I was determined to write a short post today, documenting the journey so far. The fact that I have not done so may be down to how damnably busy being in hospital keeps you, or it may just be that I am lacking energy for other reasons,
I was always brought up with the mistaken conviction that fresh air, good company and conversation, and plenty of good, wholesome food was the way to good health.
Now, on a hospital ward, Covid limits the prospect of healthy exercise and fresh air. And fair enough, the company you get on a tiny ward with half a dozen mixed cases can be excellent, mediocre or overpowering. One of those things.
But something as basic as the comfort of good food should be possible.
Even hot food might be nice.
Or something toothsome, tasty or even hot…
But heigh ho… we can’t be greedy. It is a lot to ask a company paid a few meagre millions to feed a whole hospital on hot food. Some of it even resembles what is on the menu, for goodness sake!
As long as you are not much of a cook, or an eater.
And, where visitors once picked up any slack with home baked treats, sneaky chocolates and trips to the canteen … Covid has knocked all of those off the menu, including visits from your nearest and dearest. Unless you happen to be at end of life.
So, most of my healing calories come from the pill pots that contain a cocktail of painkillers enough to down a small army, but which have ceased to touch the jaw and shoulder pain tonight . Bugger .
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
😳 that does NOT look appealing. I hope you are feeling better by the time I got to this Sue. Healing wishes. For heaven’s sake do not go watching any food shows tonight. That won’t help!
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We’re not allowed entertainment or news for some reason 😉
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There was a television in my room but no remote. The nursing auxiliary asked what I wanted to watch. I had no idea what was on at 11am so she put onto a local news channel because she wanted to know about the number of local Covid cases. I asked her to switch it off!
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Not surprised ! Not exactly designed to take your mind off it!
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Ha! For healing purposes I think I understand the reasoning!
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Can’t say I like this, Sue. But your sense of humor is intact and lasting!
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Blimey… grim is as grim does
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Don’t tempt me 😉
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Glad I’m on a diet. Yuk!
When I had my first ever stay in hospital (1977) I wasn’t fed for four days in case they had to operate. They did let me sip water though. Gee. So when I was finally shown a menu, I ticked the good options, and settled on a nice mousse for dessert. Somebody else got my dinner as they didn’t fancy what they’d chosen, but did I get theirs? Nope. Luckily Mum had snuck in some goodies and I hid them!!
Thinking of you Sue.
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Stu isn’t allowed …they are pretty much frisking the designated visitor before wrapping them up and letting them in.
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Bummer! I suppose postal treats would be confiscated?
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Blocked and confiscated here… but not at home and I’m going there soon as 😉
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Oh, I do hope so Sue. Decent food and pampering rather than slops and under training pin cushion.
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I think I graduated with the lung biopsy today.
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Loads of needles?
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Just a couple… knitting needles with knives and grabbers on the end… local anesthetic…and I got to watch….
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holy shit! You’re braver than me!! When will the results be in?
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Friday next it seems x
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Thinking of you Sue. ❤
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❤️
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😏🌹💐🌹💜
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❤️
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❤xo
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Can’t say I like this, Sue. But your sense of humor is intact and lasting!
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And I won’t agree to a DNR on that, Noelle 😉
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Sending healing thoughts and love… ❤
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Thank you 🙏
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I’d forgotten about the food. The consultant turned up one lunchtime as I was pushing my plate away. I told her the broccoli had defeated me – it was a head of broccoli split lengthways and boiled into limpness. She said it would have defeated her, too. Looks like as far as the food goes there’s no difference between north/south. The cauliflower cheese was OK. xxx
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I think… but don’t quote me… that the second picture was supposed to be cauliflower cheese but without the cauliflower 😉 xx
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Oh, Sue! That doesn’t look wholesome, at all!
