The Art of Saying YES

Beware Prairie Friends who are threatening a visit.  This is who you are going to get.   

“Accept what people offer. Drink their milkshakes. Take their love.”
―  Wally Lamb, She's Come Undone

I had sinus surgery yesterday.  I could write about taping gauze mustaches under my nose to catch bloody ooze or describe how my face feels like it was scooped out with a melon baller. But I am going to skip ahead to my "Aha moment", a la Ms. Winfrey.

According to MY plan, my brother, dropped me off at the outpatient hospital yesterday at 7:15 AM.   My sister-in-law, Heidi, was coming to the hospital 8:30 ish.  I staunchly declared, to myself and others, I was going to be fine by myself for such a short amount of time. 

I entered the hospital with a resolve to be independent.  I calmly checked in, accepted my wrist band, and floated over to a hefty Fall Issue of InStyle magazine.  Soon, a nurse called my name. I followed her to a mini hospital room. Patiently, I once again answered all the questions I had just answered at the reception desk and on the phone the night before and at the pre-op visit.  I was brave and capable until  . . . the nurse rolled over an IV.  As if on cue, I began to cry and feel panicked.  I lied, to save face, and told the nurse I once had a bad experience with IVs. 

Truth?  I had made a huge mistake and didn't want to be by myself.  I wanted someone holding my hand while my active vein scampered around, avoiding the IV needle.  Someone to squeeze my fingers and tell me I would soon be feeling better.  Someone to reassure me that I would come out of the anesthesia and that sinus surgery rarely causes blindness and brain damage.

Many wonderful people had offered to stay with me at the hospital.  I turned them all down.  Why?  Well, here are just some of the reasons. 

• I didn't want to inconvenience people. 
• I thought a 46 year old woman should be able to handle being at a hospital for 1 hour and 15 minutes by herself. 
• I didn't want to appear vulnerable, in my hospital issued gown and non-skid socks. 

My "Aha Moment" hit me, while the nurse continued to poke around at my misbehavin' vein.  I should have said "yes" to my friends.  I should have accepted their support, friendship, and love. 

As I was coming out of the anesthesia, I was so happy to see Heidi.  (She had been reading the exact same Instyle I had reluctantly left behind.)  She got my medicine and distracted me with fun conversation.  Heidi didn't mind that my nose was bloody or that my eyes were slimy.  She even didn't mind my tears because I was dehydrated and dizzy.  She handled everything so I didn't have to.  And I am so grateful.

So, in closing, Prairie Friends.  When people offer you their support, take it.  I guess this African proverb says it best.

I am because we are.

-- African Proverb,

Prairie Eydie