It seems like I’m constantly working at the moment. Placement is only 40 hours a week. But outside of that, there’s loads to read and research. For instance, this week I’ve been reading the NICE guidelines for the dementias, the NMC guidelines for drug administration and for covert administration in food or drink. I’ve also read and summarised a few NHS policies – standard infection control precautions, record management, confidentiality/information sharing and finally health and safety. All very interesting but extremely time-consuming. And I’ve researched types of dementia and the evidence-base for MEWS (Modified early warning score). Again all very interesting.
Two weeks placement to go. It was going pretty much okay until I woke up yesterday with a sore throat and headache. I still went in but only made it til about 11 when I started to feel hot and nauseus. The good thing about being in a hospital is that you can take your own temperature. It was 37.6 tympanic and I was getting hotter. Anyway I got sent home. Because I’d done half a day it doesn’t count as a sick day. And I’m off today anyway. I’m really hoping I can go in tomorrow. But I do feel really rough. Achy, hot, sore throat and coughs and sneezes. My reckoning is that I’ll make it in on Sunday but I’m still aiming for tomorrow.
The trouble is with days off sick, you can’t do anything with them. You feel too ill 
So many loose ends to tie up for passing placement – just pulling bits of evidence together remains untouched. Today was my day set aside to do it.
Anyway, last weekend we went to see STOMP for Baz’s birthday, an early surprise present. Emma made frothy coffees with chocolate on top in the shape of the letter B. We had lasagne and garlic bread. Jeanette and Ian popped round in time for chocolate eclairs and lindor chocolates – the red ones that feel cold in the middle. They’re my favourites – you’d think I’d know what they’re called! We had a laugh.
Emma gave Baz five envelopes throughout the course of the afternoon. Each envelope had a letter on the front and a clue inside. The letters on the envelopes spelled out STOMP. The last envelope had tickets in. Very clever 
It was fab. Just managed one little photo of the last act. On the way home and over coffee, we were all dragging spoons across the table, kicking table legs, sliding along the laminate floor and the like! I would seriously recommend it if ever you get the chance 
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