Jewells of Thought

This morning was a different experience. Fortunately for Mom that is a good thing. There were less times to wait which was nicer and better on my nerves. As I have specified over the past week I have been dealing with allergies. Although the last 48 hours have been really good. No sneezing, but lots of coughing. My nose wasn’t as red yesterday either so I thought wow maybe it’s over.

Not quite. Since Mom and I had to go to bed early last night and get up earlier this morning my medicines were also correspondingly a little off due to my bed time. I think that may have been why this morning I had to blow my nose much more throughout the morning. I don’t like going to the hospital coughing and needing to blow my nose frequently. However, since noontime I have felt much better.

When we got back to Mom’s room to get her ready for the procedure immediately it felt like Dugger Day in the Nurses Unit. I didn’t see the third nurse as of yet, but in mere seconds one of my school mates and one of Mom’s school mates, both nurses were at the doorway ready to take a sugar test and ask some questions. Then a few minutes later I heard another familiar name and heard her voice. One of my classmates was just down the hall it was like a reunion of sorts.

The morning seemed to go faster in a way and yet there was still some waiting to be done. Another nurse came in to stick Mom for the saline. I am still so drawn to this area within the medical field. When I realized she was finally about ready to prick Mom’s skin I brought up my interest in watching the professionals with the needles. She did it effortlessly and I also got to see her in teaching mode a little bit. Mom was holding her breath which she didn’t need to do and it didn’t help. She had to ask Mom to breathe before she stuck her it made all the difference in getting the needle in right. It was refreshing to have a conversation with a nurse about this again. Even if it’s just to start a conversation and relive what was an amazing experience for me before things got dicey.

Instead of heading back to the lobby to wait one of the Dugger Nurses reminded me of the other waiting room. I haven’t been back there since Grandma Rosie had a surgery several years ago the whole room was then filled with Alsmans. I was by myself waiting with two other ladies today though. I was able to read from the book I have just recently selected to read over the past couple of days. It is one of my favorites and it is fitting right now with what is going on in our campuses.

Unlike last time I was called once. It was my 15 minute cue from the nurse. I was to get the car ready and be in front of the hospital by the end of that 15 minutes. About 10 minutes later I was in the car still waiting to get up to the front door trying to finish the chapter I had started. However, two people came out while I was sitting. A woman brought out the chair with a little boy in it and told him to get out but not to move. She was taking that seat back in. Then another patient came out and I still had 5 minutes, but then I was afraid of being too late and making Mom wait. So I went up there and didn’t sit where I did before, I went up a bit more to allow a second and third car to get in well enough.

Sure enough I got up there too soon. Two more patients came out and had to get in behind me, but they were able to with plenty of space. Then it was after the time I was given then another 5 minutes, but still no phone call. No phone call so there shouldn’t be any troubles. Finally after waiting just a little bit more I was happy to see Mom being escorted out. The nurse though, still had to help her up and into the car. She was able to walk, but she was teetery on her feet.

Thank goodness this time had been a much better experience. It still took her a couple of hours before her legs fully came back like last time. She even used Dad’s cane a little bit when we got home. Today was a poignant day though, talking to the nurse and seeing my classmate and fellow Dugger Alumni. The nurse who stuck Mom even brought up the idea I should try to become a phleb; it’s a reasonable idea to become a phlebotomist. I have flirted with this since January. A failed interview shut that prospect down back in early March. Some conversations are meant to stir ideas and actions maybe something could still come of this idea.