear Husband would say, "socially awkward levels were at an all time high" - Was the gifts we brought to swap suitable? What was a Yankee Swap anyways? Could you bring something besides sugar cookies to share? Do you have to take off your shoes at the front door? Are you allowed to park people in when the alternative is further up an un-lit, ice covered hill? There were so many unknowns! But once I saw the wood burning in the fireplace I relaxed a lot . Yankee swap was fun! DH was no. 2 to pick a gift, and landed a torch  umm...flashlight, as the locals call it , and it looked as though h...

The Great Update

If you've stuck around, ever hopeful of a new blog post, I'm here to reward (?) your long-suffering. Read on... If you'd prefer the abridged version here it is: The last post before today was published in March 2020. Today is August 2021.  It has been a minute. What a year it has been. Since our last post we've gone from school-at-home in March to June 2020, to summer holiday under our first "lock-down". School for the kids was back in-person for the entire academic year beginning August 2020 until June 2021 and their reward was ten weeks of summer holiday ... and now here we are, one week away from the 21/22 school year - masks and all. Somewhere in between that, I graduated from college and participated in our online graduation ceremony as the 2021 student speaker! ( Yes, I don't know either... ) Completing the two-year degree felt really good and I'll admit that a part of me misses it already...but don't tell anyone I said so.  It seems as thou...

Week 9

A little late this week, but for good reason. We were in Burlington yesterday - 9 weeks to the day - when we arrived from New York JFK Airport; Hot, tired, excited and heavily laden. This time, it was just the two of us in the car taking the 90 minute drive up for a meeting (but more on that another time) and then driving back down. Being without the kids for such an extended period was quite...weird. I'll be the first to admit that I was looking forward to some time to myself or at least with strictly adult company. I even started zoning out a little in the car, but then realised that the driver was quite a Chatty Cathy! I can see why the kids prefer him on the morning school rush ride in Cape Town. The route is serene. Lush green mountains, leafy rolling hills and wide open roads... As we get closer to the City though, the traffic grows, a few more long haul trucks speed by and you'd be forgiven for feeling a little anxious after all these weeks tucked away in the qui...