I don't know how it happened or what caused it to happen, but yesterday morning when I tried to get out of bed, I could not...
I awoke to find myself in excruciating pain, which was radiating from within my right kneecap. The surrounding area was noticeably swollen, too.
It was shortly before dawn when I had to use the toilet. But in order to get to it, I had to first figure out a way to get off my bunk. So, I turned sideways to try to propel myself off of it. And in one quick motion, I had to spin myself around and reach for my desk at the same time. Then I had to boost myself upright and lean against the wall with my left hand. From here I was able to hobble the four steps needed to reach the toilet. And when I was done using the toilet and sink, I did a quick about-face and traveled in the opposite direction to return to the bed.
Later, when my cell door opened for breakfast, I had to limp across the floor of the gallery to reach the officer's desk. I was required to explain my situation to him because prison rules mandate that any inmate who is injured must report himself to corrections officer. The guard then called the nurse's office in the Infirmary, who in turn asked him to allow me to walk across the facility to the Infirmary so that I could be examined.
And once the nurse finished his examination, he then issued me a bandage to wrap around my kneecap to provide added support. He handed me some pills for the pain, and he also issued a twenty-four hour "medical restriction" which meant confinement to my cell for the day. I was not going to make it to church.
Afterwards, I returned to my cell and sent short notes to several of my friends who live in the cell block with me that I would not be coming to chapel because of my medical restriction. Thankfully, my chaplain had another man to take my place and lead in the worship. Later I received word that the service went well.
Frankly, I was happy to get the day off. It was relaxing and refreshing to have a day for myself. I spent the morning listening to Christian worship music on my radio. And even though I was supposed to stay in bed, I am too hyperactive to sit still for any length of time. So, I instead spent several hours composing a journal entry on the need for Christians to pray for our nation's leaders.
D.B.
It was shortly before dawn when I had to use the toilet. But in order to get to it, I had to first figure out a way to get off my bunk. So, I turned sideways to try to propel myself off of it. And in one quick motion, I had to spin myself around and reach for my desk at the same time. Then I had to boost myself upright and lean against the wall with my left hand. From here I was able to hobble the four steps needed to reach the toilet. And when I was done using the toilet and sink, I did a quick about-face and traveled in the opposite direction to return to the bed.
Later, when my cell door opened for breakfast, I had to limp across the floor of the gallery to reach the officer's desk. I was required to explain my situation to him because prison rules mandate that any inmate who is injured must report himself to corrections officer. The guard then called the nurse's office in the Infirmary, who in turn asked him to allow me to walk across the facility to the Infirmary so that I could be examined.
And once the nurse finished his examination, he then issued me a bandage to wrap around my kneecap to provide added support. He handed me some pills for the pain, and he also issued a twenty-four hour "medical restriction" which meant confinement to my cell for the day. I was not going to make it to church.
Afterwards, I returned to my cell and sent short notes to several of my friends who live in the cell block with me that I would not be coming to chapel because of my medical restriction. Thankfully, my chaplain had another man to take my place and lead in the worship. Later I received word that the service went well.
Frankly, I was happy to get the day off. It was relaxing and refreshing to have a day for myself. I spent the morning listening to Christian worship music on my radio. And even though I was supposed to stay in bed, I am too hyperactive to sit still for any length of time. So, I instead spent several hours composing a journal entry on the need for Christians to pray for our nation's leaders.
D.B.
