Straight-shooters

I have a real problem. Aside from recently getting a senior discount at Taco Bell,(and while I laughed and appreciated the twenty-eight cent discount, I really wanted to punch that kid!) I have discovered that communication can be a big obstacle in understanding.

As you are aware, my dad has had a stroke. He has been "non-responsive." He has low sodium levels. He has a miriad of other problems and they have all been rather severe. I just kept working on the premise that I needed to maintain a hopeful and positive attitude.

That attitude came to a sudden, screeching halt today around 3:00pm. The RN-Anne was in the room talking to us about a new medication and I told her I had a question. "What is it?" she asked. I replied, "Would you say that my dad is in a coma?" (I had used that word to describe his situation to my children because that was the only word that seemed to describe it.) She responded, "Weeeeellllll, WE like to use the word "non responsive" but I would say that to use an old word, yes, he is in a coma." Yeah. Your right. I asked for it. And she gave it to me....right between the eyes.

A straight-shooter aims for the spot between the eyes. (I am not a hunter, so just agree with me here, ok? It's been a bad day and I need a break.) Not many health care professionals know how to aim there because we have conditioned them to guard their words out of self-protection. I don't like dancing around the bush, beating around the bush, bush-whacking, or whatever bush-euphemism you can come up with. I like things delivered in a clear, uncomplicated manner. It is a simple matter of taking what is in your mind, breaking it down, and building it back up in someone else's mind. But my word! The medical profession sure makes this process almost impossible.

I would use the word impossible to describe trying to tell people about my dad's condition. Nothing seemed to accurately explain it. That is until I asked the question. Once she confirmed it, the last piece of the puzzle finally clicked. He was in a coma.

Now what? I had my answer. I really couldn't whine about it because I had asked for it. "Miss Straight-shooter" had just shot herself in the foot. So, I bucked up and sucked up the lurking tears and said, "Thank you for telling me that. Now, I know what we are up against." Non-responsive was not doing it for me. Coma did. Sometimes PC is NG. (not good)

So, now you know. It's a coma. So, we spent tonight hammering out some directions for future health care. It was not a good evening. In fact, I would use some straight-shooter words like: bad, hellish, gut-wrenching, loving, and exhausting. After it was over, we circled up close and had a family hug. We prayed with tears streaming down our faces. I love my sisters and mother with a love that hurts. They are all strong, faithful, forgiving women. They are mine. A gift from God. No returns. Well, I think that's because God didn't give me a receipt and I cannot return them for a refund without it.

Please pray. I can't get any more "straight" than that.