Staying home from work today. I hate that. I'm a strange duck. I like working. But since I'm grounded, it seems like a good day to write a blog. My knee (the good one) is giving me some problems. Went to the emergency room yesterday, with Charley in tow. On the way to the hospital we talk about how it's a new year, and how it's going to be better than last year.
We're all going to behave this year. We're going to eat right, we're going to get skinny, and...and...
We get to the hospital and Charley goes inside to bring me a wheelchair. While Brad parks the car, Charley wheels me to the registration desk where a pretty, sweet young lady sits.
Registration lady: Have you been here before?
Me: Yes. (Of course I have, I've practically lived here since my accident).
Charley: Um... Ma'am, dis my Mom.
She nods and smiles at him.
Registration lady: What seems to be the problem?
Me: My right knee hurts so bad. I can barely walk on it. I felt something pop the other day and it's been hurting ever since.
Charley: Ma'am, my Mom hurt. You helpin' her.
Registration lady: When did it start?
Me: Last Tuesday. I went to the quick care center in Kentucky while I was there for Christmas.
Charley: You awe Purty. He raises his eyebrows up and down like Groucho Marks.
Registration lady: Thank you. (Another smile)
She places an identification band on my wrist, and directs us to the waiting area.
Charley waves goodbye and says, "Call me!"
Physician Assistant appears: What seems to be the problem?
Me: My right knee hurts so bad. I can barely walk on it. I felt something pop the other day and it's been hurting ever since.
Charley: Um Sir, dis my Mom.
Physician Assistant: When did it start?
Me: Last Tuesday. I went to the quick care center in Kentucky while I was there for Christmas.
Charley: Sir, my Mom hurt. You helpin' her.
Physician Assistant: I need to get some information from you.
What existing health problems so you have?
What are your current medications and doses?
Are you allergic to any drugs?
Do you smoke?
No.
Drink Alcohol?
No.
Partake of street drugs?
No.
Have a history of mental illness?
Not yet.
Charley: Um, Sir, My Mom knee hurt.
Physician Assistant: Let's get you to the examination room so I can take a look.
About this time Brad shows up. He and Charley wait for me to come back.
Physician Assistant looks at my knee. Asks more questions. Leaves to write a prescription. Anti-inflammatory - that's about the best he can do for now. Tells me to make an appointment with the Doctor and wraps my knee with an ace bandage. Writes on the triage sheet that it was easy to determine the nature of the injury. Um...not from where I'm sitting.
Nurse number 1 enters.
What happened, Mrs. Palmer?
My right knee is hurting. I can barely walk on it. I felt something pop the other day and it's been hurting ever since.
She takes my blood pressure. Pulse. Listens to my breathing.
What existing health problems so you have?
What are your current medications and doses?
Are you allergic to any drugs?
Do you smoke?
No.
Drink Alcohol?
No.
Partake of street drugs?
No.
Have a history of mental illness?
Well, Not yet.
Hands me some prescriptions and follow-up orders. Tells me I can go.
Nurse number two appears with a wheelchair to escort me to back to the area where Charley
Brad are waiting.
But first, takes my blood pressure. Listens to my heart. Takes my pulse.
Moments later, we're in the waiting area. There stands Charley with a cup of coffee he found in the lobby. "Here Mom, dis help in' you. Dis you fell butter."
He says to the nurse, "Call me!" Like, sure, that's gonna happen.
Brad goes to get the car and arrives moments later. Charley turns to wave goodbye for a second time to the registration lady.
She gives him a little wave. Happy New Year!
He waves back. Pappy knee year!
Charley: "Dwink you coffee, Mom."
I look into the cup. No Splenda. No cream. Just plain old black coffee. Not the way I like it. Not by a long shot. Still, I tip the cup and take a sip. I look into those concerned blue eyes of his, and wouldn't you know it? I've been to the hospital, been seen by a physician's assistant and two well-meaning nurses, and that cup of Joe is just what the Doctor ordered.
***
Sherry McCaulley Palmer is the author of Life With Charley: A Memoir of Down Syndrome Adoption
Sherry McCaulley Palmer is the author of Life With Charley: A Memoir of Down Syndrome Adoption
Love it!
ReplyDeleteAs always.
SO glad we found you and Charley in 2014 - this will make 2015 all the better!
Thanks Mardra! 2014 was so much better because of you and Marcus! Looking forward to 2015!
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