When I arrived at The Montgomery Assisted Living and Convalescence Center, I had no idea what to expect. I had just spent a dreadful week in the hospital following lumbar surgery and was starting a several-week in-patient stay that would involve post-op monitoring, as well as physical therapy to help regain strength and mobility. I chose this place based on its location. It was close to home and made it easier for my wife to visit.
It didn't take long before I realized that most of the folks residing there were senior citizens. Apparently, it's common practice to put young rehabilitation patients in nursing home facilities. "OK with me", I thought. "At fifty-six, I'm rarely the youngster in the room. It'll be good for my ego".
When my orientation and tour ended, my caseworker Julie wheeled me to my room. It was a typical hospital setup, with two adjustable beds separated by a privacy curtain. A telephone on a nightstand, and a television on the wall with the remote control/call button tied to the bed. A shared bathroom with a large shower stall completed the accommodations.
"Nick. This is Al. Your new roommate", Julie loudly addressed an elderly gentleman in the far bed. While he was fully dressed, and laying on top of the covers, he was fast asleep and offered no response.
"Nick", she whispered, "is not only hard of hearing, but sleeps all day. I'm afraid he won't be much of a conversation partner".
"Not a problem", I told her. "I keep to myself. I'm sure I'll be fine".
Just as Julie was explaining the dining schedule, a young man in doctor's scrubs approached. He smiled at me briefly, then turned to my tour guide.
"Miss Julie", he said, in a thick Latin accent. "The wifi networks is no workeen again". His English was a little broken, but the effort was sincere. And his voice had a soft, sing-song quality.
"I'll call it in to Daniel after I finish with Mr. Tomkins". Then she introduced me to the young Latino. Carlos, the nurse assigned to me, would be in charge of getting me started each day, Julie explained. The rehabilitation process involved a lot of moving parts, and he was one of them.
Carlos was an interesting character. It didn't take long for me to figure out that he was as gay as the day is long. Queer as a three-dollar bill, and proud of it, he carried himself like a lady. From his frosted hair and perfume to his extra tight uniform that revealed the thong and tight bubble butt beneath, Carlos was comfortable in his skin.
My surgery was relatively minor and, while it was a bit painful, I could walk with the assistance of a walker, However, as a rehab patient, I was strictly limited in my activity. I would spend the next few weeks in a wheelchair, getting out of it only to go to bed, the bathroom, or physical therapy sessions. At night, alarms on the beds were activated to alert the staff that someone had gotten out of bed without authorization. Rehab patients and old people are fall risks, and thus an insurance liability. The staff would be my support group.
Mornings started around 6 a.m. when both the late and early shifts overlapped. The halls were filled with the sounds of medication carts and squeaky rubber soles. Breakfast usually arrived at the room at approximately 9 a.m. The time before the arrival of your meal was spent washing up. Since the nurses were in charge of bathing the patients, and each nurse tended to two patients, bathing all the patients every day was impractical. Therefore they staggered the schedule, alternating from day to day between showering and sponge bathing. On days that Nick showered, I was sponged bathed, and vice-versa.
I had never been sponge-bathed before, let alone by a guy. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive on my first morning when it was my turn to be naked while a gay man lathered and rinsed my body. I felt extremely bashful in my nudity and slightly vulnerable in his hands. But, the episode passed without any awkwardness or fanfare. It was very professional in every aspect. Smalltalk to keep distracted (he's from Mexico, been here fifteen years), and a gentle hand made it much less stressful than I anticipated.