To the Hospital...

In the Scrubs episode "My Life In Four Cameras," JD meets the writer for "Cheers," and begins to fantasize about what the hospital would be like if it was a poppy-sitcom, where everything is light and funny, and most importantly, everything wraps up just like a present on christmas. No one dies of sudden complications, no disease is too unbearable, and everyone is a comedian. He fights with this idea of a "perfect" world as it clashes with the harsh reality of what actually happens in a hospital. Here's where things get touchy. Scrubs may not be that kind of silly sitcom like JD portrays in his daydream, but it isnt the way they portray it to be on a "regular" day anyways.
A hospital is a cold, confusing building designed by demons to trick grieving loved-ones into finding only the same hallway twice, a few stairwells, and the elevators. You wander trying to find the cafeteria, only to find it closed, and when you attempt the vending machine, it steals the last 3 one-dollar bills you have. The hospital isnt filled with friendly people talking and laughing with their doctors, instead they are walking around like they could have a million other places to be and someone stuck them in here. There are no "Dr.Cox"s or "JD"s, in fact, I haven't seen a damn doctor in this room or in the hall for that matter. "Carla" never shows up to check on the patient, and "Elliot" is no where to be found. Who you ask does actually show up? Women who sit at the nurse's station and interrogate you, not caring you've been here alllll daaayy, and might not exactly remember to say "Room 3023 needs...." at 4:30 in the morning, and accidentally say "She needs...."----To which she replied, "who is 'she?' All I could think is "Thank you for putting a counter between me and her..." Excuse my manners, but if I'm in the hospital for any reason, dont expect to get away with sarcasm, esp when it's my mom who just so happens to be the patient. I dont like bothering you anymore than you like me bothering you.
The equipment doesnt work smoothly and easily, it has complications and problems like anything else. The ice packs melt and wet the bedding, the TV remote doesnt work (leaving me to stand on a chair like a 5th grader to operate it, while watching the door to make sure I dont get caught standing on said chair,) And just because it's 5am, doesnt mean you will be sleeping. Nevermind the fact you have been in the waiting room since 1pm, they didnt move her into a room until 4:30pm, and it is now way later, and you are still here. The recliner chairs are def. more comfortable than the others, but when it's 5 degrees in your room, and you have no blanket or pillow, sleep tends to be difficult. Plus the steady flow of "aliens" poking, probing, and prodding...Its a thing of beauty that the patient gets any rest. let alone the person who sits faithfully at her side.
So you are going to try and get food...get ready for a fight. Once you eventually find your way out, dont forget to tell the nightguard you ARE coming back, and please pay attention to which door you exit. Unless you find walking around the entire building trying to find the parking lot which your car is parked as an enjoyable exercise. Where are you going to go? It doesnt matter, getting back is going to be the fun part anyways. There is never any traffic in the wee hours, but trying to find a door that will let you back in is the trick. Then once you are back inside, watch your food like a hawk! I've never seen more people ready to jump me over McDonald's. Part of me wanted to eat my fries while riding the elevator just to see if the lady beside me would beat me for the quarter-pounder and drink.
Here I sit, writing to whomever will read it, and I can't help but feel a calm come over me. I might have lost sleep, an earring, and more than an entire day, I can honestly say I wouldnt have missed it for anything. I love my mom, and I am always ready to fight tooth and nail for her, and if that means being here instead of at home in bed, you best believe I would always be here.