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I can almost guarantee that somewhere there is a recipe sheet that says otherwise. But I doubt they tried to eat it…
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😢
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How are you? 🥰
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Tired this morning. Thanks for asking, Ruth. Could have used a hug in the night x
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Aw! Hugs from me 🤗🤗🤗🤗
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🌸🌸🌸
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Apologies…I couldn’t ‘like’ this one at all. It all looks awful. Sadly, I’m not surprised. Nutrition doesn’t seem to be on the hospital menu anywhere in the world. When I had surgery about ten years ago, I survived on fruit and yoghurt because everything else was revolting. Some of it was relatively hot, or at least not congealed, but actual nutritional value? Meh. 😦
I hope you get out of there as soon as possible. Once you’re home, Ani will look after you. -hugs-
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Food is so important at a psychological level as well as a physical one. I have no doubt they are providing the minimum nutrients, but they are doing a good deal to starve morale.
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How much longer do you have to put up with the food? I’m making home made chicken soup tonight. Wish I could send you some. 😦
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All being well, I go home today 😀
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Oh I hope this means you’re home already! -hugs-
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Just, Jim.
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lmao! I haven’t heard that expression before but I assume it mean you just arrived?
I know Ani will give you lots of love and foot licks but is there anyone there who can actually feed you, you know, real food?
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Exactly, and yes… I am being spoiled 🙂
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It’s good to hear your voice. I do think hospitals go out of their way to make you feel worse. But being deprived of visitors has to be the hardest thing of all. We are all thinking of you! And sending healing wishes. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. Yes, it would only be about four visitors I image… perhaps less… but those sons and friends matter so much!
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I hope the doctors are keeping them informed at least, so they can advocate if needed. That’s an important role of family/regular visitors as well.
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Not really, it all goes through me, which is far from ideal when I;m the one on morphine 😉
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Good luck Sue…you are always in my thoughts.
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Thank you, Kerfe x
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Hi Sue just found this, thank goodness your sense of humour is Hale and hearty! I have to agree the food is appalling! I could hardly eat anything when I was in it seemed like everything was designed to make me sick! Chin up and thank the lord they’ve not offered you porridge ! Sending hugs 🤗💜
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Ah. I was wondering if I should ask for porridge, thinking I can eat lumpy porridge … possibly.
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Appreciate your humor 💖
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😀
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thinking of you, Sue ❤
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Thank you 🙏💕
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It isn’t any better here in the U.S. either, unless you are overly fond of jello, broth, and crackers. I guess it’s a good sign that you have an appetite – if only someone could sneak in some take-out while they aren’t looking….
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My son sent in a wonderful take out salad and sandwich… which I was permitted to see, but not to eat. … 😂
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Dearest Sue, I am your American counterpart here. My greatest compliment to the food served here is, “It wasn’t awful.” Most of the time, it IS! In my thoughts, I am sending you yummy, HOT food! Hang in there!
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That is so kid of you, Annette.
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Goodness, they really could do a better job in the culinary arena… 😦
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And then some…
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Hospital food is notoriously unappetizing and this one looks very much higher so. Sending you healing thoughts and prayers
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Love your sense of humour. About Hospital food, I remember crying that I want something eatable when I was hospitalised with swine flu with a baby in my tummy!
Sending across best wishes your way, Sue ❤️
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Thank you . It really is the wrong time to feel starved …
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Hospital food is always grim, Sue, just like aeroplane food. I hope despite the food you are doing better. I sent you an email 😊.
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Thanks Robbie.only the gmail is working reliably on the phone at the moment . X
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I recall from long ago that a threat of bodily harm went something like – Do you like the taste of hospital food then or what? Now I see why! Much love and healing your way …. xxxx (and to Stu )
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A real threat, I can tell you 😉 x
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Boilett, Plateit & Srapeit, purveyors of Hospital Fine Foods – the plates themselves might be tastier, Sue – Hope the treatment cures you fast and you can escape back home SOOON 🤗❤️❤️🤗
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We still haven’t got as far as official confirmation of the diagnosis yet… sigh…
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Sigh indeed 😌
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❤
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Thank you for sharing this with us, Sue. Know that there are many thinking of and praying for you. And it sounds as if the hospital caterers need praying for too! I think it’s the way they dollop the food on the plate that increases its unappetising character too. May healing and strength come your way.
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Healing, strength… and a decent hot meal. Being nil by mouth today seems suddenly a blessing 😉
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Thinking of you and sending love and hugs ❤ xx
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The food looks really unappetising! And sorry to hear the pain meds aren’t working. I hope things improve! Hang in there.
