New Doctor

So my sister, brother in law, and friend Steve the probate lawyer all showed up at Miami Jewish Home Wednesday, for the status conference about putting Mom into long term care. Steve did his work, and did all the necessary final planning -- Mom was happy and still noticing how "tall and handsome" Steve was. But then, a nice, gay nurse practitioner named Bruce told us that Mom was going to Mt. Sinai because of an intestinal blockage. They whisked her away across the causeway to the place Jewish businessmen and doctors founded in the 40s when they were made unwelcome at St. Francis Hospital. St. Francis is closed; Mt. Sinai is a leading medical center in Florida. Ha. So things were put on hold for awhile. But Mom is happy -- they put her on the 8th floor with the kind of bay view that costs nealry $1000 per night at a Beach hotel. The food is good, and she's liking it. They'll keep her a few days to get her blood levels and numbers in balance, to make things easier when she goes back to MJH. I spoke to her doctor last night, Dr. Levin. He's an orthodox Jew, originally from Israel. Mom thinks he's a rabbi, and keeps wondering why this clergyman touches and probes her. With Mom, there's ALWAYS a funny and endearing anecdote... As luck would have it, this is Urban Music Weekend, when hundreds of thousands of Urbans take over the Beach for 3 days of hip hop, setting off firecrackers to run out on restaurant bills, cruising the streets in rented pimped rides, and getting shot by local police and each other. The practical result is that local officials decided to really roll out the welcome mat this year for the Urbans -- by closing the local causeways to one lane, and checking everyone's license and tag. So getting to my peoples' hospital is rather untenable. Mom will have to wait a few days for a visit. Ah, Memorial Day. I was looking at my Dad's induction and discharge papers from the US Army. He went in when he was 22 and came out at 26. He was no warrior, but served and helped the effort. Then he re joined his family, worked 3 jobs, and supported Mom and his 3 kids. He retired at 60,and relaxed a total of 3 years before he checked out. He died 30 years ago this July. The money he earned and saved still supports his wife. With help, of course, from New Deal benefits, that pay for Orthodox docs at Mt. Sinai...