Picture post from the hospital

[yakalskovich]

Normally, hospitals are considered nasty places, and people will not post pictures from them when they have been there.

But I was in a handsome, well-constructed and well-cared for hospital built in the early eighties, and I actually liked the place and was glad I was there and nowhere else. In fact, when I was taken somewhere else, all I thought of was to get away from there.

So, here are pictures from my non!holiday type absence.




In the entrance area, not far from the café where patients and visitors could chat in a civilised manner, the last roses of summer were blooming beside ample rose-hips.



In the physiotherapy garden, when I turned the corner while I was exploring last weekend, there suddenly was a surprise!BMW. I have no idea what it was doing there, much less how it got there, but for some reason, there was a bright copper brand new BMW. essayel guessed that they might be simulating a driving experience in there, in retraining stroke patients and the like for their life -- but really, wouldn't they have a simulator for that? That car remained a mystery to me.



The wing where my ward was.



From the ICU window, when I could see out at all, that was part of what I saw -- the new turf-covered roofs of the annex in the second basement, the drystone wall, and the dog path. ICU was an existential experience. People working there were the best of the best of the best, and I admire them intensely for the job they did for me and everybody else. Perhaps one day, I can properly write about it; about the morning when I was woken by a young nurse introducing herself as Tamara, which made me laugh out loud even though I was still in a very bad way, and then I had to invent a reason why that was so funny; or about the ancient lady who asked the night nurse Sarah whether she had come to fetch her to heaven -- she does look a tad angelic, and the old woman was an enormous character who actually convinced the same angelic nurse in another night to fetch her a bottle of beer so she could sleep -- oh, that ancient lady was happy and grateful for the beer! No, one day I will write about all that, but now, let the picture suffice.



Pleasant plants and art by the staff cafeteria. Not just the patients, the staff as well have short ways and pleasant places to stay in that hospital. I would totally love to work there if I could think of a way to convince them they need a database tamer...

Comments

[ceitfianna]

This is a beautiful place and it's wonderful to see where you've been these past few weeks. I'm glad you're home and doing better.

[idylchild.livejournal.com]

I actually have fallen in love with one hospital (well, a type of architecture really). And it isn't at all morbid, as one might be tempted to think.

Have you heard of the kirkbride hospitals from the 19th c? Dr. Thomas Kirkbride believed that architecture served a pivotal role in the healing of troubles minds (I couldn't agree more. Have you seen the monstrosties built in the 70s???)

http://www.kirkbridebuildings.com/

One of them is the site for my new fic, Worcester State Hospital. As I interview psychiatrists and survivors all over the country and they ask me why I am chose this one when it is so hard to research, I say, "Are you kidding?!??!? I took one look at the building and fell madly in love!"

I even have a new comm to serve as a respository for all my photos (so that I don't drive everyone crazy bogging down the other comms with pics).

worcesterasylum

[marchenland.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're doing better!!

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

I like the story about the old woman.

The grounds are a lovely spot and look very restful... even with the car.

Is the dog path part of the hospital?

[bigfluffball.livejournal.com]

Ooh pretty, yay for being home!

Car simulator?! My patients don't even get their bed tv paid for.