Returning to the last place Mom was alive

My Uncle has been in the hospital for 7 days now.

He has a number of issues but the doctors are not giving us a definitive 'this is what is wrong.'

Ironically, one of UB's docs is Mom's main doctor. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Oh, he was a great guy and brilliant doctor but he nor his team could figure out what was ailing Mom in her last weeks and we all know what happened.

My Aunt really abhors driving so she took the weekend off from being in the driver's seat and had my sister and I chauffeur her to the hospital.

I was looking forward to seeing UB. I've been getting daily updates from my Aunt and just praying the doctors can sort this all out.

He seemed in good spirits always cracking a joke and trying to make us laugh. But you could tell he was not feeling well and frustrated because of it. We talked and watched some of the Olympics.

He was strong enough to walk down to the day room area. This not only got him some much needed physical therapy but out of the 4 walls surrounding him constantly.

He made it there but needed me to taxi him back.

What are the chances that my Uncle would be on the same floor where Mom died?

In that big bad hospital--really, what are the chances?

Well he was.

And upon leaving the day room, we walked right by Mom's final resting place.

Do you know what? I was ok with this. I take that as a sign that I know where Mom is and am so happy for her.

But, I won't lie. The feeling was very weird and not natural. I can not even put into words the way I felt, but it was not sad.

I have been in hundreds of doctors' offices and hospital rooms. Dozens of trips to the hospital.

Yet this time I felt out of place. I was there for someone else. I did not have my Mom and know exactly how to take care of her.

I was out of my element because none of the doctors or nurses on this floor knew me. That was an awkward feeling. Normally, I knew every nurse and doctor by name, and had the lay of the land. The hospital was my home away from home. Not this time. They looked at me like I was a novice who knew nothing of the medical business. I actually started getting a bit perturbed by the indignant vibe being emitted my way.

I can not tell you how many people who dealt with Mom asked me if I were a nurse or in the medical field! I knew so much, asked the right questions, and knew technical facts as well.

And these people are speaking to me explaining things as if I am a 2 year old who had never been to this hospital before?

I really started getting a bit hot under the collar (inside only) but simmered down.

It was not worth it.

I was there to see my Uncle and pray that he will be out of this God forsaken place soon enough so none of us will have to go back for a long, long time!