The CBB :: View topic - Jo Maynard and the NHS (FCS)

#1: Jo Maynard and the NHS (FCS) Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:04 pm

'Really, Mrs Maynard,' said the Sister in an exasperated voice, 'anyone would think that you were the only woman who was about to have a baby. Now, we have ten other mothers in labour at the moment, and they all need attention. Some of them are far closer to giving birth than you are, and we really must attend to them. Now, settle down please, relax, have a little nap if you can, but do not keep ringing the bell for the nurses on this ward to come to get you a clean handkerchief. My nurses are all trained midwives, not personal maids. Now, I really must get to the delivery room. Remember, ring the bell if you are in extreme pain, but otherwise, remember the other patients. We have already had several complaints about your behaviour from them . Now, I'm going to draw the curtains round your bed. Don't disturb anyone else.'

Jo sank back onto her pillows feeling very, very disgruntled. Why weren't the nurses, midwives, whatever, running around after her? The private midwives she had always employed before had looked after her with the greatest care. Nothing had been too much trouble for them, and really, as the wife of Dr Maynard, she expected far, far better things from the ward staff.

Last edited by Jennie on Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:11 pm

Wonderful beginning!!! ROFL

It's so like Joey to expect perosnal service!!

*wondering how many children she's up too*

#3: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:13 pm

Please feel free to add to the drabble if you would like to.

#4: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:41 pm

*intrigued*
Can't wait to see how it goes for Joey.......

#5: Author: Emma, Location: Lichfield

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:09 pm

I cant wait to see some more of this!!

#6: Author: Steph, Location: Blackpool, Lancashire

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:16 pm

haha what a great idea! Make Jo suffer Twisted Evil

more please!

#7: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:19 pm

I was so hoping somebody would drabble this. Thanks Jennie, I'm looking forward to more Joeyish behaviour!

#8: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:07 am

When Jack Maynard arrived in the ward for visiting time, he was met by an angry sulky wife who made it perfectly clear that she was not receiving the service that she felt that she deserved.

after a long series of complaints, she finished her tirade with the words, '...........and as you're a doctor, Jack, instruct them that I really need to be looked after properly. Fancy being in a hospital where I can't even get a nurse to pass me a clean hankie. It's just not good enough!'

'We've been through all this before, Jo. I warned you before you came in here that you would be just another patient, and that the nurses and midwives are busy. Now, accept things are as they are, that you are in the best place. Having a baby at forty-eight isn't the best thing to do, and you need the expert care that you can receive in here.'

'Care!' snorted Jo. 'Care! It's not what I call care. Why, I wanted my toenails filed yesterday and what do you think that nurse dared to say to me? She told me that she wasn't here to give me pedicures, that she had someone who was suffering from high blood pressure to check, and would I please let her get on with her real work. Well, what is she here for, if it isn't to look after me?'

#9: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:29 am

Oh!! Can remember suddenly developing very selective hearing when faced with patients like that! Laughing

Keep going Jennie - this is wonderful!

#10: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:58 am

*giggling*

Shocked

It's hard to believe people are really like that - whatever happened to the great British reserve? I'm sure I would be far too embarrassed to ask for anything, even if I needed it, and would be very conscious about not being seen to cause a fuss ... Rolling Eyes

Have to laugh that after all these years and pregnancies, Jack has waited to send her NHS until she's 48!!

#11: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:52 am

Can't wait to see what upsets Joey next! Laughing

#12: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 12:33 pm

"Jack, I don't think that you're really listening to me! I'm trying to tell you how badly I've been treated on this ward! I'm supposed to be in here so that I can rest before giving birth. Do you realise that this morning I had to get up out of bed and sit at the table for breakfast? When I asked for an omelette because I fancied something light to eat, I was told that it was scrambled egg or go without. Really, the impudence of it. Why couldn't one of the nurses go to the kitchen and make me an omelette?' Then she actually said that she had a mother close to delivery and needed to see to her, and had no time to listen to my complaints.

And as for the other mothers, well, you've never heard anything like it. One of them was going home yesterday, and I advised to put her feet up and let the maid take over for a couple of days, apart from feeds, that is. She snarled at me, positively snarled. 'Maid' she said, or snarled, I should say. ' Maid? Who do you think I am, and who do you think you are, Lady Muck?' Well really, how vulgar.'

#13: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 12:45 pm

*g*

So, there is a queue forming to give her a slap or may we join in any time?

#14: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 1:05 pm

Feel free to contribute in any way you choose.

#15: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 1:38 pm

Is it possible that Joey could have a really really really long labour? It seems to me that she needs to spend as much time in this hospital as possible.

Please keep going Jennie, it's really wonderful!!! Very Happy

#16: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 3:26 pm

Hehe, loving this Jennie - especially as I had a patient exactly like this on my first placement!!

#17: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 3:27 pm

After Jack had left his seething wife to nurse her resentment, Jo decided that she would demonstrate to the nursing staff that she knew how a woman who was in the last stages of pregnancy should be treated.

Accordingly she rang the buzzer by the head of her bed. Finding that there was no immediate response, she rang again. And again. She continued to ring the bell until an obviously harassed nurse appeared at the side of her bed.

'Oh Nurse, I'm feeling a little faint. Do you think that you could get me some beef tea, please?'

'Well, Mrs Maynard, you don't look in the least bit faint to me, in fact you've got a really good colour. Perhaps being married to a doctor for nearly thirty years hasn't taught you that people generally go pale when they feel faint. And as for beef tea, it's no longer made and served up to order in this maternity unit, so I'm afraid you'll have to do without it. Now, if you don't mind, Madam, it's feed time in the Nursery, and we have hungry babies yelling for their food, which they're not getting because I've had to leave them to come to see what you want. In fact, Mrs Maynard, I'm going to be seriously discussing your case with Sister, just as soon as I've finished doing the feeds.'

'Nurse, you clearly do not recognise that that my husband is a doctor......'

The nurse (who was a very pleasant, highly professional person when not expected to run round after the likes of Jo Maynard) answered rather grimly. 'We are well aware of that, Mrs Maynard. You have informed us of that at least six times a day since you were admitted for bed rest. In this maternity unit, we try to give all our patients the care and attention they need. We do not have the time to pander to your whims and fancies. We also know, so you don't have to remind us, that you were attended by private nurses for your previous deliveries. Perhaps you would care to pay for a nurse to look after you. In that case, we can transfer you to the private wing, where you can pay for your bed and your nursing care.'

Jo remained silent at this. She was all too well aware that now Jack had been forced to retire at the closing of the San in Switzerland, and the disappearence of his speciality, TB, they no longer enjoyed the income that they had once had. In fact, their investments were doing so poorly that they were hard put to manage to pay the bills. A private room and a nurse devoted to her alone was certainly out of the question.

#18: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 3:30 pm

Woohoo! A squashed Joey Very Happy

#19: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 4:52 pm

Loving this, Jennie! Laughing

My mum tells me that, when she was having me - back in the Dark Ages of 1961 - her bed was next to another where the woman was obviously in, or at least considered she was in severe pain, and kept screaming and wailing. The midwife had obviously had enough because my mum suddenly heard the sound of said screaming mum-to-be having her legs slapped and a voice saying, "Now stop that Mrs X it's not that bad!"

Everyone was surprised that during the 18 hour or so labour my mum didn't utter a sound! Laughing

#20: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:21 pm

oh Jennie, this is wonderful

*spluttering*

you've still got in in for Joey havent you!

#21: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:21 pm

Oh, poor Jo!
I know...i know, but really it must be hard to have to change lifestyle like that!

#22: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:37 pm

*falls over laughing*

I'm working as a filing clerk in gynaecology at the minute and we have a fiar few patients like that... Very Happy

#23: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:14 pm

This is great Jennie! I love any drabble which portrays Joey like this!

