Page 25 - News and Views Spring 2023

It was a busy morning in the chemotherapy ward. Even though I was seated in a small bay with four
chairs, there were several other bays nearby. There were patients waiting for treatment in the
corridor outside, as well as in the treatment rooms. It was going to be a busy morning for all the
staff.

I was pleased to be in my usual seat and the two women patients looked friendly enough. I enjoy
talking to people and I am curious about the lives of others, as those who know me will recognise; I
will talk to anyone if given the opportunity to do so. However, I hope I am sensitive enough to chat to
only those who want to chat. Some patients, given their condition, prefer to be left alone, whilst
others will happily talk, usually in the hope that it will briefly help them to forget what is happening to
them. I usually find that it is men who are the most difficult patients in the cancer ward. Some will
happily talk, but many prefer to sit in sullen silence. Some men are deniers that there is anything
wrong with them, and are part of the ‘Why me?’ brigade, whilst others are abrupt, unnecessarily
sharp and sometimes unpleasant to those who are trying to help them. Most women, on the other
hand, seem to be much more pragmatic and appreciative of the care that they are given. These are
generalisations, of course, and there are always exceptions.

Ellen, the frail lady opposite to me sat reading her library book. I could see that she wasn’t really
reading her book, since she rarely turned any pages. She was clearly very troubled and had red
eyes from crying.

“Would you like a cup of tea, Ellen?” asked the nurse. “I think the doctor is coming to see you
shortly.”

“No more tea at the moment, thank you,” replied Ellen. “How long do you think she will be?”

“Not too long, my dear,” replied the nurse. “I think she is just outside the children’s ward. She will be
along in a few minutes, I guess.”

A few minutes later, the doctor appeared. I had seen this doctor before, and she smiled at me as
she approached Ellen. She pulled the curtains around Ellen and began to speak quietly to her.

It is difficult not to hear a conversation when someone is physically so close even though shielded
by a curtain. The doctor was explaining the results of Ellen’s latest scan and blood tests to her. Ellen
was clearly hard of hearing, and the doctor had to repeat the results to her several times. It was
then that I heard the words that we all dread hearing.

“Maybe it’s time to put your affairs in order, Ellen?”

Lucy glanced at me and shook her head sadly.

After a pause, I could hear Ellen sobbing gently, followed by kind, supportive and reassuring words
from the doctor. Eventually the sobs ended and the doctor drew the curtains back, clearly looking
upset herself as she left the ward.

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