Another amazing week. Ā After the port was replaced I immediately put it to use by having a GI stent inserted. Ā I use to take for granted eating and drinking along with the entertainment value of it all. Ā Now eating has become a chore with little joy right up there with scooping cat litter.Ā A stent keeps the pie hole open so you can eat most things other than porterhouse steaks, which are not an option any longer. Ā Apparently beer and liquor are bad items also, but Iām sure that was a misprint. Ā I was assured the procedure was typical outpatient with a normal recovery expected. Ā Iām not normal so those things didn’t happen; I got discharged Tuesday after the procedure, returned within 3 hours, and didnāt get back home until Saturday afternoon.
Iāve spent 3/4 of my life working in hospitals and now in the 4th Quarter Iām spending most of my time in them as a patient. Ā Iām okay with that notion since I believe you reap what you sow in life. Ā As it was four decades ago your recovery depends largely on the employees and physicians who treat you.Ā 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.Ā No matter, whenever theyād 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.Ā 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. Ā Elide, the care tech I saw the most said to them beaming, āYouāre the twins, you are the one just married, and your daughter is the little flower girl.ā
I have a high tolerance for pain, but not this time; I was on the verge of pulling all the IVs and walking out. Ā I would have scooted, but Diane took my wallet and car keys holding me against my will. Ā On Saturday after clearing the discharge hurdles, I couldn’t pack up quick enough and was leaving hell or high water.Ā Ā On the way out we passed Elide at the nurses desk.Ā When Diane gave Elide the flowers a friend had sent me she looked disappointed and said, āyou arenāt leaving me are you?ā Without blinking I said, āthank you for taking care of me Elide; but itās time for me to go home to my own family now.ā
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.Ā A lot of talk about people trying to immigrate to America these days; the same talk made a century ago and a century before.Ā 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. Ā 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.Ā After getting home and crawling into bed I fell into a deep sleep convinced America is still a decent place. Ā Slainte.
I am always happy when i come home from seeing my docs in Bethesda. I click my ruby heels together and say āthereās no place like homeā
Jen, a truer word has never been said. I hope you are doing well. Pete
Inspiring, Pete, as usual! Love that Elide took such very wonderful care of you. There are most certainly angels among us and Iām glad she was sent for you. Very special.
Sending much love to you and Diane and the rest of the clanā¦ especially that speedy flower girl!
ā¤ļø
Edie, it was nice to see you and John again in Goodland this year; much better than Punta Gorda. Pete
Pete, glad that you are home now and hope you are on the road to recovery. Thanks for this blog, I think youāre helping a lot of people with your outlook on battling lifeās challenges!
Tom, thanks for reading and reflecting. I do get that sense the blog is giving people a lift. That was my only goal, so I’ll keep at it. We’ll be in Ti the 1st two weeks of July, so I’ll be on the look out for you. Pete
Hereās to continued healing.
Thanks Georgette, it all works.
Keep on trucking PetešŖš
Great post. Great man. ā¤ļø
Terry, thanks for reading and your support. I hope TN is treating you well for the Summer. Pete
You inspire us when we should be inspiring you! My prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for your inspiration and thoughtful commentary.
Jane, I hope you guys are doing well in Wilmington. Do you ever get to Kathrine Rooney’s? That was my brother Mark’s favorite place. Pete
Pete and Diane,
Frank and I send big hugs, heartfelt prayers and love to you from WV! We love your positive writings and also have strong beliefs in this great country. May God be with you on your journey. ā¤ļø
Nancy, nice to hear from you and your kind words. Tell Frank I said hello. John and Edie returned to Goodland this year, so we saw them on a regular basis. Pete
Mr. Peteā¦you have a way of taking any situationā¦finding the good partā¦and honing in on it. It is a tribute to your character and the reason we all aspire to be cockroaches. ššŖ³š Now that is a statement that I never thought I would makeā¦ but itās true. š
Itās funny the way that people come into your life for a reason. Though you may never cross paths with your caretakers againā¦they will live in your heart forever. ā¤ļø Thatās a gift Mr. Pete. I love it that Elide could peg each one of your kids and knew who was who. That shows how much she cared about you. ā¤ļø I think that there are angels on earth everywhere and if we are open to itā¦we get to experience their presence. š Alsoā¦ to meā¦the little details in life bear the most meaningā¦in people or art or anything.