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I will… I don’t like being beaten 😉
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A positive attitude goes a long way. 🙂
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Your jaded appetite may not be sated, but at least your sense of humour is intact. Positive, healing thoughts and vibes are with you, Sue. Love xx
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Thanks, Joy. I think the appetite of a starving mendicant would struggle with some of the food here 😉 xx
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As somebody who burns or spoils anything he cooks, I think my cooking just about beats what they’re serving you, Sue. Are you allowed any food parcels? I could send you something from the Cadbury’s online store I’ve just discovered.
Sending you plenty of hugs.
xx
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We are not allowed food from outside the hospital, apparently… which is a shame as my mouth is watering, Hugh, and as I am losing weight at a massive rate and without trying at the moment, feel it is incumbent upon me to indulge, should the chance arise. 😉
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I’ll have to find my invisible cloak and see if I get in, Sue. Knowing me, the cloak would slip, and I’d be found out in the first few minutes.
Take care.
xx
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If all else fails… I’ll have to escape…
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Wait… Some of it actually resembles what you ordered? That’s incredible!
Based on all my own trips in to hospital, I have to say that the only good things about hospital food are that you actually get to have breakfast in bed (even if it only just passes for breakfast) and you don’t have to do the dishes afterwards. If you’re on the right ward, and get to be among the first to be fed, you might even have some heat to your food… If you’re lucky.
It’s even harder if you’re vegetarian, and harder still if you’re vegan. When I explained that I didn’t eat any of what they had on the menu during one hospital stay, they asked what I wanted then. I asked if they could do me a jacket potato with beans but without any butter, or some chips or something for now, and we’d figure out something better for the evening meal. The reply was, “You do realize this is the NHS, right?” because apparently that was a complicated order. I’m still confused by that, especially since some of the meals actually come with those things.
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Oh I know. I know it is hard work sorting hundreds of meal and diets, but vegetarianism/veganism is fairly common and yet still such a difficult task for so many establishments.
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Humour is a great tonic. Stay Positive. Stay Smiling.
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I’ll keep at it as long as I can 🙂
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Excellent!
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🙂
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Continued healing. Positive thoughts from across the pond.
((Hugs)) ~Jules
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Thank you, Jules.
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Oh wow that looks unappetising Sue, especially when you are in the greatest need of nutritional support… I did some research into our local hospital when working for media several years ago and was shocked to discover that allegedly the food was shipped in 200 miles from Wales, (including frozen omelettes) reheated and when returned as inedible, the food not eaten was then removed from the premises by the same company and sold on as pig swill…So they made on the deal both ways and had little interest in having it eaten by the patients! –
However, my experience with my mother led me to believe that it actually was re-purposed as the new item on the menu for the toothless – ‘masheable’ . I know that you are not at that stage yet so at least you are getting the first sitting!! ♥♥ Perhaps a bribe to one of the nurses coming back on duty to bring in some Indian takeaway that at least would give the other patients something pleasant to smell….stay strong Sue… and let us now where you are so we can send food parcels ♥
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There are half a dozen ladies with varied medical diets on this ward… I’m pretty sure your mother in law’s experience is far from unique. Unfortunately, we are not allowed outside items of food or drink and have very few opportunities for smuggling.
I’m thinking of arranging a mass walk/roll out to the staff canteen to compare horrors…
I am just hoping they will let me home this weekend to get the odd decent meal. x
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Fingers crossed Sue…and a cuddle with a little black dog.. the best medicine ever…♥
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Absolutely, I have really missed her. But oddly, when asked to bring in something to read… Stuart and my sons all sent Ani books 🙂
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ahh..She would be there in a heartbeat.. and have them all organised with something decent to eat too…♥
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Yeah… but they’d be feeding it to her 😉
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Lol…this is true..xxx
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Hope you have a very speedy recovery.
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Thank you, John. Just hope I recover 🙂
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Thinking of you.
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Thanks, John.
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Oh, dear Sue. The food looks appalling. Don’t they know you need comfort food right now, especially as you can’t have hugs? Well, here’s a virtual hug coming all the way from Spain. And lots of love and licks from Dot too. xo
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Thank you both. You would think that such a basic need could be met somehow.
