You know how you always think you’re smarter than every one else? Especially if you’re a caregiver. Mostly because you are reminded on a daily basis that you are at least thinking harder than most everyone you come in contact with.
And yet, there are those days, where you are reminded that even you, Superhuman Caregiver can be the dope.
When my friend was felled with a traumatic brain injury, her friends rallied around to make sure she went to all necessary doctor appointments. One does not traumatize the brain without adding things like, broken bones, sprains, strains, cuts, bruises and vision problems in with the mix. Driving yourself is out.
I really hate driving in the city. It used to scare me. Admittedly, once you’ve driven into and out of the big city a million times, you hate it for different reasons. But a traumatic brain injury and it’s accompaniments require big city, good hospitals.
I volunteered to be the driver, so long as another friend would go along for navigation, walking to the door, or whatever else would be required.
The first time we went, the directions led us to a parking lot a thousand miles away from the building we needed. The second time we went, we found the super secret parking lot right at the back door. The third time we went we couldn’t remember how to get to the super secret parking lot. The fourth time, well this is what happened.
We pre-planned so that we could once again find the super secret parking lot. When we got to the highway exit for the hospital, it was closed. We took the next exit and ended up about 52 blocks away from our destination. Undaunted, I drove down those numbered streets until we reached the magic number….34th Street. Whereupon we came upon a busted water main break flooding the entire block north, south, east and west.
Appointment time was getting ever closer, as we sat in snarled traffic wondering what to do, I concocted a brilliant idea.
“Get out!” I said to my injured friend and my trusty sidekick helper.
They just looked at me, like I was Noah kicking them out of the boat.
“No, seriously, get out and start walking. It’s only four blocks. I’ll park anywhere I can and find you, and then I’ll go get the car when we are done at the doctor.”
They hop out into six inches of fast flowing water and jump over as much of it as they can. Tonto, the sidekick holding on to the patient hoping against hope that she doesn’t fall over and drown both of them.
I sat there for another five minutes, traffic finally starts to break and I drive around in circles. Miraculously and quite by accident I ended up at the super secret parking lot.
When Tonto and the patient enter the lobby, drenched from the knees down, there I was comfortably and dryly, waiting for them.
Hard to believe they asked me to drive again.
“You just have to Laugh……”
Cathy Sikorski
If the Docs and Hospitals weren’t so good, nobody would ever drive to Philly for an appointment! Kudos to you and your friends for prioritizing great care over an easy, local commute.
Yeah….truth be told we do sometimes take ourselves to a nice lunch. There can be a silver lining!
Cathy, great article. We have been driving to CHOP in Philadelphia now for 1 year helping with our grand daughter who has ALL leukemia. As you said It’s always a fun drive.
Oh Andy, I hope you see this reply…. you must know that that was the 34th Street we were trying to get to. Since seeing you, I am praying hard for your dear granddaughter and have enlisted my Mom who seems to have a straight shot to God. Best wishes. Cathy
Oh Cathy. That sounds so like what I would do. 😃 But the excuse I always have is…….. The heart was in the right place.
Always great to hear from you, Marian! Hahah, I know, you TRY to do something nice……and well, it doesn’t always turn out just like you planned.
FINALLY!!!! :-). More???
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How silly of me not to ‘mine’ the gold that is yours!
Amazing…
You know how I so could have done that, don’t you, Petrice?
And there she is painting that perfect picture, dodging the never-ending obstacles only a city can bring while taking good care of her friend. No doubt, smiling and relieving stressors along the way! You rock girl!!!
Yes…had to use water colors for this portrait!!!
And you did so beautifully! ps…love the graduation photo!!! Exciting time!!!
Just had to respond to the graduation…yes, our baby graduated this year in NYC and is a profitable member of society…we are indeed excited and proud! She thought I was insulting her with the pic….that’s how smart she thinks her Mom is…Your comments keep me going, as does your brave and generous blog.
Proud moment indeed! Loved the photo caption only a Mom could share! When our boys would chime in with similar responses, I had to say, “just humor me please!” Enjoy your day Cath!!!
That’s hilarious!! OMG I can just see that happening to me!
Well, genetics are a dangerous thing, don’t ya’know? Thanks for commenting!
Oh I remember it well – especially the part where our injured friend decided she needed to hum the entire way because she was afraid and Tonto so lovely said “shut up!”
Oh, Tonto, what would we do without you????
Thanks for sharing two of the most important rules for caregivers…things don’t go as planned and you’ve got to roll with it. And, if you can laugh, even better.
Right, Janet? I still hate the pressure of the big city, but the care is so worth it, as long as the caregiver survives!
Talking about big city hospitals and big cities in general, you’d get a good laugh at the story of how my wig blew off and away as I left the hospital on a windy day!!! Didn’t laugh then, but laughing now!
Oh, Kathleen…..that’s hysterical. Thanks for sharing that. I know in the moment it can seem so downright painful, but after caregiving for so many, I learned much like Janet, above, that if you can laugh, even if it’s later, it sure does help. Hats (or wigs) off to you for commenting!