Thank you to Fran for inspiring me to create this Bingo card.
I was able to fill my Bingo Card of Mature Love by using Fran’s Free Space image
and stealing her bottom right square.
It’s my partner’s birthday today so I gift him this Bingo Card!!
What’s on your Bingo Card of Love?!
Last April, I was sitting in my backyard Adirondeck chair, reading and I heard, “Sally, I need help.” It was my husband, who 30-minutes earlier gave me a wave as I entered our house. He was working away at his home-office desk and I had finished my day of teaching and was looking forward to enjoying a spring afternoon. With just a chapter left of the novel Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (highly recommend), I grabbed a Le Croix from the kitchen, and my phone opened to the kindle app and headed outside.
Next thing I know, I’m dialing 911 at 4:11pm. Next, interactions with ambulence first responders, ER doctors and 8th floor nurses. I hear, “Emergency surgery”, “Everything went as expected. We want him to stay overnight”, “All your numbers look great. I’m discharging you with a follow-up on Monday.”
My husband’s email to his siblings said it better:
First of all, I’m fine, or at least on my way to being back to normal. But only after getting the opportunity yesterday for my first ever ambulance ride, which followed the alarmingly quick onset of a dizzy spell that had me unable to stand and use my brain at the same time, and which ultimately led to an emergency procedure to remove a blood clot from my bladder (no other masses present!), and an overnight stay at Virginia Hospital Center. Home now, less than 24 hours later, drinking lots of fluids. BP is still a little weak, but within normal range. I was also told multiple times that I have good veins, mostly by people who were sticking needles into them (one even said my veins were a dream). I kind of wish this whole experience were a dream…
I continue to have the highest gratitude for first responders, doctors, hospitals and books, all keeping my focus on the tomorrows to come…
If you read my blog, you know that I especially like the number 11 – a double number and my birthday number. Whenever I see it as part of the time displayed on a digital clock, I smile. For a moment, it feels like the universe is speaking and telling me all is OK. So when my husband’s recent surgery was scheduled for 5/11, I took it as a positive sign.
But still, one’s mind will wander. As part of the pre-surgery prep, I listened as the anestheologist explained, “As with any surgery, there are risks” and then had my husband sign his form giving consent for his cocktail which would put him to sleep.
“The surgery will last 1 hour and 10 minutes,” was also explained. I reminded myself of this as 75 minutes had passed since I received the phone text stating, “Case has started, everything is going as planned.” Then 85 minutes…
To distract myself, I opened the NYTimes app and pressed Play and I chose Wordle. I looked around the space I was sitting in as a way to brainstorm 5-letter words. Many chairs filled the waiting room. Some with partners also awaiting news like me. A flat-screen TV projected a grid filled with 6-digit case numbers. Next to the number I was focused on, 333366, was still Proc and not Recov.
To my left was a hospital worker. She was holding a long handled dustpan and a broom with black bristles. As I glanced at her movements, sweep-sweep-sweep, my mind thought BROOM…that’s a 5-letter word. But it has a double vowel. That seems like a wasteful strategy. But I still typed it in, too tired to be strategic today.
I pressed enter and the B turned green. Then the R, both OOs and then the M, too. ALL green! My phone screen showed a fireworks display and read, “Congratulations!”
My FIRST EVER 1st try WORDLE WIN!! Clearly a positive sign for this morning! Moments later, the doctor came out to the waiting room and sat down next to me. “All went as planned. He’s in recovery now and they will text you to come back soon to see him. We’ll keep him overnight and you can take him home tomorrow.”
May 11, 2023 – a lucky day!
I was driving to Starbucks this AM and had my writing idea all set. I was finalizing the plan in my head to describe the birthday “date night” planned for my husband tonight. As I drove, I rehearsed in my head about starting with dialogue. I also wanted to research what might be happening at the Capitol One Arena. I suspect something big because we couldn’t get a reservation until 7:30pm. Really? On a Monday night? I just looked it up and laughed – Bruce Springstein Concert! No wonder all the restaurants are packed!
Instead, as I drove down my street, the idle of the car was acting wacky. An indicator light went on. I changed my mind, went through the drive thru at McDonalds (I love their oatmeal), and drove straight to school. The car manuel said to not drive on the highway and to check the tightness of the gas cap. The gas cap was on but not tight. Hope it is just that. For now, I’ll teach my classes, drive straight home and walk to Metro for the birthday dinner. I just may have to listen to Bruce today, too!
Writing Stories by Sally 