Hey friends. I had a long, typical Happy Things Friday post all ready to go live this morning and then life threw me a bit of a curveball.
One of my parents recently had a medical procedure and unfortunately there were some unexpected complications this week. I wasn’t aware of the issues until I showed up at their house late yesterday.
I did some online research last night—the range of symptoms was seemingly unrelated at first, but apparently they are quite common after the particular surgery that was done—and strongly encouraged a timely reassessment first thing in the morning.
So… I’m writing this post from an unfamiliar ER waiting room with both my parents. (Remember my recent Never I Have I Ever about hotel rooms and flights with my parents? Well, this is the first time I’ve been sitting in a waiting room with both of them in my life. I went to outpatients three times as a kid with: a broken bone in my foot, an ear infection, and a split chin… and each time I was there with just one parent.
While this most certainly wasn’t something I wanted to cross off my Never Have I Ever list, I am so thankful to be here. It’s helpful/important to have an extra set of eyes and ears.
We’ve been triaged, but wait times at hospitals in their region are pretty dire right now and the wait is likely to be significant.
While it didn’t feel appropriate to publish a Happy Things Friday post with fun pictures (you may get treated to my original HTF post next week—there’s no expiration date on gratitude stories, right?), I also want to practice what I preach, which is that, as much as I’m able, I choose joy.
In this moment I’m thankful:
- For John, who sent me off with love and encouragement and then took the kids mini-golfing to distract them from the unexpected change to plans.
- That I’m available to help. The rest of my siblings live much farther away (two of them outside of Canada).
- That we arrived on Thursday, not Friday, so certain things were open during regular business hours for telephone calls we had to make this morning.
- For clear driving conditions. One of the downsides of my parents living in a remote area is their distance from civilization. It is a trek to get to any hospital and today was set to be a miserable day of thunderstorms. We ended up having clear roads the whole way.
- The hospital cafeteria coffee. It was surprisingly delicious. And warm. And I’m about to indulge in a second cup, blowing past my self-enforced rule of no caffeine after noon because this feels like a good time to throw that caution to the wind.
- Cell phones (I can stay in touch via text).
- My laptop was fully charged and there’s excellent, free hospital Wi-Fi. One upside of the long wait: I sped through my inbox, which had been getting out of control. I also brought my planner with me and did some scheduling and planning.
- Snacks on hand to grab quickly. We made a quick decision to come to the hospital after a phone consult and I had a container of homemade energy balls, a container of grapes, and a box of Triscuits on hand to toss in the bag for easy snacks.
- E-readers. I have the equivalent of eight books with me at the hospital (very much hoping we’re not here long enough for me to read them all), and my Kobo is light as a feather. What a wonderful technology.
- For blog reader Maria who lives relatively close to the hospital and is “on call” if we end up needing anything. Thank you.
- That I wore socks and sneakers and a sweater. Waiting rooms are always SO cold, and this one is… cold. I have been living in Birkenstocks lately, but opted for socks and sneakers today. My toes are still a bit cool, so thank goodness I didn’t stay in my sandals.
- That God’s got this. There is so much comfort for me in trusting Him, especially in situations where so much feels outside my control.
And that’s the unexpected update from my world right now.
Happy weekending, friends <3
Header photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash
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Prayers that all goes well, Elisabeth.
Oh no, friend. Not the post I wanted to read this morning, but I am glad you are with your parents, that you’re getting help for the parent who needs to be checked out, that you can still see (and share) the gratitude for things that we often take for granted but that are lifesavers on days like this! I am hoping all checks out ok (and that the wait isn’t too long!) Sending hugs and healing vibes!
Yikes, oh no, oh my . . . praying for you, friend.
Oh Elisabeth, I’m sorry to hear this but am SO glad you are there to help out. It’s so important to have that extra person on hand to help navigate things and also to note down what needs to be done. Often the spouse is too overwhelmed to really take it all in, so I’m glad you’re there. I am thinking of you and praying and meditating for your family. xoxo
Oh Elisabeth! What a stressful, worrisome thing to go through. Hospital waiting rooms are such a strange nebulous place -mentally and physically and emotionally. I’m glad you have your family (near and far) and your books and coffee and Faith with you in these times.
Oh Elisabeth, I’m so sorry you have to go through this. But how nice that you can be there for your parents. I’m thinking of you, sending you hugs and prayers, and I hope everything goes well.
Prayers for your family – may your parent be treated with wisdom and kindness!
(And maybe you could ask a nurse for a heated blanket? )
Elisabeth! As soon as I didn’t see a Happy Things post this morning, I got worried something was wrong. I’m so glad you’re able to be there with your parents! Please send us an update when you can. You know we’re all thinking about you. (And… if I have to be in the ER waiting room, I want my laptop, book, planner, and warm clothes. Oh and snacks- so you’re definitely nailing it).
Very sorry to see this! Hope all is well.
Hope all will be well soon.
Sending good thoughts your way.
I love that you find so many gratitude still.
I spent several days/evenings in A&E waiting rooms last summer with each parent separately and it is always grim and scary and frustrating. Not wanting to jinx things but so far in 2026 we haven’t been back. Sending you very best wishes for a good and speedy outcome Elisabeth x
Dear Elisabeth, I hope all goes well and yes indeed so many things to be grateful for.
Yikes! I hope that by the time you read these comments things are resolved and in a happier state. Sending lots of health vibes!
Things to be grateful for:
Friends who come to stay over and help out around the house
Father in law is feeling much better and can drive longer distances again
My youngest’s birthday party passed with minor drama and all attendants had a lovely time (vr gaming was a hit!)
My oldest returned mostly healthy from outdoor camp (minor bruising) (after a summer of accidents I’m very grateful!!!)
Elisabeth, that is a lot. I’m so glad you can be there to support your parents, and thinking of and praying for your family.
I’m SO sorry you are having to go through this right now. But if I have learned nothing over the past (almost) two months now, God DOES have this once we put it in His hands. Sending love. xo
Praying for you all!!
Oh dear, so sorry to hear this. All the best to you, your family and especially for your parents! I hope every day brings a little more good news and that you can leave the hospital soon.
Praying that all will be resolved quickly and that you and your parents are able to sense God’s presence and care amidst the uncertainty. <3
Praying for your parents (and you), Elisabeth. I am sure they are thankful to have you there with them, too.
Hope all goes well!
Sending love, my prayers and best wishes for wise assessment and thorough treatment as well as quick recovery! I’m sure your parents would add “having Elisabeth on our team” to their gratefulness list!
I hope things are getting better now, it’s been a couple of days. So scary to have to make these sudden trips to the hospital. I remember when my mom was in the hospital, it was so stressful and at the exact same time, so boring. I didn’t have an iPad or a laptop or anything back then, or even a smart phone. I am so glad that you are able to be there and help! Take good care of yourself!
Oh no! I’m days behind (per usual), so I hope things turned out for the better and whoever was having issues is on the mend, while in the comfort of their own home. So happy you were able to be there—that is huge!
Things are still a bit uncertain, but we’re all settled and waiting and there is nothing else that can be done, so things don’t feel as stressful!