Helpless

A tube inserted in the anus made even sitting painful.

A probiotic drink was given as a meal.

“Have you had a bowel movement?”

The question felt strange.

With a tube in place, how would that even be possible.

Yet somehow, it was.

The sensation was unclear.

I soiled the diaper more than once.

It felt as if I had become an infant again.

On my own, I could do nothing.

There was a sense of helplessness.

Even so, gratitude for the help I received was greater.