Seeking Relief

Stand Off

“What do you mean, ‘Psyche Ward’?” Jade asked forcefully.

She was frankly getting tired of this s**t. Now, that she knew what was wrong with her and had been for awhile, she was done just listening and was going to follow her gut. What her gut told her was that these nurses were definitely not here for her benefit.

Well, they mainly just rubbed her the wrong way and pissed her off.

Same difference.

“Well, dear, suicide attempts are taken very seriously and patients who truly have a depression problem need to recoup in the psyche ward. Suicide is not an issue to be taken lightly, dear.” One of the nurses sneered at her.

“I didn’t commit suicide.” Jade protested.

“Of course you say that now that you have the attention you wanted. Sorry but not sorry, every action has consequences, and you need to pay for yours.” The other nurse said with a smirk.

“Hang on. Where is Jade’s doctor? She’s not going anywhere without an official report and she talks to him at least.” Adam interjected.

“Look. We’re just trying to do our job. Now please leave. You may go to the closest information desk and converse with patient information services.” While Nurse A was mouthing off to a doctor unknowingly, Jake slowly slipped forward in his seat on the couch. He was nestled in the corner of the room and very close to the hospital bed. He reached for the control panel on the bedside and quietly pushed the ‘call nurse’ button.

Adam replied to the nurse, “Look, I know her doctor. I know he hasn’t flagged her a suicide attempt. So, either there’s a mix up or a discussion needs to happen. Either way, she’s not going anywhere until I talk to her doctor.”

“Excuse me sir, I don’t know who you think you are but only---”I

It was at this time one of the regular nurses walked in. Icing on the cake was it was one of Jade’s favorites. She was an outspoken woman with an iron backbone. She had a bit of a mean streak that she showed to most people. But she and Jade had developed a relationship that made a difference to both women. During one of Eliza’s shifts she had stayed up with Jade all night during one of her nightmare filled nights. After the third night terror, Eliza turned on Jade’s lamp and played cards with her in between her rounds. She opened up to Jade and Jade opened up to her. Eliza knew exactly what was plaguing Jade in her nightmares. She also knew what awful thoughts trickled through the mind when the night is at its darkest.

There are just some bonds only other women who have also gone through abuse get.

Eliza, the kickass nurse, interrupted Nurse A speaking loudly.

“Hey Dr. Kincaid! I thought I heard your voice. How’re y’all doing in here?”

Jade enjoyed watching the blood drain from Nurse A’s face. Nurse B’s eyes widened to almost unrealistic capabilities.

“Hey Eliza, any chance that Dr. Spencer is still here? There seems to be a mix up.”

Eliza gave the pair of nurses a look out of the corner of her eye.

“Give me just a few to double check.”

“Thank you!” Jade called out as Eliza left the room. She felt emboldened and more self assured to have these men at her side, especially when one in particular knows how the red tape works in the healthcare system.

Jade stared down the pair of abrasive nurses while they waited for the return of Eliza.

One of them decided to say something.

 Apparently, they couldn’t stand to not get their way.

“Look kiddo. You can’t feign a suicide attempt, get all this attention then act like nothing happened. You need to deal with consequences. So quit your little tantrum and let’s go. Believe it or not the world doesn’t revolve around you.”

Jade clenched her jaw.

If it wasn’t for the guys surrounding her, she would have been pressured by the nurses to go the ward. She would have doubted her stand and whether or not she was in the right.

But now that she had the guys to reinforce what she felt was right and what was wrong she felt like she was gaining hold of her confidence. So she felt emboldened when all her guys were backing her up and not going along with the nurses. And considering how Adam was adamant that her new primary doctor needed to be present for interaction like this, she had a feeling the nurses were trying to sneak one by without going through the proper paperwork.

But the final straw was to claim she attempted suicide for attention.

“How about we all just shut up until Eliza comes back or my doctor comes in. You already made the mistake of pissing off the ER doctor, and I already am planning on making sure the advocate at the battered women’s center knows your names. That way we can make sure you're barred from treating any woman who comes in with any kind of issue. You are the very reason why its hard to come forward and seek help from professionals.”

Both nurses glared, and one of them went to open her mouth. Jade interrupted her before she could get a sound out.

“Shut up. Just. Shut. Up.”

Jake did a slow clap and the rest of the guys chuckled. The nurses just glared at all the men.

It was at this moment Eliza came back into the room.

“Okay, Dr. Spencer is making end of day rounds. He’ll be up here shortly, but he said that  he didn’t mark her as suicide risk nor request her transfer to the psyche ward.”

Adam turned to the pair of nurses, “Whose orders are you acting on?”

Nurse A smirked and said, “I’m sorry sir, it is unlawful to discuss patient matters with an unauthorized individual.”

“Lucky for you then, all for of these guys are on that piece of paper work. So, spit it out.” Jade snarled at the pair.

The nurses who stood on either side of a wheelchair meant for Jade, glared at Jade’s apparent insolence. When they didn’t answer right away, Jade made a gesturing motion for them to answer.

“Dr. Cayette listed the reason for your admission as suicide attempt. So unless you can prove that you're not admitted to the hospital, we’ll stand corrected.” Nurse B sneered to her.

“It wasn’t a suicide attempt.” Jade said through ground teeth.

“I was the one who received and treated her in the ER when she first arrived. I was the one who specifically took her up to ICU. I conversed with Dr. Cayette. THIS was not why she needed to be admitted. I had SPECIFICALLY told him it was not a suicide attempt.” Adam said.

Jade cut in, “I am not going anywhere until I talk to Dr. Spencer. Dr Cayette is more than welcome to come talk to me, but I will not go anywhere without talking to Dr. Spencer.” When one of the nurses went to open her mouth, Jade continued, cutting her off.

“You are more than welcome to bring in security to either force me off the hospital property or force me to the ward. But know that I WILL come with a lawsuit for forcing care without my consent, forceful treatment, or if you make me leave, discharging a patient without my doctor’s authorization. All of this while I have 5 witnesses. I think you may want to keep your mouth shut and let’s just wait for my doctor, shall we?”