Message Boards for the CF Trust

Replies: 10 Pages: 1

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 28-Nov-2006 20:20

Reply

Hey everyone, lots of questions in this post I'm afraid!

Firstly, I've got my first stay at the Churchill Oxford this weekend, does anyone have any info on what a stay is like, especially now they've changed wards?

Secondly, any experiences of being at Uni while on IVs? I'm currently planning on making as many lectures and seminars as possible, although I may not stay awake in them! Have also got to explain to my housemates that I'm gonna be grumpy and sleepy for the next few weeks!

Thanks, Caz xx

Oli

Posts: 201
From: Milton Keynes, England
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 28-Nov-2006 22:13

Reply

Hiya,

The Churchill is now a much nicer place to stay thanks to the ward switch.

Geoffrey Harris Ward, the new unit, has a much improved "ambience" (to be poncey) and is generally a much nicer, brighter, happier place to be. In a HUGE leap forward, there are also now plenty of side rooms including en suite toilet and shower facilities, which is fab for ease of use and privacy.

They are still, sadly without 'net access and rely on Patientline for TV access, which is a total rip-off and best avoided if you can. Best to take a portable DVD player and collection of favourite movies/TV series if you can.

The staff on the wards are all fantabulous and lovely, so I'm sure you'll have as nice a possible stay as you can when in The Big House.

Lizzie83

Posts: 44
From: Manchester, UK/ Connecticut, USA
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 28-Nov-2006 22:30

Reply

Don't know about the first question but hopefully i can address the second one.

Presumably if you're even contemplating going to lectures you're not feeling too bad. When i wasn't ill enough to be in hosp i generally attended all my lectures. Even the half hour walk and 9am lectures. But i think i might have been pushing it doing that as i remember those IVs's didn't do so well and i was back on some 2 weeks later! doh! But another time when i had a less intensive lecture course i was fine (i.e. later start times) However EVERYONE is differrnt. I'd say sleeping through lectures would be a bit pointless though and probably an indication you're overdoing it. If you can make it, great but have some mates on standby to take notes. Also, speak to the course organiser, they might be able to sort something out too. You should be able to tell your own limits after a few days....if you're exhausted...stop. Then again if your an arts/humanities student you wont have any 9am's anyway hehe

Lizzie xxx

Message was edited by: Lizzie83

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 29-Nov-2006 10:47

Reply

Thanks guys

Lizzie, I know I'm being slightly optimistic with my hopes of going as normal - the 25 minute walk in the Freezing Cold, plus having to sit through lectures about Politics ( yes I am a humanities student

). I have got some people on note duty so hopefully won't miss too much. From previous experience of IVs, after about the 4th day I'm not great at getting out of bed...But I think these IVs are preventative more than anything, and I'm not feeling too awful yet.

Oli, thanks for that, am so glad it's moved! I have got a few more questions about the hospital if that's ok...I've only ever been to Osler and for bloods/x-ray so I was wondering:

-is there a small shop where I could buy books/magazines/snacks on site?
-is there a cashpoint anywhere? As the hospital's so far out if there isn't I'll need to take bundles of cash along hehe
-what happens with meals? Do CF patients eat ward food as normal?

Thanks again, I know I'll find all this out on friday but it would be great to have an idea of it in advance!

xx

Angel

Posts: 491
From: London
Registered: 17-Feb-2004

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 29-Nov-2006 10:53

Reply

hi Atrium,

Have you applied for DSA (disabled students allowance)? You should be eligible for taxis to and from your lectures if you need them, and I would think that a 25 minute walk in cold on IVs would qualify you! The allowance also paid for a MD player and mic for me so that when I couldn't attend lectures a friend could set it up and I would have the whole thing recorded for me. If you haven't already applied I would urge you to do so, as even if you don't require much support, it is a good backup in case you hit a rough patch (which hopefully you wont!)

Hope that helps a bit

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 29-Nov-2006 11:06

Reply

Hi Angel,

Yes I applied for DSA last year when I started Uni, and got my printer/laptop etc all paid for by them

Taxis weren't mentioned at that point as I was living in Halls about 4 minutes from lectures! I'm not sure how to go about applying for more things but I should probably look into that, thanks.

I got the MD recorders too, but being my stubborn self and knowing that I'm normally on IVs every holiday I decided I would never need them here so I left them at home...oops.

xx

fool

Posts: 16
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 29-Nov-2006 18:14

Reply

Hi Atrium

just wondered out of interest whether u were at uni in oxford?

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 29-Nov-2006 20:42

Reply

Hiya,

No I'm at Reading, I just trek up to Oxford for my treatments and clinics!

xx

Oli

Posts: 201
From: Milton Keynes, England
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 29-Nov-2006 21:05

Reply

Sorry for delayed reply - was up in Oxford!

There's not much in the way of a shop, but the canteen sells snack-type stuff and some random assortment of papers and magazines, although mostly Hello and OK. A lovely lady called Sue does a paper round when she delivers the meal-menus in the mornings, so as long as you're up in time, you can collar her for your daily.

I don't know of a cash-point on-site, but you shouldn't need too much anyway.

Meals can be order in "large" portions, which are OK but not substantial. However, snack boxes consiting of sandwiches, fruit, crips and cake/biscuits are available from the nurses 24/7.

The biggest problem with the new ward is that it's so damn far from everything else in the hospital, being right at the bottom of the complex. It's a real trek to get anywhere else!!

fool

Posts: 16
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 18:43

Reply

ahh - only ask cos i went to uni at Brookes in Oxford.
so, went to Churchill a few times.

tried to avoid it tho as i always felt uber-cold in the old buildings!

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: churchill, ivs and uni
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 20:21

Reply

Thanks for all the replies

'Fool' (hehe) I've managed to avoid staying in until now, which has been a year and a term, will be strange not knowing all the nurses and doctors like I do back home!

Oli, thanks for all the info, the cash would mainly be because I don't drive so need to taxi and train my way to and around Oxford! And also for the odd takeaway if ward food disappoints

xx