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The food looks awful, Sue, but I’m more concerned about the fact you’re on morphine. I’m tempted to get on my COVID soapbox about people who’re ignoring the wider impact – the delays to treatment for other conditions, and the restrictions on what you’d normally have in the way of support. Ess had surgery the other week, but I wasn’t allowed past the front door of the hospital, so she had to deal with it all on her own. (Trust me, if I’d got on my soapbox, I’d have said a lot more! But I’ll save that for another day.) Hope you can get out soon and at least have the comfort of loved ones around you – and palatable meals. Our thoughts are with you.
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Thanks Graeme, I’ll be getting on that particular soapbox myself … it is doing so much damage.
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Hi Sue, sorry to hear you’re in hospital. I’ve been away for a few days and haven’t been able to do much reading this week. I hope – apa<3rt from the food, evidently – that things are going well for you, but I can imagine it's a miserable time to be in that environment. My thoughts are with you, and I hope to see you at Medieval Wanderings soon. Take care and all the best. xx ❤
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Hopefully a brief reprieve at home tomorrow 🙂
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Love and healing hugs. ❤
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❤
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I’m sorry to hear your in hospital, Sue and with the food as well. I know how that can be ehrm, described as food. Sending huge hugs and love and hope you are home soon. xxx
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Hoping I get a break at home tomorrow if I get safely through the after effects of today’s shenanigans 😉 x
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oh no, Sue, shenanigans what happened? xxx
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Mix up after mix up … got sorted though xx
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Good. Now, I wish for you to be home soon and recovering well. ❤
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I am home now… andhave a very long way to go ❤ xx
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Sending love and gentle hugs, healing and virtual ginger cake. Why the ginger cake, I don’t know. ❤
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Ginger cake…. ooh, I could eat that. ❤️
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❤
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Arg Sue, I can’t even imagine your predicament, all those battering tests, no human company and crappy hospital food. I can honestly say that all the times I’ve been in hospital, I’ve never eaten hospital food. It’s a mental block with me. I hope somebody can sneak you something at some point, or else get you home quick! Hugs ❤ xxx
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Normally in hospital here, there are sneaked sandwiches, illicit trips to shop and cafe, biscuits and homemade goodies. At present, all are forbidden,,,, x
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I’m so sorry Sue. Try you best to eat some of what they give you. You don’t want to get to skinny! 🙂 xxx
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I’m eating it all… but only under protest!
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Never stop protesting! 🙂 x
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😀 x
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That food looks god-awful, sorry to say. I’ve often wondered how a place dedicated to healing the body can get it so desperately wrong in ways to provide it. Food seems so basic, yet hospitals rank the worst. Even school lunches are better!
I hope soon you’re allowed to escape back home to good food, family love and Ani-hugs. A much better healing environment. xo
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All being well, I go home tomorrow for a while till the test res are in 🙂
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How true, at the best of times, if you’re stuck in hospital at least you should be able to look forward to some tasty grub! And you’re friends can’t visit atm with goodies! Maybe we should mail you burgers and chips!
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The ‘ward- ers’ would probably frisk the postman 😉
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I hope you are home this weekend eating comfort food and snuggling with Ani. Sending you my best wish of healing. Much love, Jennie.
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Not long home, Jennie, but home x
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Short or long, home is good!
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Oh yes 😀 x
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🥰
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Jim? Aargh,,,
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Hope they at least gave you the good stuff. 😉
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There isn’t any : (
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I meant morphine or Vicodin.
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Morphine with every meal…. and then some….
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Sounds like mebbe too much tipped to that morphine scale! Hope it helps, though.
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It is keeping me upraight and working, sort of, for now 🙂
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My (many) experiences with hospital food are that no matter what the menu says, the food is awful. During the cancer experience (almost exactly 10 years ago), they had fancy menus so you could order a meal, like in a restaurant. They should have skipped the menus and spent the money on a cook or three. I ordered the “Baked Salmon in Honey.” Actually, both my friend who was staying with me (sleeping in the chair — which must have been a real misery for her and her bad back!) ordered it.
It was inedible. It was so hard you could have used it as a pingpong racket.
