Emergency Room Blues
Category: Kitchen Sink...
Posted Saturday, September 06, 2003 at 11:54 AM [GMT-6]

Here's a workable definition of "eternity": The time period between 1:45 and 2:00 a.m. spent waiting for the ambulance to arrive while your wife's mother lays on your guest bedroom floor after a fall.

A separate but equal definition: The time period between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. spent in the E.R. waiting for doctors and x-ray technicians while watching a procession of clichéd of unfortunates -- a headbleeding gang banger, a worried mom with a sick child, an old man who announces to the assembled group that his "pee is solid blood" -- come and go, seeking relief from angels of mercy hidden behind codelocked doors.

The eventual diagnosis was better than we feared...a fractured pelvis. How's that better? We feared a broken hip, something requiring major surgery. She's had three hip replacements on one side. No one should have to endure the suffering that accompanies that procedure even once, let alone thrice. Four? Unthinkable. The pelvic injury requires no surgery, just a few days bed rest possibly followed by some rehab. They may have her up and walking around later today.

Yet another reminder of how fragile life is. I advise you to put your computer to sleep right now, and go hug a family member.

UPDATE (2003-09-08 06:51) - The news is good...or as good as can be expected under the circumstances. She was transferred to rehab yesterday, and will likely be there less than 10 days. She's the toughest octogenarian I've ever known, and my bet is that she'll demand to go home in less than a week! As always, I'm grateful for the good thoughts and kind words from my fellow bloggers.