Chinese Water Dragon

Got to spend a little time with Dad tonight. My patient Mr. H has alot of the same mannerisms, says the same things, just acts the same way as Dad did. And I would bet he has undiagnosed Parkinson's. He has that shuffle, the slow speech. And he laughs the same way as Dad, and at the same things. Kinda felt like I was hanging out with Dad for a little while. It was nice.

And you know I was at his beck and call all night. Without a complaint.

Tuesday was Syd's birthday. She is 15 now. Boy does time fly. I kept trying to remember what I was doing that day at different times, 15 years ago. When I woke up with contractions, when I went to the hospital, when they admitted me, when I got my epidural, when I delivered. When I saw her for the first time. What she looked like. Just all of it. I don't think I have ever been in that much gut-wrenching god awful pain in my entire life - all other deliveries put together. She was OP which is sunny-side up, which now I know, made it a lot worse. Nurse Bitch turned my epidural off at the end (I've done that so many times myself). I think I begged for death like 100 times.

But you know, I'd do it all over a hundred times now - for my Syd.

I got her a Chinese Water Dragon. Its a little lizard. Actually pretty cute. I had never even heard of one, but she asked for one, so I thought I would try it. We named it Mu Shu, after the little Chinese Dragon in Mulan. Got her some music CDs and video games that she asked for. Got almost everything on her list. She even asked for a balloon. Got her a musical birthday card that has dogs barking on it. A pair of socks with chihuahuas on it. A chihuahua charm bracelet. The movie "Beverley Hills Chihuahua." (Notice the theme here?) She wanted to go to the Chinese Cultural Center for dinner, so we all went there. She had her favorite - fried rice with veggies. Tyler had to work, but Taylor came with us. Seems like lately she is Tyler's stand in when he can't or won't be here.

Over all it was a very nice day. I"m very close with Syd. Even at 15. I think this is a major mother-daughter accomplishment that I am very ok with. I know I certainly didn't feel about my mom at 15 the way she feels about me.

Love me my Syd.

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Sidenote:
Is is wrong that I wash my hands more after touching a morbidly obese patient? You know, the 500 plussers?

Just sayin.