"When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping"

[gerisullivan]

Yesterday, my sister had an allergic reaction to...something. A blood pressure medication she's tolerated well for years, most likely. The pharmacy had changed providers of the generic formulation the last time she had the prescription refilled. Sue believes this contributed to the problem. I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised.

Whatever the cause was, after her facial swelling worsened rather than responding well to 3 separate doses of benadryl-equivalent, she called the 24-hour number her surgeon gave me right after surgery. And, yes, the response was just as we expected and dreaded -- it was time to head to an emergency room for evaluation and treatment.

All is much better now, for the short term, at least. But it was a long day and an even longer night. Emergency rooms and the gurneys therein aren't known for their comfort in the best of times. The whole thing was especially tortuous a week after my sister's hip replacement surgery.

This perhaps helps explain why it is that when I went to Sparrow Hospital to pick up a steroid prescription for her today, I left with an elephant, a harp, and a tuba as well as a bottle of pills.

Yes, you read that right -- an elephant, a harp, and a tuba. As benyalow quickly deduced after I mentioned having them in my car, they're not full-scale. Not even close. They did, however, make for a full-scale, successful bit of shopping therapy. That, the arrival of fresh flowers, and a nap did wonders for strengthening the equilibrium that's seen me through so much so well of late.

No photos of the elephant, harp, and tuba, yet alas...

Remembering that Google is my friend, I went looking for links instead. And turned up my elephant. I'm pleased to see that I paid several dollars less for my single elephant than the per piece price on the two packs offered here. Here's another view. Again, priced higher than what I paid. Sparrow Hospital's gift shop doesn't appear to be marking up prices to take extra advantage of the mental and emotional shape many of its shoppers are in. Yay, Sparrow!

I'm at risk of starting an elephant watering can collection, for this is my second and the Google search turned up several others. Or maybe I'll fall prey to miniature musical instruments. Here's my tuba and my harp.

Or maybe, just maybe, I'll continue along my traditional path of eclectic accumulation, picking up elephants because I like them, and because they remind me of people I love and have loved. Picking up a harp in memory of Walt Willis and "The Harp That Once or Twice..." as well as in appreciation of the music of Deborah Henson-Conant and Loreena McKennitt. And the tuba? Because I'm back in the land of The Tuba Museum, of course!

Comments

[kate-schaefer.livejournal.com]

Gaaaah, on the allergic reaction. My sympathies to your sister; I live in well-founded fear of acquiring new allergies (and this reminds me to restock my pocket with benadryl; done now, thanks).

I admire your elephant excessively.