Thursday 21 February 2008

An Uplifting Experience! 05.06.07

Robbie said that he got teased so much because of yesterday's entry in the blog that he deserves a bit of time off tonight so I have had instructions to entertain readers with another account of my experiences at work, but more of that later. I have to just mention that Robbie is sitting here in his PJ's rambling on and on about the layout of Padstow station c1920 and why they needed a turntable. It is my own fault I shouldn't have left the Branch Line to Padstow book on the bed.

Sam announced that he wants some Van's trainers. He stressed that they have to be Vans because no other brand will go with the laces he has bought! He and Robbie are so alike sometimes.

Right then, back to the account of my experiences at work. In my previous job I had to take my turn 'on call' to deal with emergencies that occurred out of hours. The residents knew that it was really for housing related emergencies, but over the years I encountered a variety of very creative 'emergencies' and I develop a diverse knowledge because advice was sought on everything from budgies to bowels, so there was very little that genuinely surprised me.

It was Boxing Day and I was on call. I was contacted by a resident who was clearly in some discomfort. Apparently he was at a loose end and for no logical reason this fifty year old man had overdosed on someone else's viagra tablets. The inevitable occurred and he was unable to rid himself of the 'evidence' so for reasons best known to him he contacted me for help. I am not sure what he expected me to do about it. I advised him that it was well beyond my job description and if he was worried he should seek medical help. However I happened to know that the 'cure' recommended for the effects of viagra is a pack of frozen peas applied to the swollen area. He said that he would try it, but he phoned several more times to update me on progress, or to be more accurate his lack of progress. I tried to be tolerant, but it really was not my responsibility and I had told the man how to access medical help. He rang yet again (and interrupted my meal) to report that problem had not diminished at all. I advised him that time would resolve the problem, but until then he would have somewhere to hang his hat! He didn't phone again. He survived unscathed, but hopefully a little wiser!

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