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| Chapter 1 - Admission |
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The doctor attempted the puncture two, maybe three times. Despite his semi-comatose state it was abundantly clear that Max felt the pain. His body arched and each time he screamed in agony and clenched my hand fiercely. |
The doctor was very nervous and disturbed by not getting the puncture the first time. I was unsure what to think. This was a new world. This was deeply disturbing. This was the start of my role as The-Torturer’s-Accomplice. |
After the lumbar puncture Max was very upset but soon settled. He was so ill that prolonged complaint never became part of the picture. Max was moved to an empty room containing bits and pieces of excess ward furniture and equipment. He had a hospital bed and next to it there was a camp bed for me. I have no idea what time we moved to this isolated room but I think it must have been in the afternoon. Max was connected to six machines. They included drips, breathing and heart monitoring equipment and other apparatus unknown to me. He was given drugs and drifted into semi-consciousness. |
Still I had an indomitable faith. I would not believe that anything really serious could be happening. This was just an infection, a high temperature but nothing which could not be resolved quickly. We had been admitted to the hospital and were being treated by people who knew what they were doing. This would take a couple of days and then we would return home. |
My appreciation of our situation became more realistic when I asked to leave our little room to go to the toilet. A nurse popped in to see how Max was progressing. I asked her why she was wearing a mask and could she watch him while I went to the loo and phoned home. (Sara already knew things were serious but I wanted to phone anyway). |
“I am afraid, Mr Buchanan but we cannot let you leave the room.” |
“Why not, what is wrong?” |
“We're not sure if Max's illness is infectious so you must stay with him until we have more information. If you need to use the lavatory then use the one connected to the room and ensure that you wash carefully afterwards.” |
“What do you mean, what sort of infectious?” |
“We’re not sure at the moment.” |
“How serious is this? Will I be off work for long?” |
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