IN THE WAY OF TRANSLATING TASTE OF PATIENCE

(1) The Accident

My mother’s prayers were so gentle and full of warmth and sincerity that signify motherhood with all its scope, meaning and glory. My wife’s way of saying goodbye was…… delivered by a smile that shook me from within and tempted me to stay back.

I drove my car in a dark night in which the moon did not appear. On July 14,1981 , I left the city of Sur behind heading to Seeb Airport to depart through one of the Petroleum Development Oman’s flight to the oilfields in Murmul on the outskirts of the desert of Alrub alkhali- The Empty Quarter.

It was the last week for me in for me in that remote place in Oman before my annual leave hence the travel for the long awaited honeymoon and to join work in the company’s headquarter in Muscat.

Somewhere on the road between Sur and Muscat early in the morning when the threads of lights disseminated gradually to allow a dawn of a new day to come. My life took a different direction when two huge camels intercepted my way within twenty meters from my car.

Driving hundred kilometers per hour and within a fraction of a second I was supposed to take the right decision to overcome the tragedy. The choices I had were either to pass it from the right side and bear the risk of the car rolling over out side the main road. The second alternative was to pass it from the left side and collide with the car which was coming from the opposite direction and whose light penetrating my eyes. The third alternative, which I chose was to slam my car, brakes and pray to God the car will slow before reaching these nervous creatures. Unfortunately the car continued to skid towards the camels and hit one of them forcefully and flew in the air to land on the car roof hence fall with its heavy weight on my head.

When I woke up from the effect of the shock I thought that my head is separated from the body. I tried to untie the seat belt but I could not move my hand. I was still conscious. At that moment I thought of my wife, I was imagining her meanwhile, I was following a sentimental songs in the tape recorder, which read, like this (me, my darling and both of hearts and the morning is our fifth partner”. I shouted from the bottom of my heart Oh God your mercy and prayed to God to shelter me with his blessings and make this shock easy on me.

One of the two men who were riding the car in the opposite direction told me while he was untying my seat belt, Do not worry. You will be all right. We will take you to Ibra Hospital , which is near to heard. In the hospital nurses came for the rescue. Both the patients and their attendants gathered and the curious ones followed. They made a circled wall with its roof open.

I was both conscious and unconscious and started to loose my ability to concentrate and see. I felt sedated allover as if my body was set to undergo a surgical operation. I do not know how much time passed before I regained my balance and be able to concentrate as a result of undivided insistence from one individual who was asking me about my telephone number in Sur. I tried to answer but my tongue betrayed me.

A nurse asked me whether I feel his hand pressing my foot, I answered negatively. He said that he can not move me here until the doctor come and someone rushed to call him. The doctor on duty arrived and started to examine my body then he asked for………….

To make my neck stable. He told me with what ever Arabic he knew do not worry you would be all right. You are in need of more specialized treatment and will transfer you to Khoula Hospital in Muscat where there is more facilities to provide the necessary care for you. Then he instructed one of his subordinates to call the ambulance driver immediately.

In Khoula Hospital the doctor took a primary diagnosis on my condition then requested to transfer me to………… Section. Based on the X ray results he decided to put ……… Around my neck and chest then I was shifted to the orthopedic ward.

By mid day the ward was crowded with my relatives, friend and known people. Some of them can extend their help, donate blood and do the needful.

Although I was conscious all day and I was responding to people’s greetings and their happiness for my safety. However most of the days events passed like unclear picture I could not recall its details.

Back in Sur, rumors spread that my accident was a minor one and I was supposed to return in the same night. Therefore my wife was pre-occupied as she mentioned to me latter with preparing the house and making it ready for the reception of the guest who will come to visit me and congratulate me for coming out safe.

In the hospital, one of my relatives sensed how dangerous my situation when he saw my inability to my hands and feet although there were no wounds or fractures on them. He inquired about my case in details and was anxious to know about its ramifications on my health. He knew from the doctors that it was premature to draw any conclusion before three days. Because in such cases things might not be as bad as it may seem. The case might not exceed being a trauma on the nerves led to temporary malfunction in the main functions of the body.

My situation seemed simple and not a dangerous one at all because there was no blood, wounds or operations.

The following day, I opened my eyes and saw my mother and wife by my bedside. Sorrow and sadness dominated my mother’s face and she was continuously shedding tears. On the other hand, my wife Fatimah was starring at me with a smile trying to hide her anxiety, worries, and sadness while she saw half of my body …… and………….

  I tried to be strong and in control but her disturbed looks beat my attempt and weaken my determination and made me loose control. Both of us exchanged tears.. What I wanted most at that moment was to fly away with her from that painful reality to our special world, a different world full of happiness and joy.

Many relatives and friends came and go. I can not narrate the details of the following day to the accident however, from my health point view no improvement was achieved. My body was bricked with IV injections and my limbs were paralyzed and lost the sensation all over my bodyexcept my head and face. My ability to move was limited to my eyes and mouth only. I was not able to even scratch my nose.

(2) The Taste of Patience

On Saturday my colleagues and superiors at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) came to know about the accident. The first visitor who came to see me was Dr. Harvey, The Director of Medical Services in the company who spared no time to shift me to a private room.

Before I carry on narrating…………  I want to put a word of appreciation for this doctor, the humanbeing and this committed organization which puts the human capital as its priority and attends their needs with undivided attention. If it was not for Dr.Harvey and his personal characteristics and the positive response of the company to provide the needed care during the course of my treatment and afterwards, I would not have been able to pass this disaster and walk a long way in the process of tolerating……….

Dr.Harvey stood by me all a long during the treatment in the hospital. He extended every possible help to provide me with the necessary attention and care during my stay in the hospital. He continued his efforts and help shifting me to UK at the expense of the company for further treatment and rehabilitation process. His help went further when he played a vital role to provide me an opportunity to continue my occupational career as well.

Many people whom I literally do not know extend unimaginable love and affection. They have showered me and my family with their care, love, and helped reduce the effect of the accident on my family. They extended their utmost help to ensure a pleasant stay for them in Muscat .

The Doctors visited me frequently in the early days. Some of them conducted different tests but no one mentioned the possibility of my improvements. It was early to determine the final conclusion which comes as a result of such cases. The doctors did not know except that this injury might have the nervous system, which in turn affected my ability to move and feel, starting from the chest down ward to both limbs.

In addition to a malfunction of …. The vital functions of the body below the injury area. However the level of …… and recovery depends on the ability to sense (feel) which is suppose to restart with in the coming few weeks but now they are talking about a possibility of a surgery next week.

I was hopeful that some of them might surprise me with a positive news that my injury    Is not as bad as it seemed. In the morning in which the surgery was supposed to take place, three youngsters

Entered my room. I did not know except one of them slightly. They spoke to me for a while then they took my father aside a matter, which arose my curiosity. Afterwards they left the room. I asked my father about the matter and I came to know that they have heard about the surgery so they came to donate blood. They told him that they would be in the attached waiting room until the doctor comes in order to be available whenever requested.

Perhaps such gesture may not be strange if it comes from a known person. However when a total stranger approach my room and offer themselves to be under the direction of my doctor in order to donate my blood this is by all means an exceptional generosity.

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