Quotes from Ronnie Green ICU

My dad started having chest pains last Thursday and after I gave him 2 baby aspirin he headed to HCMC ER. Following some abnormal test results he was sent to the Ronnie Green Heart Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

It wasn’t until he arrived at RGHC that he actually had a small heart attack. The first couple of days were bad for him and scary for us. After his cath they told us that he would need open heart surgery- which leads me to today.

I am warming the floor here in the waiting room because my family and our friends have overtaken this small uninviting room. Our loved ones have turned this cold and sterilely decorated room into a warm inviting niche inside this big hospital. This out pouring of hospitality, love and support has created a sense of comfort and peace for my family.

With that said instead of sitting here driving myself crazy as I wait I have decided to document some of the better moments of the last 5 days. These are just a collection of short humorous moments with my dad. Enjoy!

* Dad will not remove his shorts or empty his pockets, which contain his pocket knife, wallet, cell phone, keys, and miscellaneous notes. Mom finally got him to give her his cell phone so he says to me, “SHE confiscated my phone, I cain’t call nobody”. When he finally sent mom his wallet by my brothers he had rubber banded it together (so nothing would fall out). It wasn’t until the next day when they took him to get his cath that he gave up the shorts.

* I called mom to bring his cpap machine because his oxygen would dip when he was sleeping. He yells out, “NOOOOOO! I don’t need that, this machine over here only beeped one time last night.” I respond, “that’s right dad because you were wearing the nasal cannula, but during your nap it has gone off continuously and your nurse asked if you had your cpap with you”. He stiffs up and says, “awe hell- that damn machine beeps all the time. The damn thing is just broken”. RIGGGGGHHHHHTTTTT

* Jonathan drank a Red Bull while visiting Dad at the later visitation time. When he finished he left it on Dad’s tray. When the nurse came in Jonathan said while pointing to the empty can, “hey, do think it would be ok if my Dad had another one, they are his favorite”. The long pause was followed by burst of laughter.

* One morning the nurse (who was male) came in to introduce himself, Dad responded, “you know I was trained to kill, I spent 25 years perfecting the art”.

* The nurse told him he needed another blood test, when dad heard the cart rolling down the hallway he said, “here comes the vampires, those damn ladies have about drained me dry”.

* This one is a quote that was repeated many many times, “this food ain’t worth shit”. –Steve Patton

* To a nurse dad said, “hey- you know I just got out of the hospital. They finally let me have sharp objects about 2 weeks ago.” Seriously Dad, some of these people don’t know you are joking.

* I told Dad I had spoke with Dr. Garrett. He said, “I hope you told him I’m ok and I ain’t through giving him hell yet”.

Some of you don’t know my Dad that well and let me tell you- you are missing out! He is the funniest man! So full of humor and life and piss and vinegar. I love him to pieces. How could I not- he was the first man that ever loved me.

As much as we have laughed, today was also marked by tears and fears, both of which we tossed at the feet of Jesus. We are free of those burdens and are looking forward to the morning.

** The sweetest moment of the day had to have been the moment my Dad and his brother did the manly head hug, choked back sobs, and cracked out the words, “I love you brother”.

*** Update on my grandmother. She is still not doing well. She is at home, but remains sick.