This hospital windows post was written in 2020. I’m doing a bit better now.
Diagnosis and Drugs
The start of the post title is a bit of a lie. In fact it’s a total fabrication. There’s no derring-dos on the high seas recounted here. I do have crutches, so am a bit peg-legged and I like to think there’s an (imaginary) parrot on my shoulder. I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, so my body has basically been trying to kill me. I’m now on medication to stop those efforts, but I have to be checked once a week in case the drug makes its own attempts to kill me. So there are elements of the thriller genre at work in my life.
Finding Beauty through Hospital Windows
During my month of cannulas, needles, tests and scary procedures, I sought beauty where I could find it. Through the hospital windows. I woke the first morning to a beautiful pink sunrise and a rather wonderful view of St Nicholas Kirk steeple, the church that features in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR. Despite the fact that I wrote of truly terrible events involving that steeple, I found it somewhat comforting to see it there. I felt a connection to the place. It lit up in the evening sun too.
Strange Covid Times
But I was soon moved. This was something that was being done due to Covid. Constant rearranging of patients between wards. Decisions made by ‘bed managers’, not medics. It didn’t make any sense to me, and the medical staff were pretty unimpressed by it too.
However, it meant that I got to see through many different windows. This next ward – oncology – had the worst view, just a small box of buildings, but the best bed. Air mattresses are magical things. Lying in them is a little bit like being hugged as they inflate and deflate to maximise your comfort.
I was soon off to sparkling chimney sunrises and sunsets.
The Party Room
Then, finally, the last of the hospital windows. At first I was quite annoyed about this move. Diagnosed and treated, just awaiting final tests, I was shunted away to what felt like a far-flung area of the hospital, and I no longer had my own room. I posted a somewhat morose quote from Lord of the Rings about the sunrise that morning on Instagram.
But it really worked out very well. The other three ladies I was with were lovely. There was kindness and understanding between us all, and we shared frequent laughing conversations, our room being referred to as the party room by the nurses.
And it had a swashbuckling sea view… just.
Review
While I was in hospital, a rather wonderful review went up on The Rose and the Thistle blog. Reading the opening line cheered me up instantly. “Before I go any further, I just have to say, this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Yes, it is written in one of my favorite time periods, and yes it takes place in one of my favorite places in all the world, but when you combine that with the almost poetic style of Sinclair’s writing—sigh!” See the whole review here.
Mermaid on Amazon
I later wrote an article on living with chronic illness
Doctors and Deadlines: Writing with Chronic Illness on Women Writers, Women’s Books.
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From the provocative opening scene to the later dramatic and devastating events of the story, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD is a book that will continually surprise, delight, and sometimes shock the reader. The novel features the beautiful hill of Bennachie, and the stone circles of Aberdeenshire, along with the cliffs and caves of Cullykhan Bay.
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Sorry to hear of your predicament. Get well soon and keep smiling
Thank you 🙂
What a heart-rending story. I too was moved from room to room. Each time, there was a window, mostly looking out over the tops of the willow trees. I loved to watch the sunrise and sunset through the trees and the swish when the wind blew. It was my only connection with nature. Then I was moved to a room with no view. Silence. Then to a warm with 5 others, and like you, you form a little team, a connection you never expect to make with strangers. You look out for each other, call for a nurse when someone is ill. Grieve when one is suffering. Replace a bed covering when it drops to the floor. I’ll never forget my time in hospital. I too had a serious illness – something trying to kill me. Sadly it killed the elderly lady in the next bed, and it took the hands and feet of a young woman the other side of me. She quietly sobbed for 2 weeks, day and night. I write a blog, but I might attempt a book. Experiences, of all kinds, shape us in some way. Karen
We certainly have some shared experiences here. If you feel drawn to write, do. It helps with our own understanding of things, I think.
Thank you. I think that is true. I haven’t yet. Perhaps I will. Have a great week.
What an upbeat take on what must have been a harrowing time for you. Glad it is over now, and hope the diagnosis allows you to move on to bigger, better things.
Thanks 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear of your illness. I hope the doctors will give you what you need to manage it.
So far, so good 🙂
Sending good thoughts your way. 🙂
enjoyed the window recap! stay positive! you are strong!
🙂
I hope you recover fully with no long term effects.
Thank you 🙂
Your observations articulate deeply felt experiences and imaginings so vividly. I wish you healing and many, many more good opportunities to share them with us.
Thank you 🙂
Wishing you a rapid recovery.
Thank you!
What a beautiful and entertaining blog post! I’m sorry you’re ill. I understand how a long-term illness can be so discouraging. Yet, you have used it to share in a delightful way. Your blog makes me want to read your book. Praying for answers and a speedy recovery!
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Ailish! Great post! I also have an autoimmune disease and have been on biological injections which are not working, so hospital looking at alternatives, including surgery! Nothing has worked so far but still positive and hopeful! Your post, and the comments makes me feel less alone and that is a good thing! Thanks all! Obviously, no matter how bad we feel, we can still find time and space for our photography, which is also a great thing!
John
Yes, holding on to the unharmed parts of ourselves is important. I hope solutions are found for you soon John.
Despite the unpleasant circumstances you’ve come up with a fun post. Enjoyed looking through all your windows.
Keep smiling, Ailish.
Love those windows 🙂
Hat off to you girl. I know it’s not easy staying upbeat with pain and uncertainty in your life. You’re doing great
🙂
Congratulations on such a wonderful review! Somehow your photos made hospital windows look pretty, well, except for the one with the view of the next door buildings.:-)
The views really were quite good, sometimes!
What a great piece of sacrificial work – love it!
🙂
Ailish, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis and struggle. My mother was “on her deathbed” 6 years ago. It took the doctors several months to arrive at her diagnosis: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). I honestly believe it was her tenacity that kept her, and keeps her alive today. She doesn’t have the gift of writing that you posses nor the eye to see beauty in nature that you see. I sincerely hope you can come to terms with your auto-immune disease and continue to find that beauty in life. Thank you for sharing this story, your blog and The Mermaid and the Bear.
Doray
Thank you for sharing your mother’s story. She’s an inspiration!
So sorry to hear of your condition:Ailish, and I wish you all the very best, and hope they get it under control for you soon. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Get better soon, Ailish! I’m so sorry you’ve been ill and had a bit of a difficult time in hospital. I love (almost) all the views from your bed! I also have an autoimmune disorder (rheumatoid arthritis) and I inject myself once a week with something that could cause even more problems than the arthritis. However, the drug works and I have been in remission for nearly four years and am being slowly weaned off the drug. My mother nearly died from poly arthritis nodosa which causes swelling of the arteries but it was discovered just in time and twenty years later she is still coping very well at the age of 90!
What a lovely review! Congratulations!
I’m glad your treatment has worked for you Clare, and hope the weaning off goes well too 🙂
Thank you, Ailish. I sincerely hope you feel much better very soon. 🙂
Wishing you all of the best, Ailish 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I applaud your ability to find humor and beauty in one of the most trying of circumstances. Congratulations on the fabulous book review also. Hope your journey to health is quick and easy (with maybe a few writing inspirations also.)
Thanks 😀
I am so sorry you’re enduring & fighting such a scary medical issue. Good for you in trying to find something positive out of it, however. That is not always so easy. I pray you find comfort and the pain is eased. What a wonderful review of your book! Stay strong and keep your imagination moving even if your physical movements are limited. ❤️
Yes, we have to keep something moving! Thank you 🙂
I really hope your health improves soon. Its occurred to me often during all this Covid isolation we are living with (to varying degree depending upon where we live), that windows are suddenly so very important.
That is so very true about windows.
Beautiful piece of writing. I hope your health improves soon.
Thank you 🙂
Hello. So sorry to hear of your illness It must be so upsetting for you having to be in hospital especially with the Covid virus to worry about.The staff at the hospital sound as if they were taking great care of you though.so I hope you will soon be completely recovered. Take care and stay safe.
I am lucky to have had excellent care throughout.
Hoping the best for you! My daughter has an auto-immune disorder (and also aspires to be a writer). Sending good thoughts your way!
