Post by Cossette nó Balm on Jan 8, 2010 20:33:59 GMT -5
I walked down the hall of Balm, excited and ready to learn something new. I had been told that I would have a one on one lesson about body massage. I was excited. I wasn't sure if this was a lesson that everyone was getting or not. Since I was only 12 I figured that it was a special thing. I still had a few years before I would be an adept and I was alread getting one on one training.
I walked into the room and saw a male adept who was a bit older than I. "Hello," I said, giving a small courtesy in respect. "I am ready."
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Jan 8, 2010 21:24:17 GMT -5
I was waiting for the fosterling outside the infirmary, and when she approached I gave her a nod. "Hello," I said. "I'm Selwyn, it's nice to meet you, Ready." I laughed softly at my little jest. "May I have your name, please?"
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Jan 19, 2010 2:06:50 GMT -5
I was a little surprised, though pleasantly so, when Selwyn told me the specifics of the lesson. I thought that it would just be basic massage. This would be much more interesting.
When he asked if I had seen a amputee before a vision of death and screaming flashed before my eyes. I quickly pushed it aside before looking at him, a small shadow behind my eyes, "yes, but it has been a long time."
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Jan 19, 2010 2:25:04 GMT -5
I nodded, noting the look in her eyes. I would have to tread carefully with her. "There are a few outpatients, men, in the infirmary. They are of various ages, and most are former soldiers. We will treat one patient together first." Slowly I pushed open the door and stepped inside, holding the door open to permit Cossette to enter.
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Jan 23, 2010 1:10:58 GMT -5
I nodded in acknowledgment and listened intently as Selwyn told me about the task at hand. I always respected soldiers, they put their life on the line, often for people they didn't know. It was a brave occupation.
I walked through the door that he held open for me, my past quickly pushed aside as I focused entirely on the present.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Jan 23, 2010 20:25:58 GMT -5
Once we were both inside, I walked over to the first bed. "How are you, Corporal?" I asked the young man there. He was wearing a smart set of trousers, but you could tell that one of the legs was not full.
"All right, Selwyn," he said a bit gruffly.
"That's good," I said. "Corporal, this is Cossette, my student. She'll be assisting me today. Cossette, this is Corporal Verte."
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Feb 13, 2010 22:21:00 GMT -5
I nodded, showing I was obeying asI kneeled down and started to roll up his pants leg. I worked quickly, but as I got close to where his remaining leg was I slowed down and worked carefully. I did my best not to cause him ant additional pain.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Feb 16, 2010 23:16:31 GMT -5
Once the corporal's leg was exposed, I oiled my hands before laying them on his leg. "The corporal has persistent stiff muscles here," I pointed to just above the end of the stump, "and here." Same place, on the underside of his leg. "I'm going to use my knuckles to gently knead the stiff area." Making a fist, I kneaded the area, as though I were very gently making bread. I could head the corporal give a soft groan. I looked at him, and he nodded his consent to continue.
"Now you try," I told Cossette.
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Feb 22, 2010 0:45:02 GMT -5
I watched Selwyn carefully. I made a fist like he did and rolled my knuckles into the man's muscle. I did not want to push to hard and hurt him so I tried to use care while not being so soft that he would not feel it. As I did so I looked toward both the Corporal and Selwyn for approval.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Feb 24, 2010 0:15:21 GMT -5
The corporal groaned again. "Gods, that's good," he said, and I said, "You're doing very well, Cossette. Use your other hand to support his leg by holding it" - I took her hand and slid it under the Corporal's leg, underneath where she was massaging - "here."
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Mar 2, 2010 21:59:30 GMT -5
I was encouraged by the Corporal's comment and continued to massage him in teh way he liked. Selwyn's advice was helpful and I found that it was easier to massage him while I held his leg. "Thank you," I told Selwyn as I continued. I wasn't really sure how long I was suppose to massage him, so I continued until someone told me otherwise. I found that the art was actually made me feel a little more at calm and in peace with myself.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Mar 4, 2010 18:54:35 GMT -5
It was time to move on to the Corporal's next physical therapy segment, so I told Cossette, "Cossette, in the next bed is Major Bleu. He has a similar injury, only it is in his arm instead of his leg. I want you to apply what you have just learned to him."
