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AMAZING DR. RUDO

 

The hallway lights are dim. The rooms on each side are dimmer, almost blacked out. In #507 behind a door opened only a tiny crack is a soundless t.v. that plays until morning. It is against the hospital rules but is taken by staff with a spoonful of honey. Tommy's mom and dad sit next to their son's bed. His dad holds his small hand and gently squeezes it every few minutes. No sounds come from the child's lips, no tears from his eyes. The door seems to know it must not creak when the night nurse enters carrying a tray with a pot of coffee, two Sweet 'n Lows and a piece of sponge cake for the exhausted parents. Tommy takes no notice of the offering, keeps his half opened eyes on the t.v. where only paid for ads fill the screen. At 11 p.m. his parents hug him as best they can, kiss his fingers and go home.

 

Dawn comes on silent wings. The hospital kitchen staff is busy. There are always 'special' trays to make, explicit orders to follow. Large 
laden down carts rumble to the elevators. Fresh women in white uniforms, go over the trays and, where needed, add the proper medication. #507 gets a small dish of oatmeal with cinnamon on top and a separate dish of Jello, plus two green pills to swallow with water. Tommy says nothing, he is used to what he gets but surely thinks of ice cream, candy, chocolate milk.  He motions to the nurse to make the t.v. a little louder. Nurse Fleming leaves the door open a little so Tommy can see people passing by. The only people he wants to see are his parents.He lies still, as comfortably as he can, and waits for his mother.

 

It is not his mother who opens the door all the way. First, one big foot in a brown and white shoe enters, followed by another big shoe that has rainbow colors all over it. Above those shoes are wide, orange shiny pants, a long sleeved sunny yellow blouse topped with a big ruffled collar. A horn goes beep beep and the clown comes in, takes a seat on the side of Tommy's bed. Neither speaks. The clown waits long enough and starts pulling balloons out of his many pockets, all colors, long and round. He is so fast Tommy doesn't get a chance to see him blow into the balloons. Fast, faster, still faster, he makes a cow, a moneky, an umbrella, a tree and when he has just about no air left in his lungs to blow any more, he covers Tommy with them, gives him a long pointed nail and warns him to stick the balloons not him. 'Go, Tommy, go!' he shouts and jumps around with his floppy shoes making as much noise as the popping balloons. They are both zonked. Both are smiling. The clown introduces himself to Tommy. 'I'm Dr. Rudo, young Man, and I am your new doctor.'

 

Tommy starts to sink under his thin blanket but Dr. Rudo stops him. 'Tommy,' he says. 'I am not going to hurt you. I promise, really promise to always tell you the truth and I start with this. I am going to have to put a needle in your thigh. It'll look scary when you see it, but it will absolutely not hurt you and may get you better faster. Will you turn over on your right side and let me do it?' With great reluctance, Tommy turns over the wrong way. As he corrects himself, Dr. Rudo sees fright in his face and a runny nose. Quickly he puts on rubber gloves, shows his patient how the serum squirts out of the needle, cleanses the small area where the shot will go, taps it several times before any real tears can come down those pale cheeks. 'Done, the big deal is over. Your breakfast is on the way, Kid. Now and I have to go blow up some balloons for little Susan who is in room #511. She needs me too. I'll see you tomorrow.'

 

Tommy's mom arrives before his lunch tray is removed. Each plate is empty except for the spinach and the ice cream. The spinach will still be there when the candy striper comes in for the tray but not the ice cream. That he ate first. A light tap on the door and in comes a leg and then another. They are a stranger's legs. 'Momma, tell the policeman to go away. She shakes her head 'no' and says, 'Come in Dr. Rudo.' Dr. Rudo is wearing an officer's suit. The badge is bright red and almost as big as a watermelon. Tommy is happy to see him. 'Should I turn over now?' he asks. 'What's the hurry, Boy? I came to see how much better you feel, so tell me.' 'I had ice cream with my lunch and I ate it before the noodle soup. I feel better, Dr. Maybe if I get ice cream again for dessert later with chocolate sauce, I'll be even better tomorrow.' Dr. Rudo writes on a prescription pad an order for him to give to the next nurse who comes in. Sure enough, he gets the chocolate syrup on top of vanilla ice cream in the afternoon and again at dinner. He just loves Dr. Rudo. 'I'm ready, Dr. Rudo. He turns himself over and waits for the painless shot. ' Mom. Watch!' 'Tommy, you don't need another one. Mom and I are going into the hall to talk about you and will tell you what she wants to do. Okay?'

 

'Mrs. Bondie, you didn't tell me about Tommy bruising his leg some time ago. Why not? That was crucial information you should have given me. I may be a clown, a policeman, but can't be a seer. I believe Tommy has a hematoma in his thigh and needs surgery. It is a minor operation done as an out patient. I have already discussed this with Dr. Fontain who had recommended you make an appointment with me. The shot he got yesterday alleviates pain but is no cure. Talk it over with your husband and let me know this evening. If you both agree, your son will be good as new in three or four days at home. I can have him released from here first thing in the morning.'

 

Night comes. Night goes. Tommy's parents are waiting for their car when Dr. Rudo happens to come in for rounds. He is wearing a lady's evening gown and has on a blond wig. 'So long, Tommy, I have other patients to see but will see you soon.' With that he shows Tommy his high heels and goes into the hospital.