Saturday, October 12, 2013

My Journey on a Gurney


I tossed and turned that night. I found it difficult to find that comfortable spot in that hospital bed. At last, it finally came. But it was a dreamless but restless sleep. Though waking up early is a challenge for me, this day is different and something I've been dreading subconsciously. My pretty nurse came in to get me ready. I was about to take a ride. 

I've been in and out of this place several times but I was never a passenger. Once as a student, then a teacher, and sometimes as a friend. 
I was never once at the needle's pointed end, until now. I slowly eased myself from the bed to my ride, carefully assisted by the friendly aide and the nurse by my side. 

I was self conscious lying down and there's no where to look but straight up; 
at the ceiling that seems to be pulled back from above, 
like a curtain being drawn except that this  one is an endless line of lights.


 The feeling is exactly how it is in the movies, when the camera focuses on the ceiling as you're wheeled through a never ending  corridor. 
Half nervous as I was, the only thing going through my mind was 
can I get off here now? I can still walk you know. A patient for surgery walking into the OR, how absurd could that be? Or getting up on that OR table maybe? I had no pre-op meds but I sure was thinking crazy. 

I wasn't dying nor was I hallucinating nor did I see my life flash pass me by but that short gurney ride was like a very long road trip I wish I  never had. My mind had labored much when I finally got transferred to the table. It was a very cold room, until I saw some warm and friendly faces. No, not too many faces, there were just eyes too. Smiling eyes hidden by the masks. 

Soon the lights went out, there were no voices, no dream. When I finally woke I was back in my room and in the bed that wasn't mine. It sure felt creepy. Having no recollection of what just came to be.  Maybe not all can relate to this little journey I just took; while others I am sure can say it was something they just didn't want to tell. That was some ride. Oh, yeah. ;-)

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