Thank you. All good wishes to your daughter too 🙂
I am so sorry to hear of your illness and your rather long stay in hospital. I wish you well and will be thinking of you.
Thank you 🙂
Wishing you all the very best <3
Thank you 🙂
Please take care and stay strong! Keep writing your beautiful stories, and bringing us who are reading your blog and book from all over the earth the amazing skies of Scotland, even from those windows where no one would choose to be. May your photos soon be framed in forest paths and beaches.
Lovely thoughts, the forest and the beach, thank you 🙂
Be well, Ailish! And blessed.
Thank you 🙂
I was sorry to read about your recent challenges. Hope you are well soon.
Thank you 🙂
What a creative post! Luckily most of your views were generally good, but that first view was spectacular. Did they charge you more for it? Take care of yourself, and prayers that the treatment they have prescribed works well for you!
Ha ha, no charge 🙂
What’s the meaning of Ailish? What’s the meaning of Sinclair?
Ailish is the Gaelic form of Alice, meaning light. Sinclair comes from the older name of St Clare.
Alien, I’m sorry about your health challenges. Spectacular views out hospital windows help, but they’re no substitute for life on the “outside”. Praying your health improves soon. (I’m so curious about the reason behind the many room moves. Glad you found a community in the last one.)
Thank you 🙂 The room moves were strange. Less available beds due to social distancing was part of it I think.
I hope you get well soon Ailish
Thank you 🙂
I’m glad you’re finding treatment and I wish you the best for achieving the right balance with it. Thanks for sharing your interesting views with especially interesting interpretations of them. It’s wonderful the review cheered you and you received nourishment and enjoyment from your book in return for the many hours it’s given in nourishment and enjoyment by your readers.
My own book which you kindly reviewed in Beta is nearly finished for publishing. Thanks again, it’s been helpful!
Thank you 🙂 All the best for your lovely book!
I am so sorry to read about your recent challenges and admire your attitude. How lovely though to have such a great review. My very best wishes for you.
Thank you 🙂
Oh, so sorry about your health issues. I’ll send you prayers. Scotland is one of the places I’d love to visit one day. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Ailish, I’ll be sending prayers for your health issues. I love reading your posts about Scotland. It’s a place I hope to visit one day. And I’ll be buying your books to help give you financial support at this time. Blessings.
Thank you so much Lucinda 🙂 I hope you enjoy Scotland when you get here!
Get better soon!
Thank you 🙂
Best wishes. Hope your health improves real soon.
Thank you 🙂
I pray the doctors will find a way to help you feel better and stronger, Ailish ❤
So far, so good!
I hope you are feeling well again soon. I just bought your book and look forward to reading it.
Thank you 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book!
Open Reach came at last – Back on line, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and how amazingly positive you sound. Love your writing.
The constantly moving bed, memories and views for a lifetime… Aged 4, in hospital for six weeks, after an accident, I remember the thrill of moving at last near a window with a view of hills and trees, – and then, onto a balcony, all the scents of spring.
I wonder how many people writing books and blogging struggle with complex health problems ?
Yesterday, because of a rare condition, I couldn’t walk. Today I can. Left hand in trouble now, but walking feels wonderful –
The balcony sounds wonderful. I hope your health issues improve for you Esther.
You too. Having a name for it helps.
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. The good thing is that you know what it is now. I hope you are feeling better soon, and able to continue your wonderful writing.
Writing about to commence shortly 😀
So sorry you were/are ill. That you sought beauty during a time when many sink into despair says a lot about you as a person. Wishing you improving health and continued sources of beauty.
Thank you 🙂
A very interesting post! You have a wonderful spirit. Be well and many congratulations. I will try to secure my copy of your work.
Thank you 🙂
Sorry to hear that you’re needing hospital care. I hope your condition improves soon, though in the meantime, may all your windows bring adventure.
I am back home to all my tree-ish windows now 😀
What a beautiful way to record your journey around the hospital. The first thing I do when I walk into a new room is look at the view from the window just to get my bearings. Well done for finding the positive in the second room with the non-view and good to hear you are now back at home with your familiar views.
