Scribblings

Life in the car

We lived in the car today. I needed to see the doctor about that nasty pyogentic granuloma this morning. Linda noticed that Little T sounded hoarse. We were both seeing the same doctor so we managed to schedule back-to-back appointments. Just as we were leaving, the hospital called TB to arrange a time for his arthroscopy. He made the appointment for later in the afternoon.

Little T turned out just fine, a little congested and we were all relieved. He?s starting to use his fingers a bit, grabbing onto my collar sometimes. It won?t be long before his fingers open straight all the time and he starts picking up objects. He?s making cute gurgly sounds and when I hold him, he remembers me by sticking his tongue out at me. Okay, that sounds goofy but it started with me showing him how to stick out my tongue. He was delighted with that and got to copying me. So now when he sees me, naturally he sticks out his tongue.

The doctor cauterized my finger again. That?s always fun. He said he was tempted to just cut the thing off and I agreed. He decided not to because so much of it is ?vascular? and it would bleed a lot. Great. So he wrapped a bandaid around my finger and off we went. We got home in time to have some lunch and hang out for an hour before we had to go out for the next appointment.

TB?s doctor wanted him to have this procedure because his shoulder isn?t getting better. He says that it hurts the same way it did before the second surgery and I thought to myself that maybe the tear ruptured again. What a horrible thought! So this test was supposed to show whether or not there was a tear again. It turned out to be the doctor visit from the hot place.

We got there on time, 45 minutes before the procedure, like we were supposed to. We weren?t waiting all that long before someone brought us back to radiology. The nurse showed me to a waiting room and took TB back with her. I sat down to wait and watched CNN.

Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld was having a press conference. All the reporters wanted to know why the troops were having their deployment extended another 3 ? 6 months. Rumsfeld obviously wasn?t enjoying himself and kept asking if the reporters had working hearing aids (because he had to keep repeating himself). I am annoyed because after all the money and people we?ve invested, practically the whole world is still mad at us. The Iraqi rebels are taking hostages, killing some of them, and creating havoc. Bin Laden is sending messages to European countries promising not to attack them if they stop supporting the U.S.

I?m tired of our people getting killed. I think we need to take our guns and soldiers and go home. Let everyone else try to take care of themselves and see what happens to them then. :P

Anyway, a lot of time passed. I asked someone for the time and found out I?d been waiting here over an hour. Then I saw TB walk by with a nurse and I felt relieved. He was probably almost done. But then when he walked back he said they hadn?t even begun the procedure.

I went back with him to his ?holding tank? which had a hospital gurney, two chairs and very little else. They just sort of stuck him there because he had to use a special table and it was being used and no one knew how long it would be tied up.

Well, that was just the pits. There is nothing like upsetting your day to come to something put together at the last minute and then just sit there waiting to put down root. Maybe it would have been less aggravating if nothing else was on the to do list. As it was, I needed to get Billy to his job training and time was running out fast. Both my feet were tapping with tension.

We waited a while longer and then TB had enough. It was a relief to get out of that hot hospital.

When we got home, we had about a 1 hour break and then Billy needed to go to work. The day is not over even yet as we have to pick him up again at 11.
Then we won?t have to drive anymore until tomorrow!

I called to find out how much it would cost to get car insurance for Billy. Ouch! The first quote was like $3000. Luckily he is a good student ($800 discount) and if he takes behind-the-wheel driver?s ed then he?ll get another $200 discount. He?d need to kick in $38 per week to pay his share of the insurance. So it?s a good thing he?s got a job! Welcome to the real world, Billy!

Tomorrow is Friday. It?s gotta be a better day!