Priorities, people, priorities!!!

Around 12:15pm, Dr. Kane came to let us know that everything was finished and went fantastically. I've never had a parent or immediate family member in the hospital quite like this before, so this was my first experience in trying to read the Dr.'s face as she came towards us. My first thought is, "Why is she down here so early...she's smiling!" A doctor wouldn't smile big at you if something had gone terribly wrong, right? Needless to say, a surgery we thought could take on the shorter side 5 hours and up to 6 ended up taking 4! (I'm starting to think Dr.'s just prepare you for the worst, though).

I can't help but wonder what people thought listening to my father and I converse about:

a.) Whether all atoms are elements; and all elements atoms (Dad doesn't like the absoluteness of the statement);

b.) Einstein having lots and lots of women in his day (Science was seriously a heck of a lot sexier to the general public back then!)

c.) Why the public is not more outraged over the current state of the U.S. Space program

d.) my Dad sending his first text message...possibly ever and

e.) was it the bowel getting attached to the spine? the vagina? I thought it was the bladder?

We had to wait about another hour before they moved Mom into the room in which she'll reside for another 2-4 days. I was fully expecting her to be fast asleep. Instead she came in holding up a thingamajig with a button. "Mom, is that Morphine?" I asked. "Yes," she said. "Kickass!" I replied. I think whenever it is socially acceptable for you to dose yourself with morphine, you should definitely do so. I've never had morphine, but I bet it feels awesome. I don't necessarily want to be in a situation in which I need it, but if I am, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be pressing the button!!! (I was, however, wanting a double-check from the nurses that the thing was rigged correctly so Mom couldn't overdose herself...that was my only concern, but given that she didn't want to use it at all, I'm not too nervous about this).

Mom was wide awake (but sounded kinda funny) and wanted to chat about everything she remembered. Then the nurse came in to introduce herself. I don't know if Mom thought she was a waitress or not (blame the drugs), but she immediately ordered a coffee. "I think you're still going to be on only clears" the nurse said. "Decaf!" my Mom said. The nurse said, "Well, I was going to make coffee at 3 o'clock...I can see if I can bring you some". That was the WRONG thing to tell my mother. At this point it was 2:30, Mom stared at the clock as it approached 3...

We, of course, were able to get her ice chips and water with no problems. So it was only logical that my Mom questioned whether the hospital has coffee-flavored ice chips. I like my Mom on drugs, it's funny!

Needless to say, as of 3:30 when I left to come home to attend to Maggie, Mom hadn't gotten any coffee yet. And yes, she did remind me, my father, and Aunt Claire that the nurse was making coffee at 3. I'm expecting that this resulted in a "You Said!" conversation shortly after I left.

Maggie and I have had 40 solid minutes of Mommy-Doggie time, so I'm going to head back to the hospital (in rush hour traffic, yay!) to hang out until they kick us out. I am super-exhausted, but grateful that Mom's surgery went off without a hitch. Sleep should come easily tonight, much more so than last night when I tossed and turned for what felt like the entire night. Although I think it's weird that Mom will be at the hospital and I'll be at home. I don't think I like that. I'll have to remind her that she's got the morphine...