Another Visit from Juanita

Today we were woken up at 7:45 am by Juanita, the phlemologist (or whatever she is....the one who takes his blood for analysis).  As many of you know Redjeb & I are not known for being early risers, so normally this would be traumatic.  But she is such a positive person that I even look forward to her visits, despite the hour.  Now that's saying something.

Redjeb is supposed to have his blood taken on a regular basis, but nothing was really set up when we left the hospital.  I think it was a glitch.  Fortunately, we had noticed the little cardiac outpatient clinic 3 blocks away, and the first day home I went there just to see what they were about.  Beth Israel Hospital has these outer clinics, called DOCS.  His cardiologist has his office in one, but it is all the way down on 34th Street, a big schlep from here for those who just had major surgery.  

So finding Juanita in the local Docs was like a miracle, and the real miracle was when she heard he couldn't walk very far, she said she'd come to our place on her way to work.  When I asked if there was a charge for this she said, "No.  This is human to human."   She is indeed our Christmas Angel.

I said something to Redjeb that she must have had her experiences with the medical system as she seems to understand all the services like wheelchairs (which Redjeb is firm in not wanting) and transportation, visiting nurses, etc.  Today I found out why she knows so much.  I had not realized that she is missing one leg and wears a prosthesis.  So that is why she arrives pushing a walker with a seat.  I thought it was just a way to carry her paraphernalia for drawing blood.

Seven years ago she fell down a flight of stairs.  She broke her leg badly and after 4 unsuccessful operations they had to remove all or part of it.  She comes to work everyday via the MTAs Access A Ride for disabled people, and that is why she never knows what time she'll arrive.  Takes my breath away.  

What we people have to go through to live life.  And some of us do it so much more gracefully than others.  I hate to admit which end of the continuum I'm on.

B@#$%  B#@$%  B$%#@ !

We are happy that the doctor is happy with the numbers he's getting from the blood work. Redjeb is able to walk a little further, but it is slow going and tiring. His spirits are good.  He gets dressed every morning and sits in his pink recliner chair and reads escape detective books and the like, and the newspaper.  He also plays chess on the computer, listens to classical music, and checks his email.   Sounds like his normal days, but he can't move around too much yet.

Redjeb used to do most of the cooking, now it's up to me.  Boo-hoo-hoo.  I've been spoiled.

The recuperation is supposed to take weeks into months and be frustrating, so I am preparing myself not to be frustrated.   Can be frustrating preparing oneself not to be frustrated.

If you want to send him a card, the address here is:  

Redjeb Jordania

1601 Third Ave.,  Apt. 30 C

New York, NY 10128

or email:      redjeb@aol.com.