#24: Author: claire, Location: South Wales

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:47 pm

Lesley wrote:

Everyone was surprised that during the 18 hour or so labour my mum didn't utter a sound! Laughing

I remember when I was in labour with Alicia being told I couldn't possibly be in real labour as I wasn't in enough pain - the look on her face when she found I'd gone from 4cm to 8cm in an hour was great (unfortunately the labour after that was terrible) but the other two births were great (barring the haemorrage after Conan which was really scary) - OOH give Joey one of them - and you can give yourself free license with the hallucinations afterwards

#25: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire/Bangor

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:15 pm

*goes green*

#26: Author: Elisabeth,

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 10:05 am

Marianne wrote:

Oh, poor Jo!
I know...i know, but really it must be hard to have to change lifestyle like that!

agrees with Marianne - being the soft-hearted creature that I am

#27: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 11:36 am

In spite of the fact that Jo knew all this, she was still determined to wring every last drop of care and attention out of the nurses.

When the doctor came round on one of his routine visits, Jo received a thunderbolt to her expectations.

'Well, Mrs Maynard, you are doing well, so, whilst we're keeping you in for this last fortnight, I see no reason why you need to stay in bed. The bed rest has done you a world of good, now we'd like you to get some exercise without overdoing it.'

'Oh, I don't think that would be a good idea, Doctor, you see........'

'No arguments, Mrs Maynard, it won't hurt you to be up and out of bed. You can walk around and keep yourelf as active as possible in the run-up to the birth. See to it, Sister, will you?'

With that, giving Jo an uninvolved smile that showed that he had not been listening to her, he went away, with his junior colleagues trailing in his wake.

Jo sat back against her pillows, well, this was a blow. What had happened to her visions of a lovely fortnight's relaxation, waited on hand and foot by adoring, respectful nurses?

#28: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 11:40 am

*giggles to self*

#29: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 1:27 pm

Jennie, when extremely busy on the wards we nurses would ask those patients who were ambulatory to help with the tea rounds - please, please, please, with cherry and icing on top?

Laughing

#30: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 2:01 pm

*is in stitches*

#31: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 3:40 pm

Lesley, I know that, I've done it. Just wait.

#32: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 4:30 pm

God help her if she was on my ward!!

#33: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 4:39 pm

Just as Jo was sinking back onto her pillows to have a nice little nap, might as well make the most of it, the Ward Sister marched up to the side of her bed.

'Time to get up, Mrs Maynard, the doctor says that you needn't lie in bed all day any longer. I know that you'll be pleased about that, even though walking around the ward isn't quite like one of the long mountain walks that you used to take.'

'But, but.......'

'No buts, Mrs Maynard, time to get up and put your dressing gown and slippers on. That's right, come along now.'

'Good, now, here we are, the tea trolley's arriving. Since all the nurses are busy in the delivery rooms, perhaps you'd like to show us how you poured tea at those famous tea-parties of yours. Yes, I don't see why you shouldn't. Just ask at each bed how everyone likes her tea, and make sure that everyone gets biscuits if they want them. It won't hurt you to do a little light work, Mrs Maynard, after all, you've expected everyone else to run round after you for a week, now's your chance to repay some of that.'

With that, the Sister walked off down the ward, out of the door, grinning widely to herself.

'That's settled that sefish old bat.' she thought smugly.

Last edited by Jennie on Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

#34: Author: caz, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 4:49 pm

Why do I have a feeling that that won't have settled Joey at all?

#35: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 4:58 pm

Jo was just about to sink back down onto her bed, then ring for attention when she was cut to the quick by the, in her opinion, strident voice of one of the other patients.

'Well, that's told you, hasn't it, eh Madam? Well, get on with pouring the tea, then, cance for you to show us how to do it Properly. Milk and two sugars for me, and I'll have a couple of those Rich Tea biscuits, thank you. Come on then, look sharp, we're all waiting.'

This speech was accompanied by many snickers and sniggers from the other patients. Seething with resentment, Jo felt obliged to follow orders.

#36: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 6:28 pm

HeHeHeHe!

#37: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:51 pm

I thought that you might appreciate that little bit, Lesley.

#38: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:26 pm

Next bit:

Jo began to pour out the tea, but as slowly as possible. This tactic to get out of helping the overburdened staff was ruined when several patients told her to get a move on, they wanted hot tea, not lukewarm. Jo began to realise the depths of her unpopularity when one voice told her that since she thought she was better than everyone else, she ought to prove it by doing a better job of pouring the teas.

Jo began to long for Madge, to be enveloped in her warm embrace, to be called Joey Baba, and to feel loved and comforted. But Madge was far away. After Jem's death, Madge had inherited a sizeable fortune. She had promptly invested some of it in extensive plastic surgery, a lot more in a lavish wardrobe of designer clothes, travelled to the South of France and found herself a toyboy. She was living the life of Reilly in a suite in a pricey hotel, and lapping up the lifestyle.

Jo had written to her, telling her of their predicament, but Madge had been unsympathetic. her letter was full of herself and her plans, and they did not include bailing out her younger sister. Madge had concluded by telling Jo that at last she was enjoying herself and her life, and had finally found fulfilment in the arms of her lover. She was definitely not going to give up a fraction of her enjoyment - no way! She'd earned this by being married to Jem for all those long, boring years, and now she was enjoying her reward.

Tears of self-pity sprang into Jo's eyes. Madge no longer wanted her, Jack didn't understand her, and now she was being used as a skivvy in a hospital ward. She thought longingly of her faithful maid Anna who had looked after her for so long, dying whilst still in service to the Maynard family. Unbidden, into her mind came the picture of Anna revelling in Heavenly repose, and snickering as she looked down on her mistress.

#39: Author: Bel, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:30 pm

This is so funny, Jennie - I love it!

#40: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:07 pm

Finally, Jo was able to sit down with her own cup of tea. As it was the last to be poured out, it was too strong and lukewarm. AND ther were no biscuits left either.

Again, tears sprang to her eyes. She had never felt so alone before. It seemed hours until Jack would arrive for evening visiting. Jo wished that she had not interefered in her children's lives so much, she would love one of them to walk in through the door and sit down with her.

She thought of Len, her first-born triplet, the responsible one. She had wantd to give Len a dream wedding, and had made so many plans, and organised so much, only to find that Len had other ideas. Len had hated the wedding dress that her mother had chosen for her, hated the bridesmaids' dresses, hated the flowers, hated the wedding reception food that Jo had ordered, hated the chalet that Jo had chosen, hated the furniture that Jo had bought, hated the curtains, and it seemed, hated her mother too, calling her interfering.

Len had promptly broken her engagement to Reg, and got herself a job in a large school in the North of England. One thing was certain, Len had never returned to her family home, saying she was utterly fed up with having everything decided for her, and from now on, she was going to do as she pleased.

#41: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:19 pm

Oh dear, poor Joey! Still Jack must still love her - or did 8 months ago!

#42: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:22 pm

Just wait until she goes into labour!

#43: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 10:49 am

Hehehe!!!

So do we get to hear what happened to every child??? Im glad Madge was able to rediscover her old self again! Wink

#44: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:06 pm

Jo had thought that after her exhausting labours at tea-time, she would be able to go back to bed for a well-deserved rest.

Her hopes were soon dashed when a trolley of water-jugs was brought into the ward, and she found that she was expected to push it around the ward, make sure that everyone had a jug of fresh water, put the fabric cover back on to the jug, and put the empty jugs onto the trolley.

She did this with very bad grace, the thunderous looks that she gave to the other patients were met with big grins, as they saw how unwilling she was to help out. This situation was not helped in the slightest when several of the nurses, coming in to check on patients, saw what she was doing, and broke into huge, wide, satisfied smiles at the sight of her unwilling self waiting on the other patients.

