So we AArrr going back to the hospital.. mm when did we leave?

I am known for remembering things. Not where I put said things - or whose things they were or are -  but remembering things... significant things.. not always in order ... but always intensely  - like odd events, cool kids, wonderful smiles and smells. So it is no wonder I had little idea of the fasten your seatbelt its gonna be a bumpy ride exit from the barf lot at the hospital to the hike up the stairs to bed.

But I  do remember Dad smell. Not my Dad - ew - loved ya - but the Belvedere old spice does third row of the library sweaty golf glove right butt cheek up smell - was - um like I said "ew".  This was New Dad smell. The Bay, soaps from Costco, hotels, a pot of soup simmering on the stove ,  a new car, and me.

"OH god... Liza" I whimpered as she was uprighting me and slipping proper fresh lady panters and jammies on my stickly little legs. " Your Dad and your sister ( yet another one) got me up here didn't they."

"Yes. And you farted on my father."  Thank god the other sister plays ball hockey. She would have never have noticed.

" ARRRRrrr we going back to the hospital now? Cause I heard you talking to them. Something was sticking out of my chest and he told you to stuff in back in. Then I swalled stuff and now it is light out and we hafta go again?"

And then we were there - front row -  room two - right  in the emergency room - along with half the hospital staff. Mostly the top half, I don't remember annnnnny feet. Except some Nikes - old and smelly laces doubled.. 

 So,  as best as I can put together  - the drain sewn into my side - to replace the function of the 10 lymph nodes I was now missing -  was precariously attached and had almost popped out at home. Thus the drain sucking sound.  Ethyl as you may recall was a big girl - and Peter, Paul and Mary - VERY scary Mary were about 5 cm in total.  I was not just down a body part - I was going to be a potential body double for shark week.

However -  I had no clue and was on some level clearly still recognizable as human.  Unlike the blur of scrubs and masks hauling up my very crisp Ralph Laruen Night shirt who were oh so very impressed with Liza's stuffing and the surgeons work. One fellow - head of something and clearly aspiring to be head of everything was almost in tears. Not because I  ( and my family) had been traumatized, but because he - and the other interns were staring at their own dreams. Dreams of being a surgeon. Dreams of cutting cancer out of people lives. Dreams of making a difference. Dreams of seeing a difference... dreams induced by very unpleasant circumstances and drugs...

Not unlike my dreams as a tea - sorry educator.....

And that is when I got recognized. And when I remembered - a really cool kid - with a really cool brother. Room has cleared. Panic over. Hello really big smile. A tough do not bother effing with me - I got this smile. My kinda smile.

" Hi. I have to take your blood."

" Oh Ya,?  Where are you taking it? Cause if it is going to Disney I am so in. How are you kid? Pause. Good to see you.
 PS I am super scared of having blood taken - body parts fine but really a vein - I am gonna lose it.."

I laughed, but not because I was scared, but because I was in that dream space -  where as an educator you ( I )  hope and try and sometimes pray that the 1000's of really cool kids you meet will turn out to be way cooler than you. Grasshopper style.

It took but just a minute of going eye to eye  -  The frenetic get it done mantra calmed and my sedation gave way to a moment of clarity and we chatted... 10 years ago - this class - that event - where are you now - no me neither - things change - you ok- clearly - wow you are a  phlebologist  so so so cool - and your brother ? Nice! great to hear.... kinda neat that you were ' scared' to be in my class - sorry about that -  but hey I am 'scared'  now to be in yours - staring at a cart of vile vile viles...   "ohhhhhhhh"    I could feel myself getting faint...  and then a strong  hand gently  touched  mine.

" Ya know Kelly  - they are likely not going to need this blood work up. " Wry smile.
"Ya I  know -  But if you just get it done before they get back - I might learn not to be such a wimp." Wry Smile.

And thus I gave. Almost all of the insides I had left and it felt awesome.

But more importantly - in that 30 hour ordeal -  everyone gave - of their time, their love, their expertise and I am grateful.

 And Alas and AArrr -  I still have no flying clue how I got home from hospital the second time.  I do however have a rare recollection of being either babe raham Lincoln or a pirate. Then again it might have been a photo.