Another amazing week. After the port was replaced I immediately put it to use by having a GI stent inserted. I use to take for granted eating and drinking along with the entertainment value of it all. Now eating has become a chore with little joy right up there with scooping cat litter. A stent keeps the pie hole open so you can eat most things other than porterhouse steaks, which are not an option any longer. Apparently beer and liquor are bad items also, but I’m sure that was a misprint. I was assured the procedure was typical outpatient with a normal recovery expected. I’m not normal so those things didn’t happen; I got discharged Tuesday after the procedure, returned within 3 hours, and didn’t get back home until Saturday afternoon.
I’ve spent 3/4 of my life working in hospitals and now in the 4th Quarter I’m spending most of my time in them as a patient. I’m okay with that notion since I believe you reap what you sow in life. As it was four decades ago your recovery depends largely on the employees and physicians who treat you. Like many hospitals today most of my caregivers this week were not folks born and raised in America; nearly all of the nurses and techs this stay were from Haiti. No matter, whenever they’d come in to take vitals or check on me I’d strike up conversations and ask about their work lives, their families, how they got to America. Each of them had personal uplifting stories of leaving Haiti, living in America, raising children here, and seeing them thrive. We began trading pictures and stories of our grown children and new grand kids no different than I do with college roommates at football tailgaters. When David and Tatiana arrived back from their honeymoon all three of my sons were together in the room with us. Elide, the care tech I saw the most said to them beaming, “You’re the twins, you are the one just married, and your daughter is the little flower girl.”
I have a high tolerance for pain, but not this time; I was on the verge of pulling all the IVs and walking out. I would have scooted, but Diane took my wallet and car keys holding me against my will. On Saturday after clearing the discharge hurdles, I couldn’t pack up quick enough and was leaving hell or high water. On the way out we passed Elide at the nurses desk. When Diane gave Elide the flowers a friend had sent me she looked disappointed and said, “you aren’t leaving me are you?” Without blinking I said, “thank you for taking care of me Elide; but it’s time for me to go home to my own family now.”
I may never see Elide, Lesly, Minja, Wilda, or Dr. Kooper again which ironically would be a good thing, but being in the personal care of immigrants who treated me like family gave me hope for a full recovery. A lot of talk about people trying to immigrate to America these days; the same talk made a century ago and a century before. I never need to remind myself, however, my own family immigrated here from Ireland not that long ago, departing a homeland torn by poverty and political upheaval like Haiti. My ancestors came to America facing the hurdles of discrimination still simmering today that Elide faced, but her family like mine were beckoned here by the same hope of a brighter future than that we left behind. After getting home and crawling into bed I fell into a deep sleep convinced America is still a decent place. Slainte.
Hi Goodland neighbor! You are one tough guy and have a great way with words!
Your stories are always so inspirational! All the best to you and your beautiful family from the Mitten State!
Pete, I have fond memories of our time together in Winter Park. You were a great mentor to me, impacting how I viewed work. And today with these writings you continue to make an impact on how to view life and the challenges we face. All the best to you and Diane!
Jim, thanks for reading and commenting. My time at Winter Park is still special to me, particularly working with you and the rest of the team. I think it would have been much longer, but the frenetic pace of the parent organization got the best of all of us. I hope you are well, say hello to the family. Best, Pete
Sending Healing Love and prayers
🙏🏻💜💙
Sending Healing Love and prayers
🙏🏻💜💙
First time reading your famous essays. I hope when I grow up I can be as tough as you. God Bless
Tom, thanks for reading and commenting. You’ve always been a role model for stamina, so thank you. Pete
Beautiful Pete! It is so nice to hear you are home with Diane! Stay well and please keep writing! Your words have a healing power!
Margaret, thank you for reading and commenting! Let John know I’ll be in Ti in a couple weeks and I’ll come by to see him. Pete
Hey Pete: I had no idea you were back in the hospital until I read this post after you were discharged. We have so many good memories of all those St Patty’s Day parties with you and Diane and wish we lived closer now so we could visit and relive those fun times. I don’t know exactly how to explain it as eloquent as some of the other posts, but knowing what you are going through and witnessing through your posts how you are able to uplift those caregivers and everyone around you helps us to also be able to pass some of that spirit to others in our lives. Just so you know our prayers are with you. Sandy and I are looking forward to your next post.
Mark, great to hear from you as always. Trust me, I didn’t plan on being back in the hospital, but one thing leads to another. Do you still live in Palm Bay? Let’s try to get together one of these days. Pete
I am in Belfast then headed to Derry. Will say a prayer over a real Guinness for you
Nancy, the best Guinness is in Ireland; have a great time! Pete
Pete, so glad you’re on the back end of that procedure. Glad to hear you are back home and in good hands. 🍀Immigrants are what formed our nation 🌎🇺🇸
Grace, that is for sure; but we tend to settle into our comfort zones and forget that pretty quickly. Pete
Pete, your messages and stories are always so Inspiring. I love reading them. As always my thoughts and prayers are always with you guys.
Jim, thanks for reading. It was great to see you throughout the winter in Goodland, hopefully we will run into you in the ADK this summer. Pete
Here’s to a warm recovery where caregivers bring you hope and full recovery.
God Bless, Debbie
Debbie, thanks for the encouragement and support; I appreciate it. Pete
So happy you were taking care of in the hospital and welcome back to your home with your beautiful family. It sounded like a rough week and pray 🙏 you are in the confort of your family and home.
MaryBeth, nothing better than sleeping in your own bed at night. Pete
Pete I am not sure if you know who I am,but my mother was a Carney . My parents were Patty and Gillette Bartlett,and my grandparents were Frank and RoseMary Carney. Your relative Peggy married my cousin Peter Carney. I look forward to your next post. Take care and many prayers 🙏 for you.
Beth, I remember you well; you may have been a freshman when I was a senior. Even though he was a Moriah Viking Jimmy Rowe and I were friends. Best, Pete
It was so good to hear your voice yesterday and know you are home enjoying eating again.
You are a great man Mr Lawson!
Shelley, I couldn’t pull off imitating Diane’s voice when I called, it’s much deeper than mine. Pete