It will be a good, if strange, post to look back on. It’s amazing how important windows are 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that you’re not well. It feels so dispiriting especially given the nature of the illness.. but sending my love and best wishes, and keeping you in my prayers. May you get to write more soon – writing takes us away to where we’ve always heard it could be (to adapt a line from Christopher Cross’ song “Sailing”)
Thank you. I am ‘away’ with the writing again now 🙂
Really liked the way you saw the world through the window. It gives me so many ideas for new stories. Keep up the good writing, would love to read more.
Glad it gave you ideas 🙂
Ahoy hoy. Enjoy the view from your tree-ish window. You and I have just met (figuratively). I have some catching up to do to read some of your prodigious output (with a little envy, if you don’t mind of your vast followers. Perhaps you might tell me why my feeble scratching caught your eye later). Your blog hiatus tells a tale but your recent post harks of a robust spirit so best wishes to you in Bonnie Scotland.
You have beautiful photos and writing on your blog 🙂
Thank you so very much. In reply I have no idea how you envision an historical novel.
You had me laugh at the beginning cause it’s never nothing nice being in the hospital much love and may you your body continue to fight
No, never a good thing being in hospital… unless to have a baby maybe 🙂
Mado kara mieru
Kagayaku ume ichirin
Ichirin hodo no
Sono atatakasa
Lovely 🙂
Such a nice post. Hope you are feeling better.
Slowly getting there 🙂
So sorry you’re in the hospital. I hope you get on the mend soon. Glad to see you are able to view your circumstances as not so terrible during these trying times.
Thank you. Home now.
I hope you don’t mind me using your comment space to say ‘Thank you’ for joining that motley bunch that follow my blog? Nice to have you along for the journey as that’s what it is. I hope I can find and write something you can take away. Once again, ‘Thank you’. Made me smile
No problem 🙂
Brilliant
🙂
I am sorry to read of your illness, Ailish, and I wish you much better soon. Thank you for sharing your experience of hospital during the pandemic. Your ability to see and convey beauty in the most difficult of situations is a rare and wonderful gift. My life was saved at ARI nearly 18 years ago and I recognise those views over the Granite City! I wish you well with your recovery and many more impressive reviews of your writing! x
It does have impressive views, depending on where you’re situated, that hospital!
Sorry to read of your condition. And yet very glad that the change of rooms provided for inspiration and beauty for you. I hope you don’t be in there for too long.
Thank you; I am home now.
A beautiful but worrying post. I hope your writing and pics keep you going because they are wonderful x
Thank you so much 🙂
Ailish – I am so sorry that you have – and have had – such a great deal to contend with. At a time like this, your gift of words is a true blessing and allows others to share and empathise with you. What you’ve written chimes with thoughts I’ve had about loved ones who have been ill. I will remember this – it’s a piece of writing that I know will return to my mind on many occasions. Bless you – heal – stay warm and, I am sure, beloved.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Lynne. Illness such brings strange times and experiences. All part of the rich tapestry in the end.
I’m so sorry to hear of your illness. Wishing you all the best and that you are better soon. Hang in there…
Will do 🙂
I’m sorry to hear of your illness, and Covid just makes everything harder if you need nonCovid care. I’ll be praying for you and for the medicine to help more than harm.
I’m getting excellent care now; getting admitted to hospital was difficult as the managers and administrators were refusing a lot of people. But once my surgery got through to an actual doctor I was accepted at once
I hope you have a speedy recovery
Thank you 🙂
Hospital windows! I’m sure part of the problem is the piecemeal way the places were built. In London I had a view of a very close concrete wall; depressing, till the morning a crow perched on top of it and looked at me, as if to say, you’ll be OK chum.
Next day the armed policeman vacated the room at the top of the fire escape, but his chair remained so I could read or watch the trains go by.
I hope you soon find yourself on two legs rather than four, and able to enjoy sea views again.
That’s quite a hospital story you have there! And thank you 🙂
I was simultaneously sorry and so moved that this was the first post I read on your blog. Beautiful sentiments, a sense of humor to deal with what you were (are? God I hope not) going through… I believe you have a fan, now. I hope everything is doing better. Cheers in Venezuelan from the USA.
