Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Medical Issues (Part 2 by Lifer Renee)

Renee Only a teenager, she received a 60-year sentence. Now 15 years in, Renee is writing from Perryville prison in Goodyear, Arizona, providing a rare and unique insight into a women's prison.

A few days after submitting the Health Needs Request form (HNR), I was scheduled to see the nurse. I explained to her how I’ve been feeling – earaches, headaches, dizziness, sore throat, diarrhoea, weight loss, constant hunger…

“Does anyone in your family have thyroid problems or diabetes?” she asked.
“I don’t know.”
She stared dumbfounded.
How could I explain I never knew my parents, and haven’t been in contact with any “family” members since I was 15?
She looked at me as if she wanted me to elaborate. After a moment of awkward silence, she said, “Well, I’ll have to schedule you for the provider, so he can order the lab work, but it will take about three weeks for him to see you as he is so backed up.”

I left the nurses office still confused, a panic setting in as to whether I’ll ever get treated.


Shaun Attwood

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