She was also given Toby Worthington, a terminal patient who was on a lot of morphine for pain control and, Elaine said, liked to have his radio on till eleven at night and then turned on again at six.
‘Then we have Macey Anderson.’ Elaine moved on to the next patient.
‘I know Macey,’ Candy said. ‘I was in Emergency when she was admitted.’
‘Could you have her tonight as well, then?’ Abigail checked and Candy nodded. They went through her history, which was pretty much what Candy already knew. How Macey had been since admission had changed rapidly, though. ‘Since she’s come to the ward she’s been very withdrawn,’ Elaine said. ‘She doesn’t want to eat, or wash. She’s on an IV regime but if she continues to refuse meals and drinks she’ll need an NG tube. Steele has taken her off a lot of her medications and has also started her on a low dose of antidepressants...’ Elaine went through her medications. ‘Make sure she takes them and she’s not hiding them,’ Elaine warned, and Candy nodded. But that wasn’t enough for Elaine. ‘You have to ask her to lift her tongue.’
‘I shall,’ Candy said, trying to keep the edge from her voice. Elaine was a funny little thing, with a very long, wide mouth that opened often.
She reminded Candy of a puppet.
‘Why does she have to lift her tongue, Elaine?’ Steele asked from the computer, and Candy felt her lips stretch into a smile because clearly he had Elaine worked out too.
‘To make sure that she’s not hiding any under there,’ Elaine said, and looked at Candy to make sure that she understood the instruction.
‘Thanks,’ Candy said. ‘I’ll make sure that she takes them.’
As Elaine left the room Abigail winked. ‘Matron Elaine!’
‘Her heart’s in the right place, though,’ Gloria, the sister in charge of the day shift, said. ‘But, oh my, she’s hard work. Elaine insists on calling everything by its technical name. The patients haven’t a clue what she’s asking. Just this evening she asked Mr Heath if she could check for scrotal oedema.’ Gloria smiled as she recalled it. ‘He said, “Do you mean my balls, dear?” It was too funny.’
They were all very nice and after handover Elaine gave Candy a quick tour of the ward before she headed for home.
Actually, it wasn’t that quick—Elaine was incredibly thorough, going through everything in detail when really Candy wanted to get started.
‘I think that covers everything,’ Candy said. ‘Thanks for the tour.’
‘I’ll just show you where the torches and things are kept,’ Elaine said, but Candy looked at the clock and it was already nearly ten. ‘Go.’ Candy smiled. ‘It’s Friday night. Enjoy it!’
Elaine gave a little nod and finally headed for home and then Candy went to check on her patients for the night.
Mr Heath was indeed looking better.
‘Hello, Candy.’ He smiled when she came over and he put down the book that he was reading.
‘You remember me?’ Candy asked in surprise, because Mr Heath had been so distressed in Resus that he hadn’t seemed very aware of his surroundings or able to hear what anybody except Steele was saying.
‘Of course I do.’
‘Well, it’s lovely to see you looking so much better,’ Candy said. She then did his obs and gave him his medications for the night and, as she did so, they chatted for a while.
‘I’m hoping to go home on Monday,’ Mr Heath said. ‘My granddaughter gets married next week.’
‘How exciting,’ Candy said. ‘Is it a big wedding?’
‘Huge!’ Mr Heath nodded. ‘She’s marrying an Ital...’ His voice trailed off.
‘Don’t stop on my account.’ Candy grinned. ‘I know what Italian weddings can be like. I must be the only girl in the world who’s dreaded her wedding day since she was little rather than dreamt of it.’
Mr Heath laughed. ‘Will it be big?’
‘You have no idea,’ Candy said. ‘I have four older brothers, all married, and my mother is itching for it to be my turn. She buys sheets and towels for me when she shops—oh, and washing baskets and the like. I’m all set up!’ Candy smiled. ‘Apart from the groom.’