There are some experiences we hope to avoid on SXM. Why, there are experiences we all hope to never have anywhere! Moments that are life changing that make us feel completely helpless and out of control are rarely chosen, especially regarding health. After our family visited, the week unfolded into such a scenario.

It wasn’t a busy week but we planned on meeting up with friends along the way. We were worried about mom since she seemed to have gotten sick towards the end of their trip. We had soup most of the week hoping to stay ahead of cold symptoms. As the week wore on though, I felt as though I was going downhill. A slight cough, nasal congestion made me self diagnose a sinus infection that was beginning to affect the lungs. The middle of the week walking up the stairs had me pausing to recover. By the end of the week a few steps or any amount of exertion had me wondering where my next breath was coming from. It was time to seek help.

What a weekend to need help! First, it was Saturday with the clinic open half the day. We stood in line for forty-five minutes waiting for it to open. I was already sixth in line. What an array of people patiently waiting and honoring the queue. Just before the doors opened an older women joined. As the doors opened, it was clear she didn’t care about the line. The younger women two ahead of me had in actuality been holding a spot for her entire family. Her husband and three young daughters were all sick. Once inside we each had to show our IDs to register. The older woman was poised to make her move. She even pretended not to hear me when pointing out the obvious the rest of the room understood. I motioned for Bill to stand next to me for support and his can’t miss him “standing there-ness”. She finally acknowledged the line and its order.

Once everyone was checked in and seated, the woman whips out her phone and has a conversation with her son complaining about her girls trip. “I’m sitting at the clinic, with all these PEOPLE… they all were coughing… so and so gave it to me, I’m sure, now I have this terrible cough….this is the worst vacation I ever had…..” like she was the only one in the room the conversation was full volume. Her second call may have been to a husband. It sounded as though escape arrangements were being made. She did more listening until blurting out “what about me!” That phrase certainly seemed to be her motto to live by. She was so loud the receptionist finally had to reprimand her, no phone calls. The other woman paid at the window with a fist full of prescriptions and the youngest in her arms completely miserable.

So many thoughts running through my mind as it’s now my turn to see the doctor. I’m sure steroids and walking pneumonia are what he’s going to do and say, but instead he writes a letter to give to the ER at the Dutch hospital. Terror passes through me as he asks if I have someone with me. Bill is escorted in and instructed. Letter in hand, we are sent on to our next unwanted adventure.

Long story short, after a six hour stay in the ER, I was admitted overnight for observation. Blood draws, and other tests warranted the move. I have to wonder if observation is to cover their own butts.

I have an elderly woman from a neighboring island for a room mate. She tells us stories about her family and other inhabitants and the local island drama. She has a visit from her SXM family members and imparts words of wisdom to the great grandchildren. She has a heavy island accent and is difficult to understand at times. Lost in translation, I work to keep the conversation going. She’s telling me about another occupant before me and how she wonders what happened to her. It’s as if she disappeared. “What happened?“ She asks, “did she run away?” Then she explains how they want her to stand and try to walk. She doesn’t like the idea.

Later on she’s complaining about the rail being up trapping her in the bed. I try and joke by saying they’re worried she’ll run away. She laughs. I’m thinking all is good. Meds have made me sleepy but she’s wide awake and chatting me up. Did I mention her proclivity to burping? Whether she’s had a drink, a bite to eat or nothing at all –BURP.

CHATTING, CHATTING, BURP, BURP, BURPING

BUZZ BUZZ……the mosquitoes in the room begin to dive bomb.

My answers are but grunts at this point when a nurse appears. She tells chatty Cathy “the lady want to sleep”. Well roomie’s opinion is that “she a grown woman, she can tell me herself”. I’m in a fricking hospital bed and I should be concerned about being a grown ass woman and tell her myself.

Quiet finally until every shift change to check vitals. By morning I’m finally in a deep sleep. Oh well. It’s time for my roomie’s wash up and linen change. Mosquitoes are active. It took me a while to realize she’s now telling the nurses about me! The white lady causing mischief. The innocent joking turned into some kind of drama. Luckily these nurses have heard her talk all week, I was able to add to the drama of her small existence. When her visitors came, she had perfected the torrid tale of the bad white lady. The lady visiting comforted her with, “that’s why I keep my brown self, to myself.”

Tick tock, I see visitors walking down the hall. Bill appears and it is the only Christmas present I could ever want,… freedom! This white mischief maker gets to go home….BURP.