To cap it all, she found that she was expected to help to set the table for the evening meal. 'This is going too far', she raged to herself inwardly. 'Just wait 'til Jack gets here this evening. We've simply got to afford private care for me.'

#45: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 4:57 pm

poor poor Jo; people always victimise well-off people!!!

Great story though, not a critisism, v.clever! I'm just a Jo fan!

#46: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 5:06 pm

You cannot possibly be a fan of the Jo as she is portrayed in this story - she is a self centred snob who has driven both her eldest child and her sister from her.

Wonderful Jennie, keep going! Laughing

#47: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 8:38 pm

Thanks for the flowers,Lesley. Don't worry, she won't get away with anything.

#48: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 10:08 am

No sooner had Jo finished her supper, which she had again eaten unwillingly seated at the table insted of in proper state from a tray delivered to her in bed, she found that she was expected to help clear away the dirty plates and crockery.

The nurses then told her to hurry up and wash as it would soon be visiting time. Jo did so, sensing that opposition would be futile. However, her fury was growing, and she was determined to let Jack know with every single fibre of her being that this was just not good enough.

She began to wish that she had been a little more subtle with her interference in her children's lives. Stephen, for example. Whilst she had ostensibly welcomed the girl whom he brought home, announcing that they were about to become engaged, she had secretly been horrified to learn that the girl, whilst bright pleasant. well-mannered and even witty, had never been a fan of Jo's books. Jo had done everything she could to come between them, culminating in telling the girl that of course she would be expected to settle down and produce a long family, then devote herself to looking after the children, and that they would be expected to spend all their holidays at Freudesheim on the Gornetz Platz.

Lily had been horrified to hear this, and had taken a position in a Merchant Bank in Australia, not telling Stephen of her intentions until the evening before she flew out to her new job.

Stephen had been heartbroken by the ending of his engagement, and the very next day had visited Jo to tell her what he thought of her. By the time that he had finished, Jo had been left in no doubt that her oldest sone had no desire ever to see her again. He too, had found a job in Australia, had sought out Lily, and persuaded her to marry him. They now lived in a large house in an exclusive suburb of Sydney, and by the things that she had overheard the other children saying, were very happy together, but had no intention of ever returning to Europe.

Her black mood was not improved when a smirking nurse arrived at her bedside to inform her that Jack had phoned to say that he had been called out to an emergency, and would not be able to visit her that evening.

The nurse drew back the curtains so that Jo's lonely state would be visible to everyone else on the ward, and left. Jo sat in the blackest of black moods, watching as the visitors' chairs by every bedside but her own were all filled.

#49: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:01 am

*looks smug* Ha! Serves you right Joey!

#50: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:19 am

*feeling slightly guilty for laughing so much at jo's predicament*

...after all, she can't be all bad can she?

#51: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:31 am

Don't all jump on me at once but I have to confess that I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for Jo.

#52: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:44 am

Pat, i was just thinking the same myself....

#53: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:47 am

As was I.

#54: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 12:35 pm

and me!!

#55: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 1:05 pm

Perhaps Joey will come good with this child??

I am beginning to feel a little sorry for her, but do think she has brought some of it upon herself

#56: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 1:37 pm

This is just so brilliant Jennie - nice to see Jo thinking that she is suffering and being badly used and good that it is making her think a bit more about how she treats others

#57: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 1:42 pm

As the nurses on here have been saying, the sad thing is that this is true to life! Will she learn? Is Jack down the pub? Can we envisage Jennie writing a reformed Jo?

So many questions .........(hint) Wink

#58: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 2:19 pm

glad i'm not the only one feeling sorry for Jo!

but hysterical story Jennie, love some more

#59: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 4:27 pm

Oh... I'm feeling sorry for her too... Hm... *is worried by this*

It's great though, hilarious! (hard word to spell, that)

#60: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 4:57 pm

PatMac wrote:

Is Jack down the pub?

Oh, I'd love to think he is...

#61: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:47 pm

this is fantastic but I am beginning to feel a bit sorry for Jo

#62: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:35 pm

What on earth for?

#63: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:20 pm

Everyone is starting to feel sorry for Joey - lets examine the evidence. She began this by being condescending and snobbish, expecting highly trained professional women to cater for her every need, and a number of needs that were totally unneccessary.When told, quite reasonably, by the Sister on the ward that the nurses and midwives were busy caring for women in labour and actually having their babies , her response was to speak to Jack in the out-dated and antiquated notion that, as Jack was a doctor, everyone, especially some silly little nurses, would think the sun shone out his *** and drop everything to pander to her every whim.

When that didn't work she went into monumental sulks and still continued to ring the bell every two minutes. Alienating, not only the nurses and midwives, but a number of the other patients as she has obviously made it clear that she considers they are beneath her.

(So where does the feeling sorry for Jo bit come in?)

Jo is not being treated this way because she is rich/well-to-do or because she is of a different social class to the women around her - can anyone imagine Madge acting like this? She is being treated like this because she has been thoroughly unpleasant and deserves it. If her treatment is making her think of how she has pushed members of her family away= good, perhaps it willmean that by the time the one she's waiting for now, is of age, Joey willhave learnt her lesson!

*So endeth the lesson - sorry for the rant but had to get that off my chest!*

#64: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:40 pm

Its a weird thing, the feeling sorry for Jo thing, because in real life, if I met her acting like this, I'd probably be feeling as harshly towards her as Jennie and Lesley, among others. But I think that this change of lifestyle is a huge leap for her, and although she has handled it really badly, I can't help but think that at some point she is going to look back at her behaviour and realise to some extent how awful she behaved. And probably feel incrediably ashamed.

And that's why I feel sorry for her, because regardless of how terrible she feels at the moment (over her treatment), there's going to be a time when she feels a million times worse, but for a different reason.

*hopes that my tangled explanation isn't too confusing*

Nicci *hates looking back and realising what a complete ass I've been*

#65: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:46 pm

Getting Joey off her keister looking after herself gets no sympathy from me. But to be fair, I've never heard of a patient (annoying or not) expected to look after other patients.

Also, I'm just a sucker who always feels sorry for people in films/books, even if they are the 'baddy'.

#66: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:48 pm

Can't speak for now, but when I uised to be on the wards the patients that could, would take round the teas, sort out menu cards, replace water jugs - anything they could to help.

#67: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:50 pm

that makes sense. I guess the hospitals I've worked at or had a relative in, aren't in wards. They are either single or double rooms (not including ICU, of course), so that makes a difference. Plus fears about confidentiality and malpractice, might have changed things as well.

If I was in hospital (and not on bed rest), I'd probably enjoy helping out.

#68: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 10:02 pm

I certainly helped by carrying trays to those on bed rest when in before the boys were born

COT: why don't they make hospital beds bigger? When I was 38 weeks with twins I couldn't turn over in them & had to get completely out of bed and then back in again so I could lie on my other side Laughing

#69: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 3:03 pm

Whenever I have been in a hospital, apart from one ghastly week when I was on an isolation ward, whenever I was able to walk, I helped, at the request of the staff, with small jobs such as setting tables, pouring out and handing round the tea and coffee, and refilling water jugs. This sort of thing doesn't happen by a miracle, someone has to do it. When there are seriously ill patients on a ward, it makes sense for the nurses to spend time looking after those who cannot care for themselves. A lot of us on the ward who were mobile, helped with these little jobs.

In one hospital ward, a woman who had had a serious back operation, and who was forced to lie absolutely flat for several weeks asked me if I would get her a drink of water. Was I going to say no? I helped her, she was a lot worse off than I was, I had the use of my legs and arms.

ETA: sorry to sound off, but I'm sure the nurses who are on here will agree with me, that they are exhausted by the end of their shift. I don't give two hoots for hospital management, but the nurses deserve some help and respect. There I stand!

