An essay about bones and scopes? EWWW—Don’t despair; no details are given other than a heartwarming story about our thankfulness to healthcare Superhero providers.

BONES

Accompanying Jess for a bone density test or Dexa Scan is daunting. This test measures if you have some calcium and other minerals in your bones. Are your bones looking strong (high number) or more like Swiss cheese (low number), or perhaps all the numbers in between? Low numbers increase the risks of fracture. 

Have You Had This Test?

Raise your hand if you have had a bone density test.  For those who have not, I will give you a short version.  Lay on your back on a table, don’t move, keep your arms and legs in this position, and watch the scanning X-ray arm pass over your torso.

Meet our tech, Kelly, at ECMC Medical Center.  She is Jessica’s radiologist technician.  She is also a unique individual with a heart as big as Jessica’s personality.  Jessica’s house manager (also Kelly), myself, and I roll into the exam room.  Tech-Kelly (I will refer to her as TK) helps us transition Jessica to the flat, hard scanning table and instructs us to stay behind the protective wall. 

Sing Loud, Vickie

My job is to sing at the top of my lungs to keep Jess calm and distracted. Not sure how calming my voice is to the others in the room. Thus far, nobody, at all the doctor appointments I attend, has ever had the nerve to ask me to tell me, “STOP! You’re hurting my ears!”

TK settles Jess on the table under the X-ray equipment. We are ready to begin the scanning. “Wait,” I protest. What are you doing? You can’t stay there while the X-ray is shooting rays?”  At first, TK smiles and ignores my worry.

Jess squirms and giggles as our angel tech gently helps her stay still.  

Take 1

The pictures are blurry; we must do this again.  Again, I protest, “Please don’t expose yourself.” 

Take 2

This time​, TK sings loudly with me. I am sure they did not learn singing in X-RAY school; this song is straight from the heart.  Yes, there is a bit of guilt that I am not standing there.  Throughout Jessica’s childhood, I stood by for every x-ray and, at one point, decided that I couldn’t continue doing that.

When the test was complete, I spoke to TK about her kindness and empathy. She said, “I have no children, and my mission is to help special patients like Jessica.”  She was honored to be able to provide this compassionate service.  I am honored and thankful to ​​have met TK-Kelly.

Bone Density Result

Bone Density result – Osteoporosis – We are not surprised; many individuals who are wheelchair users have problems with bone density.  Limited physical activity, immobility, and certain medications can contribute.  We are working on new strategies to get Jess standing, if not moving. One potential option is a standing wheelchair (more on this at another time)

COLONOSCOPY

Kelly, Jessica’s house manager, is a nurse, and we trust her opinion and guidance in making medical decisions. Jess experienced some rectal bleeding. TMI? Kelly suggested we visit the proctologist, who suggested a colonoscopy to rule out a serious problem.

OK, I will not go into the S@#%^ details because everyone knows about the prep. I will start at the hospital after the prep and before the procedure. You can thank me later.

This time, we were in Buffalo General Hospital.  Once again, the staff are exceptional.

Eminem and Jess

Yes, it was an encore of my loud singing until I used my phone as a backup. Jessica’s favorite musician is Eminem. I started playing his music until the F#%^& word screeched loudly among all the drugged and gassy people in the Colonoscopy prep and post-procedure area. OOOPS! I immediately shut it off until a nurse said, “We enjoyed her music—don’t worry about the lyrics.”

So Eminem cleaned out his closet while Jess cleaned out her colon.

I am thankful that the staff allows Kelly and ​m​e to assist. Years ago, the medical professionals insisted that they knew EVERYTHING and didn’t take the opportunity to use Jessica’s experts. For more details, see Mh.D.

A Hoyer lift was used to assist Jessica in getting onto the bed. 

Choose Me

Kelly and I ​put on her gown and kept Jess calm while waiting for her procedure. Inserting the IV took a few tries but was successful. After the first try was unsuccessful, another nurse jumped in to assist. One little vein raised its hand to say, “Choose Me.”  I watched the nurse slowly insert the needed into Jessica’s skin, the top layer, and then into the willing vein. GOTCHA! 

The doctor removed two polyps, and Jessica is scheduled to return in three years. I was second-guessing whether Jess needed a colonoscopy; the risk and the prep were weighing on me. Kelly initiated this appointment​, and it was the right step to take. Thank you, Kelly, for your wisdom.

Village

As I’ve said many times, it truly takes a village. Some villagers, like Kelly, are there daily to support our Jess. Others, like the X-ray and hospital staff, are just passing through Jessica Town. We witness the best of humanity, the superheroes, and the reasons people choose their professions. Mitch and I are forever thankful for our village.

Thankful to You

I am thankful for all my readers—those who have supported and encouraged me on this post-retirement gig, shared thoughtful comments, sent kind messages, and taken the time to read my stories. You are my village, and I am thankful for each of you. Wishing you a joyful and meaningful Thanksgiving!