Let me start off this Sunday where I left off last Sunday (I promise this story isn’t that confusing) heehee.
Cowboy called to let me know that he had driven himself to the emergency room because his left arm went numb. After they had given him one of those “oh so flattering” hospital gowns to wear, he suddenly remembered that he might not have locked his tool boxes on his truck. So, this dude decides that instead of waiting until I arrived (somewhat calmly) at the hospital to help him, that he would just do it himself.
Okay, no problem at all. I’m sure every car that passed him in the parking lot thought it was completely normal to see a cowboy wearing a hospital gown, a cowboy hat and boots exiting the hospital…. yep, no problem at all.
Cowboy is a very patient person… except when he’s in a hospital… or pretty much anywhere on earth that isn’t his idea. And then he becomes not so patient. That’s the “G” rated way of saying what I’m really thinking.
Let’s fast forward this story-
The E.R. doctor (who, by the way, does not look like any of the doctors on Grey’s Anatomy) decides to admit Cowboy for additional tests. This makes Cowboy really happy and it shows all over his face. He just loves doctors, tests and hospitals so so much and he’s just so pleasant to be around (insert cross-eyed emoji).
After spending a full day and a gazillion dollars (according to Cowboy), they still have no idea what exactly happened to cause his symptoms. So they decide to admit him for an overnight stay to run additional tests.
Y’all, if you could have seen the look on Cowboy’s face. His face puckered up like someone who just had a double dose of enemas, the extra large kind.
I decided to put my nurse maid hat on and try to calm the situation. It didn’t work, he was headed towards the door faster than two people running a race for a gazillion dollars. And in his mind, he needed to win that race since the hospital bills would total that exact amount.
Just as he was crossing the finishing line and exiting those hospital doors, Dr. Not So Cute caught up to him and said “Mr. Gilbert, if you leave without me releasing you, the insurance will not pay a penny”.
He froze. Turned back around and headed back into his favorite place where he was taken to his room for an overnight stay. Oh boy… a whole lotta fun is about to happen in room 214. Bless those sweet nurses.
I’m a firm believer that when someone like nurses have to care for someone like Cowboy, some sort of extra compensation needed to happen.
The next morning I walked into the hospital armed with Starbucks gift cards and breakfast. I handed out those little green and white cards like candy to everyone that Cowboy had come in contact with. I learned a long time ago that sometimes in our lives, a little “brown nosing” goes a long way. And if that little act of kindness would ease the attitude that Cowboy was giving his nurse, then so be it.
Everything checked out fine on Cowboy, so no worries there. And, as we were leaving, the nurse came to say goodbye.
NURSE: (Chuckling) Mrs. Gilbert, we enjoyed having you here, good luck with him.
ME: (Putting on my nurse maid hat) I know honey, I know.
’til next Sunday y’all- Tammy π
