A Piece of Meat

Stab stab stab stab stab STAB!
Ouch I scream.
Because neither the emergency room doctor or her intern
have a good technique.
They are on both sides of me stroking my veins.
Trying to find something to feed into.
After four takes and lots of bloodletting they 
decide to call on Bob.
Bob. Who is Bob?
Where was Bob on their first four tries?
I am hyperventilating now and they are telling me not to.
Bob gets the IV in on the first try.
Another Cat Scan.
Second one in three weeks.
I am horrified and dismayed when the dye begins leaking
down the arm into my hair and my neck
Thinking they will have to put in a new I.V. 
Luckily the I.V. has held, it was the tape that did not hold.
You become an insurance number in a hospital.
A piece of meat.
At their mercy.
Now I understand more about people with illness.
I never knew until now
but how I want to forget….
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Radhakrishna Avatar
November 4, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Problem well highlighted! Many have experienced what you describe.
Krutsinger Avatar
November 4, 2019 at 3:24 PM
It is such a horrible feeling to be a non-human. Only looked on as flesh.
Lamoureux Avatar
October 22, 2019 at 8:43 PM
As I’m reading this, I’m waiting for my wife to come out of surgery. I’m sorry you are dealing with health issues, it is not easy. Blessings for a full and quick recovery.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 25, 2019 at 5:40 AM
Bless your wife Richard. I hope all is well.
Romios Avatar
October 21, 2019 at 2:09 AM
Caren I have been down this route many times. Painful? Is to put it mildly! Cannot bear hospitals or staff nor hematlogists. Although I found smaller hospital outdo the larger ones...kinder, softer places. Be well. Will add you to my prayer list.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 21, 2019 at 8:46 AM
Thank you my friend. I am trying to find the human I know is inside this body of confusion.
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