#70: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 3:38 pm

I think the reason I feel sorry for Jo is that she is having so many shocks to her way of thinking. I know she deserves them, but it's the having to rethink everything that is so dreaful for her. All her preconceptions, her wayof life, is being challenged and whether you agree with those attitudes or not, the fact that she is having to face up to them makes me feel a good deal of sympathy. She needs to face up to reality though!! And yes, its very funny. Laughing

#71: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 4:10 pm

I can accept that point of view, Pat. Isn't it a shame that Jo didn't keep up with the times?

#72: Author: Sue, Location: Tunbridge Wells

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 4:36 pm

I've certainly helped with bed time drinks and so on when in hospital. I'm sure I've volunteered. And If well enough I think it's actually quite therapeutic. It helps break out of that passive dependency which can be such a shock when one arrives home.
A friend of mine was flown home after contracting meningitis in Turkey - with nurse, oxygen etc. then she got the tube to central London and British Rail to Sheffield! Nothing to do with the thread really. Sorry.

#73: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:40 am

Jo slept the sleep of the truly tired that night. She began to wonder if she had been wrong in her attitude towards the staff and the other patients. It seemed that she had certainly been wrong in the way that she had tried to control her children's lives. Even after the fiascos with Len and Stephen, she still hadn't learned her lesson. No, she had gone on, blithely assuming that her children would automatically want what she had wanted, and had done her best to make sure that that was what they got.

She began to see that Con and Margot, who had both sympathised with Len, and had let their mother know this in no uncertain terms, had in fact been right. She had interfered too much, she had had no right to try to organise Len's wedding, much less choose a home and furniture for her.
She also began to realise , very slowly, that her children were all individuals, and entitled to lead their own lives, with their own likes and dislikes. It was such a shame that she couldn't telephone them to say that. But they were too far away. They had made sure that they lived well away from her, and would not be troubled by her popping in to check that they were doing things the correct Maynard way.

Charles had even said to her, just as she was leaving his home, the last time she had been there to visit. 'Mother, we don't care if you like the way we live, what matters is that we like it. I'm not my father, and Serena is not you. So please leave us alone in future, don't try to tell us what to do.'

Of course, she had been suitably indignant about that, and had made sure that Jack had known all about it. Was it her imagination that Jack had looked truly sad when she told him?

Last edited by Jennie on Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:36 pm; edited 1 time in total

#74: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 12:11 pm

Perhaps this umpteenth child will get a very different upbringing?

#75: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 2:41 pm

In that case the spell in hospital will have been useful. Interesting that Jack appears to have changed his opinion.

#76: Author: Dreaming Marianne, Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 2:47 pm

More please more - and really lay on the humiliation!

#77: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:58 pm

It seems to be working... *fingers crossed for a repentant and redeemed Joey*

#78: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:15 am

Would you like me to carry on with this? It won't be this week unless the small sparkling purple leaf bites really hard, enough to keep me awake. I'm having a very tired week this week, and so I'm doing a lot of sleeping and just resting, so I'm not really able towrite much.

I'll continue if you wish me to.

#79: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:25 am

Please do continue Jennie we're enjoying this very much.

Hope the sleeping and resting is helping with the tiredness this week and that next week will be better.

Look forward to seeing more when you're ready.

Nell x

#80: Author: Bel, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:49 am

I'm really enjoying this, so please do carry on, Jennie - but only when it's convenient for you, of course.

#81: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:51 am

Ooh, do continue if you can/feel like it, it's great!

#82: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:36 am

Please do carry on, though I hope you do have a great rest over the weekend.

I want to see if this child gets brought up any differently!

#83: Author: Sue, Location: Tunbridge Wells

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:19 pm

Do it at your speed and inclination, not ours.
I'm loving it
Sue

#84: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:29 pm

Please continue Jennie - would love to find out what's happened with all the rest of the Maynards - and with Joey's relationship with the School!

Only when you are fit, though!

#85: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:20 pm

This is very interesting; especially reading the debate about Jo! I think if we met her in real life everyone would be outraged; we just all have a soft spot for Jo because we love her! We've seen her grow up afterall! Wink

#86: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:41 pm

Please carry on with this Jennie as and when you're ready.

#87: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:05 am

Lots more please Jennie .. this is great. I'd love to see how Jo's relationship with the school has altered also.

#88: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:25 am

Jennie have just discovered this, it is a fantastic story. I have just read it all through. Do feel a bit sorry for Jo, it is so sad that someine has lived to 48 had umpteen children and just discovered that her life and values are not those of other people.

Hope you are feeling better Jennie, and less tired now. Looking forward to more of Jo's humiliation when you are able.

#89: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:00 pm

The next fortnight seemed to drag endlessly for Jo. In addition to all the little duties that the ward staff found for her to perform, she found that she was also booked in for daily sessions with the physiotherapist.

She tried to overwhelm the girl, girl, upstart little chit really, but found herself in opposition to a will far stronger than her own. Joanna Smith was a formidable opponent.

"Mrs Maynard, the sooner you do these very mild exercises, the sooner you will be able to leave this department. You will not leave here until you have done them, so you might just as well get on with them. These exercises, as I have told you repeatedly, are designed to assist you to relax when you go into labour. It would have made more sense for you to have gone to relaxation classes much earlier, but I understand that you refused to do so. Now, let's take the different kinds of breathing again. Mrs Maynard, will you please cooperate for the baby's sake, if not for your own!'

Jo managed to tell her that she would have adequate pain relief during the whole of her labour, and that the doctors would put her out completely if need be, but the physio was having none of that.

With a tight little smile, she informed Jo that that approach to delivering babies had gone out with the Ark, and that nowadays, the less chemical intervention the better.

Jo unwillingly did the exercises, and found herself dismissed from the Physio room only when she had satisfied Joanna Smith.

She returned to the ward, and sat down on her bed feeling exhausted. The worst of it was that Jack no longer seemed to be listening to her complaints, instead he seemed very far away, and his only response was to tell her to cooperate with the hospital staff. He even went as far as telling her that they had far more experience of maternity care than she had, and no, having eleven children did not make her an expert in delivering babies.

The worst evenings for Jo were those when Jack was on call and could not come in to visit her. This situation was not made easier by the sly comments she got from the other patients about her boasts of having had eleven children, not one of whom had as much as put their noses through the door of the ward, or even bothered to write or to send flowers.

#90: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:08 pm

Really do feel sorry for Jo, her children may find her an intefering so and so, but not to even send flowers when she is hospital for so long?

Why is she there for such a length of time anyway if she isn't confined for bed rest? Am I forgetting somehting from earlier?

Having said all that, it is nice to see Joey facing the music a little! Twisted Evil

#91: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:13 pm

I just hope Joey remembers those exercises. I wonder if there is one member of the family who feels sorry for her??

#92: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:25 pm

They probably do feel sorry for her - but it'll not bring them any closer! If they have all been treated in the same way as Len and Stephen, can you blame them?

Thanks Jennie. Laughing

#93: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:14 pm

Jennie this is great!

I really hope we get to witness the actual labour and birth Smile

Helen P

#94: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:17 pm

Jennie wrote:

This situation was not made easier by the sly comments she got from the other patients about her boasts of having had eleven children, not one of whom had as much as put their noses through the door of the ward, or even bothered to write or to send flowers.

So she hasn't had any more in the intervening period? I must admit, I'm surprised...

#95: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:58 am

looks good!
love to read more!

#96: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:27 pm

The evening before her due date, Jo started to feel twinges in her back. These grew steadily more insistent, so she rang for the nurse. Jo began to have some glimmerings of the trouble she had been to the ward staff when she saw the expression on the girl's face.

She told the nurse what was happening, and saw the the look did not alter very much.

The nurse then examined her swollen abdomen, and told her that labour had definitely not begun.

