Written by:
Frank Sisco, 30 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804
Home office - 914.740.4422, Cell - 914.740.4422; Email – ideasmoney@aol.com
www.LifeAndMoney.com
Copyright 2007 Frank Sisco
Life and Money - "Lying in a Hospital Bed"
By Frank Sisco, CPA, PFS
(Word count = 1,014 word count plus 61 words for About the Author)
Last Monday I could not help but overhear Mr. A (a man in his forties) in the hospital bed next to me telling his nurse about his problems. I did not want to eavesdrop but the curtain between us in the Emergency Room of the Sound Shore Medical Center was thin, the distance only four feet and he was not whispering. He was there ostensibly due to a bruised arm from a fall on the ice. The real reason was that he expressed severe depression and possible suicidal tendencies and the paramedics thought it best to bring him in to the ER. Lisa, the astute caring nurse, was consoling him and getting him to express himself, giving him good measures of sympathy and advice. He talked about not making enough income from his home improvements business, the heartache of a recent separation from his wife, and being distraught over certain family members not speaking to him, including his daughters. Lying there on my back, staring at the ceiling, listening, I found my emotions mounting.
At that point about 6 pm, four hours since my admission, I did not yet know that my severe chest pains and shortness of breath were a result of an infection around my heart (pericarditis) and not life-threatening like a heart attack with resulting heart damage. (I was diagnosed late in the next afternoon.) I was lying there feeling sorry for myself. That my plans would need a major overhaul. That my life may even be cut short. That, just when things seem to be going very right, this very wrong development was happening, botching up everything. I started crying while listening to Mr. A. because I realized I'm blessed to have the life I have had, even if it now had to change due to health reasons. Blessed with a loving family. Blessed with a successful profession career that enables me to give of myself to people. Blessed with excellent health, at least up until now. My mind turned to Mr. A. What could I do to help him? After I heard the nurse leave his bedside, I called out to him and asked if he did electrical work. He did. We exchanged phone numbers, and he'll be doing a few repair and installation projects for me soon. As he left, we drew the curtain back, saw each other's face, shook hands, and smiled. Mr. A! If you read this, please call me at 914.589.1013. When I called you back answering your call, your cell number was disconnected and your friend's cell was too.
I had a few tests (e.g. EKG, blood tests for enzymes, etc.) and John frequently gave me positive feedback as he administered the tests and watched the monitoring equipment. When he walked over to another patient, I heard another voice next to me. Mr. J. (a man of seventy-six with a lot of bounce and spring in his voice) was in the ER because of swollen legs and feet, related to complications from a recent open-heart surgery. He was playful and witty with the nurses, very congenial and apparently quite happy. He openly engaged me through the curtain and I felt uplifted by his good spirits. My pain seemed less.
As we talked through the curtain, I thought about the new movie "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, which I read is about their relationship that develops as patients in a hospital and how they help each other realize many of their life dreams. The scenes are probably played out thousands of times each day in hospitals around the country and around the world. I felt privileged to talk with Mr. A, and now Mr. J. After thirty minutes of conversation with Mr. J. about his business before retiring, his hobbies, and his family, I then learned that his two sons had both died years before, and so did his daughter's husband. Incredible tragedies. Yet, somehow he persisted, became very supportive of his wife who was undergoing severe emotional trauma, and today they live happily, enjoying the precious moments of every day. Mr. J. told me about a recent activity with his grandson, L, (the son of his second son) whereby together they raised significant funds for a college drive for donations by collecting over four thousand pop-top clips. What an amazing man, filled with life, hope, faith and love. If only I could connect Mr. A. with Mr. J.
When I was moved to my semi-private room, I met Mr. E. from behind the curtain separating our beds. His recent stroke led to the loss of his job and the three months of disability benefits expired the prior week. I gave him a contact to call who may help him with finding out what benefits and resources may be available to him in the area. Again, I felt blessed to have so much while others have so little.
At 3pm on the second day, Dr. C. gave me the good news that my heart is fine (yet I should take a precautionary stress test and Echocardiogram), that the pericarditis is treatable will subside soon. He reiterated what nurse Michelle (and my wife Lorrie, mother and others) have told me several times. Go slower. Be good to myself and take some time. Don't push so hard. This time it will sink in.
Somehow, the infection was exactly what I needed to cause a pause to reflect on my blessings and to see the amazing loving care from others around me, acting as agents of a higher force. My own "It's a Wonderful Life."
As I was gathering my items and preparing to leave the hospital room, my nurse Lilly asked if I had anyone who was walking with me. Although I was leaving alone and driving myself home, I said "Yes, I do." Lilly asked, "Who?" Smiling, I closed my right hand into a fist with my thumb up, and I pointed up, toward heaven, repeating, "Yes, I do." She nodded and smiled back, knowing exactly what I meant.
About the author:
Frank Sisco is a CPA and Personal Financial Specialist and writes on topics related to life and money. You can contact Frank by email at ideasmoney@aol.com or by phone at 914.589.1013 in order to express your opinion about this article or to obtain copies of prior articles. He resides in New Rochelle, NY with his wife and daughter.
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