"ED & Canning ward"

I was discharged from Armadale Health Campus on International Nurses Day, after being an inpatient for five days between the Emergency Department and Canning Ward.

I was on droplet precautions, so my door was shut at all times and everyone needed PPE to enter, which already sounds like a nightmare to me. It was daunting, it made me anxious, I do not like being trapped in a room. I’m outside every day for a lot of the day, so it was hard for me I just can’t be cooped up, I don’t do well with it. but the nurses, kitchen crew and support staff were all amazing and put up with me and my unintentional non compliance.

I had pain & sensitivity to light for most of the week and was wearing sunglasses inside nearly the whole time so my eyes wouldn't hurt so much, and you could tell the nurses were doing really good handovers because every single one of them knew light was causing me pain. They all tried so hard to keep the lights off, many times hooking up antibiotics and antivirals, giving medications and doing obs with only a tiny light at the back of the bed and the glow from the IV pump.

They even timed meds around sleep where they could and I really appreciated that.

Anu and Polite stood out to me a lot, they were both really chill and absolutely smashing out work with me and all their other patients.

I’m neurodivergent, a bit of a weirdo, and heat sensitive because of it too, but the nurses were happy to sort me out with an air purifier (makeshift fan), so I could stay cool and comfortable. They let me keep a couple of extra belongings in my storage spots because I was worried about leaving them at home. Those little things helped me feel more comfortable, helped me feel like I could get through the barrage of blood tests, CT scans, the CT guided lumbar puncture, MRI, and all that time attached to an IV pole.

The nurses even helped me off the freaking floor in ED.

Honestly, all of them went above and beyond for me in so many ways and I really appreciate it.

The nurses in training who were buddied up with senior nurses were all fab too, they seemed confident, knowledgeable and really competent. There were no dramas and I never had to explain how to do something involving my body.

Everyone was more than reasonable with my weird midnight habits and my undying need to be outside and not trapped in a room.

I really appreciate the support I received from everyone, nurses, PCAs, clerical staff, doctors, students, kitchen staff, literally everyone.

One staff member even remembered how I take my coffee in the morning, and that’s happened more than once at Armadale Health Campus.

Thank you to the ED nurses who looked after me when I first arrived. I was feeling absolutely horrid, in a lot of pain, and I think I got frustrated at times. I apologise to anyone in the room who had to deal with that frustration. From what I do remember, you were all incredibly chill and honestly lifesavers, especially with the “air purifier” cooling me down because I genuinely felt like I was cooking from the inside out.

It’s those little things that make the biggest difference in how your day goes. You know people are paying attention, you know they actually care.

I take my hat off to all the staff at Armadale, especially the nurses, You are all legends and I wish I could give you everything you need to run the place properly and safely for everyone’s benefit.

F.T.S