-Sigh-

Okay, so, I’ve loved cartoons ever since I was a kid and I never really outgrew them. The Warner Bros. cartoons were the best, and bugs Bunny Cartoons were my favorite ones of all. One of my all time favorites was “Baseball Bugs” from 1946. In that one, he’s sucked into playing baseball against a team of huge cheating Mo’s called “The Gashouse Gorillas.”

At one point during the game, He tags the Gorilla so hard that he is knocked out and starts hallucinating. Bugs holds up this sign that says "Was this trip really necessary?"

When it comes to the last three days, I’ve been asking myself the same question.

Now anyone that knows me, knows that at least once a day I am forced to utter the words “How the hell you gonna act?” at one time, in one way, shape, form or other. Usually, I can play it off, but what has happened lately is going too far.

I want to start by saying that I respect the medical profession, and the doctors, nurses and others that dedicate themselves to it. Practicing medicine is not only a science, but it is an art that is worthy of respect. I come from a medical family. My grandmother spent over 40 years working her way up through the nursing ranks from CandyStriper to nurse practitioner. I get it. But there is a difference between being a Medical Professional – a Doctor, a Nurse, whatever, and being a self-indulgent, pompous and condescending Jackass.

In the 12 years that I have been taking care of momma, I have met far too many of the latter, and not enough of the former.

This is already a long story so I am going to cut it for time.

Ma finally was finally able to get out to the clinic to see her doctor Monday. It was the first time in nearly three months that her doctor was available, and that she could get there (between the storms we’ve had and her Chair being offline it has been a real bitch) they take her panels and low and behold, He blood sugar was sky high. Why was it so high? Her insulin was not properly regulated. The simple thing would have been to increase her insulin 10 – 15 units and have me monitor her to see if more intensive action was needed.

Despite me being Medical health care proxy / Power of Attorney/ her son/ next of kin, the doctors refused to speak with me. The fact that I am taking care of her on my own doesn’t seem to compute with these morons, except when they want to blame someone for something. Anyway, the head of the clinic INSISTS that she be taken to the hospital. I was told she would have a Direct Admission Order if I would only bring her down.

We wound up spending 9.5 hours in the Emergency Room.

Today, three different teams came – Like they always do, protecting their own particular specialties. Endocrinology/ Diabetes management says one thing, Cardiac says another completely different that contradicts what Endocrinology says and the Nephrology team contradicts both those guys. No one gives momma her pain medication and they bicker at each other through ma because they are all “SO BUSY” that they all can’t come at once to speak with her and make a plan.

They have me come in to discuss things with her team at 1:30 and no one showed up until 4. Then they proceed to bicker and argue because I wanted to wait until EVERYONE was there at the same time. I had to explain that Damn it, I am the one who has to coordinate all this, and in the end, I am the bad guy when it all falls apart.

Damn it

Then, just when I think it’s all settled they the primary doctor comes back to change something else.

Someone just shoot me.

Can you say burnt out? –sigh-

I love Ma, and I do not regret anything I have sacrificed to take care of her. What pisses me off is the people that are tasked to help me do what is best for her, continue to have pissing contests and show that despite the millions spent on education, that I, a man that is two years away from a BA in Psychology, have more intelligence courtesy and professionalism in my toe nail than they have in the amalgamated collection in their bodies.

Sometime, I weep for Humanity.

Which leads me back to the original question…

Was this Trip REALLY Necessary.