Hospitals and helplessness.

After suffering too long with a hand infection, I finally reported to an emergency room last week, and was immediately admitted to the hospital.  I was quickly reminded of something  that I tell my clients: being in a hospital is like entering into another culture, with different clothing, rules, language.  You ae the patient and you are the outsider.  It has been a long time since I felt this helpless.  You wait, you worry, you put up with a lot of discomfort.  Things happen on someone else’s schedule.  You have minimal choice about what you eat, if any.  The days pass slowly, at night you find yourself awakened virtually every hour.  Having some kind of emotional support — and someone to help advocate for you — is critical.  It’s not a time to go it alone.