The Patient
I pad down the hallway in my bare feet, wearing only a pair of grey, elastic waist athletic shorts and a cotton hospital gown.
“Nice outfit,” says the man seated in the first chair, his arms ropey sinews beneath skimpy tank top. “You, too,” I reply, smiling and tucking the gown around my legs. We sit in silence outside x-ray.
“Are you wearing a bra?” the technician asks as I stand in the dark room. I answer yes. She and her assistant tactfully duck behind the partition while I slide the undergarment out through the armholes of my gown. I fold the bra into a compact lump and slide it under my medical chart on the chair so it doesn’t show.
The technician instructs me to curl on my left side on the table with my knees pulled to my chest.
...I'm delighted to be a guest over at Duane Scott's place today. I love Duane -- I love his compassionate heart, his sweetness, his dedication to nursing (he just got a gig at the Mayo Clinic!) and his voice. Plus he's super young ... so the fact that he's invited an old lady like me to write at his place makes me feel very, very hip indeed.
So click over and read about my morning at the orthopedist [like I mentioned...old lady], and then stay a while and see what Duane has to say. He's wise beyond his years.
* Photo courtesy of Photobucket.
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That was awesome -- you so well conveyed the humility of being a patient --- and to think that there are people who are career patients?
Not by choice. By illness.
A girlfriend of mine, who lost her almost three year old to cancer, told me of one of the last visits that her son had to the doctor ... how the doctor had leaned over the crib to probe him. Her son looked up at her and him and said, "Mommy? No more."
She and the doctor both went outside the child's room to weep.
Whenever I am prodded or probed, I think of Stephen and note that I can bear it.
*runs off on a tangent*
:)
and Duane is totally wise beyond his years....
:)
This is just classic, Michelle. I already commented over at Duane's but there are so many over there I wasn't sure you would see it. I think of all the little humiliations we face and then I think of what Jesus went through.....still, I hate going to the Doctor, I really do.
You are a fantastic writer, Michelle, and aparently . . . you also have a good spine.
Did your appointment turn out ok?
Fondly,
Glenda
My appt. did turn out okay, thank you for asking, Glenda! I have lower back problems...it's been that way for a long time. So I need to see a physical therapist for some exercises in core strengthening, which should help the back problems. So much fun getting old!
Wow, I was the patient this week too. It is so humbling. How fragile our humanity really is, huh?!?!
My word! Your writing brings tears to my eyes. You expressed the vulnerability I feel every time I put that hospital gown on. I love your voiced insecurities--yours and mine.
I just discovered your blog through a City Impact link. My husband works for City Impact. I too, am a Nebraska blogger. I am so excited to "meet" you!