Thank you so much 🙂
I’m sorry that you are going through this and now having medicine interaction problems. I had a similar experience a few years ago of being in and out of the hospital for almost a year straight and I took some pics as well. I really wish I would have had a better camera at the time to document it. I hope that your meds stop working against you and you can feel somewhat better soon. Though I know it can take a long time.
Slowly getting there, the nastier one is being reduced now. I hope you are well healed now.
This pandemic is really hard on so many people. I have an autoimmune issue too called fibromyalgia. It’s definitely hard feeling safe when you are already struggling. You’re an inspiration. Congrats on the Mermaid and the Bear! That sounds like a good read. I hope you get to feeling better soon. Prayers . Take care of yourself. Great post!
Thank you. I hope your condition is manageable. I know it’s a painful one.
Thank you. It’s manageable but a lot of work and trial and error are involved.
Did you set a record for most room changes during a convalescence?
Actually, I don’t think so! Others had more dramatic stories…
I hope all goes well wit you.Your attitude is magnificent!
Thank you 🙂
I send you my very best wishes for a positive recovery.
Thank you 🙂
Lovely way of finding good during difficult times
Thanks 🙂
So sorry to hear of your illness but kudos to you for having such a bright perspective. Beautiful pictures.
Thank you:)
I just typed a response and then think I managed to delete it! Suffice to say, what a moving piece. At 19 I spent a month in hospital and although being in a large ward I was far from the window, the other people in the room somehow made it all ok. The constant comings and going’s, the routines, the visitors, the daily challenge of trying to roll onto one’s side to tidy and organise the bedside table which whiled away many an hour! Do hope you’re on the mend and I look forward to reading more of your posts. Katie
Ah yes, the bedside table tidying! And the institutional routine. I came to know the times and sounds of all the different trolleys 🙂 Universal hospital experiences 🙂
Yes! Would it be a bit weird if I told you I remember those times almost fondly?! Gosh, just typing that sounds so wrong and yet … those little routines were the only thing I could physically do from the hospital bed and perhaps it’s the same today with mental health; as in, a task completed (however small) gives one a sense of purpose, a sense of achievement. I think I need a cup of coffee … my brain is feeling frazzled by all this thought so early in the morning
I recall bits of the experience fondly too. It is strange, but human, I think 🙂
Such a great opening paragraph. I love the nod to Shirley Jackson with the lie & the fabrication line, and your seeing your life almost as a thriller. Great opener.
*curtseys*
You have beautifully nested stories within stories here. Like Russian nesting dolls there is so much to unpack and to learn! Thank you for sharing this part of your story.
The Mermaid and the Bear may just have made it onto my reading list…
I hope you enjoy it 🙂
I hope you are doing well Ailish. Sorry to hear about your condition. It is hard to stay positive when everything hits you from everywhere but I think we need to be strong as possible. Take care.
I see you are from Aberdeen. I adore that city. Can’t wait to visit it again after this shitty situation comes to an end. Magical place.
Thank you Boris 🙂
You have a great sense of humour even in tough times. You photos through the hospital windows are great. I wish you good health.
Thank you 🙂
finding beauty in everything is something that i try to work on too. it’s great that you’ve been getting better and i hope you continue to as well!
Thank you so much 🙂
You are so courageous, even when your life is in danger you take the time to observe everything around you and write a beautiful article about it. Respect!
Thank you 🙂
My best. It sounds difficult, but try not to alienate the parts of you that are struggling. They need love and support too. It might help to make you stronger. Get well!
Thank you. I am quite a bit better now 🙂
Such lovely writing! I loved the pictures you painted in my head.
I’m glad 🙂
I am sorry to hear you are struggling with chronic illness. Your photography and writing shines the light on resilience, optimism, humor, and beauty despite going through dark circumstances. I am praying for your healing and strength for the journey. I too suffer chronic illness and any weather change makes me miserable. Migraine and fibromyalgia are probably the worst offenders with interstitial cystitis in the wings. I hope we both start feeling better. Autumn is a beautiful season.
I am doing quite well at the moment. I hope you improve soon too and can enjoy the season.