"Try to get some sleep, Mrs. Maynard, it's essential that you try to relax. Now, we have three mothers in the delivery rooms, please try not to call for help unless it is absolutely essential.'

With that she walked off.

Unfortunately, this speech deleted all the lessons that Jo had learned in the past fortnight, and brought out the absolute worst in her.

Last edited by Jennie on Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:57 am; edited 1 time in total

#97: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:19 pm

Oh dear, what is Jo going to do?

*Has memories of younger brother being delivered by neighbour as midwife considered she knew more than my mum! (It was her third child!)*

#98: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:25 pm

ohhh dear!
go jo! Embarassed

#99: Author: shoe__gal, Location: St Andrews, Scotland

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:29 pm

ooh interesting! looking forward to the next part!

#100: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:16 pm

They didn't believe my mum when she said she was in labour, for the simple reason that she was scheduled for a CS in the morning and thought she was imagining it. The shift chnage luckily noticed it and I wasn't born in the ward, or by CS.

#101: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:22 pm

I walked 1 mile to the antenatal clinic, having twinges and wondering if this meant I was in labour! The panic was amusing - you just DON'T go to antenatal clinic already in labour Shocked

. Luckily they got me out of there and in to the correct place before the birth!

PS. that was the first child and none of the rest were quite as quick!

#102: Author: cas,

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:41 pm

Mm. As this is Jo's 8th pregnancy they could ignore her at their peril! I remember a midwife who gave an enema to a mum expecting her 5th & the baby was born in the loo!!!

#103: Author: Annie,

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:23 am

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Have only just read this! Poor Joey- what's come over her! Something nice please happen and make Jack, Jem, Joey and Madge nice again!

#104: Author: Lula, Location: Midlands, UK

Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:59 am

Ooh... poor Joey!

#105: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:08 am

I'm afraid it's going to get worse before it gets better.

A slightly sharper twinge had Jo ringing the bell again, and again. Finally the Midwifery Sister appeared. The grim expression on her face boded ill for Jo.

'What is it now, Mrs Maynard? We are very busy in the delivery rooms, and unless you are really in labour, we have to concentrate on the mothers who are giving birth. Let me have a quick look.'

She speedily examined Jo, and then said, in no pleasant tone of voice, 'Labour has not begun yet, Mrs Maynard. These twinges are perfectly normal, you have no need of pain relief or attention. Now, I must get back to the delivery suite.'

'Oh, but my back hurts, I want someone to rub it.'

'Mrs Maynard, I am going to speak to you now in a way that you have probably never heard before. Your behaviour since you came onto this ward has been extremely selfish. You have behaved as though you are our only patient, demanding personal services that our midwives and nurses are not here to give.

'Now, we have three births imminent in the delivery rooms, and two of the mothers are facing extremely difficult births. We are going to concentrate on them, Mrs Maynard, as we ought. Please remember this, if one of those babies dies because you are demanding attention, the death will be on your conscience. Now try to go to sleep and stop being so selfish, immature and demanding.'

With that, she stalked off, leaving a fuming Jo to face some very unpalatable truths.

#106: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 10:37 am

ooooo....

more please!

i hope jo and baby are ok...as well as all the other mothers and babies! Smile

#107: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:09 pm

Hmmm,well I hope Joey learns from this.Also hope she's not about to have the sprog just to spite them! Laughing

#108: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:43 pm

Not just yet, Lesley. Give me time!

#109: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:51 pm

Jennniiiiieeeeee - I thought that was a proper post

Please can we have some more cos this is just so good

#110: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 2:19 pm

Tomorrow, if I can get some net access.

#111: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 1:42 pm

Jennie this is great. Poor Jo, poor baby, poor patients and staff. Hpe to see ;ots more of this.

#112: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 2:45 pm

It's the other patients that I really feel sorry for, and the staff, having to cope with her unreasonable demands.

Jo's due date came and went, but there was still no sign of the baby. When Jack came to visit one evening, Jo was insistent with him that the staff either induce the baby or be prevailed upon to give her a caesarian section.

She was reduced to whining at him 'You don't know what it's like in here for me, Jack. The other women are rude to me, the staff make me do jobs round the ward, and they're unpleasant to me when I'm in pain, which is most of the time.'

Jack decided on a little plain speaking.

'Jo, you have brought this on yourself. Don't argue, I've been hearing all about it, how you've been boasting about having eleven children so you feel superior to the other mothers. Well, just remember this. Yes, you've had eleven children already, and this one will be the twelfth. This time, perhaps you'll try to realise that this child isn't your possession, but an individual. You've managed to drive most of the others away by insisting that you knew what was best for them, and generally running their lives for them, or trying to. You were moaning that Mike hasn't been to see you. You know perfectly well that he's in the Navy, and his ship is in the South China Seas. Why can't you understand that the Navy is his career, and he's in the zone for promotion. I'm sure that the First Sea Lord is going to understand that request for leave. 'Well, my mother's having her twelfth child, and I really need to be there.' Mike knows that he has to make his own way, we have nothing to leave him, so for heaven's sake, try to understand. It's time for you to come down to earth, you're not still living on the Platz where I'm Head of the San. I'm a hardworking GP, and we're having to struggle to manage financially. Besides, I'm gad we're away from Switzerland. If you only knew how sick I got of coming home tired out and finding a horde of schoolgirls running and shrieking round in the Saal. This baby will be welcome, but don't expect any help from the others. They had enough of looking after the younger ones while they were growing up, that's why they they have small families, or no children at all.'

With that, he got up and left the ward. Jo was acutely miserable, and her state of mind was not improved by the subdued and not so subdued snickers that she heard from some of the other beds.

#113: Author: Annie,

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:28 pm

NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. IT CAN'T END THERE! Crying or Very sad

Yes I know I'm yelling too much, but seriously, I thought that something nice might happen to Joey. Confused

Pleeeeeaaaaaaaase can Jo change and everyone change and everything be OK. I know that sounds very fanciful and very stupid, but I feel so sorry for Jo, only because she's changed, not because people are being mean at all! Sad

Please write some more VERY soon. It will be greatly appreciated. Smile

#114: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:35 pm

awww, poor poor Jo. I know she's being evil in this (rude and snobbish) but it must be terrible to have your husband tell you all that; that what you thought was true and right was wrong...if you get what i mean.

#115: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:35 pm

Will that get through to Jo?

Doubt it!

Thanks Jennie!

#116: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 1:38 pm

Ooohh poor Joey!! I have high hopes for this child if Jack has developed some sense to stand up to Joey, but will it get through to Joey??

#117: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 1:25 pm

Just to please Lesley.

Jo finally went into labour four days after the xpected date of her confinement. Unfortunately, although she was having labour pains, her cervix refused to begin to open.

She wa astonished to discover that ward staff did not find anything unusual in that, and refused to pamper her. She knew that, had she been at home with aprivate nurse, she would have been kept in bed and served dainty little meals to tempt her appetite.

Here, on the National Health, despite her protests, she was made to get out of bed and walk around for up to an hour at a time. She did her utmost to stay in bed, saying that the pains were too bad for her to move, but the nurses proved inexorable.

'Getting up and walking around won't hurt you, Mrs Maynard,' said the Staff Nurse. 'In fact, it will help labour to start properly, and will help you when the time arrives.'

This situation dragged on for three days, with the staff getting more and more annoyed with Jo's attempts to persuade them that she was in agony, and could not do anything for herself.

Finally, in the early hours of the morning, labour began in earnest. Jo was awoken by the unmistakeable sensations of the first stage of labour. She rang the bell for one of the midwives, who finally arrived.

Once she had confirmed that labour had indeed begun, she told Jo to try lie quietly and not disturb the sleep of the other patients.

Jo, however, persisted in whimpering and crying until most of the women on the ward were awake.

