Eily’s Report – 28th October

Dia is mhuire diobh go léir a cáirde and welcome my Report.

A fond hello to all my fans wherever you are. Be it my close neighbours or those in the far away corners of the world. Australia, China, Dubai, places of beauty and grandeur beyond my imagination.  But I can safely say that I can go one step further, because I’ve been to Heaven, well not but very near. The seven days that I spent in Mallow General Hospital could be described in no other way. I was very ill with a bad chest infection  and pneumonia which swept the carpet from under my feet. Luckily I was able to call the family and they in turn called dr. Michael Casey and it didn’t take him long to find that I was a hospital case. I don’t remember the journey to Mallow in John D’s jeep. Soon I was wheeled in and following some tests on a stretcher I was taken up to the second floor of the new wing and my treatment started right away. Drip, oxygen, nebuliser and some tablets. The first couple of days were little more than a blur, but when I became conscious of my surroundings it was then and only then that I realised that I was in a very special place. A big bedroom with a large adjoining facility to see to all my needs, toilet, wet floor shower, hand basin, towels and wipes  etc.( the only part of the hospital that provides towels) and this was all mine for as long as I had to stay.  There was a very large window at the side and I could open it a little if I liked to feel the air outside. I refused to let the blinds to be pulled down at night because I wanted to see the dawn.  As soon as I was able I would go a look out. From my place on high I had view of the Main road below, in between the busy railway tracks and far beyond the rolling hills which gave me lots to feast my eyes on while I revelled in the luxury within.

No words of mine can do justice to Mallow General Hospital.  I was there from October 13 to October 20 and the kindness and the attention to detail was paramount. Each member of staff had  their name tag on and that in itself gives that lovely feeling of familiarity of closeness and friendship. There was at least three choices of menu for each meal, breakfast, dinner and tea and they were served at the exact time each day, plus offers of cups of tea in between.  A member of staff came round the previous day to take note of your choices. Needless to say my medication went on with the utmost care and attention.  Everything is done with an air of peace and calm and joy and it was catching, because in such an environment it makes it easy to recover because  you feel content in your skin.

A walk down the corridor was a challenge at first. But the view from the big picture window at the end was worth the effort. Mallow General has grown enormously with the passing years and it all comes in through an age old railway tunnel below. I loved watching the comings and goings of this wonderful establishment. Delivery vans barely creeping through, cars yielding to each other because both could not go through at the same. To look around and see the huge extensions that have made Mallow General the envy of others and it all had to come through this narrow rabbit burrow of and entrance. Built I suppose in the 1880’s when the railway was extended to Kerry. It captured my imagination to look down and admire it all. Across the way I could see a big herd of cows coming out to pasture after being milked, happy in my own mind that it was not my task anymore.

From the window in my room I’d look out be it any time day or night and see people coming or going, some taking  the give away pink bag, the one for taking away the laundry from a loved one.   In my mind I wondered what their story was. I hoped that it was good, but one thing I knew for certain, and that was that their loved one was getting the best care in the world. Apart from the lovely chapel down stairs, there wasn’t a Holy picture nor any sort of holy icon  to be seen, yet God was everywhere. I can hardly explain it but it was there. An all over feeling  of goodness. Our own medics, helped by medics of many a race and colour all intent on making  sick people better. A lovely dark skinned nurse who came as a guest of the state to help out when we didn’t have enough of our own. Settled here now for the past twenty years, with a growing family, who are already in college and learning more about the medical problems of today.  In spite of their busy day, everybody made time for a quick word and with the help of the name tag, you knew who you were talking to.  Ah, there is healing even in that. I’m proud to say that over the years I have never missed an opportunity to work for Mallow General. Sometimes fundraising, other times objecting to it’s closure and during my stay I relished the thought that whatever we did it was well worth the effort.

In closing I want to say a sincere word of thanks to all at the wonderful Mallow General for giving me and those like me the chance to be well again. Thanks also to my wonderful family who continue to see that I’m well cared for until I’m able to return to my own home. Thanks to my wonderful friends for all your messages of goodwill. May the Good Lord reward you for all.

The good news is that there are plans to add further extensions to Mallow General.  Baoichas le Dia.

Our young people celebrated big time before the changing of the clocks. School children dressed up in haunting gear on Friday on the eve of their  midterm and on Bank Holiday Monday a disco was held at the GAA Hall for children of both the Presentation Convent and the Boys National.  Many gatherings are used to raise funds for good causes, so everybody is a winner. And Halloween is still to come. With the dark evenings coming down early, the spooks and ghouls are all set to scare the life out of us all and we act our part so as to continue the age old custom which we have seen change from the primitive apple in a bucket of water to things which are a match for Star Wars itself.   We wish them all a very happy and joyful Halloween while at the same time adding a wee word of caution. Traffic will be heavy, please drive with care.

Last of all a clip which just came to my notice .

Lavinia,

Congratulations to local teacher Lavinia Sheehan, whose Masters thesis has just been published in the international journal “Issues on Educational Research” Lavinia’s research looked at how teachers can support each others wellbeing and professional growth through collaboration and reflection. She completed her Masters of Education in School Leadership at the University of Limerick and is currently pursuing a PhD in School Leadership. She is passionate about promoting teacher learning and wellbeing in schools.

 Sinn a bfuil a cáirde ,Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.