Monday, January 16, 2012

Paying it Forward

Last Saturday night I had a Haley Joel Osment moment: I got to Pay it Forward.

A good friend called and said she needed to go to the Emergency Room and that I, of all her friends, would understand the late night call and take her. She was right. After making two similar phone calls in recent months I was more than happy to oblige.

I was also able to share some of the newfound ER etiquette I learned from my experiences:

1. Throw up in front of as many of the staff as you can. That way they know you are serious. Plus they don’t want you throwing up in front of any other patients in the waiting room. It may start a puking frenzy as seeing someone else throw up tends to make you wanna hurl as well.

2. Sleeping on the hospital floor is not a good idea. Besides the fact that it is covered in who knows what kind of germs, the staff may think you are drunk and just need to sleep it off, leaving you untended to for hours.

3. To ward off “the shakes” take several deep breaths. But make sure they bring you the heated blankets before doing so. You don’t want to miss out on that little piece of heaven.

4. Even though your nausea may be subsiding, do not say no to more anti-nausea meds. All it takes is one standing up moment to send you to Pukesville again.

5. Remember that your gown is open in the back and that you are not wearing any underwear. Enough said.

6. Never feel bad for calling a friend late at night to take you to the Emergency Room. You may be robbing them of the chance to help someone in need, which is always a good thing.  That is what God had in mind...a friend loves at all times...11 a.m. or 11 p.m.

Question: Have you ever made one of those phone calls? Or been the recipient?

5 comments:

Luci Smith said...

I remember when I was pregnant with Jena and I had another "bleeding" incident that was life threating to me and Jena. I called Laurie Stoncypher to come and stay with Emma while Paul drove me very fast to the hospital. Not only did she come and stay with Emma at midnight.....but she cleaned up the very gross yucky mess of blood that was everywhere in the bathroom. I ended up being in the hospital for over a week this time until Jena was finally born. Also, I would rather clean up puke then blood ANY DAY.

Dana said...

Do you remember the time at CCS when Carmen poked her head in the office asking "who did vomit" meaning we needed something cleaned up and didn't want the blood or bones people to have to do vomit.

Do you get these comments that I leave you here?

Luci Smith said...

I did clean up my share of vomit at CCS....honestly did not mind doing it too. I always prayed though that I would not see blood or broken bones on my watch.

I only get to read your comments when I check back and read other folks comments. It is fun leaving comments and reading others.....makes me not miss you all to much....but some days it is a lot. I do look for a new posting with excitement on Mon. and Thursday.....just so you know. :)

Tina said...

You are such a faithful friend to do this for someone....whoever she is. :)
Tina

Dana said...

It's You, Tina, it's you...don't you remember!!!