I can’t believe I didn’t take more than a week off work when my Mum died.
From: Kirsty Jordan
Sent: Friday, 1 April 2016 1:38 PM
To: Wellington Anaesthesia All Staff
Subject: tristesse part 2
Hi All,
I’m gradually running out of domestic topics to talk about. My most excellent Mother died a couple of weeks ago (or “passed away”, as my sensitive daughter insists I call it), and my oldest daughter has made me promise I won’t write about her adventures (or lack thereof) down South anymore. Unfortunately I’m always the last to hear about any department or theatre gossip, so I’m left stymied.
Losing a parent is sad, but not tragically so, as in the case of the young boy we knew who died last year. I wonder if the hardest part is that there’s one less person in the world who thinks you’re fabulous? My husband was particularly affected that way, as both his parents thought he was a flawless God. A difficult image to keep up in front of your three teenage daughters.
I have had some positive feedback about myself today, though. A patient whom I anaesthetized ten years ago (must have been when I was an SHO ahem) turned up for cardiac surgery this week with a letter from myself explaining that he was a difficult intubation. Apparently the fact I said he was easy to bag made a big difference to his management. The surgeon emailed me today to thank me. Mind you, when he was reintubated in ICU later that night, he was a grade 1 laryngoscopy with a videolaryngoscope, which speaks volumes.
(Nothing of interest to print about day to day work for this week).
Cheers,
Kirsty