Yesterday morning I had enough time
after I awoke for a quick two mile run with Molly. Stepping outside I
was treated to the smell of fresh air, the result of a full day and
nighttime of rain. Less then a half mile down the trail I heard the
cries of the spring peepers, “Looking For Love” after a winters
sleep. “Too Early Boys”, I thought to myself. The rains made
creek crossing a game of rock hopping to keep dry feet and though
they remain half-asleep, they were nimble enough to win out. The real
pleasure of the run came as the run was almost complete; the sound of
geese grew louder and louder until looking up I saw a large flock
flying in formation. By counting the number of geese in a small
segment, then estimating an approximate number of segments there had
to be somewhere around two hundred fifty heading North. Perhaps the
spring peepers know something about the end of Winter that
I don't !
Arriving at the Hospital my cell phone
rang, it was the admitting staff wondering if I were on time. They
explained, I might have surgery early as their was some problem with
the patient scheduled ahead of me. The way it sounded I was surprised
that they didn't roll a gurney right to the front door. I had the
whole scene in my head, gurney waiting, one nurse pulling off my
shirt, another strapping me down while a staff member thrusts
paperwork to be signed. A NASCAR worthy rush to the operating room
whence the doc announces, “He's tough, no need to put him under.
Now, hold real still”. Yikes !
I fact, the gurney wasn't waiting at
the front door but I was rushed through admittance at breakneck
speed. There was a high likely-hood I was going early but then again
things don't always work out as planned.
There has never had an issue with an IV before, I've always been told I have “Great Veins”. My first “clue” that something wasn't quite right came as the nurse uttered the words, “The Vein it's getting all squiggley, look”.
Looking, not my first choice, yet after
a few forward backward push/pulls I glanced over and saw exactly what
she was referring too. The vein in the back of my hand, that straight
as an arrow vein went all squiggley as she pushed in the needle.
No big deal, we'll just do it again,
push/pull, push/pull squiggley wiggly.I felt bad for the nurse as she was
visibility upset. She left the prep room and returned shortly later
with another nurse and an explanation. “Athletes and runners have
thicker veins then normal”, she had gleaned this information from
one of the doctors. Apparently she was not inserting the needle fully
into the vein so as she pushed the needle was pushing against the
wall of the vein.
“No Problem, three times a charm”,
I said. However the hospital had a two try maximum so she could not
try again. Three times was a charm but with all the extra time to
prep I lost my early “T-Time”. Now it was just a long wait, made much easier with Susan holding my hand and rubbing my neck.
Surgery went well recovery went well
and back at home I was feeling good enough to have visitors and talk
on the phone. Randy stopped in first, fresh from a five mile loop;
Larry drove up when I mentioned Randy would be stopping by for a
beer. I have to admit, as I first looked at Larry's card I didn't get
the humor but a second glance through “Pain Killer Eyes” made me
laugh.
Larry, if you ever want to start another career you could be a professional card finder !
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