#118: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 1:34 pm

For goodness sake Jo! You've been through this seven times before - your body must be used to it by now! Laughing

#119: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 1:45 pm

After five years, apparently the uterus 'forgets' the lesson that it learned the previous time.

#120: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 3:14 pm

I forsee a very long labour in store for Joey!! I almost want it to be quads to spin in out longer, but I don't want her to have the chance to gloat!

Thank you Jennie

#121: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 5:13 pm

aww, Jo! *huggles* Wink

#122: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 10:42 pm

can see this lasting a while - poor Jo. Hope she learns her a lesson.

#123: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 10:22 am

Ally that would be hilarious!

Is it quads??! More please!

(and yes, i feel sorry for her too... Embarassed

)

#124: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 3:55 pm

Don't worry, it won't be the long-desired quads, she doesn't deserve them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Labour progressed very, very slowly. The contractions were not really very severe, but Jo made the most of the pain that she did feel, and moaned almost continually.

In desperation, the staff put her into a small side-ward for the rest of her labour. Jo smiled to herself at this, at last she was getting the privacy that she deserved. Then she discovered the down-side. Unfortunately the staff had forgotten to bring her books and magazines along, and it appeared that they were too busy to fetch them for them. Something also seemed to have gone wrong with the bell by her bed, as she rang and rang it without anyone appearing. The only company that she got was when someone reluctantly came to bring her drinks and meals, though the Ward Sister checked her regularly. That lady's attitude made it quite clear that Jo was still in the dog-house with the entire ward staff.

The sister told her that labour was progressing rather slowly, but that there was nothing to worry about. When Jo tried to protest, the Sister was extremely firm with her.

'Mrs Maynard, I have been a midwife for thirty years, and I have seen labour in all sorts of conditions. I worked in a bush hospital in Africa for five years, delivering mothers who were grateful for any kind of care when they were having a baby. Since you are so superior to everyone else, as you have so repeatedly made clear to everyone on this ward, perhaps you might remember the old concepts of 'noblesse oblige' and 'leading from the front'. This may help you to provide a good example to the other mothers who, in fact, demand far less attention than you do. Now, you are some time away from giving birth, and there are other mothers who will be going into the delivery rooms soon. They will take priority. We cannot spare anyone to sit with you and hold your hand, in fact, perhaps you might like to consider why none of your daughters has bothered to come to see you and sit with you. Now, I have work to do!'

With that, the sister turned and walked purposefully out of the room.

#125: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:00 pm

Yay! Go Sister Very Happy

More please Jennie - I love this!

#126: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:04 pm

Speaking from personal experience, Kat?

#127: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:10 pm

I think nurses should have squillions of ££££s a year. I hear from my daughter that this really happens.

It's partly why she ended up working in theatre!

#128: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 6:54 pm

PatMac wrote:

I think nurses should have squillions of ££££s a year.

Seconds PatMac's plea! Wink

Excellent Jennie - long may it continue!

#129: Author: Annie,

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:29 pm

Kat wrote:

Yay! Go Sister Very Happy

HUH! *Turns away to leave Kat's prescense in disgust*...............

*But returns cautiously armed with as many heavy and hard objects as can carry*
*aims deliberately at kat*
*throws*
*hides behind solid object and waits for cries of anguish*...

P.S. More please

#130: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:34 pm

Annie, Kat is a nurse, she has to put up with patients like Jo everyday of her working life.

#131: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 5:07 pm

Thank you Jennie - I really do have to put up with patients just like Jo, and occasionally worse Annie.

Some patients do treat nurses and auxillaries (nurse assistants) exactly like personal slaves. I'm sorry, but I have 33 patients on my current ward, and if one of them ever spoke to me as Jo speaks to the staff in the drabble I would tell them where to go in no uncertain terms. I have no time to bow to every command of a patient, especially when it is something trivial such as 'my slipper has fallen off - could you put it back on' - that one is very true and came from a lady who was fully mobile and able to do it herself. Believe me, she soon realised that such a thing was not acceptable!

Sister's take a lot of flak on the wards, and I would agree with every word Jennie wrote. Even today I have told a patient off for being rude, selfish and ungrateful - he complained to hiw fiancee who turned round with ''But you are you ugly baffoon." (I had to do a really Hilda Annersley here and bite my lips to stop laughing out loud!!) She told him exactly what she thought of his behaviour, and I left them to it for 10 mins. When I went back, I got a full apology from him and he also asked me to pass on his apologies to the other members of staff.

That is a patient who has been a role model all afternoon!!

In real life Jo would have got exactly the same treatment from me, the other students, the auxillaries and any other staff on the ward - she may even have got worse. We are not slaves, we are nurses who try desperately to make sick people better and to improve their quality of life as much as we can.

(Sorry folks, didn't mean this to be a rant! Apologies to all who had to read through it!!)

Jennie, may we have some more soon please? I love this, and it really cheers me up after a day at work. Hope we've been good enough to deserve some! *flutters eyelashes appealingly and offers chocolate Very Happy

#132: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 8:55 pm

As another who has served her time on the wards - I agree with every word you've written Kat!

*Really glad I'm no longer on the wards!*

#133: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 10:36 am

Thanks Lesley!

*Can't wait til I qualify and specialise though!*

#134: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 4:06 pm

What do you intend to specialise in, Kat?

Here's a little more for you, hope you like it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Labour still progressed slowly, and when Jack came in to visit that evening, Jo moaned continually so that he fully understood the pain she was enduring. Jack was not deceived, and spoke sharply to her.
'If you would just relax, Jo, and do some of those exercises you have been given, you wouldn't be making so much noise. Now, start doing the breathing exercises, they'll help you, and I'll sit here and count for you.'

Needless to say, this made her so indignant that she sat upright in bed and started to rant at him. To her surprise, he got up from his chair and walked to the door. On reaching it, he turned and said in a sharp voice, ' I'll come back when the hospital ring me to say that you're near to delivery. Frankly Jo, I'm too tired out and too worried about other things to take any more of your tirades. For your information, you've managed it at last. Charles and his wife are going to divorce. They wrote to tell me today. That's the direct result of your interference in their marriage. I hope that you're satisfied now.'

Jo sank back onto her pillows, feeling an enormous sense of shame. When Charles and his wife had discovered that Serena could not carry a baby to term, Jo had nagged and nagged them to adopt a baby, several babies, in fact, and had inundated them with details of various Catholic adoption societies, following up the letters with phone calls. She had refused to listen to them when she had been told that Serena did not want to adopt children, had decided that she would be satisfied with her nephew and niece, as well as her Godchildren. Instead of a family, she would continue with her job as Head of Department in a large Independent School, and involve herself in the pastoral care of the girls there. Jo had decided that that was not good enough, and had continued to plague them, even when Charles had told her that it was putting his marriage under intolerable stress.

#135: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 5:18 pm

Thanks for the new bit Jennie. All sympathy for Joey has just evaporated, poor Charles and Serena.

#136: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 6:21 pm

"the mother-in-law from Hell"

#137: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 7:14 pm

How terrible - and something that it is quite feasible that she would do, seeing that she always made such a big deal of large families.

#138: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 7:39 pm

yes, scarily realistic.

#139: Author: ravenseyes, Location: New Zealand

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:20 am

Two little thoughts Confused

If Jack is soo sick of Joey
A) why was he still having sex with her
B) he always refers to Jo wanting the big family. If he didn't want the big family surely he could have discretly had the operation to ensure that he would not be creating more family. It does take two to tango

#140: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:40 am

Maybe he wasn''t sick of her 9 months earlier, or perhaps he just had too much to drink! I think his religion would prevent him from having the discreet little op.

I've just read this in one go Jennie, hysterical. I don't know if it's just me but it seems like a viable continuation of Joey in 2004.

