14 September 2020
An hour after I wrote that Apria hadn't delivered Joyce's supplies, they arrived at the door. Just not quite the quantity I was expecting, so I'll be reordering before the week is out.
They give you a box of five small pieces of white foam (labeled "Large") with each case of lily pads (there must be five in there). We use three pieces each time, so one case isn't even good for two dressing changes. Remind me to explain that to Apria.
I went back to work after I resupplied the corner of the bedroom. But then I heard Joyce call me with some urgency.
HELP
She can't move her right foot, she says. I tell her to lie down. She's been sitting awkwardly all day and I suspect a back problem. And she did take another Oxycodone.
Her foot seems a bit limp. She can't quite bend her toes upwards. And she's having trouble walking.
She starts by calling Tyler for advice. He says to call the Kaiser Advice Nurse. So she does.
The Advice Nurse goes through a list of questions confirming she doesn't have Covid-19, didn't have a stroke, hasn't got some infection or numbness (I used the test I learned from my father's physical therapist). The nurse says she has to talk to a doctor.
A few minutes later she comes back on the line. The doctor has to see her. Can she get to the Emergency Room?
So a little after 6 p.m. we are on our way to the ER on Geary.
Before we leave I have the bright idea of changing the canister before the pump can complain.
So a little after 6 p.m. we are on our way to the ER on Geary.
THE HOSPITAL
It's a new protocol. You drive up, roll down the window and check in. A nurse takes the patient in but no one else is admitted.
I park on the street to wait and listen to an audio book. She has her iPhone to contact me with updates.
She gets in quickly and the doctor says she wants to schedule her for an MRI, but not tonight. She suspects a nerve in her back is pinched.
They try a big heavy broke-my-foot boot on her but she cries and says she can't move with it on and wants to stay in the hospital. So they tape it up like Steph Curry.
Meanwhile I'm listening to my book in the dark and looking over at a busy Chipotle. Why don't I just go over there and buy dinner for us?
Because I can't leave my post, that's why. And where is that post?
I tap into what3words, the app that nails your location with three words. If you ever get lost, launch the app, get your words, call 911. They'll know exactly where you are.
My three words a block from the ER are "pills.stand.decay." Appropriately. She took some pills, she can't stand and if we don't eat soon, we'll decay.
Because the MRI department is so backed up, they'll have to schedule her tomorrow. Meanwhile she can go home with her ankle and foot taped up for support.
I pick her up at the ER entrance as if I'm an Uber. And we go home.
HOME
It's 10 p.m.
Again her slip is sticking to her drape, which has curled up near the lily pad this time. I slap some drape over it and that takes care of it.
And what about dinner?
I make the only thing you can have late at night. Carbonara.
Here's the recipe:
- Put a pot of water on to boil and measure out two servings of spaghetti.
- Put two eggs (one per person) in a bowl of warm water to take the chill off.
- Pierce a clove of garlic with a fork on all sides and drop it into a skillet before running a spoonful of oil around it.
- Toss some guanciale or pancetta into the skillet. Wait, don't fire up the burner.
- By now the water is boiling. Add some salt, toss in the spaghetti, stir. You've got nine minutes.
- With about seven minutes left, fire up the other burner and let the fat melt, stirring occasionally.
- With about four minutes left and the meat sizzling, give it a shot of white vinegar. You won't regret it.
- With two minutes left, turn off the boiling water and move the wet spaghetti directly to the skillet. It will hiss if you do it right. Mix it in well and you should see it take on a gleaming, creamy shine.
- At the buzzer, take the skillet off the heat and let it cool a couple of minutes.
- Break the eggs in a bowl. You can reserve the whites or include them, your choice. Beat 80 strokes. Add some grated pecorino (lots) and mix. Grind in some black pepper (lots) and mix. It won't hurt to spoon in a spoonful or three of pasta water to temper the eggs.
- When the pasta has cooled a bit, toss in the egg mixture and mix vigorously, preventing the eggs from scrambling.
That's it. The perfect late night meal. With prosecco, if you're lucky.