It is not just the patient who receives special attention. I had a visit from my friend Mary today and as a result, Whinnie is walking around like she owns the place. Mary has a special talent for doggie pedicures. Otherwise known as paw trimming and nail clipping, the doggie pedicure is an interesting thing to watch. I have always clipped Whinnie's nails but she has never really liked it. She would see the clippers; walk away until she knew there was no use and come back and put up with it. Since Mary has offered to look after the task while I can't bend or get down on the floor to do it, she has loved the experience. And I mean she LOVES the experience.
Mary came for a visit yesterday and Whinnie was very happy to see her. You would think she'd run off to another room but no, she sat at her feet. There was an occasional nudge at Mary until she got down on the floor and took out her tool kit. Whinnie relaxed immediately and let her work. I have never seen a dog so completely in bliss while having her nails clipped and paws trimmed. When it is finished she looks so proud of herself as if she has done something special. She even ran outside to find Barry to show him.
That comes to my point. We all feel better when we look better. That has always been my strategy. I try to dress every day. Get up, wash or shower, and prepare for the day. Don't get me wrong; there are definitely P.J. Days, and there are days when it is two o'clock in the afternoon before I dress, but I do.
I used that same strategy while I was in the hospital. At first the choice was not mine. While in I.C.U there are special gowns that have tear-away snaps for easy access to everything. They are non-negotiable. I did however insist on brushing my teeth, washing and getting into a sitting position before my 6:00 am visit with my doctors.
When I was moved to the Neuro floor I was still hooked up to so much that a gown was still required but I was graduated to the normal 'back-out' gown. Charming. I did Insist on a fresh gown daily, and continued my routine to be alert and clean while talking to doctors at the now 6.30 am time.
As the days passed, I was being disconnected from various things and finally able to dress in my own P.J's. I usually chose things that are lounge type items so that I can walk the hallways freely without a housecoat. It was one such day I stopped by the nursing station to ask the Charge Nurse a question. She looked at me and looked at me again. I was only visible from the chest up to her and my t-shirt style pyjama top could be mistaken for clothing. I casually leaned on the counter where she saw the I.V line and she laughed. Sorry she said, I didn't think you were a patient here. You look too good. I laughed too, because that was my goal. I wanted to look good for when the doctors arrived to speed up the process of going home. I had had a shower that day and washed my hair and dressed in my most "street clothes" pyjamas. Granted after all of that I fell into bed and slept for two hours to recover from the shower.
I didn't get out that day because despite how I looked my MRI had shown them something of concern, but I did two days later.
Anyway the 'fake it till you make it' theory has worked for me over the years. I don't like to miss out on things and sometimes I push myself just enough to be able to partake; and of course no matter how much I clean myself up there are days when I can't do what I want to do and put myself in front of a T.V for the day.
Then there are the days I have full intention to get on with my day and the shower takes it out of me, I'm done.
I do want to say I am not a vain person. How I look compared to others does not bother me at all. I want to look the best I can look for that day and time.
I guess all I'm saying is don't let yourself off the hook every day. Make an effort and if you have an illness or injury you can do it while looking good. It makes you feel better about yourself, just ask Whinnie!
Mary came for a visit yesterday and Whinnie was very happy to see her. You would think she'd run off to another room but no, she sat at her feet. There was an occasional nudge at Mary until she got down on the floor and took out her tool kit. Whinnie relaxed immediately and let her work. I have never seen a dog so completely in bliss while having her nails clipped and paws trimmed. When it is finished she looks so proud of herself as if she has done something special. She even ran outside to find Barry to show him.
That comes to my point. We all feel better when we look better. That has always been my strategy. I try to dress every day. Get up, wash or shower, and prepare for the day. Don't get me wrong; there are definitely P.J. Days, and there are days when it is two o'clock in the afternoon before I dress, but I do.
I used that same strategy while I was in the hospital. At first the choice was not mine. While in I.C.U there are special gowns that have tear-away snaps for easy access to everything. They are non-negotiable. I did however insist on brushing my teeth, washing and getting into a sitting position before my 6:00 am visit with my doctors.
When I was moved to the Neuro floor I was still hooked up to so much that a gown was still required but I was graduated to the normal 'back-out' gown. Charming. I did Insist on a fresh gown daily, and continued my routine to be alert and clean while talking to doctors at the now 6.30 am time.
As the days passed, I was being disconnected from various things and finally able to dress in my own P.J's. I usually chose things that are lounge type items so that I can walk the hallways freely without a housecoat. It was one such day I stopped by the nursing station to ask the Charge Nurse a question. She looked at me and looked at me again. I was only visible from the chest up to her and my t-shirt style pyjama top could be mistaken for clothing. I casually leaned on the counter where she saw the I.V line and she laughed. Sorry she said, I didn't think you were a patient here. You look too good. I laughed too, because that was my goal. I wanted to look good for when the doctors arrived to speed up the process of going home. I had had a shower that day and washed my hair and dressed in my most "street clothes" pyjamas. Granted after all of that I fell into bed and slept for two hours to recover from the shower.
I didn't get out that day because despite how I looked my MRI had shown them something of concern, but I did two days later.
Anyway the 'fake it till you make it' theory has worked for me over the years. I don't like to miss out on things and sometimes I push myself just enough to be able to partake; and of course no matter how much I clean myself up there are days when I can't do what I want to do and put myself in front of a T.V for the day.
Then there are the days I have full intention to get on with my day and the shower takes it out of me, I'm done.
I do want to say I am not a vain person. How I look compared to others does not bother me at all. I want to look the best I can look for that day and time.
I guess all I'm saying is don't let yourself off the hook every day. Make an effort and if you have an illness or injury you can do it while looking good. It makes you feel better about yourself, just ask Whinnie!
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