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October 14, 2006
A stroke of bad luck
The first thing I noticed was her face.
Sitting on the small bedside toilet, Miss Carolyn blankly stared into space. Not a normal daze, but more like a freshly erased chalkboard on the first day of school. Saliva bubbles puffed from the right side of her mouth with each breath.
"Miss Carolyn?" She didn't make eye contact, but groaned.
"CALL 911," I screamed to the open door.
Patting her right hand elicited no response, but touching her left hand brought purposeful movement. And more groans, from deep within her untouched brain, knowing what was happening to her and the powerlessness she now found herself in. No one had to tell her she had a stroke, she knew her fate the moment her head began to hurt, the moment her right arm went dead and her words became crytoquotes.
When they took her away on the gurney, one tear slipped down her hardened face and hundreds more dripped down my own.
And so now it isn't the 'stroke' patient I love, it's the person before the stroke that I will treat.
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Argh, another serious BLOG POST! Geez people, what is going on with me? I shall find something funny to write about, I promise!
Posted by Tish at October 14, 2006 12:19 AM
Comments
I work in the medical field (ophthalmology). when a patient comes in with something serious that can not be treated, or that can be treated but is invasive and difficult to deal with, it is at times heartbreaking. best of luck with the situation, and i will say a prayer for your patient.
Posted by: Christina at October 14, 2006 07:43 PM
Life used to be so carefree. Seems the older I get, the more serious it becomes. I hope your stroke victim recovers and lives to laugh another day. The image of her tears rolling down her cheek makes me cry for her and all the others out there like her. My parent's nursing home is full of some very sad situations. We try to find the amusing side to some difficult and trying times.
Posted by: pennyhalston at October 14, 2006 08:38 PM
Haven't popped in for a while but this post made me put the brakes on for sure. In these moments of clarity come the greatest personal gifts -- brava for writing something meaningful and heartfelt.
Posted by: Larry at October 14, 2006 10:18 PM
You work in a tough biz, Tish; sometimes, you need the release (through writing).
Having read your site for spell, I know that, serious or humorous, it's worth the visit.
Posted by: Skunkfeathers at October 15, 2006 07:13 PM
I'm so sorry, Tish. But I'm like the previous commentor, it's always worth the visit. Just write what you need to write...
and remember me when you get that book deal.;)
Posted by: Beth at October 16, 2006 10:29 AM