It is 8 am. My inner clock is never wrong. It is time to wake up and begin a new day.
With usual pull up and roll over, my feet hit the floor. What a shock to find myself unable to stand, unable to balance! Where am I? What is happening?
Frightened, bewildered, how good it was to hear my friend at the door. With only a cusury glance, "You need help!" she declared.
For the first time ever, we searched for the number 9 1 1. How reassuring to hear the calm voice, "Where are you calling from? Unlock your door and have your health card ready."
With the drama of stage curtains, the wide elevator doors rolled open. Accompanied by the heightened sounds of arrival, out poured an energetic crew, focused and prepared…obviously on a mission. The 911 we had only imagined, was suddenly real. If there was a WOW, this was it!
Surrounded, you could feel the strength. Vital signs checked, a few questions asked and before you know it, you were perched on their narrow stretcher. It seemed to consume the hall.
With the aura of a major suction, the crew plus stretcher with patient poured back into the elevator's confining space.
Sliding effortlessly into the waiting ambulance, doors firmly shut down, we were quickly and quietly whisked away,
Devoid of shrieking sirens, we pulled into Lion's gate Hospital's Emergency. It is comforting to find your ambulance crew staying at your side. Until you are officially admitted as a patient, you remain in their care.
'Emergency' takes on an interesting life of its own. My initial night was spent on one side of a frail 'privacy curtain'. With both legs sprawling widely on the other side of the curtain, was an extremely large snoring snorting male. It was almost impossible to relax, calling on visualization skills and trusting a capable staff.
Thankfully, no longer considered an emergency I was transferred on wheels to a safe and restful room.
"What is your name? When were you born? What year is it?" resounded frequently, along with dozens of blook samples. Every staff face arrived smiling. I looked forward to my food trays. Every care process was executed with interest and kindness. Accepting the advice of trusted young doctors, I underwent a battery of recommended test, MRI included.
Only after being discharged from hospital was an eyeball infection diagnosed. This was, after all the culprit responsible for the frightening, early morning, lack of balance.
With a flood of memories, it is impossible to forget the professional excellence of the 911 rew and my 'angels'…...Ria, Cathy, Liba, Norah, Chris & Geoffrey XX
Tumbleweed
July 2024
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