To meā¦your stay at the hospital reminded me of The Grinch movie. Likeā¦ it wasnāt pleasantā¦but you left with a full heart filled with the love of being surrounded by good people. Maybe a blessing in disguise. ā¤ļø
I woke up at 5 am the other night to a cockroach crawling up my wall. I whispered to him Mr. Pete? Is that you? Not reallyā¦š but I stared at himā¦fearing my life. š He flew across my room and disappearedā¦but I was so scared I couldnāt get back to sleep. Then I remembered telling you that you keep us in checkā¦like only a cockroach can do. At the time I was just saying that. Butā¦that shit is true! šŖ³šš
My heart is with you Mr. Pete. ā¤ļøI hope you are resting easy.
āIf there’s a good part thenā¦
I hope it’s not far ’causeā¦I thought it’d be todayā š¶šš¶
~ AJR (one of Cashās songs š)
Elisa, that was probably a palmetto bug; they’re like the elephants of the roach family. They use to nauseate me until my cat ate one, so I needed to step up a little after that. Pete
Pete, I can’t remember who said it but happiness is something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. Your essays are on my list of things I hope you keep writing so we can keep reading. Glad to hear you are home. Know that you are loved. Slainte.
Tim, thanks for reading and giving me support. So far so good on the blog; I am inching towards 100 posts, so I am wrestling with that as a marker, but we’ll see. Best, Pete
š Prayers and love for you all
Val, nice to hear from you, as always. I hope you’re not getting smoked out in NY. Pete
Prayers for your ongoing recovery, Pete. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your words both inspire and ground us at a time when both are especially appreciated.
Mary Ann, great to hear from you as always. I saw Mr. Waller at my son David’s wedding; I had to keep an eye on him so things wouldn’t get out of hand. Best, Pete
Lovingly said. I salute you, Pete Lawson. Heal fast, keep on loving, stay wise, and may God always be with you. Hope to see you soon. Steve
Steve, as always great to hear from you. Naples congestion got very light after Easter, so summer is looking good. Best, Pete
Pete
My thoughts are with you for a good recovery. Glad you had such caring and kind staff.
Scott, nice to hear from you and see you regularly at Crabby’s. Best, Pete
Pete,
So glad youāre back home and on the road to recovery and no doubt you are setting sight on new milestones to achieve! Prayers! As always, donāt hesitate to reach out if I can offer any support to you and your family!!
š
Thanks Pete, another great, thoughtful essay! Stay strong!! Lots of prayers for your strength and recovery coming from the Smiths in Chicago.
Chris, nice to hear from you. I am looking at the Slainte cup you sent; I’m thinking I should fill it up with Black Velvet this morning? Pete
ā¤ļøāļøšŖ³
Take the food journey slowly and be good Mr Peter Lawson š! Sending all our love from across the pond.
Shelly, is Guiness good for this? Asking for a friend. Pete
What a wonderful post! So glad youāre out of the hospital and grateful you had great care! Itās lovely that the caregiverās you had were so great! They are usually wonderful! Get better and stay well Mr. Lawson ā¤ļøš!!!
Fran, as you know, not everyone is either perfect or even nice. God invented rattlesnakes for some reason. Stay in touch. Pete
Pete, I didnāt know you were going in for this but I am thankful you are passed this. Cindy and I have a sense of what youāre going through and want you and Diane to know we truly pray for your full recovery. Your writings are an inspiration to many and demonstrate the remarkable man you are. Love you buddy. Ciao
Greg, thanks for weighing in as always. As you know, you have to keep slugging it out; the alternative isnāt much of a choice. Peace. Pete
Sending prayers & positive vibes!