DIY History | Transcribe | Iowa Women’s Lives: Letters and Diaries | Eve Drewelowe's journals, volumes II-III, 1950s

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Eve Drewelowe's journals, volumes II-III, 1950s

Page 131

Instantly and instinctively my flexed arm shot up before my face. My head was bent a clearly in a defensive attitude, a gesture as though to ward off a blow. Momentarily I pivoted upon my head and turned back down. "I am not going back up"! I stated emphatically and decisively, meaning every syllable. 
"Oh come now. We will close the doors between your rooms, and you won't be able to hear a thing. In the event, however, that you should still happen to hear, you may sleep in room 216 way down around the other hall. That room I present is vacant and you won't be able to hear a sound. Tomorrow she shall be moved." The nun assured me
She then led me back upstairs, closed all the intervening doors and put me & bed. The nurses were able to keep the patient pretty quiet that night. The next morning when the doctors came in on their rounds, I was sitting tensely upright, "How are you this morning?" one of the fellows spoke very pleasantly. "Can't you see?" Dr Rivers quickly responded "She isn't feeling very well!"
Again I raised my voice in protest - this being the logical moment to present the predicament of Second - center medical to our physicians. One of the assistants Dr Wood, went right down the line with and for me. "It is indeed true" - said he "This woman is definitely upsetting our patients. We must see to it that she is moved."
About mid-morning, however, before anything could have been managed the diabolical screaming seared our eardrums. It tore at my frayed, edgy nerves. I halted up out of bed, out of my room like a sot and with tears coursing my cheeks I dashed down the corridors. I overheard one of the supervisors sending out an S.O.S. on the hall phone" Mrs VanEk is out here in the hall crying."

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Instantly and instinctively my flexed arm shot up before my face. My head was bent a clearly in a defensive attitude, a gesture as though to ward off a blow. Momentarily I pivoted upon my head and turned back down. "I am not going back up"! I stated emphatically and decisively, meaning every syllable. "Oh come now. We will close the doors between your rooms, and you won't be able to hear a thing. In the event, however, that you should still happen to hear, you may sleep in room 216 way down around the other hall. That room I present is vacant and you won't be able to hear a sound. Tomorrow she shall be moved." The nun assured me She then led me back upstairs, closed all the intervening doors and put me & bed. The nurses were able to keep the patient pretty quiet that night. The next morning when the doctors came in on their rounds, I was sitting tensely upright, "How are you this morning?" one of the fellows spoke very pleasantly. "Can't you see?" Dr Rivers quickly responded "She isn't feeling very well!" Again I raised my voice in protest - this being the logical moment to present the predicament of Second - center medical to our physicians. One of the assistants Dr Wood, went right down the line with and for me. "It is indeed true" - said he "This woman is definitely upsetting our patients. We must see to it that she is moved." About mid-morning, however, before anything could have been managed the diabolical screaming seared our eardrums. It tore at my frayed, edgy nerves. I halted up out of bed, out of my room like a sot and with tears coursing my cheeks I dashed down the corridors. I overheard one of the supervisors sending out an S.O.S. on the hall phone" Mrs VanEk is out here in the hall crying."