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July 10, 2005
any time
"please help me, I have horrible chest pain"
the man was looking at me as if I had a pack of nitroglycerine tablets in my pocket. I was in the emergency room area of Bellevue Hospital in New York City and it was just me and this man with chest pains. It was quiet and empty and a bit surreal.
I eventually went to get a security officer who opened the door for me and for this pre-heart attack patient. I was also let into the emergency area. Some of the patients here were assisted by police officers. A man with amazing deformations to his head was sleeping against the wall, his wrists bound by handcuffs behind his back.
A lady was not doing so very well in one of the corners. Her entire family seemed to be there with her. One of the younger women was spread across her chest.
The doctors looked as if we were in a television series. I was sent from station to station until I was told that I was not supposed to be in this part of the hospital at all.
And so I left, and went left and left and towards a desk somewhere half a mile away, where I was given a laminated piece of paper with a number on it, so I could visit my friend on the 10th floor.
And I did not get to see him today. But I will go again tomorrow.
I got to see his pulse though. It was 130 when I arrived, it went up to 131 as I was leaving.
I wish him only the best. He is one of the strongest guys I know. He is going to be okay. Though it is probably going to take some time...
The only good thing about him being in intensive care is that I can visit him at any time. And now that I know that, I think I will.