ER Thoughts

The first time I went to an ER was when Will was a toddler and he grabbed a hot cup on coffee on himself and got a second degree burn.  It was a small local hospital and we were the only ones there until the police brought in a guy who they had arrested with a gun shot wound.  Wasn't too bad that trip.

The next time I had to go to the ER was the day we found out that Gene's cancer had progressed.  I remember getting ready to go to a celebration, I think it was one of my friend Mage's daughters' wedding reception. I'm not sure.  At this time, Gene had already been diagnosed with cancer and we were waiting for him to get a assessment to see if the lung that didn't have the cancer was strong enough to support him.  He was in bed and said, "I can't breath, please don't go to the party."  So instead of celebrating, I found myself sitting in the Kaiser ER waiting room.  They had taken Gene into the back and all of a sudden I look up and see my primary care doctor coming towards me.  I think to myself, this isn't good.  And it wasn't.  

For the next several months there were lots of trips to the ER until the final one.  And then he was gone.

The August after Gene died, Will was trying to help me out at home by hanging some miniblinds.  He got frustrated and put his hand through the window.  So off to the ER we went -- the same one that I had taken Gene to when we got the diagnosis telling us he didn't have a year or two live but just a few months.  Will felt so bad for me because he knew how difficult it was for me to be in that place.

Dennis has had to go to the ER a couple of times for a variety of issues throughout the years; shingles, extremely painful hives, a severely swollen ankle (well that time the PGA tournament people made us go, they even drove us -- he fell into a small hole on the Rivera Country Club Golf Course while we were at a tournament), etc.  

I have also accompanied my mother, my mother-in-law and older family friends to various ER's. And  even had my turn when I feel and broke my shoulder.  

So this last trip with Dennis while scary, didn't make me feel as fragile as the first few times after Gene died.  I guess I'm tougher then I thought I was.

And by the way, there were a couple of very cute paramedics there - one could have been in the movies.  The doctor that treated Dennis wasn't too shabby either.  But why are they all only 12 years old?