Recollection of an Elderly Lady, Dorothy Smith-Durham (Hofmann)

SummaryWhen I was only a little girl of four years, I was taken to Tauranga Hospital very sick with double pulmonic pneumonia. Main BodyWe travelled in an old Buick car and on the way from Katikati to Tauranga, my parents smelt smoke coming from the car bonnet. My father stopped the car and we all got out. It turned out to be a rat's nest alight, much to my father's annoyance. Well dad put the fire out and we continued onto Tauranga Hospital, which comprised of two large concrete pillars and concrete steps – very old. I was taken in with my much loved teddy bear and clothes, and was put into bed alongside another little girl a little older than me. We both became good friends over the length of time we were in hospital together. I was spoilt; the nurses used to carry me around and sit me on a shelf while they worked. At night I'd have three aniseed lollies put on my bedside cupboard for bedtime.

My grandma would come to see me and one night in particular, I was at the point of 'passing my crisis' as they called it in those days, and she told me a little saying that I had to repeat: "Little by little, day by day, I am getting better in every way."

Well I turned the corner only to catch scarlet fever and down I went again. While it slowly progressed, they moved me out onto the sunny veranda of Ward 17, where I had mustard packs put on my back. When I returned home eventually, I realized I'd left my teddy behind, which I missed!

In later years my parents bought me a celluloid doll with a red velvet skirt, with white bunny-fur edging sewn around the bottom of it. How I loved that doll! I always wanted to skate like Sonja Henie, the skating star of the year. My big brother found celluloid toys burnt brightly and I lost her and I was very upset as you can imagine. I later found out my teddy had been put into isolation. I was too little to understand what that big word meant.

My time spent in Tauranga Hospital over the years as a patient inspired me to become a nurse. Instead, as the years changed I became a 'Jack and Jill' of all trades through necessity and family. That's life I guess. I did end up working for the hospital as a Home Help and cared for the elderly, which I loved.

Times have certainly changed, so has the hospital. Now I get lost among the many corridors trying to find my way to and fro. Oh for those old quiet days which have now gone.

Usage

AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries

Relates To

EventsTauranga Memories (2011-2021) - Events

Admin

AuthorDorothy Smith-DurhamType of ContributionLibrary story Last edited by: Matanga Taonga Tuku Iho Maori

TaxonomyStories | Events

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Recollection of an Elderly Lady, Dorothy Smith-Durham (Hofmann)