Abandoning Amanda

I can’t hit the transit just right, I waited a bit for the train last night. I should just quit being lazy and walk the 10 minutes to the transit center. Waiting on a train is the story of my life anyway, why add more of it now!  When I returned to the apartment, I put a few things up, but was tired and ready for bed. I spent too long on chat with Amazon customer service about a return of an item. Something showed up that was completely missing its base, it didn’t have a gift receipt or anything, since it was from a 3rd party seller. After two chat sessions and an hour later, I finally had a resolution. It was after midnight by then and I went promptly to bed.

On the bus ride last night, I thought about going to work. My turn would be getting out late tonight or early Friday morning. I could be back late Saturday, and we could request a Sunday discharge. That way, Tank and I could just wheel up early Sunday Morning to pick Amanda up. Before deciding, I wanted to see what the train lineup looked like in the morning and ask Amanda what she thought. She’s never any help, though; she always wants me to stay! Can you tell the post title for today was her recommendation?

I was back to my regular bus stop this morning. I wouldn’t say it is reliable, but it runs more frequently. It was busy morning traffic at the light where I waited. Houston is such a melting pot of cultures, and I saw many different faces on their way to work this morning. One particular car, I couldn’t pinpoint, while stopped, was jamming to 90s alternative loudly. It took me back to my high school days! The bus ride over was quick. I texted Amanda while on the way to ask if she wanted coffee. Surprisingly, she didn’t want any. She’s been holding off on coffee lately, and I’m not sure if she was just conserving resources or doesn’t want it so early. 

We talked about me going to work. I planned to see what Carley had to say then go from there. She came by and said they were lowering her Bumex, still weaning her down. Amanda is still losing weight, two pounds down according to today’s weight and close to her baseline. Her kidneys started getting angry, the creatinine levels rose a bit. The kidneys, like the dopamine, helped bring her creatinine down. Maybe discontinue the drip tomorrow and start oral Bumex. Discharge plan is Saturday or Sunday now, unless we transfer to Methodist that is. Still no word if that will happen or is even in the works. 

So, Carley’s report did not help me decide whether to go to work. I need to go but would like to be here for a transfer to Methodist. In the world of railroad law: if I go to work, she’ll transfer; if I don’t, she won’t transfer and probably won’t get discharged till Monday, long after I could have been back! I’ve been railroading for 22 years, and when it comes to deciding if you need to take off work, this is always how it works. Typically, my turn will have gone to work and be back by the time I need to be off a lot, and I’ll get made because I wasted a layoff. I learned years ago not even to look once I decide to take off because I’ll just beat myself up over the wrong decision. At this point, though, I need to go to work. Not going last weekend when Amanda wanted me to stay is kicking me now. See I’m beating myself up about it!

Amanda’s magnesium is low, so they started a drip. It always makes her feel bad. She just rolled over, curled in the fetal position, and said “I hate this stuff!” I just laid back and napped for a while, too. Until a nurse came barging into our room, screaming about something, she was in the wrong room anyway. After my nap, I decided I would go to work. I plan on leaving the hospital around three, putting me on the road hopefully before four and home around nine if I can miss traffic. Expect light updates until Sunday when I return. Right now I plan to bring Tank with me, I think the leasing manager found someone to take care of him when I’m at work, and Amanda can’t or is in the hospital.