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Common Drama |
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Three
Pivotal Years |
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Generations |
Five
Ring Circus |
| Subject: | News |
| Date: | Tuesday, July 8, 1997 03:42:59 -0500 |
| From: | Jérôme |
| To: | Silvana |
I spent the greater part of yesterday running back and forth from the convenience store. It was so striking that it became easy to measure: mom drank more than 14 litres of liquids yesterday.
Today was the examination. Her condition is peculiar. Nothing is clear. But she requires hospitalization, immediately.
Hospitalization. It was clearly a possibility. I had never considered it really - too theoretical, too negative. Now, I am unprepared. Before, I was convinced that the mind managed the illness; and I could play with that. Now, there is a clinical, a physical side to it. What is going to happen? What can I expect? What can I be useful for - and yet remain respectful of her? How is this illness going to evolve? What does this mean for me? Where am-I? What am-I doing?
There was a nice surprise though - the personnel at the Hotel-Dieu seem great. The first nurse to take care of her managed to gain my mother's confidence immediately. She knew how to listen, to handle her gently... as if with magic hands. Given mom's character, that was one concern out of the way. The rest just flowed from there. Almost all the nurses seem to have a warm and human approach. I guess my mother was right when she doubted about the quality of treatment in France or in Italy - she was sure she would be well treated at this hospital.
This evening, I had nothing better to do than veg out in front of the TV. An interview with Robert Charlebois gave me the chills. He talked about how his mother died of cancer. The process took four years; he added how he would not wish a similar experience to anyone. Thank you for warning me...
All my questions appear to be important. But I really do not have anyone to talk things over with. The specialists always appear busy; how can I grab time from them day after day, as new questions arise? (But since the ward is reserved for cancer patients, I'll keep my eyes open and prick up my ears. I will try to digest it all and drop a question every so often.
They really have no clue as to what she has. Therefore, I am going to stay here as long as is necessary.
Jérôme