Journey of the Heart by Richard Crystal

Author:Richard Crystal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titletown Publishing, LLC
Published: 2017-10-17T14:38:01+00:00

Chapter Eleven

A Walk in the Park

Without the constant attention that post-operative patients receive in critical care, Fran was concerned that my first night in a standard hospital room would be extremely rough. We decided to hire a private nurse to spend the night and make sure my needs were promptly taken care of. Her name was Gloria. She was a sweet, middle-aged woman from the Philippines. I would learn that she was wise and had the patience of a saint.

Even though I was on medication to help me sleep, I continued to wake up every two hours. My body temperature seemed to change sporadically as the night wore on, and I’d frequently call on Gloria to wipe my brow with a damp washcloth. After a restless attempt to fall asleep, I found my body uncomfortably twisted at the foot of the bed. Gloria summoned a male night nurse. His name was Julius. He was from the Philippines as well and exuded a knowing confidence and strength.

Together, Gloria and Julius stood by my side, gently reached behind my back, and, with perfect timing, lifted me back to the center of the bed. They were a great team. Julius made certain I was safe and secure, then quickly left to attend to his next medical emergency. Unlike Gloria, this gentle man served an entire floor of needing patients. It was an enormous responsibility, and I marveled at his quiet determination and sense of purpose.

As the night dragged on, Gloria checked the drainage tube in my chest and emptied the bag when necessary. She’d inquire about my needs, encourage me to use the triflow, and made sure my dehydrated body had a continual supply of water. Even though I now had my own bathroom, I wasn’t ready to make the midnight run to relieve myself. My sleep medication had transported me into a perpetual state of drowsy. I’d call on Gloria to hand me the plastic urinal that served as my portable toilet.

She sat in a chair at the foot of my bed. When I would grow tired of being awake and nod off, she closed her eyes and stored her energy in a quiet, meditative state. When I awoke at five a.m., I sighed with relief. With Gloria’s help, I had safely made it through my first night outside of the critical care unit. She gently administered a much needed sponge bath with a damp wash cloth. It invigorated me and gave me energy. I was ready to start the day.

I called for the triflow. I dug deep to fill my lungs with the air that it so desperately needed. The first ball rose instantly. The second ball trembled and shook from side to side, but never got off its launching pad. I sighed with a brief feeling of exhaustion. Damn, this was tough.

I thanked Gloria for being so attentive and seeing to my needs. She smiled gratefully and said goodbye. It was now time for this caring woman to return home and get some much needed sleep.

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