KITSCH, CATS, SMOKES AND RIDES

Amy is the one on the morphine (and a variety of other pain meds thanks to a few well placed screams), but I'm the one whose been seeing some strange sights over the past few days in the hospital.

Around 11 last night I stumbled out of Amy's room to stretch my legs and noticed a guy on a Segway.


I've seen people riding these much hyped scooters on TV, but I've never actually seen someone using one in real life. I was groggy and fumbling to grab my tiny little camera that I've put through the wash twice, but he was too quick for me. He obviously worked at the hospital since he was using the service elevators. He gave me a look as if to say, "What are you staring at?" and then zipped onto the elevator and into my memory.

I did notice one thing, this hospital worker on the Segway wasn't wearing a helmet.

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Without fail the saddest thing I see at the hospital every day are the folks I pass in the hallway invariable suffering from "bed head" and wearing rumpled PJ's who are always shuffling toward the front entrance tugging their IV racks behind them.

They are the smokers going to sit on the "smoking bench" outside the hospital.

I figure the hospital considers having woefully ill looking smokers at the front door a form of advertising.

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Perhaps the strangest thing I've seen at the hospital is this:



It's on the floor of the gift shop. I shuddered when I almost stepped on it.

It's not alive.

It's not a cat.

It's a creepy little fake cat made of rabbit fur and something akin to cement.

They sell for 29 dollars.

I don't know how many they sell or who would purchase them, but I've played out the scene in my mind.

"I was just down in the gift shop. I was going to bring you a card and flowers, but I found this faux roadkill and thought of you. Get well soon!"

EXHALING

Amy's surgery was completed without complication. It was very extensive and her recovery will likely be a bit more involved than we had hoped. The surgeon is "cautiously optimistic" that he remedied the source of her pain, but in truth that will be something that will be determined over time. In any case, a number of procedures were done, including the removal of her appendix - call that a peremptory strike. The surgeon was in there poking around anyway and we figured with Amy's luck that appendix would burst on us next year if we didn't snatch it now.

I wish we could have a definitive declaration that Amy's issues have been resolved, but we knew that was unlikely going in considering the best medical tests known to man had failed to pinpoint a specific problem. My wife made it through the surgery. I made it through. And we have reason for optimism.

I couldn't ask for much more.

I am so grateful to God for putting me at ease this day. I am also reeling in the blessing of the prayers we have received from friends and folks out in the blogworld.

May I be so bold as to ask that you continue praying for Amy's recovery?

Thank you again.

NOCTURNAL DETERMINATION

I'm avoiding sleep. Actually I'm avoiding trying to sleep. The "what if" scenarios playing out in my head manifest themselves in tossing and turning.

I still worry too much.

I'm sorting through this chaos of thought.

Determination is setting in.

I will not live my days quivering at a world of my own imagination.

Fear forestalls footsteps.

We will chase life not run from it.

Tonight I will sleep.

Tomorrow I will be stronger.

With your help, Father.

PSALM 4:8

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

AMY UPDATE

I knew Amy was a complicated woman when I married her...I didn't realize it applied to her anatomy.

We're going in.

Amy's having surgery Tuesday afternoon. It's somewhat exploratory in nature although her surgeon thinks he sees one area that might be causing her some problems.

I'm increasingly reminded that despite all the medical technology available, we are still in the dark about many things.

FUN AND GAMES

It doesn't take many links to move someone up the charts on Google. I have mentioned before that this website comes up third when you search Google for Michael Main, but first if you search for McGriddle Recipe.

I am now proud to announce that I have gained the top spot if you search for Michael Main, but I've fallen to number two in the McGriddle recipe hierarchy.

You have to give a little to get a little I suppose.

This strategy of placement on Google has a name, it's called "Google Bombing".

Recently it was used by liberal folks who linked to the President's bio using an unflattering term. Now the tide is turning and some people are using the same term to link to outspoken Socialist Michael "Miserable Failure" Moore.

Everyone should be number one at something.

I think Michael Moore deserves to be the number one "Miserable Failure" don't you?

THERE'S NO ESCAPE

We had a plan and everything...



The plot to sneak Amy out of the hospital this afternoon went down in flames. Her very kind nurse informed us that if Amy was off the floor for more than about 30 minutes, that would likely trigger some concern. We had been planning more along the lines of 3 hours and had intended not only to leave the floor, but to leave that entire part of the city.

Like most ill conceived schemes, ours fractured upon more intensive examination.

Yeah, we chickened out.

Amy didn't want to risk getting the nurses in trouble, and I started imagining some string of bad luck (I don't know why) like a flat tire or a fender bender, and Amy not making "bed check". That in turn would have resulted in more confusion in the medical community, which is something I'm not willing to risk at this point.

We opted to send me back home and bring Lisa up to the hospital so she can see her Mom before she goes back to Baylor tomorrow.

I never was very good at conspiracies.

SILENT THOUGHTS

It's quiet in the house...too quiet, but my mind is restless and noisy.

Amy is spending the weekend in the hospital and we're now assuming she's going to undergo surgery next week. We'll know more when the doctors deem it fitting to tell us.

I hope to sneak Amy out of the hospital this afternoon, with a wink and a nod to the nurses, so she can spend some time at home.

Meanwhile, I am still wrestling inside with the dichotomy of control and surrender.

I've come to the conclusion that I can only fall back on my most trusted allies of patience, time and God.