Put Her On Discipline

“Can I put her on discipline?” the what seemed to be a very upset unit deputy asked over the phone.

This particular female inmate was just seen that morning by the doctor. Complaining of mostly chest pain. Sometimes kidney problems. All tests were done. Everything came back normal. I just dropped my transparent bag on a counter to start my shift when I picked up that phone call. The deputy was asking if it was okay for her to send the same inmate to be seen for chest pain. If nothing could be found, she wanted to put her on discipline for faking her medical emergency. I could see her point. The inmate’s actions/demands were wearing down everyone. Custody and medical staff.

“I’ll call you back. Let me review her records,” I promised.

Flipping the thickening pages of notes from different disciplines, I noticed she came if not daily, at least every other day. She was even sent to the hospital. Nothing of significance in her heart was found. A one-liner stood out among those thousands of words written about her:

“Patient requesting for Norco.”

Norco. A controlled substance. She had a past habit of using Meth. And the doctor did not grant her request during that morning’s sick call. I knew then why she was coming back. To try to get that Norco to replace the Meth habit she had.

Her face was about to cry when someone let her in. Her head always turned towards the glass window so she could observe what the staff was doing and possibly hear everything. I was observing her from the distance the whole time. Without her being aware of my prying eyes.

I let her in through the 2^nd metal door to get her vital signs. They were all normal.

“My chest hurts, Nurse…But I’m gonna’ miss my dinner.” She added quickly.

I looked at her, trying not to become tainted with my own personal opinion.

“You came here, complaining of chest pain and you have time to worry over your dinner?” I asked.

She didn’t know what to say. She knew I caught her that her pain must not be real.

“I’m gonna’ keep you so we can observe you. Here’s a cup of water so you can drink water,” I uttered.

She was one step closer to being out to the waiting area when I stopped her on her tracks. I knew this behavior had to stop. There was just that much anyone could do for her symptoms. But if the roots of her problem were not addressed, she would probably return thousands of times.

“C’mon. Everything was okay this whole time. Your tests were all normal. Your heart’s arteries were all clear. What is it that bothers you that you think is causing your chest pain?” I asked that made her eyes bigger.

“Any problem?” I added with a long pause after where she could fill in.

“Ma’am, my cellie…(cellmate). I don’t get along with her.”

“I can’t help you be moved but at least I could try if you let me tell your deputy about your problem?”

“You can…But she’ll put me on discipline.”

“Well, then you know you are going to be punished anyway. Even now, there is no reason for you to be seen here. We are not denying to treat you. But only if your symptoms are real! For there are consequences if you are lying.”

She cried and wailed down on the floor next minute. Other times, standing up just observing the nurses and the activity in the Infirmary. I yelled at her with authority and told her to sit down because if she was having chest pain, I didn’t want her to fall. She stared on the tv. She bowed her head. She cried a few times. A few more tears fallen without getting any attention. She pounded softly on the window.

“Ma’am…I’m not having pain now. Can you just send me back to my unit?” She begged. She knew she wasn’t going to win. But in that loss, her transformation could begin.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” she softly added as I gave her yellow pass so she could go back to her unit. She knew segregation awaited her.

“Deputy, this is Nurse Rcubes…After all that had happened here during my sick call with her, go ahead…”

“Put her on discipline…”

And it was tough on me. To do that. Because she lived a life of being a victim. But it was necessary. So she could try to emerge as a victor. She wouldn’t understand why but how could she find out if no one addressed her issues?

We are all victims called by God to have a new life. A new life because of what Jesus did. And we have that task of helping others to be reconciled with God. When we minister to others, I believe it’s important to identify the roots of the problem before one is able to get out of bondage. And God has already provided everything we need to help others be reconciled with Him: His Armor, His Word and prayers. Glory be to You oh Lord!

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.- Romans 8:5-6 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.- Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...-Romans 13:1-6 (ESV)