One evening when another
nurse named Bill and I were working in the emergency department together three
nuns were delivered to us from a nearby automobile accident. The ambulance crew
hurried them one after another onto beds to have their injuries evaluated. These
nuns were of the old order. They were dressed in the black full-length robes
including the coif, wimple, and veil. In addition they were wearing chains,
ropes, and plenty of undergarments concealed beneath.
Let me say this.
Anyone who would make the decision to rape a nun either had no idea of what he is
getting into or else has all the time in the world to achieve that goal. I
could not believe the amount of clothing these women donned each and every day
of their lives; that is until I actually started to undress them so I could examine
them and get them into hospital issued gowns. It was a full fifteen minute
endeavor before I saw any kind of bare flesh at all.
It was just like peeling
an onion, layer after layer. Underneath the ankle-length robes were all manner
of cloth folds. Every sort of binders, tee shirts, ropes, and safety pins must
have added fifteen pounds of extra weight. It was a crazy patchwork quilt.
After much diligence they were freed from their habits and tucked into one of
our hospital gowns for examination by our doctor.
One of the
registration clerks found out what we had done and was offended that men were
undressing the nuns. There weren’t enough women to evaluate the nuns quickly and
it was necessary for Bill and me to do a cursory examination of the nuns.
I told her, “I’m a
professional” and I could “undress and examine a woman without seeing anymore
than if she was wearing a bathing suit.” When it was necessary for me to help a
woman undress, I would loosen and push down to the blouse to the top of her
chest, then place the hospital gown over her. I’d finish removing the blouse,
brazier, etc. while she was covered with the gown. I’d pull the gown over her
then place a folded blanket or sheet across her middle to examine the rest of
her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Pulling the gown further down, I’d remove the slacks
or skirt to examine the legs from the feet to the top of the thighs.
Once my evaluation
was complete, I’d turn the examination over to the physician. The woman was
covered at all times while preserving her dignity. I was just thankful that the
nun’s injuries were only minor and that I didn’t have to figure out how to put all
that clothing back into place.
No comments:
Post a Comment