Got a Happy Story? Going Above and Beyond Edition
Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 05:07:22 PM PDT
So I was scheduled to do Happy Story last week but knowing that my son was having surgery the day before, Eddie said he would be available to take over if needed. We both thought I'd be doing it. It was on my to do list up until late Thursday afternoon when I was hit with the norovirus my brother's family passed on to us at Christmas. Eddie had no idea until 24 hours later when I left a pathetic message begging, "I'm so sick. Please do the diary."
And he stepped up to the plate posting a lovely diary that I never had the chance to read until Monday or Tuesday. This wasn't the only experience of people going above and beyond that occurred this week. But it was probably my favorite because it's so Eddie--just doing what has to get done without complaint or asking for notice.
My son's surgeon also went way above and beyond.
Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Friday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face. It is a time to acknowledge the joy and wonder we experience. The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of taking back our country. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. May we find joy and strength here.
My 11 year old had surgery on Thursday to correct problems from prior surgery. This was his 7th trip to the OR. He was a trooper and the anesthesiologist was fine with me bringing him into the OR. It's often an issue, although I've always prevailed. Each anesthesiologist has his/her own preferences. This was soberboy's first surgery at this particular hospital so I was happy that they accommodated us.
soberboy did well in the recovery room and I worked on a diary while he dozed. After a few hours he threw up. We all assumed it was from the anesthesia and he got an IV anti nausea drug. A half hour later he was complaining of a headache so he was given a large dose of TylenolTM. Three hours later I was throwing up and had a crippling headache. We realized that my brother's kids had unknowingly shared their virus.
I've always done the medical care in the family--giving meds, changing dressings, emptying catheters etc. But this time I was brutally ill and clearly contagious. So soberdad stepped up to the plate and took over all the nursing for the next 5 days. It's not his thing at all but he handled it really well.
The surgeon phoned us midday Friday to check in. He called again Monday morning, Thursday morning, and this morning. "I know this kid," he said. "We can't have him stop urinating like before." So he offered office hours on Thursday--his surgery day at one hospital, if we needed it. Fortunately soberboy was fine.
My mother was shocked. "Surgeons don't make phone calls more than once," she said with the experience of 50 years as a nurse. Well this one does. Beyond that, he's actually retired. They had a huge party for him in a packed ballroom. People from all three hospitals where he has operated were in attendance. I didn't know that when I called back in November for an appointment. His secretary explained he was retired. When I requested a referral she said she'd call me back the next day. She called with an appointment saying, "Dr. N wants to see him because he's complicated and other surgeons haven't understood how tricky his situation is." Apparently he still sees certain old patients and operates 2 half days a week in 2 separate hospitals.
He does know soberboy. He knows which meds make him hallucinate, which prevent him from urinating, and which size catheter to use. He talks to me like a peer and shoves reports into my hands that other doctors didn't want me to see. I'll be very concerned when he really does retire.
The entire extended family came down with the norovirus. My mother had to cancel 2 days of campaign volunteering because she was so ill. But at 71 she was back in the office yesterday and today, and she'll be there again on Monday and Tuesday. She wanted to make up for the days she'd missed.
Everyone around me has gone over and above this past week. It is such a reflection of the very best of humanity.
What's your happy story this week? Do you have some good news to share or a pleasant memory to pass along?
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