I had been on the unit for about 5 days – I had cellulitis in my feet and lower leg but that is not why I checked into the Lovell VA initially. I had come in to get help in detoxing off of Methamphetamine and some other drugs I and been self-medicating with due to my medical condition (feet and legs infection). I was kept off the Psych. Ward where detoxing generally takes place.

Arlyn was so adaptive to my situation and my needs. One night while going through some withdrawal cravings, I approached Arlyn and asked if I could sit outside my room with my guitar and clean it (aka play it). She set me up in an old day room where I could be loud and not bother any other patients as it was 2 am. That gesture got me through that night – a night where I was seriously considering giving up and walking out. Arlyn read between the lines and saw my need for the therapeutic playing of my guitar without having to worry about bothering others. Bonus! There was a massage/heated chair in the dayroom that put a cherry on the top of the experience.

It was more important to me than I think she knows – to be treated with creativity and kindness and be given the attention I needed in that moment without having to say it was and is special.