When I was very young I was told "Watching too much TV will turn you brain into mush." Well that maybe true, but I can't hear any sloshing around in there yet. You see, I watch TV not only for entertainment but for life lessons and education. I am not talking about 'Sesame Street' or 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' or the kids shows. A week or so ago, I watched more 'Andy Griffith' and 'MASH' than I ever watched at the fire station. And during that time, I had LOTS of time to think and reminisce over things I had totally forgotten about. Yes I read, and took many naps. I entertained several workers that opened up to me about their lives, families and the state of the country. I got so sick of laying there with people waiting on my every need, that I resisted the pain and slide off the bed on to my feet and began doing laps up and down the short runway of hall myself and the few other rooms had. One day I totaled up nearly a half of a mile in those laps, all in sock feet. I WAS BORED STIFF!
By now you can realize, I was in a hospital as a patient recouping from a surgery. If you have even been in a hospital, and had serious surgery, you know the feeling of lost time, being stuck, poked asked the same questions over, and over, and OVER again. Then followed by more questions which you were asked by another doctor or nurse or therapist or someone from the hospital staff. I could not talk any of their names or what they did today. It was like a blur of faces, smiles and clipboards coming into my room both day and all hours of the night. I wanted to yell out, "LET GET SOME SLEEP so I have enough strength and energy to run out of the place!" With the weak promises of, "Maybe we can release you tomorrow or the day after."
So finally, after nine days in the hospital, I was released and wanted to celebrate with a double cheese burger and a huge strawberry shake, but no I was told, "You are on this special diet for a couple weeks" until you pass gas and other personal stuff happens I won't mention. Don't ask.
Now as I sort of walking like a feeble old man in very loose clothing, my diet has slowly changed and I have most of the skin tearing adhesives off of the tender spots, I am feeling more human and working my way back to the guy I was, or what I remembered.
But back to the life lessons. I learned as a patient in a hospital, you have no dignity. None. All of your privacy is tossed out the window. You are open to any doctor, nurse or anyone who wants to get a cut out of the insurance policy. Well, maybe not everyone, not housekeeping.
Oh the book? It is titled "Let Them" by Mel Robbins. A lady who hit bottom in so many different ways, and realized she was stressing over things she could not control. That is the main gist of the book. 'Let Them' means if you get cut off by a bad driver, you can't control that so you should just 'Let Them' be a jerk. If you try the control how your children dress, just Let Them figure it out themselves. It's like stopping an ice cube from melting. Sooner or later it will melt. If your neighbor gets mad because you use a leaf blower, Let Them.
Yes we all should be respectful, courteous and nice to each other, but get stressed over every little thing. As another author said, 'Shit Happens' no matter what you do. Sometimes you have to relax, take things that are coming,(without your control) and say Ah-h-h. Just LET THEM.
I will say the stay in the hospital was eye opening to a guy who is active and gets bored easy, other than watching Andy and Opie, and I have gained even more respect for our nurses, doctors, hospital staff and what they go through on a daily basis. They are truly heroes in my book.
Now I want to say, take care of these bodies we have been entrusted, take care and stay safe. Please pray for the LA fire survivors and all they are going through.
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