Three Hours In Heaven

The staff was attentive and knowledgeable.  The accommodations were relaxing and clean.  The atmosphere calm and quiet.  You would think I am talking about the latest plush spa getaway, but as a busy Mom the best I can do is the new surgery center for Kaiser Medical Center.  Wow, what a place.

I finally did it.  I had surgery on my right knee.  My meniscus desperately needed repairing.  It had been torn to shreds after falling in heels during a restaurant safety meeting that I was leading (note to others NEVER wear heals when working in a restaurant or leading a safety meeting).  I then followed that injury up with some not so fancy footwork during my Tae Kwon Do martial arts workouts.  I would love to say I tore my meniscus street fighting for justice with only my blackbelt and quick thinking to protect me, but I was a white belt with a quick wit and overactive imagination instead.  One that got carried away during class in the not so rough suburbs of Sacramento.

Regardless it was time for the knife, or laser, or cell phone, whatever they use now, the technology is so advanced.  Ettore was on business trip when I scheduled my surgery and my parents watched my baby.  You know what that means, I was ALONE at the hospital.  For some this would be a terrible and sad thing, but we have a two bedroom condo that, along with my two step-sons, we have five people living in!  Not wanting to fall victim to keeping up with the Jones’, I am a big believer in grow where you are planted.   Still I was happy for a little time (and room) to myself.

The sweet nurses kept asking me if I was all by myself and my only reply was, “yes, thank God.”  Their confused faces expressed concern, but I was blissfully knee deep in the latest issue of Oprah and I didn’t have it in me to explain that this was actually by choice.   I was happy as a clam to sit there by myself and pour over Oprah with no interruptions, phone calls, poopy diapers, or laundry.  I was in heaven.  The doctor was a hottie (see picture above – you’re welcome) and the nurses brought me ice chips, a warm blanket, and even asked if I needed an extra pillow.  They were going to have to cart me out of there.  I was sad I wasn’t having both knees done.  The only time it got a little uncomfortable was when the nurses (again) felt bad that I was alone and wanted to move me closer to the other patients after they gave me what they considered “bad news”.  My surgery was pushed back an hour.  Music to my ears.  I let out a firm (and bit desperate), “No, please don’t move me”, and I think I might of startled the nurse a bit.  I was almost finished with Oprah’s personal column, “What I Know For Sure” and I couldn’t have that ruined with any, “sooooo what are you in for?” small talk.

Sure enough, three hours after checking in,  the time for my surgey came and my stay at Spa Kaiser ended.  As they rolled me in to the surgery room, the doctor asked if there was any music I prefered to be put to sleep to for my surgery.  I took a deep sigh and muttered Nina Simone.   As I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of my future Tae Kwon Do battles and four inch heels, I smiled knowing it will just be a matter of time…I’ll be back.

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