"I, Patient"
Summary: My POV trying to imagine what it would be like being in Chicago, going for an interview and becoming a patient at ER.
Then in later chapters I will give you my POV of the characters from ER. (well I try!)
Chapter 1 – Chicago River
"Ouch!" I yelped when I hit the ground closing my eyes and gritting my teeth with the pain from the impact. I lay there for a minute in a daze, I must have slipped on the ice and lost my balance. A gentle tap on my shoulder caught my attention; a man is asking if I was ok? and would like a hand getting up. I struggled to reply because I was still gritting my teeth with pain in my arm and ribs so I responded to him by nodding. I felt myself being levered up by two arms underneath my armpits and in my surprise when I got back on my feet, there was another guy helped him. I started wheezing, the portfolio in my holdall has winded me in my left ribs. I notice the passers by have created an audience, circling round me, I like something they've not seen before and I felt humiliated.
"You haven't seen anyone trip over before?" I snapped at everyone, supporting my injured arm. I turned to the helpful distinguished gentleman who is in his fifties told me that he thinks that I need to get my arm seeing to and so I asked him where the nearest A&E was. He looked at me with a frown, I forgot, ER I meant to say, I apologized to him and corrected myself, he laughed and said to me that he didn't think I was from round here with my prominent accent. I smiled and said I am on business here. I didn't bother telling him that I was going to an interview otherwise I would standing here with agonising pain, being polite answering his question out of curiosity. He told me there was a hospital two blocks away called County General. I thought oh my god that's the place where I have applied for a job! That was the place I was heading for, somehow I managed to get lost in this huge city, and I felt quite alienated especially coming from a country where we don't have skyscrapers. I did not realise it my designated place was close by. I felt kind of relieved because they will see why I'll be late for my appointment and saving me having to make a phone call explaining why I might be able to turn up on time. Hopefully I will get fixed up pretty soon as my interview isn't on for another 3 hours and I probably hobble up the stairs in the same building or perhaps sneak in one of those elevators.
I thanked the gentleman and he nodded back saying "Take care and have a nice day" and he walked away in another direction. I look around to find a bench to sit on; I see one a bit further up the road so I headed for it. I sat down on the bench and opened the front pocket of the holdall and pull out a little container of Tylenol. I took a couple and swallowed them with difficulty, as I had no drink on me to wash them down with ease. I am hoping they will tie over the pain for now even they are not strong painkillers. I struggled to pull up my coat sleeve because of the swelling, to take a look at my arm, it has severe bruising and it was slightly bent across the radius, Yes it is definitely fractured.
I walked along steadily, crunching through the crisp snow on the sidewalk. Trying not to do the same mistake by falling again. I smell the much-needed cup of coffee from the kiosk on the street. I am tempted to buy one, to warm myself up from the cold and the shock. I stand at the counter and ordered a large Latte. I take a sip and endeavoured the taste and the warmth. I can feel the heat of the liquid burning inside, going down to my stomach. I can think of something that will warm me up, but it is not appropriate at this time of morning. Intoxication would make me inadequate. I decided to stay put next to the kiosk to finish my coffee, as I felt it would be a bit silly trying to get through the icy streets with boiling coffee in your hand!
I walked over the one of the many river bridges in the centre of Chicago. This one is a huge bridge where the Chicago River flows through the heart of the city. I started to wheeze so I stopped and lean my arms on the ledge to catch my breath as I was struggling to breathe; the cold crisp winter air isn't helping, giving me a sharp sensation in my lungs. There is an excruciating pain down my ribs on the left side. So I unzip my coat, opened it up and looked down. I noticed that there is blood seeping out all over my clothes; "Shit" I muttered to myself, my suit jacket ruined. I might have guess that I may have a compound fracture, there is a logical reason for me to struggle to breathe maybe my lung is punctured. I zipped up my coat half way up then I groaned with pain when I try to slip my bad arm to rest it across my zipper next to my chest for support. I lifted my free hand up and blew hot air from my mouth to warm them up and then I leaned over to rest my good elbow on the ledge again. Stupid me I left my gloves at the hotel. I feel like a scatterbrain today, maybe it is down to nerves about wanting this job in the ER.
I look around to admire the view of the city, looking at sun slowing cutting through the mysterious thick fog lingering round the beautiful mix of architectures and skyscrapers on this January morning. I hear different noises from the bustling city, the rattling subway train, along the nearby tracks, horn blaring from the drivers, sirens wailing from emergency services, laughing and chattering from pedestrians passing by. I look down at the river below me, I can see compacted mound of snow on the embankment. There are a few chunks of ice that have formed in the sub zero conditions from the night are starting to melt away. The river is quite calm, calm enough to see a good reflection of a tall stone colored building on the other side. I look up to see the real thing and it is standing alone on a corner. It is bearing a red colored sign that reads 'County General Hospital'
I have found my designated place…