Out of sight, not out of touch

Hearing loss, hospitals and mobile phones

Mobile phone texting is the best thing to happen to deaf and deafened people (don’t start emailing threats yet) since hearing aids.

Ha, thought I was going to denigrate hearing aids? Well, I’m not that stupid and, anyway, hearing aids are genuine life savers. Texting, which I think was developed for the engineers to use as no one would want to send words via a speaking device, has allowed millions of people who can’t use a phone to be in contact and hold conversations. Bl**dy brilliant! Sue chats with her friends and sends me shopping lists.

I’m kidding, she ‘chats’ with me and we keep in touch on the odd occasions when I’m sleeping away from home – not chasing women (I’m too slow now)  – but camping over at bike shows with my pals.

Last year Sue had a few nights away from home as well, not fun ones, but in hospital. I’ll omit the details; just say she had pain that Morphine failed to control. Eventually a diagnosis was made and she went in for another non-ENT operation (she’s had a bad time recently).

I get choked leaving her in a hospital but I wasn’t allowed to stay. The thought of Sue being alone was upsetting to say the least, even though the staff are so considerate. Think about it, when the lights go down she’d incommunicado. We kept a text conversation going so Sue wasn’t strictly alone. Lucky as not that long ago mobiles weren’t allowed in wards.

Okay, quick giggle. I’ve been told my sense of humour is weird – I prefer active. After Sue was readmitted to hospital by ambulance, the pain was eventually controlled enough for her to brave a shower. I didn’t see any nurses I knew when I went to the nurse’s station to ask if the patient in the corner could take a shower. They exchanged looks and nods and said that would be okay. “She can’t move very well” I said, “so can I help her shower?” Yes, of course, was the answer. I walked away a few steps before turning back to add “Would someone like to formally introduce us?” They laughed, rather than calling security.

Best text of that extended visit – ‘they’re chucking me out, come get me quick’. I did, very, very, fast.