Lighten Up!

Some time ago, before Mom moved to The Home, we ended up at the hospital.  I was sure she had what is known as a UTI, a Urinary Tract Infection, which can lead to serious health issues for a senior so off we went to get a urine test.  Silly me, I asked Mom if she needed to go to the bathroom, before we left the house.

Oh my.  If walls could talk. There we were, sequestered in the sterile, hospital bathroom.  Mom on the toilet; me, urging her on, and holding that ridiculously small bottle, trying to catch her pee; don’t worry, I was wearing latex gloves.  She keeps insisting that I talk to the nurse.  So, good daughter that I am, I go and ask for a glass of cold water, haltingly explaining that I hoped, by dipping mom’s finger in the water, it might give her an urge to pee.  I explained to said nurse that Mom figured they should have a magic technique.  “Fraid not,” was the bland reply.

Back in the bathroom, Mom is looking forlorn.  Putting her fingers in the cold glass of water, she starts to giggle and then both of us were out-of-control laughing.  You know, it did the trick; I should say, the trickle.

Mom: “I did it!”

Me: “Not enough.”

Mom: “That’s all I got.”

Sheepishly, I went back to the nursing station and slipped the vial onto the counter, grateful that no one was in sight.

Mom: “Was it enough?”

Me: “I hope so, because you’re all dried up.”

More laughter, to the point of tears. She did have an infection and we got antibiotics.  I had been praying that Mom would have enough pee to make it count; I hadn’t counted on God’s sense of humour.   It was a good reminder from the Lord. ‘Take it easy on yourself, okay?  I got this!’

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. 

My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)