#141: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 6:53 am

Perhaps he has just got to the end of his tether? As a Catholic, the thought that his son is divorcing would have upset him greatly.

#142: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:38 pm

Nope, Catholisism allows for that discreet little op!!

#143: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 1:55 pm

Marianne, I didn't know that! I'm amazed. Then, why not other forms of contraception?

#144: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 4:40 pm

*i think* because it doesn't rule out children because there is a 1/1000 chance (or something!) that conception could occur.

#145: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 6:47 pm

Well the arguement for all contraception could be the same. And there's probably more chance of someone forgetting to take a pill, or of something splitting than that the op is unsuccessful!

#146: Author: keren,

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 7:20 pm

when suddenly being put in the gyn ward this week, could not stop thinking of this drabble!
have to say the auxilliary nurses were very nice and offered to make everyone tea in the morning!
In my room, the ladies who were allowed to walk about offered to make tea and fill water bottles for those who were not allowed to get up.
and all in all, we were all very good!

#147: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:43 pm

I'm so glad you didn't meet a Joey!

#148: Author: keren,

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:47 pm

both patients and nurses were very nice.
I have never been in a hospital where all the nurses in a ward are so nice and patient!

#149: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:54 pm

Marianne wrote:

Nope, Catholisism allows for that discreet little op!!

Astounded and baffled - and still completely unable to see the logic behind it, despite the explanation.

#150: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:56 pm

Anonymous wrote:

Marianne wrote:

Nope, Catholisism allows for that discreet little op!!

Astounded and baffled - and still completely unable to see the logic behind it, despite the explanation.

I got told by an RC friend that it isn't allowed. Most odd.

#151: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:35 pm

I believe vasectomy falls under the prohibition of sterilization as outlined in the encyclical Humanae Vitae. That said, if there were reasons for the operation other than preventing reproduction, it could be permissible, much the way that taking the pill for medical reasons is acceptable.

#152: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:37 pm

I've done a bit of googling on the subject as it certainly interests me (one reason for leaving Catholic Church was that I would have beaten Joey into a cocked hat if I had gone on as I was, final reason was the Priest's advice that it would be alright if my non-catholic husband took the precautions Shocked

, and as someone has already commented it does take 2 to tango!)

All I can find is that in a lot of places, the priests are ignoring 'Humanae Vitae' in which the Vatican laid down the latest rules (i.e. no change) so maybe this is a local thing.

#153: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 1:38 am

I think you're right, Pat. A fair segment of the church (certainly here) finds the arguments in the contraception part of Humanae Vitae not terribly convincing and/or practical, and tends to ignore the official teaching magisterium except when pressured by the hierarchy, citing teaching on conscience, pastoral needs, etc.

#154: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:32 pm

I won't add to this until the problem has been sorted out, I don't want to lose a long post. Apologies to anyone who was expecting more.

#155: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 8:39 pm

*searches for Catechism*

Okay, the Catholic Church's teaching in docrinally absolute but in reality only the most devout Catholics follow to the letter. I think that even to Catholics, to live a moral life requires a degree of moral relativism.

I know that my father who is fairly devout; he started out as a de le salle brother (!) had a Vasectomy without too much guilt! Although the official line would probably be that it was wrong.

The teaching is actually more complex than people think...books are written about it after all! In traditional vows people have to promise to accept children as a gift from God but doctrine has adjusted so that the primary purpose of intercourse is to show love to your partner and then to procreate.

So, to cut a long, garbled explanation short, if Jack was very devout he probably would have been against it but more reformed, liberal Catholics could probably justify it.

#156: Author: Robin, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:57 am

the things you learn on CBB....

so when's Jo actually going to have this baby?!?

#157: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:10 am

Is she going to have it? Or will it turn out to be some kind of alien?!

*cackles evilly*

#158: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:25 am

Wait and see, Kat!

#159: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:04 pm

If Jo does give birth to some sort of alien, surely the baby is just taking after its mother. Very Happy

#160: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:03 pm

Any chance of some more soon Jennie?

*starts a chant*

#161: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:06 pm

*joins in with chant*

After all, the Squeen has vanquished the posting problems...

#162: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:27 pm

*Had hoped for more Sad

*

Or perhaps it was a phantom pregnancy?

#163: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:29 pm

Maybe Jo just has really bad constipation, and that's made her stomach bloat? Wink

#164: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:04 pm

Vikki wrote:

Maybe Jo just has really bad constipation, and that's made her stomach bloat? Wink

How could she, with the use of gregory powder and senna pods drilled into her by Matey? I can't see Joey disobeying Matey's orders, even after 30 years, or however long it's been!

#165: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:08 pm

Tomorrow! I don't have much net access on Wednesdays, and I had to catch up on yesterday's posts.

#166: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 11:25 pm

Jennie wrote:

Tomorrow! I don't have much net access on Wednesdays, and I had to catch up on yesterday's posts.

wibble wibble - i thought this was more
Crying or Very sad

this is one drabble that just cheers me up every time I read it - looking forward to more when you can Jennie

#167: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:57 pm

As promised!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The labour pains intensified, coming closer together, and this time, when the Sister checked her, she was extremely thorough about it. After listening carefully through the foetal stethoscope, the sister told Jo, with a serious look on her face, that labour had still not properly begun.

'Now, Mrs Maynard, this is not a serious situation in itself, it is simply your body preparing itself to give birth. However, I shall ensure that the obstetrician visits you and examines you thoroughly tomorrow morning, and we shall discuss what to do if labour does not begin of itself. We may have to induce the baby, we may not.'

'But, and it's a big but, Mrs Maynard, you are not helping either yourself or the baby with your behaviour. Now, I know that you are going to protest when I tell you to settle down to relax and to try to get some sleep, but save your breath. If you do that, especially practise the relaxation exercises, it will make it a lot easier for you to go into full labour. No, I'm not going to give you a sedative, it might affect the baby. Practise your breathing, and do it properly, and you will at least get yourself some rest. If you do not get some rest so that you have the strength to push the baby out, you will risk the possibility of a forceps delivery, and that might affect the baby adversely. We shall administer pain relief during the birth if need be, but please remember that nowadays, we like to have as little as possible in the baby's bloodstream.'

Now, get some rest, Mrs Maynard. If it will help you, think about what you have done wrong today, confess it to God, then get some sleep. Now, I must be off, we have several mothers coming up to delivery and we are short-handed on the ward tonight. The only people who will be available to answer the bells are the nursing auxiliaries, and as you know, they cannot give out drugs or other medication. I shall send one in with some hot milk for you, that should help you to sleep. Goodnight Mrs Maynard.'

With that, the sister left the room, and Jo had much to think about. The nursing auxiliary brought her hot milk and left, but Jo could still hear her voice outside the room. 'My God, what's happened to her? She didn't want me to paint her toe-nails or wash and set her hair. I didn't even have toget her a clean handkerchief. her Ladyship must be starting to realise that we're not personal servants.'

#168: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:02 pm

Thanks Jenny!

*wibbles a bit*
*Hopes the baby is OK*

#169: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:04 pm

I'll make sure of that, PatMac. No guarantees about Jo, though.

#170: Author: Robin, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:07 pm

that sounds ominous...

thanks jennie

#171: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:17 pm

Thanks Jennie Very Happy

Im glad the baby will be ok!

Perhaps Joey will start to behave differently now she has heard such a candid opinion of herself.

#172: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:19 pm

Jennie wrote:

I'll make sure of that, PatMac. No guarantees about Jo, though.

Phew, that's OK then!

