Lately, I’ve been dealing with an avalanche of medical issues. It’s tough to admit when you are physically falling apart. As I’ve been wending my way through the myriad of doctor’s visits and consultations, I go through the normal rigmarole: name, rank, serial number.
All my visits have been in network, so once you update your information, it generally updates across the board instantly. After a day of several appointments and referrals, I found myself just nodding along absentmindedly as they rattled everything off. Until the last appointment of the day, when surprisingly they still had my ex-boyfriend listed as my emergency contact.
“Umm, no – wait – that’s wrong,” I stammered. “He’s no longer, I mean, well . . . let me give you my mother’s name.”
I flashed back to three years ago, the last time I had been at this medical facility. I had felt some shooting pain in my chest and left arm and just couldn’t sleep. Although I was fairly confident I wasn’t having a heart attack – I didn’t relish the idea of just ignoring it and waking up dead.
My sleepy headed boyfriend answered my late-night call and agreed to meet me at the ER. I tiptoed past my sleeping roommate’s bedroom and drove myself over. After being given some powerful drugs and being reassured I was going to survive, my boyfriend drove me in his car back to his place and took care of me.
It’s nice having someone like that – someone that will just be there for you – even if it means getting out of a warm bed into a cold car. He was also good at asking questions, researching options, and knew me well enough to just take control and make the decisions.
I would be lying to say I don’t miss that.
Now, my emergency contact is my mother: someone I love dearly, but who lives over two hours away and approaches life differently than I do. I’m the Mary to her Martha; the cricket to her ant. We do not agree on so many things, and yet, who else do I choose? I don’t have the kind of relationship with any other nearby family member where I would trust that my desires would be respected.
I have many good friends who live close by, and they have all been kind and asked how they can help. It’s what you do but how often do you really take someone up on it? (I’ve suggested that there are always dirty dishes and laundry – everyone finds that very funny. Frankly, so do I, but one can dream.)
My young roommate and Rocker have both gone with me on some of my appointments, and have run trips to get meds and milk (I’m addicted to milk, I swear) and held my hand. But a friend should not take on the immense burden of being your “In Case of Emergency,” especially when that is not just a vaguely possible perhaps. I mean, I’ve got stuff happening here and now. Being an “In Case of Emergency” requires a level of commitment that only a very close friend could even begin to handle.
This is where we as single girls must put on our big girl pants and just have to do it ourselves. Sure, I share and ask advice and get comfort – but these are my decisions and life choices – good and bad – and I have to make them, not rely on others.
It’s tough being a grown-up.
This morning I was chatting with a friend at work. Her dog that she has had for 16 plus years was recently, mercifully put down. She didn’t want to talk about it. The tears welled up in her eyes anyway.
“Now,” she whispered, “I have to admit that I really am living alone.”
I hugged her.
“I have a lovely gay roommate you can borrow,” I told her.
It made her laugh but then we both fell silent. No matter how many friends you have, and how social you are, the fact that sometimes you have to go it alone doesn’t change. Even when someone shares your home, it’s not the same as someone who shares your bed.
I’m not afraid to be alone. I’ve chosen to be single when I’ve had other options, more than once. It’s not the times that things are easy, but when things are tough, that you grow stronger. You have to become strong to make it – we can’t be coddled through and expect to survive.
“Just don’t shut me out,” Rocker tells me. “I respect that you are dealing with this on your own, but don’t assume that just because I hold back I don’t care. I still want to know what’s going on.”
I appreciate that. Trust me, I’m not the big brave girl. I would much rather be the little girl in the big, comfy bed – telling someone else what is hurting and letting them fix it. It’s just not an option right now.
I remember as a child listening to radio personality Paul Harvey tell the story of Florence Nightingale – crusader of modern nursing. How she left her own sickbed for three years to take care of wounded soldiers in the Crimean War. When the war was over, she went back to her sickbed and letting others care for her.
Whether that version is true or not, I’m not sure. But I think about it a lot. How sometimes, we just have to get up and do, and not expect others to do for you. We got to be our own best emergency contact.
Just do me a favor. In case of emergency, please don’t break me.
This hits very close to home for me. I had to fill that blank in myself not too long ago~I went with my brother who lives 8+ hrs away & probably doesn’t remember that I’m allergic to bee stings :-/ I could have put my mom down, but we are estranged at the moment. My best friend since 7th grade, who I know would do & has done anything for me lives 4 hrs away & has a family of her own to take care of. My options were super limited…
Although our friendship is fairly new, it seems we have much in common. Being the super guarded person that I am, when I tell you “call if you need anything, even just to talk” I mean it ( I would never had said if not, lol ). Medical issues can be scary & confusing but remember you have friends ~ old & new ~ that are here for you when you need them 🙂
I can relate to this post! Very well put!!
I so understand. I have no family. I have a couple of blood relatives, but none that I would depend on to help me in the situations you describe. When I was single… I used to get so sad every time I had to fill in the “In case of emergency” section because I had no one but friends… and like you said… it’s hard to put them on the list. It’s asking a lot of a friend.
I loved being single and alone. I know that sounds strange to some but I really enjoyed it. However, the fear of the “in case of emergency” blank scared me so much that I married someone just to fill it in. That feeling of not having anyone to depend on when the chips are down… I call that alone with a capital A. It’s way different than the pleasant solitary of single life with a close family.
But the marriage has been the biggest mistake of my life. I’ve been miserable for over ten years with no escape in sight… all to fill a box. To quell a fear.
I really wish I would have made tighter friend connections back then and trusted them more to be my “in case of an emergency.”
Most people… most kind people… have a desire to help. Your late night call of emergency to a friend might be filling their desire of being needed… of feeling helpful and part of this world and connected to you. I know it seems like a lot to ask a friend… but I don’t think it really is. And those times of emergency is what makes a true friendship stronger.
I’m sorry about your marriage, it makes me sad to think someone is in a relationship they feel trapped in & can’t get out of 🙁 I’ve been there & a friend once told me “you can do bad all by yourself”. I listened & got out, but it was one of the hardest, scariest things I’ve had to do. I wish all the best.
Love you Joey. I reiterate that if you ever need me I’m here. Even if you just want someone to come over and eat ice cream with you. :). I also agree that you shouldn’t let Rocker out…he’s pretty cool. 😉