The trick to a private room, ita, is being MRSA colonized. You don't want the actual infection, just colonization. Which I would think you would have.

I'm sorry, msbelle. You shouldn't have to deal with hall peeing.

Also, hall peeing. Poor noodle. I know it's a giant fucking hassle, but how self-demoralizing does it have to be for that to be an option?

Noah, on the other hand, totally happy to pee on himself. When will potty training be over?

Can I mention one area of confusion....

I can't believe Republicans are all lining up behind the guy whose dad was born in Mexico.

Kat, I fear it's room 3 or the waiting room. Not only are the hall beds full, there are beds out there in places I've never seen them wedged before. They will remember to bring me in from the hall to somewhere quieter and darker, but I don't think I've ever been moved from this room.

*1* shared room in the entire hospital, IIRC (....there might be a couple shared rooms in L&D, now that I think about it, that they will clear out for you if you're rich.

Okay, nextdoor kid pulled out their g-tube, amongst...something else. They're remarkably quiet for a family with 2 kids under 10, but that doesn't actually mean quiet.

Nurses seem to really dig the near lack of hair. One of them actually asked to touch it "I know your head hurts, but?" Enh. I let her. She's on my side, and she was gentle. But, alla y'all (white folks especially, but everyone's on notice) don't think I've have outgrown that particular hangup. Just, sometimes, if you have the painkillers, I'll go with the expeditious choice.

A kid pulling out a g-tube is no big deal! Just deflate the balloon and shove it back in. Then give the kid some tylenol with codeine. (We just changed Grace's g-tube yesterday and damn, she was fucking mad). That is not a reason to visit the ER for us (too may germs in the ER).

Unless it's a PEG tube, then that would hurt like hell because of the disk. I'm sure the balloon tubes hurt too but not as much.

There are lots of shared rooms on the pediatric floors (3 & 5 both, I think). At least in Westwood. In SM, I don't know. I didn't see any.

oy.I hope things go more smoothly, ita.

Well, that was not good news. Apparently they finally have come to an agreement with my doctor about dosage. Just what I got. Like, the right amount, but only once.

I'm a bit scared, TBH. One dose has never fixed it. And by fix, I only mean take it down to a 5. I'm at a six or seven now--this is Thursday pain, not Monday pain.

I don't know what to do. I'm sure this wasn't easy, but it's also not enough. But I can't freak out about it, because I will put myself into a more painful place. So...biorhythms.

Okay--not a G tube--there are two syllables, but it doesn't sound like PEG. N something? He's had some sort of transplant. And a broken leg--they had to give him a spinal tap, and they broke his leg holding him down. Poor kid.

I really need not to cry about this.

Oh ita, that's not good. That's... can he up the breakthrough meds that you take at home?

I can't believe Republicans are all lining up behind the guy whose dad was born in Mexico.

It makes more sense when you remember that the other guy's dad was born in Kenya.

Jeez, ita, it's like somebody giving a play by play of being on the rack. I know you like having more manageable pain but maybe 5 can get you through a couple days?

It's not your regular dose or your best scenario but maybe you can do this. Getting through two days probably makes a difference at work at least.

Can you adjust your expectations so that you're not looking at clearing the week but getting through a couple days?

I'm sorry this is so hard. And painful. I really am.

Kat, they keep talking of putting my nephew on a G-tube because of his slow growth and allergies. If they do, we'll have questions.