#173: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:33 pm

Jennie won't hurt Jo - she likes torturing her too much Very Happy

At least, I hope so! I'm actually beginning to like this Jo, she seems to be slowly realising that she's a selfish spoiled lazy pain in the bum. Now all we need is for her to do something about it Very Happy

#174: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:41 pm

Thanks Jennie - that was great Very Happy

Now when do we get the next bit
please??
Wink

#175: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:17 pm

Thanks Jennie! Laughing

#176: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:00 pm

Thankyou Jennie - how long will this labour drag on for?!

Poor Jo. I sort of feel sorry for her.

I wonder what she will call this one/two/three/four?

#177: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans/Leicester

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:27 pm

:S
I know Joey's brought this all on herself but I still can't help feeling a little sorry for her. As long as she takes some of what's been said on board that is.

#178: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:15 pm

Jo said a truly repentant prayer, asking for forgiveness for her sins, but even that did not quieten her mind enough to sleep. The contractions of the false labour kept her from having more than a light doze. What was really alarming her was the estrangement from Jack.

She cast her mind back to the day she had discovered that she was pregnant again. She had been triumphant about it, and had been decidedly put out whenJack had received the news with all the joy of a man who had just learned that he was to be hung, drawn and quartered in a huge public execution.

This had been so different from how she had imagined it that she had not behaved well during the pregnancy. She had expected to be cared for, waited on and generally cossetted. Jack, however, had told her quite firmly that he had no time to look after her. The death of the oldest partner in their group practice had left them short-handed at the surgery, and Jack was having to take up some of the slack, which meant that his patient list had increased. Jo had assumed that he would ensure that she got another live-in maid to look after her, but apparently these days, maids were rare birds who demanded, and got, high salaries for very little work.

Her next ploy had been to summon the children, that is those who were still living in the United Kingdom. When she had told them her plans, she had been met with outright refusals and cries of indignation. Her daughters all had families of their own, as did most of her sons and their wives.

As Len had put it, 'Do you really expect me to ask for several months' leave from my job, and leave James and the children to cope alone, so I can come here to look after you? Get real, Mother.'

Felix had chipped in, 'Maria is expecting a baby in four months time, Mother. Were you expecting her to run round after you, so you don't strain yourself? What about her?'

Con had settled the impending argument before it began. 'We did enough childcare while we were growing up. And don't forget, what with us during the holidays and with Anna and Rosli, you really didn't have to do much childcare yourself, Mother. I've had my family, and I'm very. very happy now that I have time to write. I'm certainly not leaving my husband and children so I can wait on you hand foot and finger. Anyway, exercise is good for pregnant women, so it won't hurt you to do your own housework.'

That had been one meeting that had not gone well, and furthermore, it had been a real eye-opener for Jo. She had not realised that their resentment ran so deeply.

Last edited by Jennie on Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

#179: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:22 pm

Shame Jo was never able to move with the times, and it needs this to force her. I love Jack's reaction to discovering she was pregnant!!

Good for the family standing up to her at last, and Im glad many of them seem happy.

Thanks Jennie, I hope theres more soon

#180: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:10 pm

Poor Joey got it all wrong all the way through, didn't she! Maybe the lessons are being learned in time. I hope so.

#181: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:11 pm

Glad Len,Con and the others all seem happy. Very pertinent what Con said about them having to provide childcare to their younger siblings!

Thanks Jennie.

#182: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 1:19 pm

Aww, I really want Jack and Joey to sort things out and be happy - for her to apologise and what not.

May they? *hops up and down with excitement*

#183: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 1:52 pm

Thanks for those bit Jennie

I hope they sort it out

#184: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:49 pm

Well, I was in labour for six days before my first child was born, so why shouldn't Jo suffer?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jo eventually fell into an uneasy sleep from which she woke frequently. However, she managed to get some rest, and was feeling a little brighter the next morning. The contractions in her abdomen were inexorable, and she began to wish that she had never become pregnant again. She had not planned to become pregnant, it had been an accident, sheer and pure, but when it had happened it had seemed to be such a good idea, another baby would fill up the empty spaces in her life.

The other children were all grown up, had left home, and, it seemed, had rejected her because of her interference in their lives. She no longer wrote, or rather, her books were no longer published because she had failed to keep up with the times, and now, it seemed, she had lost her husband's love and sympathy because of the way she had behaved. She strongly suspected that Jack was in closer touch with the children than she was, at least, he appeared to know more about their lives than she did.

Len, well, she had seen her only twice in the past six years, and one of those occasions had been when Len had blown up about the wedding plans that Jo had made. Jo hadn't even been invited to Len's wedding, and it appeared that Len had left the Catholic Church.

Con, well Con was quite happy. She had left Oxford after the first year, found a place to live using Granny Maynard's money, and had written a best-seller which had gone straight to the top of the lists. She too had married without inviting her Mother to the wedding, had two children, and now they were at school, had more time to write again, and had just won the Booker McConnell, and this novel was already a sell-out.

Margot was qualified as a doctor, but instead of joining an order and becoming a medical missionary, she had headed straight for America and was earning a very good living as the US equivalent of a GP.

Stephen was a civil engineer, still single, and working on a major project in New Zealand, and it looked as though he was intending to stay there for the rest of his life. Jo had tried to arrange for him to live with some member of the MacKenzie family or other, but Stephen had flatly refused to allow her to interfere in his life.

Charles was an academic, lecturing at a very good university, and Mike was in the Navy.

None of them appeared to be in the slightest bit interested in her predicament; certainly, none of them had come rushing home to help her.

#185: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:53 pm

Im glad her children have been able to have happy productive lives despite Joey's influence, I hope as Joey realises what she has done and her family will forgive her.

Thanks Jennie for another great bit Very Happy

#186: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:00 pm

I liked that bit with the information about the 'children' as Joey would no doubt still call them.

I wonder if, provided she does all the right things, this one will grow up as well adjusted as the others. Parenting is a funny business and I'm almost of the opinion that you can't get it right no matter what you do.

btw that's just my observations having lived through so many 'fashions' in childcare.

#187: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:40 pm

Interesting! Thanks Jennie.

#188: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:19 pm

It's great to see what the other Maynards are up to now. I wonder how and when Margot decided not to do the 'nun' bit. It doesn't belong in this drabble anyway, but has anyone already written one about that?

If they haven't - don't look at me!! But it would be nice to see it Wink

#189: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:18 pm

Thank you Jennie - poor Jo but she really deserves what she got. Hope the baby is OK oh and Jo too in the end.

#190: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:35 am

Does this count as the longest labour in history? By my reckoning she went into labour 20 days ago!

(Which is my subtle way of asking for more please Jennie!)

#191: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:55 am

Sorry, no long post today. The evil inflamed tendon has returned in my left wrist, and I had to take several painkillers yesterday evening, including co-codamol to be able to get off to sleep.

#192: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:36 am

Big hugs Jennie - poor you

Have you tried an Ibuprofen gel to rub in? I use this in an effort to cut down on taking pain killers orally.

#193: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:01 am

Huggles Jennie, I hope the pain-killers helped Very Happy

*looking forward to more when its ready*

#194: Author: Rosea, Location: Edinburgh

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:58 am

Hope the wrist feels better soon Jennie.

#195: Author: Alex, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:21 pm

One of my friends told me about a woman she knew who was pregnant. The woman went to bed one evening fine and woke up in the middle of the night "feeling a bit funny". She woke up her husband who had a look and announced he could see the baby's head.

A slight contrast to Joey's extended labour.

#196: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:23 pm

I wish I'd been asleep for both my deliveries.

#197: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:31 pm

I read a story recently where a woman went to hospital with stomach pains and ended up giving birth (she hadn't realised she was pregnant!). The worrying thing is, it was the second time it had happened, although the first time they thought it was her appendix.

JackieJ

#198: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:42 pm

Lucky her! I wish it had happened to me in that way.

#199: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:50 pm

I hope it doesn't happen to me that way. Imagine the shock!!! I'd never recover.

#200: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:01 pm