St Boniface School of Nursing - Estole Fideles Yearbook (St Boniface, Manitoba Canada)

Page 22 text:

Sa4Uito Ui44n 2 Ci By Irene E. McEwen A LTHOUGH many people are familiar with life in the Sanatorium, still the majority of the public have little conception of it. Such being the case I should like to convey to you in some measure what I think are the compensations the Tu¬ berculous patients have dur¬ ing their stay in the Sana¬ torium. “Why, I would go ‘loony’ if I had to spend months or years in bed, idle, and away from outside doings.” A remark like the above is often made by outsiders. Perhaps you think you would go “loony”—but you wouldn’t. It is surprising how quickly the days pass, if lived one at a time. Our days are full— we are not idle. There is much to be gained while “chasing cure”. A patient’s mental and physical activi¬ ties will vary, according to the individual case. The physical activities of the Sana¬ torium patient are usually quite limited. This provides an opportunity for intellec¬ tual pursuits, which in turn probably accounts for the saying that “T. B. patients become more mentally alert.” The radio supplies entertainment and contact with the outside world in news, drama, sport, music and fun. Consider the patient who, before entering the Sanatorium, is keenly interested in hockey. This interest does not have to be placed aside. On the contrary he has an equal opportunity, if not a better one than he previously had to follow games, to know who’s who and what’s what in the hockey world. This is only a small example of what the patient gains in his “spare time”. The same may hold true in other interests, such as music or news. The knowledge and pleasure derived from the radio cannot be over-emphasized. The patient who was formerly too busy to read has every chance now. The library of the Saskatoon Sanatorium, where I am at the present time a patient, alfords an excellent selec¬ tion with its contents of over two thousand volumes. Each year many of the latest books are added, which en¬ ables one to keep abreast with the current literature. Various magazines and the daily paper may be sub¬ scribed to, in addition to those provided annually by different clubs. This cultiva¬ tion of the habit of reading while in the Sanatorium will prove of value after returning to normal life. A great deal more could be said of the patient’s activities and interests. To men¬ tion only a few—there are various kinds of hand work and hobbies, such as knit¬ ting or embroidery, the keeping of diaries, budgets, and scrap-books, and of course, the writing of letters. Nor should I omit the never-failing .source of interest pro¬ vided by the other patients. The com¬ panionship of balcony life—learning to get along with your neighbours, and gaining their friendship—gives much happiness. The patients are happy. They are very much alive to what goes on around them and often their sense of humor becomes much keener, which aids greatly in making the days seem brighter. Our balconies don’t ring with laughter in a false tone— it’s pure delight in the joy and zest of living—the result of happy companionship and shared interests. Oh, of course there are “blue days” too, but it is surprising how few and far between they are. When a patient enters a Sanatorium, he temporarily feels as if the world has come to an end, but as I hope I have shown in the preceding paragraphs, he soon finds that his world rapidly re¬ expands and becomes full once more of friends, interests and pursuits, some of which may even be of greater value than those followed in his ordinary life. So—don’t pity us “cure-chasers” too much. 22

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of ' 42 JEANNE TREMBLAY COURVAL, SaSK. A jolly little nurse is Jeanne, But, oh so fond of sleep¬ ing; She spends spare moments taking naps Or for the lectures keep¬ ing. ELVA TAYLOR Minnedosa, Man. Oh! Elva is our editor fair. She writes year books with great care; Our class president, too, is she, A friend to us all, this busy bee! MOLLY SNYDER Manitou, Man. Loves playing the piano. Delights to sing. Really a clever girl Does most anything. THURA ROLLEFSON Medicine Hat, Alta. Lively chatter, Antics gay; Coupled with worry Fulfils her day. 4 ' ' MARIE ROGAL Druid, Sask. One minute she’s happy. One minute she’s blue; She won’t nurse for long If what we hear’s true. SISTER A. LATREILLE St. Boniface Hospital Our class is not complete without Sister Latreille — clever, cheerful and concise. Our best wishes for her health, happiness and suc¬ cess in the future.

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THE END OF A NURSE ' S DAY Seven o’clock! And the nurse’s work Was done for another day! She heaved a sort of tired sigh And put the charts away. Then sat for a moment and bowed her head Over the little white desk— “I wonder,” said she to herself, after all. Am I really doing my best?” “Perhaps I could have begun the day With a brighter, cheerier smile. And answered the bells with—‘Right away’ Instead of ‘After a while’.” “And I might have listened with sweeter grace. To the story of Six’s woes; She may be suffering more, perhaps. More than anyone knows.” “And I might have refrained from the half-way frown. Although I was busy then. When the frail little girl with sad blue eyes. Kept ringing again and again.” “And I might have spoken a kindlier word To the heart of that restless boy. And stopped a moment to help him find The missing part of his toy.” SEE IT When you’re up against a trouble. Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders. Plant your feet and take a brace. When it’s vain to try to dodge it. Do the best that you can do; You may fail, but you may conquer. See it through! “Or perhaps the patient in Eighteen A, Just needed a gentler touch; There are lots of things I might have done And it wouldn’t have taken much.” She sighed again and brushed a tear. Then whispered,—praying low, “My God, how can You accept this day. When it has been lacking so?” And God looked down—He heard the sigh. He saw that shining tear; Then sent His Angel Messenger, To whisper in her ear . . . “You could have done better today. But, oh! the Omnipotent One, Seeing your faults, does not forget The beautiful things you have done.” “He knows, little nurse, that you love your work In this house of pain and sorrow. So gladly forgives the lack of today. For you will do better tomorrow.” The nurse looked up with a grateful smile, “Tomorrow I’ll make it right;” Then added a note in the order book, “Be good to them tonight.” Black may be the clouds about you And your future may seem grim. But don’t let your nerve desert you; Keep yourself in fighting trim. If the worse is bound to happen. Spite of all that you can do. Running from it will not save you. See it through! THROUGH Even hope may seem but futile. When with troubles you’re beset. But remember you are facing Just what other men have met. You may fail, but fall still fighting; Don’t give up, whate’er you do; Eyes front, head high to the finish. See it through! —Edgar A. Guest. 23