tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post303366406714615223..comments2023-07-18T07:27:08.516+00:00Comments on Siren Voices: overdoseSpence Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-52512007441555368302011-09-09T11:00:18.464+00:002011-09-09T11:00:18.464+00:00Thanks v much, Kelly! That's so kind of you. Y...Thanks v much, Kelly! That's so kind of you. You're right about the meme-thing (even though it makes me blush to say it). I haven't really done much with that kind of thing because I wanted to keep the blog pretty straightforward - unending ambulance misery, and nothing but! <br /><br />I've put a link on the side bar as a thankyou. One day, if I ever manage to get a book out (prob not anything to do with the blog, though), I'll send you a copy. So watch out. (But don't hold your breath).<br /><br />With thanks again for the mention, and for bearing with me all this time<br /><br />SK :)Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-60818933393970201142011-09-08T21:18:34.473+00:002011-09-08T21:18:34.473+00:00Spence
I know that memes probably aren't your...Spence<br /><br />I know that memes probably aren't your thing but.. I tagged you in one anyway. I won't be offended if you don't do it. Just wanted to say how much I love your writing.<br /><br />Kelly<br /><br />http://baghabit.blogspot.com/2011/09/meme-seven-links.htmlBagladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03997388396773480963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-77416379444604682772011-09-08T21:05:32.264+00:002011-09-08T21:05:32.264+00:00Hi Anon
As I understand it, she rang NHS Direct to...Hi Anon<br />As I understand it, she rang NHS Direct to ask questions about the overdose, and NHS Direct persuaded her to let a crew in to talk to her face to face and 'give her some more help'. It's fair to say that Barbara was difficult to be clear with - ostensibly rational, but actually quite confused, and liable to go off at a tangent. But anyway - she knew we were coming!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-69020706241682611832011-09-08T20:10:53.735+00:002011-09-08T20:10:53.735+00:00Did she call 999 or had she called NHS direct for ...Did she call 999 or had she called NHS direct for a chat and found they sent out an ambulance?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-75349004275521713022011-09-06T19:58:56.160+00:002011-09-06T19:58:56.160+00:00Thanks Susanne. It's a struggle to know what t...Thanks Susanne. It's a struggle to know what to say, sometimes (esp. early in the morning!) Essentially I think it's true, though. On the one hand I respect anyone's right to self-determination, but only if I think they're being rational about it, and not unduly influenced by their condition. A difficult & grey area, though, no question.Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-3110528138805672472011-09-06T18:09:23.669+00:002011-09-06T18:09:23.669+00:00I really like the way you said that you were the a...I really like the way you said that you were the advocate for her healthy self. That is a very interesting way to view the situation. Her anti-depressants clearly weren't working and I'm sure taking all of them at once wasn't going to help anything.Susannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16893249520214968901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-75729324554332553062011-09-06T14:58:43.708+00:002011-09-06T14:58:43.708+00:00Deborah - I have to say that rings true with Barba...Deborah - I have to say that rings true with Barbara. Obviously I don't know her, but there was a sense that - consciously or otherwise - she was carefully controlling what she told us, to maximise the effect. <br /><br />Henry - Thanks v much! Hope your (para?) course is going well, and best of luck with any exams.Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-42254437700398462011-09-06T14:15:35.581+00:002011-09-06T14:15:35.581+00:00Spence,
your writing style is wonderfully vivid ...Spence, <br /><br />your writing style is wonderfully vivid and rich. You certainly have a natural talent there. Your ability to paint a picture of the story unfolding in the reader's mind really never ceases to amaze me. You capture the emotions of the environment perfectly.<br /><br />Every time I get a little fed up of my uni course, placement etc, I come and read your blog and everything is better. <br /><br />Well done!Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-79773334758990776742011-09-06T12:23:12.835+00:002011-09-06T12:23:12.835+00:00She sounds like my mother. But with us, it's ...She sounds like my mother. But with us, it's a control thing, so she can keep us guessingDeborahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-77324808481813419782011-09-06T08:53:20.244+00:002011-09-06T08:53:20.244+00:00Thanks JoB. Incredibly diff position, for everyone...Thanks JoB. Incredibly diff position, for everyone. And yeah - we do seem to find ourselves in the same old jam. Quite a lot of our work has that psych / social component. I wish there were more we could do, but even the hospital struggles to act as a facilitator for appropriate services - because they're so snowed with cases. <br /><br />A national shortage of magic wands, I'm afraid, esp. these days... :/Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-25477477214815946042011-09-06T08:20:27.917+00:002011-09-06T08:20:27.917+00:00Very difficult position you were put in there Spen...Very difficult position you were put in there Spence.I realise you have various hats that you need to wear,but Barbara needed a little psychological help,not an ambulance crew (absolutely no offence meant there Spence,I'm sure you know what I mean)<br /><br />Even so,I think you did remarkably well in such a difficult position.One you seem to find yourselves in quite regularly unfortunately as well.<br /><br />Beautifully written as ever Spence.jacksofbuxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05420847156401984373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-42757622906295085932011-09-06T06:24:42.351+00:002011-09-06T06:24:42.351+00:00Josh - It was incredibly diff dealing with Barbara...Josh - It was <i>incredibly</i> diff dealing with Barbara at that time of morning, after such a busy night. She was so volatile, we had to choose our words as carefully as lawyers - just when you struggle to make any sense at all! <br /><br />It didn't seem as if she'd taken a life threatening dose, plus it appeared she may have done it before, so all in all we thought she was a low risk. We referred the job back to Control and to the GP - any forcible removal would've taken a formal section, and we'd still be there now!<br /><br />Baglady - I hope her GP managed to get her some help, although I suspect she was a difficult patient all round. <br /><br />She probably had taken a minor OD, but she said at one point that she 'expected something fluffier' from us ie a long chat. I think that's a measure of her dislocation, calling 999 at 0600 for a fluffy chat! (Round here, at least). <br /><br />Steve - See above! I know it's a bit frustrating, reading this blog - you hardly ever get resolution! But then, that's what it's like doing the job... until sometimes maybe a month or so later when it comes out in conversation... So apologies for that. If I find out I'll let you know.<br /><br />Alan - I do feel a lot of sympathy for Barbara, even though she was prickly as hell. It felt lonely in her flat. Half the time, I think pure isolation is a terrible and powerful factor in these things. <br /><br />***<br /><br />Thanks for all your comments!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-53065799845587917282011-09-05T23:15:36.812+00:002011-09-05T23:15:36.812+00:00This sort of thing must be so frustrating. Very sa...This sort of thing must be so frustrating. Very sad too.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13393082652312828458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-38855818706833236922011-09-05T23:12:31.763+00:002011-09-05T23:12:31.763+00:00So, do you know what happened to her???So, do you know what happened to her???Steve'nLubbockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077522441953030901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-59787887500615087782011-09-05T22:13:38.385+00:002011-09-05T22:13:38.385+00:00She sounds so compos mentis. Poor thing. I hope he...She sounds so compos mentis. Poor thing. I hope her doctor persuaded her to get some help (or is that wrong of me, to think she must be making the wrong decision?).Bagladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03997388396773480963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-83907966754351201402011-09-05T21:18:57.156+00:002011-09-05T21:18:57.156+00:00Thats powerful writing Spence.
What a challenge t...Thats powerful writing Spence.<br /><br />What a challenge to face when you were at your lowest ebb. Does the adrenalin come surging in still?<br /><br />How did the situation end? You end up having to get the boys in blue out to get her to hospital?Joshnoreply@blogger.com