Catheter Out!

My most anticipated appointment was this morning with Urology Specialists of the Carolinas . They are not a partner with CMC, but they have an office at CMC Pineville.

The procedure was a bit more than I anticipated, as they first filled my bladder with about 300cc of saline through the catheter.  My bladder held that for a bit, the catheter was removed, and I then drained 200cc back fairly promptly.   I was sent on my way urged to drink extra fluids, and to return if there were any problems later today.  As I got home, I did piss myself a little on the new sweats that Mike had brought me, but I probably drained an additional 100cc into the toilet.

Nice long shower, change of clothes and I'm in very good shape.

But this post is going to be a bit more about the wonderful people, Melissa, Chrissy, and especially Regina who served me today at Urology Specialists.

Regina is a Nursing Assistant and she provided me with most of the care of this operation with Melissa, a PA checking in on me.

It was clear the Regina's mind was clouded, and I apologize for being a bit rude.  The paperwork is not co-ordinated with CMC records, so I was supposed to list my medications by hand, and I didn't have a ready list even though I had been advised by recorded message to do so.  I was a bit annoyed at this lack of technology, but these gaps do happen.  So when Regina was asking for the list I was a bit short. I did back off, and decided to take a bit of interest in Regina's life.

Regina works as an NA just to pay the bills - she works well and is very professional but the medical field is far from her dreams.  It turns out that she's more interested in computers. I encouraged her as best I could describing my career with computers and the current salary I get though I do not have formal credentials - just some 30 years of programming experience which is counting for something.

I also picked up on her name Regina, and encouraged her to look up the famous hymn Regina Coeli Laetare  (Queen of Heaven Rejoice!) though it is in Latin. I asked her to focus on what I call the "three happiest words in all creation"

Ressuexit sicut dixit

which means "He is risen as He said."  So potent and brief these words are, because we not only get the great news that Christ is risen, but that He did it just exactly as He promised!

I encouraged Regina as best I could to step out and look for the computer education she needs and take that first step.

Another secular song of encouragement I highly recommend is the Late Stan Roger's Mary Ellen Carter and as you see in this video, this song saved a life.

"And you, to whom adversity has dealt the final blow

With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go

Turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain

And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again"

I'm a big fan of Stan Rogers, and I like to tell the story of his tragic death on June 2nd 1983, in Cincinnati.  He was flying in a DC-9 when the pilot radioed in that they had smoke, and requested an emergency landing in Cincinnati. The plane landed safely, but once the doors were opened the oxygen flow caused a flash and 23 of the 46 souls aboard perished, including Stan Rogers.

It is by this incident, that the NTSB made a recommendation to put in smoke detectors in the bathrooms and to prohibit such smoking.  So each time you get lectured by your flight attendants about this, consider Stan Rogers, and say a little prayer.  Such a beautiful soul to have lost - please do look up is other works, and learn about this Canadian national treasure.

I also have a confession to make today, as we were driving around there was a man on the off ramp at I-485 onto South Blvd, holding a sign expressing he was 61 and homeless.  I did have two twenty dollar bills in my pocket and I neglected to offer any charity.  I plan to get some smaller bills for the next time.  Perhaps I will do better.  It also occurs to me that I have been keeping some hard candies "Werther's Original" from CVS in my belly bag, I could have at least offered those.

I also dropped by my former employer Velocitor Solutions, Inc. and spoke briefly with COO Shawn Flemming.  I discussed the cancer briefly, and that while the termination from Velocitor was painful at the time, I am well over it, and all is well.  I also briefly visited with some former employees.

So life is good, but it's still work.

-Ad Jesum Per Mariam, Eric