Just Drop Your Loved One at the Door
My Dad Has Surgery Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
As I drove up to the hospital doors, I could see a staff member stationed at the entry through the glass. She watched me as I got out of my car and walked in.
“My dad has back surgery this morning,” I said, “and he’ll need a wheelchair.”
She hollered to another worker and then walked with me back outside. By then, Mom had gotten out of the car, too, and had opened the door for Dad.
He stayed in the car until another staff member appeared with a wheelchair and parked it next to his door. He slowly lifted his legs out, straightened himself the best he could, winced as he took the one or two painful steps to the chair, and sat down. Because of the pain, he took about a minute to catch his breath, then fumbled through his wallet, looking for the required insurance card and ID for registration.
The worker confirmed what Mom and I had suspected — because of COVID-19 restrictions, neither of us could wait in the hospital. Once the worker wheeled Dad away, he was on his own. He would change into the hospital gown, which I was sure would be a painful task without my mom’s assistance. Mom and I could not help him with registration. We could not ask the doctor or nurse questions. We could not keep Dad company as…