Even in isolation we got to observe the National Health Service (NHS) in action. As an American trained nurse eager to learn I observed. Gary had a couple of healing abrasions on his left elbow which got muddy while assembling the grill. The grill, one of the first things to put together, an essential item in any Glasgow house caused a sore elbow worse by the evening. We figured he had case of tendonitis since he had to tighten all the screws by hand, but next day his elbow and arm were red, hot, painful, and swollen; an obvious case of cellulitis.
We call the NHS helpline (111), an nurse advice line, to point us in the right direction. Gary was advised he needed to be seen by a general practitioner (GP) with in six hours. We explained we had just arrived from the USA, still in isolation, and had not established care. The nurse provided me with three numbers of “surgeries” primary care offices to contact. I called the closet surgery.
The receptionist stated Gary could get seen by a provider but first needed to fill out a couple of documents online. She guided us on how to submit paperwork and called us back less than hour later stating we were in queue to have a telephone consult with a provider. We connected via video with the provider after some technical difficulty due to poor WiFi on our end. She assessed Gary, reviewed his medical history, medications and then prescribed him antibiotics to be picked up at the local grocery store. The neighbor, also named Tamara, picked up the antibiotics which were free due to Gary’s age. She told us that children and elders get free medication. As Gary said “I am not sure if I should be offended.”
Pain Assessment
The pain assessment caught me off guard. The doctor asked if his pain was “extreme, does it interfere with your daily functions?” Gary not sure how to answer since it was severe but he was still able to get dressed and cook said “it hurts.” She proceeded to asked “does it hurt when you are not using it?” He said yes. I proceed to interfere and ask “Do you use the number pain scale, 0-10?” she answered no. I will learn more as I start work but for now I know providers ask if the level of pain severe, moderate, or mild and if it interferes with daily functions. In my eyes that is a much more appropriate assessment of pain.
In the time of Quarantine
We are in the final hours of quarantine. The time has been quite pleasant. We unpacked, put together furniture and even designated a junk draw. The house is comforting. The rooms have an endearing musty smell, the windows are weathered, and the toilets with their deep basins and odor of water that has stood too long all bring me back to childhood. This new house carries the spirit of my grandparents’ farmhouse in Rancho de Pena (Chihuahua, Mexico). Even the oatmeal taste like the avena mi abuela made and I find myself going after a second bowl.
Quarantine gave us the freedom to settle into our home with ease. We dictated our schedules. Cooking with detail, relearning the art of dicing an onion. We have dance parties or midday baths because we can. Build a Lego costume and Lego castles, not just Alvin. We do not get dress unless it is for ourselves. And at the end of every day, we do not rush to get ready for bed because we have nowhere to be in the morning so we read an extra chapter. We slow down and floss. The peace that has resulted from the last two weeks of quarantine feels likes a gift from the universe especially after the move. I am grateful.
