Hospitalization, surgery, and recovery are serious business. When a moment of irony or laughter brightens one’s day, it is worth enjoying and remembering. Here are a few stories of hospital humor that will be appreciated most by those who have been there.
National Shower With a Friend Day
The day after I was admitted to Belmont Community Hospital for acute rehab after neurosurgery, I was helped into the shower by an occupational therapist who brightened my days there. I was unable to walk and only a week past back surgery, but she got me onto a chair and using a handheld shower head. I learned later that day that February 5 is an annual holiday – National Shower With a Friend Day! And I had showered with a brand new friend!
Potty Humor
Post-surgery hospitalization brings a sharp focus to bodily functions usually taken for granted and kept private. While I was waiting for my bowel and bladder functions to return, an always cheerful and helpful nursing aide was bubbling over one day with excitement about her two-year-old daughter’s potty training success. The tot had learned to pee in the potty and do a little celebration dance in response. But Mom was puzzled about why she hadn’t put 2 and 2 together about number 2. Since I was trying to get things moving, we hoped to give each other good reports the next day. In the morning, Mom came in with a pout, reporting that there are been no success yet in pooping in the potty. I had no good news at that time, either, but things did work out for me. And I hope for them.
Lighthearted News
The evening news can be pretty discouraging, but two little reports cheered me up while I was watching our local news channel alone in my room. On a snowy day, reporters were highlighting area activities for children, including ice skating. When I saw very young children holding onto plastic three-sided boxes and moving over the ice without falling, I related it to my movement made possible by my walker. Oh the humility that comes with relating to preschoolers.
Another evening, the top story was about the decrepit state of the local roads and the resulting numerous damages to vehicles. I cracked up when the straight faced anchor woman, reading the script, said “Here in the valley, potholders are sending many vehicles to the repair shop.” She corrected herself without cracking a smile, while I laughed out loud alone in my room. It reminded me of the funniest news blooper I’ve ever heard. Our favorite anchor man began, “Unicorns in the Ohio Valley…Unicorns?!…Unions in the Ohio Valley…” Wish I could find a video of that one!
Galloping Gal
On one evening at the rehab hospital, I was feeling a little down, tired after a good day of progress, but feeling a bit overwhelmed by my circumstances, even to the point of a few tears. My patient husband encouraged me and helped me get ready for bed, then headed home. Later, when I pushed my call button again to have someone help me to the bathroom (yes, thankful that I could go), the night aide, a tall, thin lady about my age, came galloping into my room! I had never seen her gallop before, and I told her, laughing, that I had needed a little cheering up.
Fun Gadgets
With the bending and twisting restrictions that come with back surgery, I’ve needed and appreciated learning to use the tools we’ve all seen on TV for putting on socks and shoes and for reaching objects. Son Kyle grabbed the opportunity to purchase this little tool at our craft store and bring it to my room.
While he, his brother and sister-in-law, and my husband were visiting, I was opening a little gift from a friend when I dropped the tissue paper on the bed and it was suddenly and surprisingly snatched up by the grabber and deposited in the trash can. Perhaps you had to be there, but the moment brought instantaneous laughter, hearty laughter that heals the body and the soul.
Good Gravy
Hospital food often gets poor reviews. However, I truly enjoyed and appreciated the many delicious and nutritious entrees, sides, and desserts presented to me on trays right on schedule. It’s a wonder I didn’t gain weight while I was living in sweat pants and eating such generous portions of good food. I did notice, though, that when the cover was removed from my plate, more often than not, there was gravy. It was good gravy, but I think I ate more gravy in two weeks than I’ve had in five years!
Healing takes energy. Energy from food and from steady encouragement sprinkled generously with humor and occasionally with gravy.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…and a time to laugh (Eccliastes 3:1-4)