Post from the Emergency Room

I'm writing this post from the emergency room at St. Vincents Hospital. My sister called me at quitting time this evening to say that my mom was hurting and not feeling well. I didn't think it was that serious but since my medical educations went only to tenth great health, I decided to consult a doctor. I immediately called my friend Tom who after hearing the symptoms, said she needs to see a doctor...I know that's probably not what you want to hear but she needs to go.
So over the protests of my 83 year old mom, my sister called for an ambulance and we've been sitting in the waiting room ever since.
The wheels of medicine turn slowly. Sitting here in the waiting room I get a feel for just how fortunate I am. Many of the people waiting for medical attention are very sick. Most are old but some are young. One elderly man was as thin as a scare crow and pale as a ghost. He had a hollow haunted look in his eyes that seemed to be saying "I'm so tired, and ready for this to be over." You could almost see the life draining out of him as he sat there lost in his misery. It made me sad just sitting there.
My mom was feeling better about 9 p.m. and was lobbying to go home, but the doctors were studying charts, and looking at x-rays. I'd be willing to bet she'll be an overnight guest here ....if she's lucky. She left her hearing aids at home so all the activity around her is a tangled confusing noise. She looked a lot thinner too under the harsh florescent emergency room lights.
But she's been here before and she's gone under the knife more times than she likes to remember and she's a trooper.
Y'all keep her in your thoughts and prayers.