SOB (sister of blogger) and HOSOB (husband of sister of blogger) left yesterday for a week in Europe.
The last time SOB left the country for a week, my father was so anxious that his doctor-daughter was more than a mere phone call away that he ended up in the hospital ER at least three times. I, the non-medically trained daughter, met him at the ER each time, and waited with him until his anxiety-caused shortness of breath, etc., passed.
Dad would apologize for taking me away from my office or my family. I would tell him I am glad and relieved that he called so I could be there. He would respond, how else would you know anything was wrong because you don’t call me. Ok ok ok ok. I gave him the grandchild whom he sees on Tuesdays and we have him over (along with SOB and HOSOB) every Sunday night and every holiday. SOB is in charge of daily check-ins. I am in charge of weekends and holidays. Did I mention that I provide the grandchild? (I used to call him every day as well from the cab home, when I worked close enough to home to take cabs after work. Now I take the subway (no reception) and when I walk in the door I need to spend time with my son and partner.)
Ok, he has hypochondriacal tendencies, but he was 88 at the time. Now, he is 89 and he does have heart disease now that is making him slow down. But he is by no means enfeebled. He is healthier than most people 30 years his junior.
Last week SOB and I discussed which ER Dad would likely go to. I thought if I could figure it out, I could arrange to have office space and wifi during these ER stints. One hospital serves free apple juice; the other is farther away but is in the hospital where Dr. SOB is an attending physician, so he would be fawned over. His cardiologist is smack in the middle. Don’t under-estimate the draw of free apple juice to a son of poor immigrants raised in the Depression. So, not a clear cut option.
Of course, this is only mildly amusing if nothing is really wrong. Dad went to the cardiologist on Thursday and Dr. SOB went along to make sure his new medication was helping and that he was in good shape. SOB left the country, confident that everything will be all right.
Dad had something to do yesterday. We are seeing him today — going to see his sculpture on display at his studio and then taking him to dinner. So, I knew that all would be okay on the weekend. It is Monday that will be the test. Last night, I priced those wifi plug-ins. One has to be prepared for anything.
