Before I get into what I wore….
If I’ve seemed a bit absent from my blog and yes, even my posts, of lately, it’s because I have been. Â All has not been well in the world outside of my blog. Â Several weeks ago someone from my immediate family fell ill and was rushed to the hospital where they have been ever since. Last week, after much debate she finally consented to surgery and I am proud to say that she is recovering slowly, but well.
I am not writing this, however, to dwell on my families ordeal or the neglect of my blog. I am writing this to give a big shout out to the healthcare professionals around the world. I mistakenly assumed that doctor’s and the MANY levels of supporting staff members went through their jobs like robots focused only on the technical aspects of their jobs and that hospitals were sterile, cold and scary. Given the stress (I am assuming that it’s stressful) I just could not fathom that they had the capacity to be warm, friendly, inspirational or understanding.
I am not talking about understanding in terms of empathy. I am talking about understanding in terms of dealing with a super large family of individuals who have been on pins and needles for the last several weeks. The doctors and nurses have answered our every questions, even when the same one was asked 40 times by 40 different individuals. During Sunday’s visit, there were 8 of us in the room (relatives and the nurse who is stationed in the room).  Did I mention that my relative is in the ICU where they generally limit the visitors to two per room? Relatives have spent the night there, we have brought in home made food we have showed up at the most inappropriate hours and no questions were asked, no restrictions were given. That’s the understanding that I am talking about.
My other surprise is that they’ve taken the time to get to know all of us to the point where they feel like an extension of our own family. Â Their friendliness and encouraging words, almost made us forget the gazillion tubes feeding various medications and blood, the various monitors with their wavy lines recording vital signs and the sickening gurgling device implanted to collect any excessive bleeding from the wound which thank God, was finally removed. They made us laugh, they made us feel welcomed (blankets, a helping of the insipid food from the cafeteria when they noticed that we were there for extended periods of time) and they have helped us to keep our optimism during times when things just didn’t seem…possible.
For any healthcare workers who are reading this, I realize that this warmth might be the result of an evolution of medical care and therefore your job…but it made a world of difference with my family and because of that… thank you, thank you, thank you.
What I am Wearing:
Top: I snagged this plus size printed tunic from my Mom’s closet last year. Â I recently shopped my closet to find old things that were on trend again and because of the Burgundy/Oxblood color I thought this would be a perfect top for my Fall 2012 wardrobe. (Click link for similar, paisely printed blouse)
Pants: These black wide leg pants are from Asos. (Click link for similar, Rachel Roy Casual Pants)
Shoes: patent platform burgundy/oxblood shoes from Forever21
Ossie took this photo!
As always, I welcome your comments, but pretty, pretty please, I would prefer that you not write condolences or “I am sorry to hear.” Â )-: Â Instead please feel free to share your own miraculous or hospital type stories.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Natasha, I am sending you warm wishes for a full recovery for your family member. I do understand how difficult this can be; I am on both sides of the fence on this issue. I am a former healthcare provider and I am also a family member of a very ill patient (my mother).
I love your outfit. Really love it. I’m scanning my closet and hoping to find a way to recreate it in my own variation!
Lisa Walter recently posted..Randomness….
Hi Lisa. The blouse has a cowl neck design. I did the same thing with the sleeves by using a safety pin to pin them back slightly. I did that to create the same effect and also because the sleeves were too long for me. I am not sure if you can see the effect. Part of the illusion of this is that I am wearing an over sized top with slim fitting pants. Well let me thank you for all of the kindness that you showed when you were in the healthcare field. I know your patients are grateful still because of this. I have a few CNA’s in my family who out of concern wanted to jump in and take over from the hospital staff. There is of course a certain amount of fulfillment from doing this, but from what I observed it’s more difficult, emotionally, to assist a family member during very difficult times. Just fyi. (-:
Oh I am so sorry to hear about your relative! I do hope she recovers well. I’m so sorry you’ve been going through so much, but I am glad to hear that your experience with the staff and hospital has been positive. It is so important to have the right support during a time like that. Best wishes to you Natasha.
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Thanks Robin. She is not out of the woods yet, but I am actually ok. Sometime in the last week I learned both optimism and acceptance. (-:
Twitter: Glam__Slam
September 18, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Natasha, first off let me start by saying, you look fabulous darling!
Second, thank you for sharing your story. I know what it’s like to go through a serious illness or injury with a family member and the stress and worry that comes with it. I think you are handling things with grace and class! 
xoxo, Stephanie
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Thanks Stephanie. You know I actually saw all of your comments last night before I went to bed. I actually teared up a bit when I was reading them. There are so many different personalities in this world, but all of the ones at the hospital were all the same, nice.