“They’re funny things, Accidents.
You never have them till you’re having them.”
— Eeyore, “The House at Pooh Corner”
When I tested myself today, COVID still registered positive. I will have to relearn how to mask — and take things more conservatively, and safely. Unfortunately, just as I returned home I had an accident that resulted in an ER visit and emergency surgery. More lessons about living — and almost dying — rained down upon me. Some very human, others essential for living the life I choose.
Here are some more observations to add to my list:
• Gratitude for each day, breath, and precious moments — life is fragile and passes very quickly and can end very suddenly and unexpectedly.
—–
• Friendship is the most precious of all things. It was with friends that I navigated two medical challenges with good outcomes.
—–
• Pick your clinical partners well and when you find yourself in a clinical setting, speak your needs and appreciation, ask them for help, learn their names; my personal approach is to keep it light and silly; listen, ask and answer questions, call friends for a life-line, observe your surroundings; notice all the many things that are happening around you.
—–
• Make friends along the way. Take an interest in the people around and supporting you. Say thank you, a lot.
—–
• Make a friend of your roommate.
—–
• Count your blessings — over and over again.
Our medical system has been vastly impacted by the pandemic. Today I will write a thank you note to the CEO of this very large and reputable organization sharing the names of each person who touched and supported my recovery, from the triage nurse who is just one year into her job, to the patient transporter who wished me a rapid recovery and shared some very kind words.
The Emergency Room was full to capacity when I arrived but I was fast-tracked. We have a new generation of practitioners working hard and doing their best. The system still does work but is showing signs of strain and fatigue. Kindness and competence are still the dominant working attitudes and behaviors.
We as patients have a role to play in our care and in preserving the culture of respectful treatment.
Step up.
Today —after 10 days of whatever that was — I walk a little more slowly, softly, and with the greatest appreciation for all the many blessings I have experienced.
I am thankful.
Leslie
“It takes a lot of courage to have an attitude of gratitude
during the dark times. But once you have it,
it empowers you.”
— Joshua Tongol
Recent Comments