The west beckoned earlier than usual today. A "goal planning meeting" was on today's agenda. I had heard whispers of them in the unit, but it was like tracking the holy grail. Held monthly, a member of all the professional teams (medical, physio, OT, social work.... etc.) attend. They discuss your progress. Set goals and generally discuss your life and make decisions that will effect long term. Colin and I were placed at the top of a conference table and reports were read and questions asked. Some go into these meetings with a whole pad of A4 covered in questions. We had none. But from nowhere, the professional Colin appeared.
He chaired the meeting. He took control. Some of his sentences I did not even understand. The other professionals in the room nodded agreement. There was no getting away from it. He was in control. I expected him at any moment to pull out the graph and slides that he has prepared! He brought the meeting to a close. I don't know who was more surprised, me or the hospital contingent? I'm not sure who was taking minutes but they better be correct as I am in no doubt that Colin will wish to revue them and amend.
He returned to rest. 51/2 hours in the chair, meeting etc. I left him and went to the day room to chat with Bev and Jane.
Jane's Richard is to be "released" on Friday. The holy grail has been captured, but it is really really scary. You leave the bubble and then what? Life that has been for months is left behind and you are pushed into the outside world. Richard will do fine. He is amazing. so positive, so young, so resilient. Jane will do the worrying for him, a "mothers lot". We will all miss them.
It has been decided that when the airlines no longer meed me that I should not fret, as I have found a new vocation. Hair dresser to the stars. Mover over Charlie Miller.
One of my "chores" was to buy hair clippers today. I hummed and hawed about just taking in the horse clippers. But I headed to Boots instead. I paid a ridiculous amount of money and headed west with my new purchase.
I decided to make Colin's hair "choppy". with a few layers to add to the texture. Jane and Bev sat agog as the clippers did their magic.
I personally feel it was in the mode of George Clooney and a very young version of Tom Cruise, in his top gun days.
Then why did I hear sniggers of "Romanian orphan"? Hmm? Note to self, hife all mirrors and swear to Colin this is the latest style, straight from the catwalks.
Lesley and Douglas came to visit. Long time friends, who have shared family holidays, family traumas and Mitchell disasters. But they still come back for more. Pony club camps, cruises and Corfu excursions, to name but a few.
The chat was good, Douglas as always brings a smile to our faces and Colin was relaxed and comfortable in the presence of an old friend.
It was late when they left, so Colin went back to the ward with me and sorted himself out for the long night ahead. Too much off a good thing. Is that the saying? Well I cannot remember all the details but I said something and he bit back. Lets say that I decided to retire for the evening without the normal niceties. No goodnight sweetheart. No see you in the morning. I headed home and was contemplating the new "man" in my life. Yes he would be there, I could always count on that. My mouse. Scratching out "I love you" in morse code from behind my fireplace.
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