Robin Basile
July 2023
Robin
Basile
,
RN
ICU
Haywood Regional Medical Center
Clyde,
,
NC
United States
I think of Robin on a daily basis and that conversation has made a huge impact in my life.
I spent 9 days in the ICU. 7 of those days I was restrained due to severe hallucinations due to severe alcohol withdrawal at the age of 35; there were only a handful of other patients, and nurses in that particular unit had witnessed worse and were much older than myself. I was self-destructing and no longer wanted to live; the sheriffs got involved and kindly escorted me via ambulance to the psychiatric unit.
After three days, the delirium tremens kicked in. When I finally started to come around I noticed Robin, who had a tye-dye grateful dead skull cap. Being one of “Jerry’s kids” myself I immediately took an liking. All of this is a blur. I remember so much yet so little of what actually happened. I met my demon, he sat there with me the whole time. He told me he had finally fully caught me, and I was leaving with him. I fought and fought and fought in whatever world I was in while being physically restrained to a hospital bed in the Haywood Regional Medical Center ICU.
My time at the ICU was up and Robin was the one to walk me out after a few brief conversations about music while upstairs we had one last conversation by the door on my way out. It was about CHOICE. The choice I was to make walking out of the hospital that day was gonna change my life. I had the choice to immediately drive to the store and buy alcohol and I had a choice to continue on with me at the point of 11 days of no alcohol and start a new life without. I wake up every morning choosing not to drink. I go about my day choosing to have a good attitude. I choose not to beat myself up for the past and trauma that wasn’t even my fault. I chose to be a good son, grandson, father, partner, nephew, employee, and friend. I’ve made a choice to seek professional psychiatric help. I make a choice to brush my teeth every morning. The one thing I don’t have a choice about is my smile because it’s constant and genuine for once in my life.
I think of Robin on a daily basis and that conversation has made a huge impact in my life. Soon, I will make one year and six months of no alcohol and I’ll be moving back on that same day to be close with my daughter who deserves her sober, happy father closer and more consistent! I want to thank all the Nurses and Doctors at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Robin on the other hand will forever hold a spot in my heart! Thank you, Robin!
After three days, the delirium tremens kicked in. When I finally started to come around I noticed Robin, who had a tye-dye grateful dead skull cap. Being one of “Jerry’s kids” myself I immediately took an liking. All of this is a blur. I remember so much yet so little of what actually happened. I met my demon, he sat there with me the whole time. He told me he had finally fully caught me, and I was leaving with him. I fought and fought and fought in whatever world I was in while being physically restrained to a hospital bed in the Haywood Regional Medical Center ICU.
My time at the ICU was up and Robin was the one to walk me out after a few brief conversations about music while upstairs we had one last conversation by the door on my way out. It was about CHOICE. The choice I was to make walking out of the hospital that day was gonna change my life. I had the choice to immediately drive to the store and buy alcohol and I had a choice to continue on with me at the point of 11 days of no alcohol and start a new life without. I wake up every morning choosing not to drink. I go about my day choosing to have a good attitude. I choose not to beat myself up for the past and trauma that wasn’t even my fault. I chose to be a good son, grandson, father, partner, nephew, employee, and friend. I’ve made a choice to seek professional psychiatric help. I make a choice to brush my teeth every morning. The one thing I don’t have a choice about is my smile because it’s constant and genuine for once in my life.
I think of Robin on a daily basis and that conversation has made a huge impact in my life. Soon, I will make one year and six months of no alcohol and I’ll be moving back on that same day to be close with my daughter who deserves her sober, happy father closer and more consistent! I want to thank all the Nurses and Doctors at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Robin on the other hand will forever hold a spot in my heart! Thank you, Robin!