I’m a generally agreeable person but I can tell you that hospital visits generally put people a bit on their bad side. I’m actually amazed at the patience of the nurses and other personnel. I’m writing this during my second trip to the hospital via ER in three weeks.
The first time, I called 911 at 1:00 AM and then called my daughter to lock up my house and take care of my dog. The last thing I remember was blacking out in the ambulance. I was given Propofol, a sedative, and only remember some brief discussion and cutting off my shirt.
I woke about thirty-six hours later, a little disoriented, of course. I had pneumonia. A nurse gave some instructions. Then, a short bit later, another nurse came in to do something… nursey… and then she looked over why I’m there.
Nurse #1: “Oh, you’re the guy!”
Me: “I’m what guy?”
Nurse #1: “Well, I heard there was someone on this side of the ICU that ripped out of his restraints and removed his own breathing tube. Nobody’s ever done that before.”
Me: “I did?”
Nurse #1: “Yes. Apparently, you were ranting about being kidnapped. A doctor talked you down and you passed out again.”
A few days later, I did notice bruises on my hands that had to be caused by my Hulk routine. Over the next few days, though, I found nurses coming to my room and lingering. This seemed strange to me. Then, some nurse trainee (who was probably older than eighteen but looked sixteen or seventeen) was introduced to me. The other nurse left but she stuck around. We made a little small talk, and then I paused so she had the chance to go do her duties.
Trainee: “Can I stay here?”
Me: “Well, I guess. Don’t you have things to do?”
Trainee: “No. They don’t really give me much to do. I’m bored. Can I stay and talk?”
I figured, “Why not?” We chatted a while until she realized she couldn’t stay much longer. She bounced out of the room and down the hallway with a happy goodbye and more energy than I think I could ever muster in my entire life. Next day, one of the senior nurses was in my room and clearly not leaving and talking to me about… whatever.
Me: “Is it slow today?”
Nurse #2: “Yeah, it’s a bit slower than normal for some reason.”
Me: *After a pause* “Are you hiding?”
Nurse #2: *Blushing slightly* “Yes.”
Hospital visit number two, my daughter took me herself through the ER. My breathing capacity was probably a sixth of normal and I was suffering. But I simply cannot let go of my sense of humor.
Nurse #3: *Cheerfully* “How are you tonight?”
Me: “Is that the best question to ask someone in the E.R?”
Nurse #3: “Well, since you put it that way, I guess not.”
Me: “You realize I’m teasing you? It’s a good question. But to answer it properly, I can barely breathe. Otherwise, most of the rest of me is intact.”
I got my comeuppance. The next morning, a nurse come to do something else nursey. Everyone was in masks, so I didn’t recognize her at first.
Nurse #3: “Hi. I’d ask how you’re doing, but someone last night told me I shouldn’t do that.”
When I realized who it was I blushed and laughed. I should mention that the staff at the hospital are all remarkably friendly and wonderful.
Finally, today, I was talking with my nurse. It’s clear I only need one more night here to work with a CPAP machine.
Me: “I think I’m being released tomorrow.”
Nurse #4: “I hope not. I hope you’re here through Monday.”
I was thinking to myself, “Does he really think I need that much treatment? Do they want more money?” So, I just asked:
Me: “Why is that?”
Nurse #4: “You’re an easy patient.”
At that point, through the walls, we heard the terrible wailing of another patient.
Me: “Great. So to get out of here earlier, I just have to be cranky?”
They are all great people… BUT I WANNA GO HOME!
