Waiting

We made breakfast, did a few house tasks and waited. Jamie said we should wait until he was moved out of the ER before going up to see him. All he knew was that his surgery would be some time this afternoon. We had to fill up the gas tank so we left home around 11:30. Renee was already at the hospital when we arrived. We had to wait in a long line to be badged in to the hospital. She collected Jamie’s belongings and let me visit with Jamie. Hubby waited in the ER intake area. Renee had to wait in the badging line again after she put Jamie’s laptop, etc in her car. Surgery was scheduled for 2:00, then changed to 3:40. More waiting. They came to get Jamie at 2:30. There is an operating room waiting area on the third floor. Hubby had to exit the ER through an external door and (you guessed it), wait in line to be rebadged. The three of us met up and waited for surgery to begin. The procedure seemed to go quickly. A nurse came in to get Renee, we thought for a surgeon debrief. We waited since only one person was allowed back there. We heard nothing while waiting. Finally, at 4:37, Renee came back to the waiting room and said they were just taking Jamie to the operating room. The surgeon had gone MIA. They thought surgery would take two hours plus 1 more hour in recovery. We were so hungry that I had a headache. We went to the cafeteria which advertised shrimp and grits and roast turkey for entrees. I was ready to settle for a burger. We waited in line to order but no one came to the counter. We finally asked the cashier who informed us the hot bar and grill closed at 2:30! Someone had fried tenders and fries/tater tots and set them under a heat lamp. There were also a few salads in the cooler. Oh my! Hubby and I shared. We are heading back up to the OR waiting room. At least we aren’t one of the poor patients lying on the gurneys in the hallways near the ER still waiting to be treated. They closed two unprofitable hospitals in DC a few years ago and funnel folks in those areas to this hospital which was the premier medical facility in DC, specializing in trauma and heart issues. Such a shame what has happened here. The good news is that Jamie’s surgeon is one of the best in his field. Guess you will have to wait until tomorrow to read the rest of this story. Stay safe. Thanks for dropping by. ‘My theory is, you never know when you are going to end up in a hospital waiting room.’ – Jacob Elordi