The State: Confusion

Despite working for a hospital company, I rarely find myself in an actual hospital. The entire design of a hospital both intrigues and confuses me, so perhaps I avoid them because while I like to be intrigued, I don’t often seek to be confused. Unfortunately, my visit to the hospital yesterday left me as confused as I’ve ever been.

Gwen, a dear friend I don’t see or speak with often enough, spent a couple days in the hospital following surgery, so I decided to leave work a bit early and go for a visit. I stopped at Walgreens on the way to pick up some magazines since, let’s face it, the ten channels of sports and reality TV you get in a hospital room can be a bit mind-numbing.

Tammy & Gwen in 2004

I do not recommend going to a store like Walgreens for any magazine needs, unless your needs are basic. I don’t know what Gwen likes to read, but I was thinking of getting an eclectic mix to satisfy someone who likes food/drink/animals. While Walgreens will do in a pinch, their reading material consists of diets/girlie/teen/men magazines. There isn’t anything wrong with this, per se, but it’s just not what I was looking for.

I was off to the hospital, gifts in tow, and found my way to her room. I knocked quietly; when I didn’t receive an answer, I carefully opened the door and said “heeey” in the softest, most serene, voice I could muster. The lights were off, and the room was extremely dim, bordering on dark.

I looked over to Gwen lying in the hospital bed, and as my eyes were adjusting to the lack of light, I asked how she was feeling. She replied weakly that she was ok, and gave me an encouraging half smile. As I walked closer, I made small talk and indicated the magazines I brought for her. It was at this point, as I neared the bed and the window, that some light coming from a street lamp outside suddenly illuminated her face. Confusion set in, and then it dawned on me that this person I was speaking to was definitely NOT Gwen.

Oh crap.

I don’t know who the woman thought I was - let's call her Jane Doe - but she didn’t behave like she didn’t know me (though later I am sure she wanted to make sure she still had her purse). Anyway, I simply smiled at Ms. Doe, placed the magazines on a chair next to her bed, and said I was going to let her get some rest. I found out later Gwen had checked out of the hospital four hours earlier. Way to go, Lois.

I phoned Gwen today, and she got a good chuckle out of the story, especially despite the fact she didn’t get any of the magazines. She is feeling better, and I hope she is back to her old self soon…I simply can’t make a habit of walking into strangers’ hospital rooms!