WAITING ROOMS & HOSPITALS

 Couches and chairs are spread around the room.  People are social distanced, each claiming their own area of the space provide for families.  Doctors come in and out giving results and updating families.  People check the chart for the color codes to know what phase their loved one is in.  Some cuddle under blankets and try to rest.  Others play on their phones, watching shows too loud.  Me?  I'm perched in the back corner, away from everyone but this nice older man waiting on his daughter to come out of recovery.  I'm settled in with my Diet Coke (since there was no Dr. Pepper) and my bag of Hershey's Nuggets with almonds.  (Yes, I am stress eating.)  Why?  My daughter is in surgery.  

Nothing prepares you for all the worry and fear that comes with children.  At first you always worry if you are doing it right...truthfully, I still worry about that and they are all grown!  Then somewhere along the way it turns into worry about everything.  Are their friends good friends?  Are they safe people for them to stay with?  Going swimming?  Will someone be watching them to make sure no one slips under and doesn't come up?  Bike riding?  Stay within sight of the house and don't talk to strangers.  Church camp?  What if they come home sick?  Hospital visits for broken bones, high fever, spider bites, meningitis.  Off to college?  Do you know how to protect yourself?  Tazer?  Pepper spray?  Walk in pairs!  Find my iPhone?  Yes, please.  If your child doesn't call back or text like expected, you can check to see they are okay!  Adulthood?  Is he taking good care of my baby girl?  Is he compassionate?  Is he harsh?  Are they happy?  Childbirth?  Grandbabies?  Oh God please take care of my child and her baby!  Please take care of them during labor and delivery!  Please God!  Broken bones?  Fibroid tumors?  Cysts?  Trips to the ER still...but now you have no say.  You are support, not protector.  Surgeries!  Well....that's me today.  Waiting.  Praying.  Writing. Checking for updates.  Waiting.  

All different walks of life pace across these floors.  Some calm.  Others anxious.  Some sleeping.  Some talking to themselves and just being LOUD!  There's a nice older man beside me waiting on his daughter to be ready to go. Others are not taking their eyes off the screen of updates.  And then there is Debbie.  She is the liason for families.  She circles the room, checking on everyone, giving instructions, providing information, finding ways to make others feel better if possible.  She explains what to expect, where to find restrooms, food, COFFEE, and how to check the color coded update screen.  She keeps the peace.  Silences the noisey...in her sweet and kind way.  She reassures those of us who are anxious and makes sure we know she is here for us.  She makes sure we have her phone number.  

I really didn't know what to write today but I knew I needed to.  My anxiety is bad.  This is my baby girl!  She is in her first surgery!  They put her to sleep!!!  You would think I would be use to this with this child.  She has had me at the hospital with her more than once.  Funny thing today, she knows most of the people working on her surgery from her years of working as a surgery tech.  She was pretty calm.  Giggling and visiting with people she knew.  Me?  I'm so sleepy too!  I did not sleep much last night and would love to close my eyes for a bit...but I know better.  I am the information hub for all the family.  My job is to spread the infor to the important people in her life and keep them updated.  

My eyes are getting heavy.  I better get up and walk a bit....my understanding is it should take a couple of hours.....9:45 was about the start time.  So I have untill 11;45.  Pray I don't fall asleep but can find some energy.  Pray her surgery is easy and that she will recover quickly.  Pray for all those carring for her.  

Who ever said adult children were easy to raise did not know mine! 

D~