If it's not one thing it's another tra la tra la.

  So much going on! Where to start? Let's work with a bulleted format, shall we?

• My father is rounding out our medical training by developing a brand-new problem. We (my 3 sibs and I) are already somewhat conversant in the language of Parkinson's, aspiration pneumonia, cellulitis, urinary tract infections, head injuries, and hospital psychosis.

• Damn! I almost forgot BEDBUGS.

• This weekend's lesson is Bowel Obstruction!

•  My father was taken to the ER on Thursday because he was nauseous and weak. I drove to the hospital after school, and my sister from Baltimore (Julie) joined me as soon as she could. 

• Any ER is good for people-watching and eavesdropping, but the vignettes are particularly engrossing in a city hospital ER like the one here at George Washington University Hospital. They get a lot of customers straight off the streets.

•  I enjoyed seeing the canine unit on patrol, even in the examining rooms in the back of the ER.  I had to restrain myself from squealing and asking if I could pat the doggie. 

• I adored listening to the man on the other side of the curtain describe his rectal boils and his HIV status. I'm not kidding. I really adored it. Especially when he was saying, " Imma tell you about the bleeding. See, my lady friend and me, we were getting busy. You know, we were getting ready to have a little fun. But then this thing, it just busted out bleeding all over the damn place."

• I found out that I am a very bad driver at 4am, when I have been up for almost 24 hours. I was slapping myself to stay awake. It's a miracle I made it home from the hospital without dying in a fiery car crash. My sister Julie, on the other hand, must be a BEAST, because she had to drive all the way back to Baltimore and she said she was fine.

• Shout out to my work husband, Ellen, who told me not to worry about school, arranged my sub coverage, and pulled together sub plans for Friday. xoxoxox.

• Poor old Dad. He has been subjected to many undignified and painful procedures in the past few days. And yet he remains sweet, polite, and humble. The nurses and the aides adore him, as usual. 

• I am leaving now to go pick him up at the hospital. Talk to y'all later.

Comments

[Pam L]

Ah, the learning curve we all wish we didn't have to learn. So, are your parents going back to their house now or elsewhere? My cop son, Adam, LOVES the canine unit dogs and now wants a shepherd mix for himself instead of the lab variety he had before. They are awesome dogs, but like other service dogs, I'm not sure it's a good idea to pat them, but I could be wrong. God bless your Dad, and Mom, and you.
Pam L

[the bee that buzzes]

Oh Mary, this is just like you to have fun even while all hell is breaking around you. Our local hospital pales compared to that boil and HIV action. I never thought feeding tube would be part of my daily lingo either. You and your sibs and especially your mom and dad are in my thoughts and prayers. We are still on for b-fast soon so no worries there. Belgian waffles, coffee and laughter.. xxxxxxx00000 the devoted bee

[Dawn]

I hope your dad recovers well and doesn't have another round of this. That's not fun for anyone.

Also, your work wife is super-awesome, but you probably already knew that.

[Cathy S.]

Oh, dear.

[Margaret]

Stress=no fun at all. However, your ER experiences do sound "interesting." Your dad is a prince!! I would be grumpy. Hang in there, Mary.

[MsCellania]

Aw, your poor dad. Poor everybody.
Can't wait for the 'Back at home they are, they are. Tra la la" post.
But, as usual, I busted out laughing. I pray that man was hallucinating about having a lady friend..

[FC]

My Dad just thinks he has bowel problems. His short term memory is so short, poor guy. He can't remember his last BM and is often convinced he hasn't had one for days.
Luckily, Mom writes them down in her bowel movement journal, so she can show him that he did actually go.
Ahhh yes. I can so relate to these tralalalala posts.

You are a good daughter.

[Stokesia]

Man. Your dad does have some self-control, I tell you what. I don't think I'd be half as composed.

[Cazza]

Oh Mary, it's not fun. But you are funny! Even when stressed.

My parents are in the throes of chest infections at the moment (it's turned very cold downunder) which sent Dad a bit gaga the other day. Didn't recognise my brother.

Hope all is better now and Dad's home.

[Belle]

The adrenaline kicks in and we take over when needed, right? And then we sorta relax until the next time and then..... I hope your dad recuperates nicely from these last round of indignations.

I listened to the guy in the next bay talk about his drug history and got rather amused at how perfunctory the nurse was as she asked questions. I don't know how their ears don't burn and fall off after all the things they are told. HIPAA be damned....we all sign all those forms and papers but yet we can hear everything from the person next to us and of course probably repeat it at work and everywhere else. Privacy, hahahahaha.

[LMR]

Ah man, my dad just broke his arm when he fell down last week and it's been a major problem because with the broken arm he can't use his walker, but he doesn't want a wheel chair etc. Aging parents = difficult and sometimes heart breaking.

At my work we often have bomb or drug sniffing dogs and it's all I can do not to squee and talk baby talk to them and give them love. All = prohibited. So instead I just look at them and wish I could bring my dog to work :-(

[Keri]

You and your sibs are wonder-kids. And the humor you maintain and impart is so helpful. Sending you love, girl.

[liz]

You are pretty amazing, Miz S, as are your siblings.(And I would like a work husband. Where do I apply?)

[Pam L]

FC, my Dad's short term got really bad, even before we knew how serious it all was. He'd swear he hadn't paid taxes, or other bills, in years and said he hadn't been to the Dr. or taken any medications in years , SO not true. When my sister was cleaning out his things recently (he passed in January) she found money stashed that he'd sworn was stolen, along with his missing wallet which he constantly hid from himself, and the now famous "Toe Nail" file in his filing cabinet.

[Dusty]

Oh, dear. I'm sorry. Hope things are better.

[Anne]

While I was checking out your Passover post, I followed the link back to last year's Passover, when you experienced the meltdown. It's stunning how one can adapt to the new norm of chronic illness and ailments and trips to the ER, etc., over time?

These days, when I get those calls summoning me to the ER, I don't fly up the road, my mind racing, but calmly gather what I'll need--something to drink and snack on and, usually, a book or a magazine--and make the two-hour drive, while listening to something good on the radio. I hardly think about what awaits me until I get there.

It sounds, to me, like you've made a similar transition.