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Another Dimension

So I was at a area family clinic's version of an emergency room the other day when I saw something that caught me by surprise.
But other - somewhat unsightly - dimensions added up to a crazy scenario when the event unfolded.
A mother, probably in her late 30s or early 40s, was sitting with her tow-headed daughter, about 4 to 5-years old, filling out the needed paperwork for the clinic's requirements.
First strange observance...the girl was wearing a pink shirt and a diaper. That's it, nothing else. No shoes, pants or socks were present at the time of the incident.
I didn't pay that much attention to it mainly because we were sitting at the hospital. It's hard enough dressing a kid, much less a sick kid who has to go the hospital.
Nonetheless.
The daughter was sitting on the mom's lap as the mom was filling up paperwork, then all of a sudden....RALPH.
The little girl threw up all over the place while sitting on her mom's lap. It got on the floor, on the chair, on the paperwork (I'm guessing) and on mom.
The clinic staff didn't really do much to help. I'm not sure if they didn't want to deal with the vomit, or if they couldn't hear the violent sounds of a little girl throwing up all over her mom.

Wait for it, it only gets better and better (trust me).

I really didn't know what to do.
The mom looked like she had the situation under control; she had a dirty-looking towel at the ready I should add.
The best I could/wanted to do at the moment was offer the trash can so the vomit could be projected in a better location.
Still — the hospital staff does nothing!? The puke has been contained, but all of a sudden, the girl starts to throw up some more.
I'm not sure if this was the first time the little girl had thrown up before, but she had not been trained in her vomiting ways.
Growing up I always went for the bucket or the toilet, which ever one I got to first.
So the girl is puking and the situation is getting worse.
The mom finally asks for some help from the staff. And guess what they give her - a barf bag.
What the hell does that help? Couldn't they see I already gave the woman the trash can?
This is about the time I start to get furious.
IS this place a hospital or not??!! Aren't the people working paid to help people??
After a few minutes of them not doing anything I take action. I ask the drenched mom if she would like a towel or something. She said yes, so I approached the counter at the clinic in a calm yet furious tone.
"Can I get a towel or something for this sick baby throwing up all over the place," I asked.
The receptionist/nurse starts to hand me something - another vomit bag. "No! She already has a vomit bag, I need towel," I responded.
"OK, hold on. I'll be back," the receptionist/nurse responded.
Finally action had been taken. The battle was won.
And that's when the strange scenario opens up for all to enjoy in its powerful, absurd grandeur.
The vomit was controlled and the child was calm being held like a baby would have been. But she was 4 to 5-years old. Ah, oh well.
Then what to my wandering eyes should appear, but the mother sucking on her sick kid's fingers like a freakin' pacifier.
Holy cow (I want to use a stronger term, but don't want to get fired).
What was this mom thinking? Her kid is sick as a dog and to console the child you suck on her fingers.
I saw the image, which is now burn in my memory, and turned my head in disbelief.
Is this a normal practice among mothers nowadays, or was she an oddball?
What a wonderful day I had at the clinic. Good thing I wasn't sick when I got there.

Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)