Walking On The Edge

I praise myself not to get scared in almost any situation.

Yesterday, though, I got to admit that I had a big moment of anxiety.

I went to the hospital at noon and found Marina very awake, very receptive and in a relaxed mood. Working with her through her physiotherapy exercise routine was a breeze, massaging her body was like massaging a cloud.

When I went back in the evening, she was opposite. Contracted, defensive, her fists stubbornly closed. She was shaking when I touched her, and had sheer terror in her only-one-so-far opened eye.

What happened? I couldn't figure it out. I noticed that Marina had a new neighbor, a young guy probably about nineteen or twenty who looked soundly asleep. Was that change in the atmosphere enough to scare my very sensitive sister? It seemed unlikely.

But I also noticed that the nurses were very nervous too, loud and rude in their behavior. A nurse I like very much, Giuliana, asked me how my sister was. I told her she was unusally agitated.

That's when Guliana took me on the side and explained that the young guy, Roberto, was a psychiatric patient who tried to kill himself jumping from the second floor. Surgery went well but when he was brought back in Marina's room, he started screaming that he wanted to die and tried to get up and reach for the window. It had been hell in that room for hours before my visit.

I was very sorry for this young man and worried for my sister's compromised right to quietness at the same time. How to deal with this situation?

I thought there were only two options left. One, getting upset at the administrators who so poorly dealt with the logistic problem. But, what could they really do different in a public hospital where missing beds are ordinary business? Second option, help to relax Roberto, if I could.

I noticed that he had nobody by his bed, not even the "two relatives" allowed for each visit.

I explained to Marina that she had a new neighbor and he has not been well. She could not see him yet, but she could hear him. I told her he was getting better and there was nothing to be scared about him. Marina cannot understand the meaning of each word yet but she surely understands tones and energy. I caressed her, held her hands and sang a song to quiet her down.

When she finally got asleep, I moved to Roberto's bed.

He was awake and obviosuly in  pain. I said "hi" and introduced myself. I asked him if he wanted me to hold his hand. He let me. He asked me if he had had surgery. I told him he did, and that everything went well. I told him he was going to recover and feel better as long as he would keep relaxed and trusting. I told him the nurses were good people and would help him through the recovery process.

Roberto asked me the name of nurse Giuliana. He said she was beautiful, and that he wanted to marry her. I laughed and said, let's see if you still feel this way when the sedative will be worn out.

He answered, yes, let's see, the last word whispered while he was getting asleep with a little smile on his face.

I hope Marina and Roberto had a good night.

Comments

[Will Campbell]

Gloria, your capacity for kindness is truly an inspiration.

[mike]

Shrove Tuesday here. Lent is starting tomorrow on March 1st. I feel March is a month of changes and know, to some extent, that it will be so. What about wearing one of Marina's softer sweaters for awhile and leaving it with her for comfort and an anchor?