fyrephreak

Posted in news by fyrephreak on 2010-07-05. Viewed 301 time(s).

- June 25th.

The doctors suggested I write a journal as a way to keep myself occupied, and to have something to look back on after I get better and go home. It all started in December, I remember coughing a lot and getting tired easily. My fever would keep me up at night and I would frequently wake up drenched with sweat. Mother summoned the Doctor after I started coughing up blood. The muted conversation he had with mother in the dining room puzzled me, and I will never forget the look of apprehension on his face as he departed. Mother told me she was going to be sending me to a special sanatorium that would take care of me and see to it I'd be back on my feet. In the couple days before I left, I would catch her wringing her hands, only to be covered up with a quick smile when she noticed my presence.

I've been here two months now, and spring is giving way to summer. It really is very beautiful here. The grounds are neatly tucked into a ravine not far from the shores of Echo lake. Large trees dominate the manicured lawns and the enveloping hills lend a feeling of peaceful isolation. The air is warm, clean, and invigorating, and I spend most of the sunny days walking the grounds. The actual sanatorium is deceptively unassuming, you would never guess there to be room for over 300 patients here. rising up four stories, the main building is one long narrow construction, that has been expanded progressively as the need arose.
The vast majority of the patient rooms either face south, or are connected to a south-facing communal solarium. My room is in the original wing, which has nicer (in my opinion) solariums than the newer wings. the ceilings are unpainted cedar and it reminds me of being in a remote cabin.

-July 3rd.
I feel better than when i arrived here, but the doctors say it's still too early to let me leave. I'm disappointed because I know father could use my help back on the farm, but mother told me to be patient and listen to what the doctors tell me. I've been getting bored, so the nurses convinced the groundskeeper to let me help with some light work. Nothing too strenuous, as I still tire easily, but it's something to set my mind to, and as Jason the groundskeeper puts it; "a few less chores off my back." After dinner, before it gets dark and cold, I like to go and sit by the lake and watch the sun set. It's almost like living at a resort here.

Most of the other patients here are either younger than me, or a lot older. It's hard making friends, but as long as you're willing to listen through a coughing fit riddled story about grandchildren or the war, you can always find some company.

-July 10th.
I was allowed on a tour of the boiler house today. It was incredible, the two boilers were hand built onsite and are the size of a house. It was really loud, and even though almost all the pipes were sheathed in thick white insulation, they still radiated heat. It was really hot and stuffy in there, and eventually I had to leave because a coughing fit overtook me. After that the doctors confined me to my room indefinitely, and that's why I pulled this journal out and started writing.

-July 14th.
Still Stuck in my room, coughing up a lot, sometimes blood, the doctors have been running tests almost daily, but haven't really told me anything. Getting bored.

-July 15th.
The old man in the room next to me passed away today. His name was Gerald.

-August 9th.
Was finally let outside today, with a nurse accompanying me. I feel like a toddler, but at least I'm outside. I am constantly short of breath now, after almost a month of being bedridden. the doctors, when they come and visit my room, no longer smile, they just look at my chart and leave, whispering quietly to the nurses in the hall. No one will tell me anything.

-August 20th.
Collapsed outside today, back to being confined in my room, at least they wheel my entire bed into the solarium.

-August 27th.
I just want to go home.