Visited the hospital chapel for the first time today. Wondered whether it was closed, cos I'd just been talking to a patient who was telling me about having Holy Communion on her bed last Sunday. She's got high hopes to live till her wedding anniversary next year, after which anything else is a bonus. Remembered her as I was on my way back so I was just going through to the stairwell, I decided to make a detour into the chapel.
FUrness General's chapel is actually quite a nice room, with lighting that is not too dark that you can't see five feet in front, but not too bright that everyone's nose stands out in stark contrast. Chairs with cushions lined up, a small pulpit in front, and a raised platform, above which is a small cross. Across the wall near the entrance are prayer notes written, with a big bold disclaimer underneath: Do Not Breach Confidentiality.
Spotted my patient's name there, and was reading through the rest. Though instructions on the board said just to leave the patient's name on the board, many had written short messages alongside. Some were obviously written in frustration and anger, others seemed to be almost pleading in their tone. At least one had the words thank you on them. A girl had written a few, her requests for quite a number of patients to get better spilled over a few pieces of paper, Last of all, she wrote her own name there and said she hoped she would get better too.
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