“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 2nd 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)
