The Cell or The Spa

I have an individual cell. I am only allowed to get up to use the restroom or take a shower, otherwise I have to stay in bed. In order to do anything else I need a written order from the Warden (AKA my Doctor). At this point I am not allowed to even take a wheel chair ride out side. Though everyone here is quite nice from the Warden, to the guards (aka nurses), to the folks that bring you your tray of food it is very confining. I do have a window in my room, but it looks out to other ugly old brick institutional looking buildings. No trees in sight. I can see how over time this place can really get to you. Everything I do is monitored.

This weekend my parents and a close family friend came to visit me at the Hospital. My mother spent a month a hospital in eastern Europe when my brother was born. My brother in now in his mid 40's. The family friend spent several weeks in a hospital also in Eastern Europe about 25 years ago when her daughter was born.

To them this was a Spa! Imagine a large room filled with beds right next to each other, as well as hospital beds lining the hallway. There was a public restroom, but no shower. A month without a shower, I can only imagine the smell. There was one phone, that was manned by what my mother described as a power hungry old lady. And visitors were not allowed. Women were crying just to call and talk to their children.

Like, I mentioned I have my own room with its own bathroom/shower. I also have a phone in my room, the use of my cell, a laptop with internet access, and a small flat screen TV with cable. My husband brought me new sheets for the hospital bed, and pillows an a comforter from home. If I don't like what's listed for lunch I can call and change it. (don't get me wrong the food isn't very good, but it's edible). I can have up to 3 visitors at a time, and my husband can visit 24 hours a day. Anything I need I just pick up the phone and call, someone will bring it to me!

A Cell or a Spa... it's all perspective