HOUR 5

(this is my own prompt based on my years working in nursing homes and then having

my surgery and dealing with having to be waited on and all that comes with a slow recovery.  My

family and care giving teams were, and still are, great  Just a reflection on things I

have seen some of which I experienced)

 

FROM THE SIDELINES

Empathy for others came easy for me

Watching how families cope with their loved ones

Now forced to reside in places  that will never be home.

Not just the elderly, but those who need special care

Frustrated to have to ask for help, needing help

For the simplest of activities of daily living.

A call light illuminates, the alert sounds.

I need to get dressed, I need something to eat, I have to pee!

You forgot to give me my meds, I dropped my remote. Can I get

Fresh water? I need to pee!

I miss my family, have they called, I’m bored, I need to get into

My chair, I need to pee and

I WANT TO GO HOME!

I need to see my doctor, I want to get out of here

Why does it smell in here, damn it I have to pee.

Why did it take you so long to get to me.

I already peed.

I’m sad, my family hasn’t been to see me, where is the doctor

I’m having trouble trying to pee.

I can’t open my milk or hold my fork, can you help me?

Can you help me? Why did this happen to me, why me, why me?

From the sidelines, it seems easy,  just do what they tell you.

Everything will be fine.  But it’s not that simple, this life on pause.

Waiting for healing, for better days, independence….home!

What is my fate, will I even get better is this my new normal?

Can I please just go home?

I need to pee!