KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE
Why does anyone run for President?
And what's with those bottom teeth?
Picture courtesy of The Drudge Report
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Saturday, January 17, 2004
Why does anyone run for President?
And what's with those bottom teeth?
Picture courtesy of The Drudge Report
SCHOOLED BY GOD
There is little doubt in my mind that God has decided I am sorely lacking when it comes to patience. There is also little disputing that He is determined to change that.
By force if necessary.
I made my morning visit to the hospital today, hauling in coffee and newspapers. Amy still is in pain and it was evident as soon as I saw her that she's staying put for a while.
I did get the chance to actually speak with her surgeon. He was reassuring. He was realistic.
I suspect it may now be the middle of next week before Amy gets out, and that's only if her pain eases substantially and some new issues regarding a low blood count are adequately addressed. I think in addition to trying to learn patience, I'm also going to swear off making predictions about the duration of hospital stays.
As the doctors try to mend Amy's body, my focus now is on trying to chase away the mental funk that is attempting to claw its way into a position of prominence.
This isn't easy. Amy's pain increases when she laughs, so I'm having to rethink my repertoire.
I've ruled out a dancing act, becoming a mime, and singing since those would likely produce laughter and or nausea.
Distraction seems my best approach...maybe it's time to learn a few card tricks.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. -Romans 5:2-4
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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OVERLY OPTIMISTIC
Apparently I'm more optimistic than Amy's doctor. He's not convinced she'll be able to be released from the hospital this weekend. I'm still going to hold out hope.
Today my stepson, Joey. goes back to college in Ohio.
Life goes on....sometimes not at the pace I'd prefer.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Friday, January 16, 2004
IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS
I had a brief encounter with a squirrel this morning...in the middle of a pounding rainstorm.
I was leaving the hospital and rushing to my car when this squirrel came dashing directly toward me in the opposite direction.
We both stopped.
The squirrel evidently was sizing me up and considering the threat I might pose compared to the prospects of staying in the middle of the parking lot and drowning.
I was simply standing in the rain staring at a squirrel.
I'd prefer it if no one make any judgement about the most intelligent being involved in this little interlude.
Suddenly, as if by mutual agreement, I dodged right and and the squirrel dodged left.
Our paths differed but we shared the desire for drier ground.
I don't want to dwell on it, but I suspect the squirrel achieved that goal before me.
I left the hospital without talking with Amy's surgeon who had still not made his morning rounds. Normally he zips through around 7 a.m. while I'm at work, so I don't get a chance to speak with him and must instead get a recap from Amy, who has been on morphine all week. This hasn't always resulted in the most satisfying synopsis of her situation.
The surgeon hadn't made his rounds this morning by the time I broke away from the office so I was hoping to catch him and get perhaps a more cogent prognosis.
I got to Amy's room in plenty of time, and then promptly fell asleep in the ever so comfortable hospital room lounge chair that I've now become attached to in more ways than I care to imagine.
It didn't matter. The doctor didn't show.
Eventually I woke up, and realized I had to leave.
Of course, the surgeon called Amy at almost the exact same time that I was having my moment with that squirrel. The Doc apologized and said he was delayed, because the plumber he was waiting for at his house didn't show up.
For some reason I see a certain irony in that.
The good news is that Amy has voluntarily started weaning herself off the morphine. That's a critical step. They don't let you leave the hospital if you're jonsin' for what the poets called sweet morpheus and the junkies call Mister Blue.
I'm optimistic that we will be able to wave Mister Blue good bye and that will give me the green light to spring Amy from the hospital over the weekend.
That's assuming nothing squirrelly happens...like the surgeon's toilet getting clogged.
posted by Michael
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Thursday, January 15, 2004
HOBBIT OF AN EMBARRASSMENT
Fashion shows are always weird, but this one must have been a real show stopper.
You have to wonder what these models were thinking at the time.
"Please, no one take a picture", would seem like a pretty good guess.
posted by Michael
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A LIFT
The fog is thick in San Antonio today, I could barely see the cars in front of me on the drive home from the hospital.
Amy is doing better. I think we've turned a corner.
She still has a long way to go, but today she is not completely consumed in her pain, and I am therefore much relieved.
Still no timetable on bringing her home...but the fog is rising.
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Wednesday, January 14, 2004
HEALING
Amy is in a great deal of pain, more than with any previous surgery. This has added to her general emotional roller coaster. Tonight I asked her nurse, Sarah, to come in and speak with her. She closed the door, ignored her beeper, sat on the bed and calmly spoke to Amy reassuring her. She explained how Amy needed to stay on top of her pain management (she has a morphine pump), that more drugs were forthcoming, and that she shouldn't try to be brave.
Sarah told her that it was perfectly understandable that she was in pain and promised things will get better. She told Amy she was doing great considering all she's been through, and not to stress out over it. She even filled a rubber glove with water, tied it off and said, "squeeze this, pull this, throw this, do whatever you want with this whenever you feel stress."
Sarah is perhaps the best medicine Amy has received in some time.
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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.
==
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.
==
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!"
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Tuesday, January 13, 2004
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.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Monday, January 12, 2004
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.
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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.
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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?
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