Memories

Three years and I still remember the following: The walk from the ER parking lot to the emergency room is longer than it looks. Call 911, you get immediate medical attention. I have been told a lot of folks don't make it from home to the hospital when driving themselves. Excuse me sir, please take a number and wait for it to be called.....It was a good thing there was no line at the ER desk. Paramedics will take you right in, no waiting in line When you tell them you think you are having a heart attack, they whisk you in fast., Uh I need to wait for my wife, she is parking the car, you don't want to see my health insurance card? They don't take away your phone, You can text while laying down in between tests. I had to text people that I couldn't fulfill some obligations the next day.  Nonchalantly mentioning I'm in ER. You are where? Word spreads fast. ER as in hospital? Relatives with similar history A cousin had a heart attack two weeks earlier. Uh Oh, maybe it is in the genes... Stress test is not a sure thing. Had one six months earlier, no problems or indications of problems. The Internet is not always correct. I looked up symptoms on heart attacks and met only one, kind of. A will in case of unexpected death vs. trusting the courts to take care of your family in probate. A friend comes by and draws one up while waiting for bypass surgery. Still not sure what I signed. By the way, did I sign a DNR? Critical Care Nurses are Angels You lay there and trust their care. "You want to do what? OK." Friends will always find a way to sneak in. "He didn't want visitors? That's OK, I'm a relative" Physical Therapists are the gym teacher from middle school. You want me to walk how far? Now? Technology is amazing. Couldn't keep track of the number of machines and tubes hooked up to me. Just hoped they had a good back up generator in case of a power outage. Night was the worst. Quiet, dark, and alone. Listening to the other patients moan and cry out for help. Waiting, not sure for what. Listening for that rumble of the portable xray machine and the cold plates 5am each morning. Breathing tube the worst. Gayle had to climb on the bed to get me to breath enough to allow them to remove the damn thing. It is worse when you wake up and realize it is down your throat. Withdrawing the catheter was worst than inserting it. Could be the drugs. Family members are invaluable Prayer essential Wife always there, giving me that look of "you better not leave me, get up". The white light at the end of the tunnel in the afterlife is the light above the operating table. Note: the stainless steel operating table is not heated. Attendants are like the New York City Taxi drivers, they maneuver the hospital beds through the aisles, corners and elevators with skill and ease with no bumps. Sheets are for moving patients from bed to where ever, lie still, one, two, three.......... Walking becomes like a toddler, wobbling down the hall while everyone watches carefully. Realizing that 56 is kind of young to have a heart attack and bypass surgery. Hospital food is ......hospital food. My apologies to the dietitians. Oh wait, I forgot I need to get diapers and make the care home payment for the stepdad. Get me the checkbook. Quadruple bypass surgery, pills, kiloid chest scar, but the constant daily reminder is the leg where they took out the vein. Being able to see my Grandson, looking forward to seeing all future Grand children (You guys paying attention?)