No matter how many times it happens, I can never get used to it.  I mean, how can a spouse purposely injure their significant other with absolutely no remorse inside of him once he has committed the crime?

A woman was brought in by ambulance to our ER yesterday.  We knew once we saw her she was in sad shape.  Blood and bruises covered her face, shoulders, and upper torso; the woman was barely conscious and was rapidly going into shock.  The story was her husband had beaten her nearly senseless after she didn't make his dinner on time. 

This wasn't the first time this woman had been brought to our ER for one thing or another (mainly broken bones, contusions, or whatnot).  It was sadly apparent that her spouse had some sort of major jealousy factor or anger problem.

The mere thought of it all thoroughly disgusted me. 

Well, yesterday, this same woman came to our ER.  She was barely moving; when she did move, she cried out in pain.  Both eyes were black and blue, blood encrusted her face, nose, and lips, and she looked like she had been worked over with a baseball bat or some other object.  It was heartrending.

I am amazed that this woman can live with someone who has such a volatile temper.  I mean, if she doesn't take certain precautions, she can very easily end up brain damaged -- or worse, dead.  What does she see in someone who gets his kicks in bringing misery and pain to a woman he claims he loves?  I don't call that love; I call it imprisonment or sheer stupidity on both their parts.

The woman has since been admitted to our hospital, where she is currently in the Progressive Care Unit.  Policemen and policewomen have been stationed outside her hospital room, to ensure that her spouse doesn't get anywhere near her; if he even tries, he will be arrested on the spot and thrown in jail.  She is holding her own, but she will probably be in serious pain until her wounds, bumps, and bruises heal.  And that is not even considering the emotional wounds that have been meted out to her spirit; that will probably take much longer to heal.

I sometimes get mad at my own wife, but I would never even consider harming her or rendering her nearly unconscious.  To do that is highly unfathomable to me.  I love my wife Adeep with all my heart and soul; I would do anything for her to ensure that she is happy.  She and I have been married for over 20 years; never once did I ever consider striking her in anger, even when tempers threatened to explode.

It is unknown at the current time what will happen to the woman in the future, but I do know this:  her husband had best stay away from her, or else there will be heavy consequences for the crime he's committed more than once against her.

I will write in here again with another update on this sad case.  I only hope that she will get the help she so desperately needs so this doesn't happen again because the next time it does, it could very well mean an early trip to the grave.

~Written by Dr. Venkatesh Arjuwahl, M.D., Nashville, Tennessee.