I had written a new blog post yesterday. After the very unnerving incidents that happened to me last night, I deleted that new post. I feel compelled to tell you about what is happening to me lately here in Gainesboro at Waters Rehab.
I now fear for my safety, and I'm not jesting.
I came to Gainesboro in December. Since then, I've had four different roommates.
Roommate #1
Sammy, a former drug addict and ex con. I didn't care about the poor guy's past. The problem was, he had very erratic behavior. Yelling, cursing, throwing tantrums. He constantly peed in his bed. The urine would flood the floor and eventually flowed under my bed. Not exactly pleasant.
I never complained about Sammy, but he was (mercifully) transferred to another room.
Roommate #2
Leo, who had dementia. His wife was the woman who talked incessantly. When I got to know her, I really liked her. She was a good woman. Unfortunately, Leo passed away.
Roommate #3
Glen, a polite and quiet man - - but he had a major memory problem. He kept coming over to my side of the room, looking in all the closets for the restroom. I told him the toilet was on the other side of the room. And I pleaded for him to be very careful, since he had a habit of falling. I kept my "call" button handy, in case he needed help.
One night I awoke from a sound sleep. I was startled to see an old man, clad in white, standing at the side of my bed. I initially thought it was a ghost. It was Glen, looking for the restroom! This happened numerous times.
Glen was moved to another room. He's a nice guy....but weird.
Wait, my good people. You ain't heard nothin' yet!
Roommate #4
I don't know his name, but the man is completely insane - - crazier than a bed bug.
It would take an extremely loooong blog post to tell all the bizarre things he does. It started with minor (??) things - - like throwing food trays, pooping in his bed, shouting and calling for unknown people.
Then...........
his insanity was focused on me!
As you probably know, I always wait until late at night to do things I need to do - - - like shave, wash my hair, eat my stash of Walmart food, brush my teeth, etc.
Last night, a spooky atmosphere prevailed. Severe storms, lots of thunder, lightning, and torrential rain.
Soooo...
While I was eating my Walmart food, my demented roommate ripped open the dividing curtains between us. He sat on the edge of his bed, and stared at me while I ate.
I was extremely uncomfortable, he had a diabolical look on his face. I completely ignored him.
After I ate, I tried to shave. He kept gawking at me....and suddenly started throwing things at me! Tissues, plastic cups, a fork.....
this really upset me, but I kept ignoring the cretin. He suddenly closed the curtains between us.
I tried to resume my tasks when
I felt something tugging the blankets on my bed. I looked down and saw his long bare arm, sticking out from the curtains, pulling the blankets off my bed! I couldn't believe it! And how the hell could he reach that far??
I yelled!
While I was yelling, the bastard somehow grabbed my urinal, which was hanging on the side of my bed.
I was absolutely stunned.
He squished the urinal (it's made of plastic) and threw it on the floor!!! Thank God it was empty.
These insane antics terrified me. I pressed the emergency call button...praying he didn't have a knife.
Nurses and workers came into the room. They offered to move my bed to a different room, but I refused. Why the hell should I surrender?
They moved my bed as far from the "roommate" as possible. He wouldn't be able to reach me because he only has one leg and can't stand up.
One of the workers here had pre-warned me that my new roommate was a one-legged monster, but I took it lightly.
I was hesitant to sleep last night for fear he might kill me - - single legged or not.
Now, this morning (Monday) he threw a tantrum and started smashing everything in his reach.
I don't know where they took him, but he's presently out of this room.
I'm exhausted and tired of writing. More later....if I survive.
Jon,
baffled, flustered, confounded, unnerved, enraged.....(hell, you can fill in the blanks)
I didn't edit this post and I don't care.
Scary as hell, indeed. I worked on an acute psych. unit with so many patients like that...and most had 2 legs, 250 lbs. and 6 ft. tall. There was usually no 'talking them down'. It's called 'pharmaceuticals' at that point...via injection. Sadly, you don't have that option. I guess him being an amputee is to your advantage at this point. I hope the powers that be get their shit together and that transfer comes quickly (to Signature). At least the staff is aware of this guy's aggressive behavior. Sounds like he needs to be on some stronger meds! Stay safe, Jon.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
PS I had a patient similar to your roommate with 2 good legs yank a bathroom sink out of the wall and chase me down the hall with it! Oh, the stories I have!
I hate to smile, but the horrors you have endured almost seem like some macabre humor. I don't know why they put him with me. He really is dangerous. I'm praying for a transfer to Signature.
DeleteThis is scary stuff, Jon. I hope the violent man is housed elsewhere. And on stronger meds.
ReplyDeleteThis morning he was uncontrollable that they gave him some meds. They should keep him away from other people. Good to hear from you, Liz.
DeleteYuck!!! And scary.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked. I always tried to ignore him, but he suddenly targeted me. Scary.
Deletethecontemplativecat here. These were all people with mental problems, but I guess that ward is filled up. Write these observations, Jon.
ReplyDeleteMost of the patients here seem to have mental problems. It's really unnerving when someone targets me for no reason. I'll keep writing.
DeleteI'm glad you're cataloging #4' s behavior, Jon. CYA!
ReplyDelete#4 belongs in a padded cell.
DeleteBTW Happy Birthday, Myra! I'm thinking of green carnations. ☘️
That's the part I hated about rehab, the sharing of the room. I had a lady that used to wheel herself over to my supper table and start eating off my plate, another using my products in the bathroom, and returning to her own room four doors down the corridor.
ReplyDeleteSleep with one eye open Jon, don't trust that crazy #4.
Jo
It's extremely unnerving for normal people having to endure crazy ones in rehab. This latest roommate is particularly frightening because he gets physical and won't leave me alone. I've never had that happen before. I will indeed sleep with one eye open.
DeleteSure hope you do not get another roommate, Jon, or preferably that a transfer comes through soon.
ReplyDeleteThis facility is over crowded, so there are (unfortunately) two people in every room. I have no clue when or if my transfer will come.
DeleteEverything here is a puzzle.
You should commit your observations to paper and request that it is placed in your file. I had a situation with my mother in a nursing home. I wrote a letter to the director…about 3 typewritten pages complete with dates and details. Documentation scares the heck out of them. Immediate action happened for my mother, complete with an offsite trip in the transport van with my mother, the director and administrator who caused the problem. The problem I had worked on for several days and two 300-mile round trips was finally resolved.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your transfer soon. I think you have ended up in the wrong ward.
Carolyn
You are absolutely right. I have noticed that coverups abound in these places. They try to avoid and ignore any negativity. Documentation really does scare them. I'm glad your mother's situation was resolved.
DeleteI am working on my transfer.
Thanks, Carolyn.
Jon, keep a cane and walking stick on hand to defend yourself if needed.
ReplyDeleteBack in the 1970’s had a very elderly relative that got beaten up by one patient, and an another time had an elderly woman try and get in bed with him to have sex ! You have to be on your guard at all times.
-Rj
This is serious stuff, and I have heard of patients getting beaten by other patients. I never had a roommate target me like the one last night. It really startled me....especially since I never did anything to provoke him.
DeleteI never had anyone get in bed with me.......but I wouldn't say "no" to a male nurse *smile*