Hypothetically Speaking

Mommy,

Hypothetically Aunt Elaine is in the hospital. Yesterday when I came home from school she was just sitting there and didn't respond to me and she couldn't move. She looked like she'd had a seizure or something and when I looked at her pills she hadn't taken any since Wednesday night. So she probably did have a seizure or two or three.

I sort of feel like I made a mistake then because I called the doctor's office, which was closed. I left a message and then talked to the doctor on call, and he said to call 911 so I did. I feel bad that I wasted time trying to kind of snap Aunt Elaine out of it, and then calling the answering service. When the EMT people came they said they thought it might be a stroke and Dani told them I didn't call right away. But the guy said that because we didn't know if Aunt Elaine got like this five minutes before we got home or five hours before, the hospital wouldn't bother doing stuff that's only good in the first 3-6 hours, so the time I spent calling the doctor isn't a big deal.

So last night they did a cat scan and this morning they did an ultrasound and an MRI and something else I forgot. Oh an echo-cardiogram. They ruled out it being a big stroke but I asked and that does NOT mean they ruled out it being a small stroke. Aunt Elaine is better but still not quite right. She can't talk as fast as she wants, and can't think of the words she wants to use.

I called Craig last night because I felt in over my head. He said he's like a mandated reporter and has to report if he knows of kids being neglected and if I were to tell him there was no adult home with us overnight he'd have to call and we'd get taken to foster home and he couldn't guarantee that we'd stay all together. Which I kind of knew. He asked if we were okay and if there was food at home. I'm not sure I'm okay but I told him I am but I'm scared. He said he was going to hang up and pretend we never had this conversation and if I felt like I needed help I should just call him back, otherwise he'd see me for our regular shrinking. Danielle and Alex and I agreed we're okay and we're not going to tell anybody and will just go to school and home and the hospital and not get in any trouble. And then Danielle said "and Al, you can't use any sharp knives either."

So this morning I took Alex to school because she's better with routine and they won't let her in the hospital anyway and I can't leave her alone in the lobby with all the scuzzy people there. Danielle wanted to stay home so we both did. We are fine. I am kind of scared. I told the hospital people our parents were picking us up and we were supposed to go wait in the lobby last night. And today we just walked out.

The hospital has all these rules - that you have to be 16, when visiting hours are, but when it comes down to it, nobody does anything. I'm scared they'll find out we're home alone and call PINS or CPS or whatever on us.

There is more but I'm really tired. I couldn't sleep last night. Tomorrow Danielle and I are going to school - we both have tests. The hospital people didn't say anything about when Aunt Elaine can get released. I researched strokes a little and there are some that people bounce back from but some are really big and people have to go to live at rehab places. Aunt Elaine needs to have the first kind.

Tired.
Love,
Samantha