Yesterday while volunteering, I wondered why I do it? There is a lady who has been a patient since June 19, 2011. She has seen some of the cards I made, and asked my "boss" if I had any extra supplies, if I could bring her some to help pass the time. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it has been to pass the time this long. So, Thursday I made her up a goodie box. Cut paper to size to make some cards, printed some images for her to color, gathered some stickers, got some colored pencils and glue sticks. I was so excited to take her this box and make her day. I walked in her room and she was laying in bed. I asked her how her day was going, and she did not reply. I told her that I was the "card lady" and I had brought her a box of goodies. She did not respond. I asked her if she wanted to get out of bed and look at them, maybe make something. She screamed at me, "DOES IT LOOK LIKE I WANT TO GET OUT OF BED?" I was stunned. I said well, I will just leave this here for you to look at later, is there anything I can do for you? Her reply, "Ya, get the hell out of my room" I wanted to grab that box and say, "screw you, I don't have to be here, I didn't have to make this box up for you." But I said, "have a good day" and walked out. Outside were a couple of her nurses, who had heard this exchange. They said she was not having a good day, she was mad that the hospital did not have laundry service, and that she is so sick of the food at the hospital, she thought the hospital should give her money to order food from local places. They thanked me for making the box up for her. I went back to the volunteer office to get ready for the next patient. Mrs R. She was a 77 year old lady. I walked into her room and she was watching tv. I told her who I was and asked her if she felt like a visit. She asked me if I went to college, and I told her no. She then said that I probably could not carry on a conversation with her as she was "very educated." I told her that I was educated at the school of life. She did not find this very funny. Ok, I tried. I asked her what she liked to do, and she said read. I noticed she did not have anything to read, so I asked her if I could get her a magazine or book? She said she only reads the New Yorker magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, and she was sure that this hospital would not have those. I told her that I did not know, but I would look. I left her room. Back to the volunteer office do the paper work on the last 2 patients, and get ready for the next. Up next, Mr W. He is 81 years old and was admitted because of a fall. He was sitting in his chair looking out the window. I greeted him, and asked him how is day was going. His reply, "I am in the hospital, how do you think my day is going?" Well, I thought to myself, here we go again. I asked him if there was anything I could get him, and he just shrugged his shoulders. I saw his water was empty, so I asked him if he would like some fresh ice water. His reply, "if I wanted ice water, there would be ice water in the cup" Geez, just asking. I told him I would leave him rest and hope he had a good day. Well, lets see who is next on my list to be bothered. Mrs E, an 89 year old lady who was also there due to a fall. She was watching the news when I went into her room. I asked her if she needed anything. I figured the way the rest of my day had been going, I would just cut to the chase. She smiled and said, "no, I don't want to be a bother." I told her it was no trouble. She wanted her cup filled with cold ice water. I asked her if she would also like some juice, she thought for a moment and said, "oh, that sounds really good, do you think you could get me some cranberry juice, but only if it no trouble." I said I would do my best! And off I went. I found the cranberry juice, filler her cup with ice and water. And went back to her room. She thanked me over and over again. She told me that she was really trying to drink more liquids so she could get out of the hospital soon. She missed her husband and her garden. So we talked about gardening and had some good laughs. I told her about my planting 8 zucchini plants when I only thought I had 4. About the oddles of cherry tomatoes I have picked and all the ones still green. Before I knew it an hour had passed. She had finished her juice and water. I asked her if she would like me to get more before I had to leave. Her reply, "only if it is not a bother." A bother, it's what I am here for. So, I got her the goodies and wished her well. She thanked me again for the visit, juice and water. Told me how her day was made better by me stopping by. Done for the day and off to 3-North to pick up Bryan. Hoping his day of volunteering had gone much better than mine! On the way out of the hospital, in the lobby sitting on a table I spotted a New Yorker Magazine AND a Wall Street Journal. I grabbed them and headed back up to Mrs R's room and gave them to her. I wanted to be a smart ass, and say, "bet you didn't think my un-eduacted ass would find these,did you? But, I smiled and said, "Look what I found for you!" She took them from my and smiled and said, "Thank-You." Hmmmm, now I remember, this is why I volunteer!
Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!
Joan
