When I was on Ward E8 following my stay in the ICU and the HDU respectively, I observed Sue very closely. She was about my age, From her looks and accent I think she was of Indian descent but had lived in this country for at least thirty years.
Daily she came onto the ward wheeling her heavy cleaning equipment. Conscientiously she dipped and squeezed her mop, wiping and polishing until the floor sparkled. She also distributed jugs of water and teas and coffees.
I noticed from the start that she wore a permanent scowl and always appeared to be in a foul mood. I decided then and there that if I did nothing else of any import whilst in Southampton General I would break through her taut barriers and wheedle a laugh out of her before it was time for me to leave. Daily I would smile in the face of her abrupt TEA/COFFEE barked at each of us in turn as though we were inmates of borstal and did not deserve such luxuries as the lukewarm treacle that passed as a beverage. I carefully ignored the angry frown that accompanied each cup and I never failed to respond with a friendly expression.
I made a point of thanking Sue at every opportunity and by the end of week one I engaged her in a conversation. It was only a few words about her cystitis and her upcoming hospital visit, but it was a start. At least I could see why she seemed unhappy. She was in pain and discomfort without the TLC all the patients on the ward were receiving.
Gradually the icy expression etched into her face began to melt, and sometime during week two she began laughing and joking with me. I had succeeded. She sounded concerned that I had been on the ward longer than all the other patients, and shocked to hear that it was cancer. That seemed to break down the final barrier. As we stood in the washroom, me with toothbrush in hand and drain bags by my side, her with mop and bucket, she started telling me about her past. I hadn’t specifically invited her to, yet once started she could not stop herself.
She had been treated badly by her first husband, but now had a new partner. Her children were making life difficult for her in their blatant disapproval of the new man on the scene. They still expected her to wait on them hand and foot.
“But you see I’ve learn my lesson now. I have told them, it is my life not theirs and to stop interfering. For the first time I feel in control of things.” She was beaming with pride. She wasn’t the only one.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar