Saturday in CinCity

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For those who don't know me well, I confess I enjoy blaming as many things as I can on changes in the barometric pressure. It's not quite as romantic and thrilling-scary as voodoo, but it's what we've got a lot of in CinCity. So, grumpy moods, fatigue, the fact that someone buys up all the bottles of our favorite locally made salad dressings, no good movies at my favorite movie theater?? All related to the effects of barometric pressure.

The past two weeks have been full of weather drama and snow storm systems, Alberta Clippers, running about the country willy-nilly.



Surprisingly, we've had few trauma related head injuries admitted to Neurodramaville, but quite a few Intracerebral Hemorrhages--head bleeds. They are many times the result of high blood pressure. Often cocaine related. The patients we've been receiving, though, are older and have older, fragile, worn-out blood vessels in their head that simply give out and break open. We seem to see more of these alongside major changes in weather. In any event, a quick end to a long-lived, and in these cases, a well-loved life.

I find nothing quite so heartbreaking as watching a spouse of fifty years having to make the decision to let go in a medically futile situation. Years of making things work run up against a hard wall. We've been witnesses to the uncoupling of many pairings lately and, when I walked outside the hospital doors last night, the bleak expanse of cold white landscape and grey skies seemed the perfect backdrop to the abruptness and the finality of endings.


Comments

  1. Viewtiful_JustinFebruary 20, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    You are a strong person. I can't imagine seeing things like that every day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RudeeFebruary 20, 2010 at 9:49 AM

    Hospice has been seeing quite a few of these situations, too. It's been very sad lately.

    Hugs to you, my sister.

    BTW, you've opened my eyes to an Iggy Pop I never knew existed. It's very different for him. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The PliersFebruary 20, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    I love this song and have sung it at the top of my lungs as I drove down the roads of France and the USA many a time.

    I also like Iggy Pop and Deborah Harry doing "Well, Did You Evah?": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu1af7eCMxM

    One of the finer examples that I've seen of "bearing witness." They are lucky to have you doing so:

    I find nothing quite so heartbreaking as watching a spouse of fifty years having to make the decision to let go in a medically futile situation. Years of making things work run up against a hard wall. We've been witnesses to the uncoupling of many pairings lately and, when I walked outside the hospital doors last night, the bleak expanse of cold white landscape and grey skies seemed the perfect backdrop to the abruptness and the finality of endings.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ArgentFebruary 20, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    Your writing here was moving without being mawkish and had sucha light touch ffor such a sad subject. Lovely. Also, the video complemented it beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  5. debraFebruary 20, 2010 at 4:25 PM

    A poignant post, distracted. My dad had to make that decision for my mom 12 years ago, and I, the decision for my dad 2 years ago. It's like you say, and the song is a perfect accompaniment.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. The BugFebruary 20, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    I agree - very poignant. Beautiful song.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2010 at 4:40 PM

    Debra said it....poignant. Life brings us....well, stuff. Some easy, and to our minds, acceptable.....and some just plain unacceptable. As Pliers said, they are lucky to have you near. Always easier with the help of angels....

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownFebruary 21, 2010 at 5:53 AM

    Bittersweet post telling of a part of your everyday life, which I, too, would be unable to handle well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Annie CoeFebruary 21, 2010 at 7:07 AM

    I don't know how you do it shiny. I could not.
    Beautiful post and photo and I love Iggy.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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