Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998 | 10:35 a.m.
Hospitals have never been high on my priority list.
Consequently, I tried to convince Dr. Faud Moazez that a stay in the hospital -- even for a short time -- wasn't really necessary; but he was persuasive and adamant.
Thus, I found myself rising at an ungodly hour in order to be at Columbia Sunrise Hospital on Maryland Parkway by 6:30 a.m.
I had preregistered, which was meant to save time. That's questionable as the preregistration took several hours. I never knew there were so many sick people wandering around.
Once you check into the hospital you lose control. You are at the mercy of nurses, aides and doctors, all of whom seem to be in a constant hurry.
After being relieved of some precious blood, X-rayed, and tested for everything from rabies to rheumatism, you are ordered to disrobe and don a delightfully charming hospital gown that opens down the back. The ties are placed strategically so it is almost impossible to secure the robe.
Being "prepped" for the procedure isn't too bad if you are lucky enough to have a trio of genial aides making light conversation to keep your mind from the fact that needles are being stuck into your veins, your arms are tied down and a general feeling of helplessness pervades the system.
In recovery, that early in the morning, I figured I would have the place pretty much to myself. Instead it was like a MASH unit, with new patients being rolled in as fast as the others were checked out.
Here again it helps to have people who give you the impression they actually care about your well-being. I noted that the recovery staff treated everyone with compassion and was never too busy to attend to personal needs.
At last, the best part of the hospital stay. A nurse comes by and says, "you're on count-down." In other words a wheelchair will be waiting soon to take you to the front door and anxious relatives.
It's really not so bad, but I am not anxious for a repeat performance.
Convalescing at home can be enlightening. I listened to a lot more television than is usual.
I was told that 68 percent of the people favor military action against Iraq. Where do they get those figures?
Prognosticators give times, conditions and localities where the United States is most liable to strike. I hope the enemy isn't listening too carefully.
Local newscasters explain the incredibly stupid actions of the Clark County Library Board in naming a management firm with no library experience to run our public libraries. The management team is headed by a former Housing Authority official who had to resign under pressure.
What's with these people? There are several very competent, knowledgeable people working for our library district. Any one of them could qualify as an interim director, and even a director.
It's a shame that the Clark County Library District, once highly respected nationwide, should be embroiled in petty politics.
Old-time movies are a great way to pass the time, although one can't help worrying about the smoking habits of the heroes and heroines. Reaching for a cigarette was as natural as speaking their lines. It was a long time ago, before we recognized cigarettes as coffin nails.
The coverage of the winter Olympics, except for a few episodes, was boring. The Westminster dog show from Madison Square Garden held more appeal.
Local newscasters shouldn't giggle so much over inside jokes.
There are some mighty steamy scenes on the daytime soap operas. It's a good thing the kids are in school.
Judge Judy is more fun than Jerry Seinfeld.
A rather naive gubernatorial candidate is promising everything to everyone. Almost reminds me of years back when we were all promised a silver certificate if we voted for James Ray Houston.
It's good to be back at work. Now I won't have to watch an overweight Monica Lewinsky hugging President Clinton. Or is it the other way around?
Quote for the day: "Don't let the news fool you. There are a lot of fine people in this world and they do thousands of nice things every day."
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