Friday, February 21, 2014

The Patient Exposed

I wait with the others to be called

Known by our name, birthdate, medical record number

The color of my hair and eyes do not matter

Fashion is forgotten

Our uniform is open backed gown accessorized with a thermal blanket and no slip socks 

We avoid looking at each other

though we look the same

Hospital gown

Legs exposed

Hair unbrushed

Some patients have

multiple Hospital arm bracelets 

I only have the first two

Identification

Medication Allergy

Latex allergy

Fall Risk

Infectious Disease

Blood Bank

DNR - do not resuscitate

I only have an INT

Some have Central  Lines

fluids dripping via a pump

Medication bags

Alarms, beeps and dings

Sleep deprived

Hungry

Too loud to sleep

Too tired to concentrate

The room is too cold

The room is too hot

Please send me home soon

I want to get back to normal life

Go to work

Hug my family

Until then I will wait for my turn in the big scary machine while I avoid contact with other patients in this room

 November 2013

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