Encore: A Visit to the Hospital: Part One

As a replacement camera hurtles through space, Her New York presents encores of beloved posts and dear memories.

The Long and Winding Road

We had hoped it would go away. But it didn't.

Then the substitute home attendant and the recreational therapist both said something. I had some time off but was still putting back together small pieces of a recently broken life - I just wanted a bit more time before another 10 hours in the ER. I kept asking with great hope to G., "Maybe it's a cold?" G. kept saying "I don't know". I finally asked with great hope to Doctor Russia, "Maybe it's a cold?" He said, "No, it's not cold. Bring her to ER, it is best, they do X-Ray..." Then G. said with great hope, "She seems better!"

But the next morning it was still there. When I got to her apartment I knew it was not a cold. Her chest heaved up and down like Signorny Weaver in Ghost Busters when Weaver got possessed.

So we began the long and winding...



"You're doing great," I say to her.

She says, "You're just saying that. I'm a mess."

I can't stop laughing. "You're right. You're a mess."

She says, "It's all your fault."

When the ER nurse asked Florence, "Do you know where you are?", Florence answered, "I'm not home."


Time, Time, Time, See What's Become of Me

What to bring to a day at the ER:


crackers
ensure
cups
straws
water bottle
yogurt
your own spoon
writing
pens and highlighter case
filofax with all the numbers to contact in case of...
prayer bag with sutra book and beads
extra camera
knitting
LL Bean catalog to distract Florence
Swimming to Antarctic by Lynne Cox to distract me
journal to write everything down

You Can Hear the Ocean Roar In The Dangling Conversation

"I'm not going to say no in this place."

"Did you think a little nothing in the morning could keep me here all day?"



"I have unsettled things in my body."

"Claire. Are you Claire or Louise?"

"When do I get up in the morning?"
-When you wake up in the morning.
"Oh fuck."

"I swear if I ever get past here I'll shoot you."



-(doctor) Where are we? What kind of building is it?
"Oh, it's a swell building."

"Help me."
-What do you need?"
"Somebody's hand."

"I love you.
-I love you.
"I never said that to anybody."
-I know
"How do you know?"

"Everything will be alright."