NOTHING AND EVERYTHING

Signature Health Care, where I'm presently trapped

There is absolutely no privacy in hospitals and physical therapy facilities. No matter what I'm doing, it gets interrupted.

Last night at 2:00 a.m. I was jolted awake by an intruder in my room. A woman wearing what looked like a NASA space suit and a surgical mask. Scared the living jeeters out of me. She needed to draw blood. No, I am not kidding.

Since I'm existing on furosemide, I have to urinate frequently. I use a urinal by my bed. And I get interrupted frequently. A few days ago, I was peeing. Three people burst into the room shouting "HELLO!!". I almost pis -- whoops, peed on the ceiling. Turns out they were looking for someone - - but they had the wrong room!! Holy Gawd, I don't have a shred of dignity left. I could tell you far worse things....but won't.

Yesterday (Saturday) I was napping (lazy weekend). Two nurses woke me and dragged me out of bed to get weighed.

Due to the painful unhealing pressure wounds on my ass...whoops! on my butt, they've put an air mattress on my bed. More comfortable than the other mattress.

I get wound care service (at least) once a day. Great fun having nurses looking at my....butt.

Change of subject

Hospital food. It was pretty good in Cookeville. Here at Signature, it's not so good. EVERYTHING is overcooked. The chicken-fried steak was so incredibly tough that I couldn't cut it. I hacked and hacked with two knives but couldn't make a dent. This happens with nearly all the meat.

Did you ever get pancakes that are too tough to cut? I got them yesterday at breakfast. I hacked the hell out of them. And the toast is always tough. Toast!

Saving Grace

Last night the chicken and dumplings were very good.

I don't know how all the ninety-year-old people without teeth can eat here.

Speaking of old people....

Have you ever heard about Sergeant Alvin York? He was a hero in World War I. He was born and raised only a few miles from here (and he was born on December 13th, my birthday).

A 1941 movie was made about him starring Gary Cooper.

Well, Sgt.York had ten children. His only surviving child, Betsy Ross, is here in Signature Health Care and she's very often with me in physical therapy. She is 92 years old and looks much younger. And she's sharp as a proverbial tack. I've met several members of the York family and they are delightful people.

Betsy Ross

Change of subject

My appointment with the optometrist was on January 22. I'm supposed (?) to get cataract surgery...but so far haven't heard anything about it.  Well, I'll patiently wait.

What's the weather here in rural Tennessee?

When I had my eye appointment it was snowy and 12 degrees (Fahrenheit)!

It has since warmed up. Rainy and in the 40s. This coming week it's predicted to be in the 60s!! I only hope it will stay like that until spring.

I have a lot more to say, but I've probably entertained you enough for now.

I don't want to subject you to too much of a good thing.

Jon  ❤️

BTW

My previous post, In the Breath of a Dream, was really not a mystery - - and I'm sure most of you caught on.

In my dire and frustrating mood, the "sleep" was I was referring to was the final sleep. Death.

I was depicting a beautiful, blessedly peaceful place where there is rest - - far away from the pain and agony of our earthly woes.