Reality, and Bowing Thereto
Sometimes the universe speaks. Other times it shouts.
A couple of days ago, after hearing about my dad's and Zach's sequential hospital stays, one of my professors offered to give me an incomplete in his class, allowing me to defer a massive amount of work (and three daunting deadlines) until sometime over the summer.
Doing so would mean not graduating in May and instead receiving my degree in the mail sometime around October.
Despite the fact that I've been counting down the days to graduation, and the fact that I had an adamant now-or-never attitude about finishing school this semester, the unexpected offer felt so much like salvation that I was left almost breathless.
It took just one conversation yesterday to work out most of the details. And if I had any doubt about the decision, it was extinguished a few hours later, when my mom called to say that my dad had been taken to the emergency room for the second time in three weeks.
The good news is that he is already out of the ER (although that did take 24 hours). The better news is that he is in a far superior hospital this time around. And the best news is that he is not in any danger. It looks like sending him to the ER in the first place was some kind of misguided overreaction.
He'll likely be in the hospital for a few more days, having his medications adjusted and a couple of tests done. My mom has been referring to it as "a tune-up."
Today is exactly six months from his original surgery, so I guess he is due.
A couple of days ago, after hearing about my dad's and Zach's sequential hospital stays, one of my professors offered to give me an incomplete in his class, allowing me to defer a massive amount of work (and three daunting deadlines) until sometime over the summer.
Doing so would mean not graduating in May and instead receiving my degree in the mail sometime around October.
Despite the fact that I've been counting down the days to graduation, and the fact that I had an adamant now-or-never attitude about finishing school this semester, the unexpected offer felt so much like salvation that I was left almost breathless.
It took just one conversation yesterday to work out most of the details. And if I had any doubt about the decision, it was extinguished a few hours later, when my mom called to say that my dad had been taken to the emergency room for the second time in three weeks.
The good news is that he is already out of the ER (although that did take 24 hours). The better news is that he is in a far superior hospital this time around. And the best news is that he is not in any danger. It looks like sending him to the ER in the first place was some kind of misguided overreaction.
He'll likely be in the hospital for a few more days, having his medications adjusted and a couple of tests done. My mom has been referring to it as "a tune-up."
Today is exactly six months from his original surgery, so I guess he is due.
posted by Jody Rosen Knower at 8:17 PM
3 Comments:
Yes! YES! YYYEEESSS!
Kris
Jody,
I've thought of writing this comment before, but today it struck me again and I actually have the time to type it in.
Have you discussed with any of your professors the possibility of you writing about medical care in NYC?
I can picture a guide for the medical neophyte...best ER, worst ER, things to know about rehab facilities, what you need to know about insurance coverage (and how to understand the legal/medical mumbo jumbo), a ranking of hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices, etc. You could add in ratings on the skill at finding veins, bedside manner, compassion, speaking to you in words you understand, etc.
The combination of your wit and perspective would certainly make the finished product useful and would also give the reader an opportunity to laugh. And, if they were using it because they were in the midst of a medical decision, the laughter alone could be considered good medicine!
As you ponder this...Pass on my best wishes for a speedy "tune up" to your dad and say hello to your mom and Zach for me. We hope to see you in NC this summer.
Love,
Cathy
YAYYYYYYYYYYY! You deserve a reprieve!! SO glad you can defer your class. WONDERFUL.
All our best to you, Zach, and your parents.
love,
Torre
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