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Mar 7, 2010 19:22:27 GMT -5
I nodded and stood up. I gave the Corporal a warm smile before mofing over to the next bed. Before tending to his massage I greeted him and gave him my name. I felt obliged to let him know that I was just there in training, but like the previous I told him that I would do my best.
With that I sat next to him, on the edge of his bed, and started to massage his arm.
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Mar 15, 2010 23:43:06 GMT -5
I looked up at Selwyn when he spoke and smiled in thanks. I then looked toward the Corporal and he smiled in agreement. His eyes had a little something that Selwyn's did not and I blushed. He then looked away, not meaning for me to see.
I continued to massage his arm, but this time I hazard a guess as to when the blood would be flowing well to his injury and paused. I looked toward Selwyn to see if I had correctly judged as to when the massage would be complete.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Mar 16, 2010 16:43:16 GMT -5
She paused instinctively and I stopped what I was doing to instruct her. "Very good," I told her. "You have judged well when to stop." I moved to her side. "We have one more patient to see," I told her. "It may be difficult," I added lowly, "so please brace yourself."
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Mar 23, 2010 20:41:52 GMT -5
I led her to the back of the room and drew us around a curtain. In a bed there was a boy, sweaty and feverish, and asleep. "This is Neville," I whispered. "Not long ago, he was in an accident. A piece of wood from the wreckage impaled his leg. We removed the wood, but his wound is infected. We have kept him asleep because the pain is too great. We are hoping to coax his abcess to burst, and take with it the poisons of infection." I looked her in the eyes. "If you want to leave now, you may do so at no penalty."
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Mar 28, 2010 18:04:47 GMT -5
I looked at the sickly boy as Selwyn spoke. I knew how dangerous infection could be. It was a blessed thing that he was asleep. I shook my head no, "I will stay. I did not join Balm with a plan of avoiding the unpleasant." I spoke with a young determination, I only hoped that I really would stay as strong as I sounded.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Mar 28, 2010 22:33:45 GMT -5
I nodded, before drawing back the blanket. The boy's leg was pale, with angry read streaks jutting out from a huge would in his thigh, which was thankfully wrapped up. "Please fetch a basin of warm water, some witch hazel, and clean rags and dressing," I told Cossette.
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Mar 30, 2010 23:30:34 GMT -5
The boys leg was quite a sight, and not a pleasant one. I held back the instinct to cringe away from the sight and held my professional composure. I was more than happy, however, to follow Selwyn's instruction. The infection had a slight odor and I would need some time to get use to that aspect of it. An odor that didn't seem natural coming from a living human being.
I returned with the basin, antiseptic, and other supplies. I handed them to Selwyn and braced myself for what was probably a vicious looking injury.
Post by Cossette nó Balm on Apr 9, 2010 10:53:52 GMT -5
I went with Selywn to carefully wash my hands. I made sure I scrubed well, using enough friction to turn my skin pink, and then when we were done returned to the boy. I had used the time to ready myslef for the task at hand and ready I truly was now. The boy was young and fragile and I would do all I could to be sure his leg did not take his life.
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Apr 9, 2010 20:14:40 GMT -5
I washed my hands beside Cossette, before walking back over to the sleeping boy. Reaching into my personal pouch of surgical tools, I withdrew a long needle. "I am going to use this to begin draining the infection," I said. "You will, when I tell you, take a rag dipped in warm water and cover the punctured abscess. Then, using your massage skills, press gently to push out all the poison. Do you understand?"
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”
Post by Selwyn nó Balm on Apr 18, 2010 21:31:04 GMT -5
"All right," I said. Turning the needle down, I pressed the sharp tip into the infection. The boy writhed slightly in his sleep. Pulling it out, I noticed white pus oozing out. ""Do it now," I said. "Press towards the puncture."
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.”