Later the nurse said: “Good Lord! NEVER order fish in a hospital!” Mind you the hospital was about a quarter mile from the docks where the fishing boats come in. We ultimate discovered that having Garry bring donuts and coffee was the best diet we could manage. Even JUST the coffee could get you through the day since the medication was pretty filling.
It must have been the awful food, but that was when everyone discovered I really AM a sleepwalker because I took off at a dead run for the main nurse’s desk to complain about the food — at about three in the morning … with Cherrie hot on my tail trying to convince me to come back to bed. You gotta admit, that had to be VERY bad food.
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The food… even the omelettes … are shipped in from miles away, frozen, to be thawed and reheated. Or not, judging by the lukewarm monstrosities on the plate.
It was the most depressing moment… and with no access to anything you could call snacks or coffee in between, bloody appalling for morale.
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Hi Sue. The food looks more like what would be served in prison – quite revolting! In fact not being allowed television or entertainment or visitors is like solitary confinement. But it’s good to see that you have kept your sense of humour. Reading, reading and more reading would be my answer but I suppose you don’t have access to books either. I’m so sorry. All of us (your followers) are sending positive, healing thoughts your way. xx
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Thanks, Kim… I had more books ta cloths brought in, but may need to find a decent electronic solution as this will be a long haul. xx
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From what I can gather from among the absolute mass of comments, you have made it home today. You sound fighting fit at least, so pleased to hear that! We are thinking of you, Sue and sending virtual hugs…
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Thank you both. I got home late last night after a whole debacle with the oxygen tanks, but I’m home, for now and…as long as I don’tactually move, I’m not half bad.
Moving? A whole other story…
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We wish we could be there to help… XXX
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All the wonderful messages have helped more than I can say. And I do mean that x
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XX
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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Thanks for sharing 🙂
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We both hope you are feeling a little better now you’re home!
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Much better… and a good nights sleep last night too x
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Oh Sue, I am sending a speedy recovery zooming your way. Having been on a hospital staycation myself last month, and sheilding since March 14th … I feel for you. At least we did /are getting medical care, though it is of little comfort when in pain, lonely and hungry. PS. the food does leave a lot to the imagination. Stay Covid safe, keep your spirits up. There are many of us wordy friends looking forward to you getting well, and are rooting for you.
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You need an imagination to call that stuff food, Ellen! 😉
Hope you are feeling better and yes, we are being medically cared for…even though the docs were going nuts at the amount of tests Covid is preventing them running.
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I can still taste it to be fair, its gelatinous feel was disturbing. If another giant Q – tip is poked up my nose once more I may be blinded. Maybe “we” will not have to go back in for a while … but if I do, I am packing snacks. 🙄😘
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They wouldn’t allow ‘outside’ food to be brought in…
And yes, had two of the Covid tests this week. Not exactly pleasant…
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Horrid in fact, I may be a woossy 🤔 but she nearly had my eye out. No outside food here either, I would hide it in legs of pj’s😃😉
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Sounds like a plan. I had chocolate smuggled in 😉
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🤗🤞
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🙂
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Sending healing vibes your way across the miles, Sue!
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Thank you, Jan x
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Oh, Dear Sue…Corden bleu it sure ain’t…I do hope you are home now being pampered and not being tortured about what could be for dinner…I think even Saangchai would refuse that …Sending healing Buddha vibes and blessings 🙂 xx
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Home, pampered… and much, much happier , Carol 😉 xx
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Good to hear, Sue …:) xxx
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🙂 xx
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Can you not take a picnic if you go in again 🙂 x
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We are not allowed outside food or drink in there, thanks to the Covid regulations. 😦
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Thats a shame… must be someone you can bribe with chocolate… 😀
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They can just give me the chocolate 😉 xx
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Haha.. Xx
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😀 xx
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Hospital food is looking tasty … 🙂
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I do hope that counts as sarcasm 😉
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Sometimes it LOOKS tasty. Unfortunately, it doesn’t TASTE tasty. Never ever order fish in a hospital.
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No… or food if you can help it…
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That last picture — WHAT IS THAT? It looks like something my dog would reject!
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Chilli and rice, hospital style. Looks like some the dog has already digested and passed…
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Definitely. Yuck.
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