Are you kiddin' me? An Ode to the ER

So, enter stage left, sister in law/friend Carrie. There are some people who God puts in your life to stretch you beyond what you think is possible. She is one of those people who blesses me like that. Perhaps one of the most stretching moments are in a medical facility. I am pretty sure that Tuesday only marked the 2nd time I have volunteered for this adventure but it topped them all. The culprit was a swollen knee in which I kind of gave the warning of some serious stuff that can come of that and she got direct orders from her mother (my mother in law) to go directly to the ER. So, has anyone been in an ER lately? Definately not as fun as the TV show. We settle down in the waiting room. Her simply with her purse and I armed with work and two books. Immediately I notice the crowds of people in the room. Mainly the family reunion taking place next to me. Seriously, it's the tiniest waiting room and we have to have 6-8 people accompany us? Then there was the vending machine. In which some poor soul had missed thier soda so we became the directors of "No, the machine doesn't take dollars-use the change machine" and Yes, the soda is stuck and unless you like Dr. Pepper, you will have to buy two. Somewhere in the span of two hours someone figured this out.
I sent Carrie out of her chair when she said, here feel this on my knee, well I did and poked too hard. I think she thought bad things about me. We then schemed for a few minutes on what could get her faster service. We came up with lots of things but none that either one of us would be willing to do.
Then came the parade of food. As I looked out the window, there was the Dominos pizza guy, shortly after two nurses came trotting throught the waiting room with pizza. Then the tupperware, yes tupperware of strawberries and other random food items. Oh and last but not least the Krispy Kreme donuts brought in by one of the patients. Now if you're that sick do you really need Krispy Kreme donuts?
Finally, her name was called and I accompany her to the exam room, Ok this was not an exam room, it was a closet with eye exam equipment in it. No joke. I guess I should be grateful they called us back but still. And let me just say that I would never have commented on my accomodations. But Carrie? Absolutely did. I did find it entertaining, especially at midnight with a previously injested Dr Pepper. I am pretty sure Carrie found them fasinating as well after her pain pills.
The staff were definately entertained and well, that made it all worth it. Better than that, she was Ok in the end, we made it home and we shared one more experience that I am sure made us closer and provided some good stories at least.