Victor had a bike accident yesterday. A broken Collarbone, three broken ribs a punctured lung and many abrasions (but those are surprisingly not so bad).
He lies in hospital in a bed literally just 3cm shorter than he is. He is in the Men’s open surgical ward of the Grenada General Hospital. The public hospital, where we later discover that even for us, everything is free! He has a fabulous view of the Lagoon, Port Louis Marina, yachts, fishing boats, the slivers, of Grand Anse beach. But he lies flat so all he sees is clear blue sky. There is a slight breeze coming through the wooden shutters, the sounds from the Careenage and music from the Rum Runner Party boat.
How did this happen? Riding back from our build site. It’s the hill coming down from St. David’s to La Sagesse. I’m sure Victor is feeling the speed, he loves the downhill, the sport of it, but he knows what he’s doing! There’s a car in front of him. Clear, he sees it, has his eye on the traffic. But this is not down hill in France. It is the small, but main coast road. The driver of the car spots a car buddy coming up in he opposite direction and stops suddenly to have a chat in the middle of the road. Very Grenadian. A bike cannot stop with a screech of brakes like a car when it’s going 40 – 50 km/hr. Victor can’t go left, he can’t go right. He ‘ chooses’ a controlled fall, brake hard. Slide, roll. He slides several metres downhill on the tarmac. Must have blacked out. Is conscious. “ Stay down – his inner voice says, lie on your side – the one that doesn’t hurt like a Sonofabitch. Can’t breathe, can’t breathe, air, need air, ambulance” these are his thoughts. Lots of people wanting to help. Then, a voice, calm and clear. I am Eaarlene Taylor, What is your name? She hold his head still, covers him with blankets, fans him and speaks constantly to him, holding him in the present, reassuring him the entire time keeping him calm. “His head is heavy” she told me later.” I hope he appreciates that I exposed my knickers to all of Grenada”. She insists that he not be moved even when traffic is blocked and buses are tooting to get through. Hers, is the first name he says to me in the emergency room.” I don’t even know what she looks like” he says. “I only saw her knees”. She, Eaarlene Taylor, was a woman driving by; saw Victor lying on the ground. She had seen him riding north earlier on her way to Grenville. But she knew CPR and decided to stop. If not for her the well-wishers might have moved him before the ambulance came 45 minutes later and we don’t like to think of the what if…The kindness of strangers.
The Hospital and the care are basic, but competent. The gurney comes out of the ambulance – well intentioned, but bumpy! Victor is in a LOT of pain, GODVERDOMMER!! No drugs yet. The Grenadian accents don’t always register. I stay close to translate and Monitor. Emergency Room. Sonogram. X-ray. Admittance. None of it fun. All painful. But…. The orderlies from the ambulance have been wheeling him around the hospital for the past hour and a half. Their shift is over, but their replacements are late because ‘the rain fallin heavy!’. They reassure me that all will be well. They make chit chat. Langdon, was at Cabier (our build site) ”just last weekend.” Saw our house. “Nice spot, Cabier!”. The next morning – early on in his shift, Langdon comes to check on Victor. “ Did he have a good night? “ You lookin’ good man! I’ll check on you tomorrow!” Kindness.
Victor’s first non injury related question was “ Where is my bike?” Our friend Linette, went immediately to track it down and bring it back – unscathed, except that the police had removed the wheels wrongly. “ They just don’t know bikes, tut- tut” said Vic, shaking his head. Kindness.
The next day: The phone rings Sunday evening. “Hello this is Pastor Patrick, “ I’m calling to ask after your husband, “How is Victor? How are You?” Pastor Patrick was at the scene. Victor had given Linette’s name as someone who could contact me. Pastor Patrick called Linette, (He had a telephone directory). His wife was a nurse and helped Victor into the ambulance and rode the first part of the journey with him before they picked up the proper nurse for the trip to the hospital. He called me” just to check”. He had “said a lot of prayers”. Kindness.
Victor is admitted by Nurse Lyons. Sweet, gentle. Even dazed, bruised and confused he is flirting! Of that I am sure. The staff is gentle and kind. It takes me a little time to recognise that we need to bring our own sheets and towels like everyone else. Only the first set comes with the room. And if I ‘want’ to sponge bathe Victor myself that would be appreciated. He even likes the food. It is basic, but, he is cared for with the kindness of strangers.
Tonight, Monday I am finally home. Tired and a little worn. The phone rings, its Aine checking up. It rings again. Its Pat, owner of the bar restaurant where I go for a well deserved rum punch. Tonight she called just to find out if I had gotten home safe and was ok. The kindness of those who are now less than strangers.
A Glimpse of Grenada.
Vikki J.