What happens in the cornfield, stays in the cornfield

I apologize to the good friends who check this blog to see what I am up to, but the past couple of weeks involved the health of one of my daughters and I gave all my attentions to her. She is fine, but when we first heard the news that a tumor was lurking in her body, we were all quite concerned. Further exams showed that the tumor was benign and it was removed at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, on Tuesday, September 4.

Watching my daughter, Eva Marie, go through this was interesting. Please remember that she moved to Nebraska 25 years ago while I remained in California, so there are a few things about her personality that eluded me. She does not like hospitals. She doesn't fear them, she is simply sick and tired of them. Eva has had to deal with a chronic illness (Crohn's disease) most of her adult life, and she has spent more time in hospitals in California, Missouri and Nebraska than any person should have to experience.

She told me of an ordeal when a medical tech was trying to insert an IV needle into the back of her hand and he kept missing the vein. If you've never experienced that kind of pain, try laying your palm flat on a table and then jamming a paring knife into the top of your hand. It hurts like hell. She said that the third time he missed the vein and shoved the needle into painful flesh, she "wanted to grab a scalpel and disembowel the little %$#*&@$*". And she said it with a little smirk on her face that said worlds about how she truly would have enjoyed doing what she was thinking. She knows how to be mean.

She came through this hospital stay, though, with flying colors, largely thanks to how well the hospital is run. Good Samaritan proudly states that it is part of the "Catholic Health Initiative", and all I can say is that I was impressed how things were run. From the moment she entered the hospital on Sept. 4th, every employee went out of his or her way to be kind, courteous and informative. The doctors, nurses, nurses aides, and others took all the time it took to make sure all my daughter's questions were answered.

There is a baby grand piano in the main lobby downstairs and during the daylight hours, somebody is playing soothing "elevator" music. My other daughter, Valerie, and I had dinner in the cafe in the basement. Wow. I may have eaten the best slices of brisket of beef that I have ever tasted. The food was terrific. And, no, I am not part of the hospital's PR team. I just appreciate the effort that Good Samaritan hospital puts into its operation.

My daughter is now home and taking things easy while she heals.

I've got to comment on the fact that the route we took from Alma to Kearney took us through the little town of Funk, Nebraska, population 126. Funk?? Right by the highway is a sign proudly proclaiming that this is the home of "Funk Lagoon". The sign includes a painting of a largemouth bass jumping above the water. Hmmmm. All wise guy thoughts aside over its name, I guess I'll have to go fishing there to try it out.

Tomorrow (I promise), I'll post about some interesting critters.

Charlie