I did mention that something interesting happened at the clinic on Thursday. Now that I’ve written it down, I realize it probably isn’t interesting to anyone after the fact. But, here it is anyway.
So, the pre-op room at my clinic is really sort of a room/hallway. There are two big armchairs for patients, two chairs for whomever is with the patient, a curtain between the two, a large refrigerator-sized piece of medical equipment, and doors to: another hallway; the hallway to the surgical suites; a small nurses’ office; a bathroom/changing room. It’s crowded. There’s lots of that let’s-pretend-we-can’t-see-or-hear-what’s-happening social behavior going on in there.
When I got there, one chair was already taken. I shuffled past to the changing room, head down (partly to avoid eye contact and to maintain that social contract, and partly because I wasn’t wearing my glasses and I have to concentrate on where I’m putting my feet), got into my gown and hair net and took my seat.
They brought Shannon back to sit with me pretty quickly because, well, let’s just say I wasn’t in the best place emotionally and leave it at that.
As I was sitting there with my head on Shannon’s shoulder, the other woman was having quite a time with getting her IV. Having experienced that difficulty most of my life, I felt terrible for her (I also hoped that one of the three people who were trying would find their stride before it was my turn.) After several tries, they gave her a break to put her arms back under the heating pad and her husband started talking to her. At first, I couldn’t tell what he was saying because I was so wrapped up in my own private hell, but then I heard him say something like, “What’s the name of that web forum? Stirrup something. Cowgirls? What is it? You know the one I’m talking about.”
I just kept whispering, “Queens. Stirrup Queens.”
I suppose if I’m going to “bump” into someone else who reads Mel’s blog, the RE’s office is the most likely place.
So, to the woman who was sitting next to me on the other side of that curtain Thursday morning, I hope all of your failed IV bruises are healing. My wrist is one big green bruise with a set of two purple fang marks in the middle. At least you can tell the story of the brick! And I hope your fertilization report was a good one. Good luck to you.
It’s a small world — at least at the RE’s office, isn’t it. Sigh.
I don’t understand why they can’t make RE’s offices quiet with lots of tiny, private rooms. Soundproof ones! They can do it for restaurants, why not a doc’s office…?
Oh, the rest of it is incredibly soundproofed and nicely done. Just the pre-op room where they do the iv’s and go through that annoying list of pre-existing questions. No, I haven’t suddenly developed a seizure disorder that I haven’t told you about since I was here three days ago or since my last procedure a month ago. 🙄
lolol oh, I gotcha!
It is indeed a small world. I hope that you’re feeling as good as you can possibly feel after this week. Thinking of you.
Maybe that was just kismet to let you know that my heart was there with you during that moment. I am just so sorry, sweetie.