Hospital Saga--2

Yesterday was the third day I spent in the hospital. I slept at home last night and the night before.

This has been a great educational experience--only one of the myriads of correct ways of describing the recent past.

I have learned about pic-lines, Amiodoron (arhythmia medication), Lasix (diuretic), heart catheterizations, oxygen saturation levels in the blood, circulatory system function--things that can go wrong or be made right, how easily nurses convey whether they see themselves as being "in charge" or "at your service" and how much difference that makes in their effectiveness, how wonderful it is to have interesting, tasty, and moderately priced cafeteria food, how many people must communicate and work together well to adequately care for one person in distress, etc.

On the mundane side of things, I have never before seen at close range such preoccupation with body inputs and outputs. It is not dignified, but neither is it a shame, and we'd all best just be OK with it. My mom yesterday yesterday made a tongue in cheek reference to this when she said "[It's] a priority. Priority Number One." That was pretty funny, Mom.

I have also gained a great appreciation for good medical caregivers and realize that it's a very good thing not everyone is as clueless as I am about such things. Given the same time span, I would labor far less stressfully over improving many bad essays than I would over making one sick person better. Part of this involves acquired skills and learned attitudes and disciplines, but I recognize also that a huge part of it is natural and spiritual gifting. God gave some people very good "caretaking" gifts.

Hospitals usually have bland colors on the surfaces of the patient rooms. Pictures, cards, flowers, and plants help relieve this boredom. Mom's allergies make pollen-producing flowers a little tricky, but silk flowers are a nice alternative for situations like this. The colors, shapes, and textures are similar, and conveying warm thoughts can happen either way.

I'm seeing that often it's really best not to view situations as calling for simple either/or choices. The best option is often a third option, which involves pieces of a variety of possible alternatives. My dad is a champion at identifying the "third option," and he is doing a good job during Mom's current health crisis. In his case, he is juggling medical recommendations, his and my mother's preference for what is more natural and less invasive, and the hard realities of having a loved one in a life-threatening condition--all of it against the background of purposefully and responsibly choosing what he understands of God's will and purpose. I marvel at the beauty of such a grace-filled life.

Times like now make a person deeply thankful for being part of a big family and a supportive network of friends. Everyone's interest, prayers, and acts of kindness are very precious.

Right now, Mom is on track for open heart surgery, either tomorrow or Monday. Tomorrow (Friday) was the first reserved time, but if waiting till Monday does not endanger Mom further and makes possible gaining a little bit of time for Mom to regain some strength by resting and taking in good nourishment, that is also an option. Today that will be finally decided after more conversation with her doctors.

Questions? Just ask. Prayers? Absolutely, without asking.