I attend my hospice-day unit each Wednesday, and this week the doctor ordered blood tests. The results prompted him to arrange a home-visit for the following day, for the district nurse to take another sample.

Two nurses came... and the way they spoke to me was unbelievable: loud, falsely bright, sing-song tones of voice; and a sort of laboured enunciation, as if they thought I might have difficulty comprehending.
I'm not hard-of-hearing. I have no difficulty in understanding. There is no need to bend forward and use exagerratedly empathetic hand-gestures when addressing me. There is no need to punctuate conversation with little pats on my hand and shoulder. I'm routinely giving myself my Innehep injections, and do not need to be told "what a clever girl" I am.

I dread to think of the time to come, when nurses will have to come to my home on a daily basis to care for me, if this is the patronising way they treat their patients.

I just couldn't stand it.

That is awful! Even little kids don't like to be treated that way! I would talk to your doctor about that or whoever ordered you these particular people.

No Ellengrace your not stupid. And unfortunately your not alone in your experience. It's been my experience that some folks in the medical profession have a difficult time dealing with their patients ultimate death and have to put up a fake facade to hide their own fears. With that said, I have found it difficult to speak up or stand up for myself in some situations with those type of people...until recently. I won't go into to detail but let me just say that when or needs or expectations are not being met properly SPEAK UP. Your the patient and you have the right to your dignity. And you will be amazed at how much better You feel when you do that.

Best of Luck,

Buddy

My story is different as it is about a meal my husband and I had a few years ago. When we went up to pay the bill the cashier said "How was our meal." I said "I don't know how yours was but ours was good". I think she thought I was unhinged. My husband got a big laugh out of it.

So sorry you were treated the way you were. I think Buddy has a great idea of just telling them you really don't like the way they are speaking to you. It sounds to me that you did a very good job of writing about it so I suppose you could give them a copy of what you wrote......maybe to whomever is the boss?

Good luck.

linda

Ellengrace, During my mom's treatment over the past 2 years I too noticed that some nurses in the chemo room were that way with her and maybe even more so because she is elderly. While she was 80 when this all started there was nothing wrong with her mind or her hearing. If it bothered her she did not show it but I found it irritating.My mom did her own Neupogen and procrit injections and the nurses always acted like that was a miracle, I don't know why they seem to think patients can not do those things for themselves as many do.

Linda I love your restuarant story. Gave me a chuckle which I could use. Thanks JanMarie

Thank you all, for your encouragement.

The doctor has ordered more blood tests for next Thursday morning, so they'll be back!!

I will have to speak to my doctor, I'm not prepared to tolerate being patronised.

Having a rant about it, in this forum, helped! Your replies are really appreciated, too.

I had a little rant to one of my hospice nurses this week...I was doing impressions of the district nurses, and we had a good laugh...but my complaint was taken seriously, it seems.
A normal, sensible district nurse visited me at home to do my blood tests. No nonsense, no histrionics, just a pleasant young woman who went about her business and left. I have another test due Monday morning. If it's a different nurse and she behaves herself, I'll know for sure the hospice have intervened.

I had a consultation with an oncologist last week. The hospital arrange transport, collecting me from home in an ambulance bus. I was the only passenger, with my son as escort. There are always two drivers, and this pair were flirting like a couple of daft kids throughout the journey. It was embarrassing to witness...made me cringe !

They put me in a wheelchair when we arrived at the hospital, and from then on addressed my son..."has she got her letter", "has she been here before"...
and they had taken me to the wrong building. So they wheeled me to the enquiries desk, leaving me about three feet in front of the console, and then stood right in front of me as they leaned over the desk to talk to the receptionist. I had a pair of big backsides almost in my face, the flirty girl's was wiggling from side to side......:mad: .....I asked my son to move me away from them.
Would have been pointless to challenge the drivers, they were in a little world of their own, but I was so annoyed.

My son says I turn into a grumpy old woman when I'm in a wheelchair !! lol