I've been giving my Significant Other round-the-clock care, doing tasks for him for which I have no preparation or training, but I'm a quick study.

I'm hoping that starting Monday I'll be back to something remotely resembling a normal schedule. Maybe get some sleep. Maybe have time to breathe. And, if I'm truly lucky, time to write.

He's doing ok, by the way. Just going to be a long recovery. Anesthesiologist called us at home to ask about how it went with him, because he requires some fancy stuff when he goes under the knife. It was nice of her; she sounded so caring and so very happy that what she had done was just right.

There are some truly caring people in the world and their light shines more brightly than they know. Thanks also to the orderly who saw my distress and buttonholed the charge nurse and found out how the surgery went. After 3 and a half hours with no news, I was frantic with worry. He went out of his way to help. What a nice kid. He also sent one of his buddies who was on a break to come and sit with me in the waiting room because I was all alone. His buddy shared his banana and some banal conversation and I was touched at his kindness too.

Never did see the doctor after the surgery, nor did my husband. What we got was a printout with the final diagnosis and instructions for home care.

good thing I can read with comprehension. What do they do for people whose reading skills are lacking? What do they do for people who don't have friends or family? Well, I may be in that position some day and then I guess I'll find out. Till then, just keep on truckin'.