Thursday morning’s drama left me sleep deprived. Mr Hombre’s brother suggested that I catch a cat nap in the hospital when Mrs. One Eye was resting semi-peacefully (a.k.a snoring louder than a chain saw). I considered the possibility then quickly concluded I didn’t want to wake up sporting a foley with a catch bag clipped to my waistband. Hey, it happened to her…. Little did I know, Brother jinxed all my future attempts at cat napping. Did you know there is a direct correlation between my eyes closing and the phone ringing? Yes, every time.
Telephones scare me. They are couriers of bad news, drama, wrong numbers, and distant family who’s salutation ability is confined to, “who’s this”. Well crap, you called me. Show a little decorum, identify yourself first, then feel free to ask who I am. Looks like my irritability isn’t camouflaged very well.
The surgery was Friday, and went as expected. Mister Hombre’s youngest brother’s family arrived late afternoon and spent the weekend with us. The house has been bustling with activity for the past three days. It has been a pleasure hosting such pleasant house guests, but my head is full and I’m looking forward to a little down time.
I tried to catch a nap on two separate occasions, Friday. Both attempts were foiled by the beloved Mister Hombre calling with dinner plans and hospital updates. Everyone stayed up well past midnight. At 2 AM, sleep was disrupted by a call from the hospital. Mrs. One Eye kept getting out of bed. Yes, the day of her surgery she was getting out of bed and walking. No, she didn’t know where she was. Mister Hombre went to the hospital and remained with her until morning.
I have not retuned to the hospital. I’m undecided whether I will do so. I feel foolish standing in a room with five or six others who talk over and around the patient, pretending things are normal. Often ignoring the patient until she says something like, “I don’t understand why they don’t provide enough chairs for company,” or “They should really bring some coffee and doughnuts”. Just like the Howard Johnson’s only with transfusions and open backed gowns. Thursday was different. She was alone, in pain, and confused. Okay, maybe it really wasn’t that different…
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
two things;
1) I was at my brother’s house once when the phone rang. He answered it, and then i hear him say, “No, that’s not how it works. You called me, so you have to tell me who you are first.”
2) I cannot do the cluster fuck scene at the hospital, i just cannot. It doesn’t help the patient, and no one else is accomplishing anything. Drives me bananas. So i go home.
June 4th, 2007 at 8:05 am
meno, I usually respond the way your brother does when this happens at home, alas I was too sleep deprived do so. Since the last hospital admission, I’ve been noticeably absent, except when no one else was there. Aside from the emergency room wait, I haven’t waited with another soul. She was so nasty and and inconsolable yesterday, my husband left early. It’s the first time he’s done that. She’s wearing him down, finally. I have the advantage of not taking her personally, he doesn’t.
June 4th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Meno cracks my shit up. First, I must laugh.
Second, I must say that you are doing so well. Maybe it’s time to stay home and rest. There sounds like there are plenty of people to handle your out-laws. Go give Patches a hug. I think his writing might be suffering since you’ve started this upstart blog…(giggles and a hug)
June 5th, 2007 at 12:26 am
liv, meno is a refreshing voice in a sea of “huh?”. I’ve managed to avoid the hospital since Thursday. My head is in a good place….my husband is not as fortunate but he is sleeping soundly two rooms away, while I pound away at the computer past midnight and listen to the cat lick his butt.
My husband arranged a jail break for his mother early this evening. I say jailbreak because the doctor had not released her yet. She does terribly at night. Last night she wrapped the IV around her head, got out of bed and tried to rip out her catheter… a couple of times. She copes better when she’s in a familiar environment with her husband. Hopefully, Mr H made the right decision. Time will tell.