11/25/08

I'm big on security, privacy, and oddities.  The following opinions are entirely my own and not at all those of my employer.  If you don't like them, close your browser now. 

Today's Topic: My first time (and not the one you think!)

I'm normally a generally healthy guy.  I'm not saying my health is perfect but I only get sick a few times a year with the office cold or other such minor ailments.  I hadn't spent the night in the hospital since I was an infant.  But recently I had the pleasure of partaking of the wonderful services at Evergreen Hospital. 

I affectionately called today's topic, "My first time" because it really was my first time in living memory staying in the hospital.  I was fortunate enough as a youngster to miss out on any serious issues other than a few trips to the emergency room for things like a sprained neck or gashed finger. 

Recently, I was not so lucky.  I don't want to delve into too much detail, but I enjoyed a trip to the hospital in an ambulance and a polite interrogation about my medical history or how I was feeling at that exact moment.  Despite the pleasant demeanor of the medical staff, I still felt a smidgen tortured because of the lights they all wanted to shine in my eyes.  Plus I mentally tortured myself for misinterpreting the warning signs.  I won't sway hypochondriac in the future, but I'll be a little more careful in making sure I get myself checked out regularly.  My tax dollars certainly were well spent that night and everyone I encountered seemed very well prepared and trained at what they do. 

The whole experience sure made me glad I live in such a great country that has emergency services for those in need and that I have a loving family to help get through this particularly trying time in my life.  By family I mean not only the obviously related ones such as my loving wife, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but also the friends who stopped by to visit me and the neighbors who dropped off helpful get well mementos. 

And a special thanks goes out to my loving wife, Christina.  She truly showed courage under fire in dealing with the whole situation.  Props to her!