Support Your Local Husband

Just a few days left before the lovely Miss Carol gets wheeled into an operating room to become a survivor. Being a nurse, she is pretty well aware of what she will be undergoing. Being the son, husband, brother and nephew of nurses, I am well aware of what will be involved, too. Quite honestly I find the whole process fascinating. In a sense I want to look over the surgeon's shoulder as the procedures are being done. In another, I will be just as happy to sit in the waiting area and wait to hear about the outcome.

Although the primary surgeon has not posted it, I'm sure that she has a sliding scale like an auto mechanic:
* Basic surgical procedures - $750/hour
* You watch - $1500/hour
* You help - $3000/hour

Anyhoo, the lovely Miss Carol brought up a point about this whole process which was sort of on the periphery of my thoughts; While a lot of attention and prayer is (rightfully) being directed to the woman in the process, who pays attention to and/or prays for the husband?

Now, I'm not whining, nor am I prematurely (or otherwise) mourning the loss of my dear wife's cleavage. Yes, I am a pig (all men are pigs) and I do enjoy the visual and other aspects of what she is about to lose. But I didn't court and marry her for her "assets". I have informally surveyed some of my peers who had had wives undergoing the same surgery and to a man, the overriding concern is their partners' overall health. Breasts are a side issue.

As a husband there are other issues. I'm not going to kid myself. It ain't gonna be easy. Sure, I'm not the person undergoing a major alteration to my body nor am I the person undergoing chemotherapy nor am I the person faced with immediate questions about my own mortality. I'm not going to be stress-free, either. I have concerns about Carol's immediate mortality. I have concerns about coping with the side effects of chemotherapy. I have concerns about caring for someone after major surgery.

Truthfully, the answers will come as the questions occur. Of that I am relatively certain. I am also relatively certain that some of those people who are fervently praying for Carol are also slipping in a prayer for me. Thanks, and Carol thanks you too.

Right now, my biggest quandry has to do with how best to distribute my time. I did some checking and I have found that I have enough sick time available that I can literally sit home and worry for the next month and still have time left over. To that question, I will now summon up the spirit of the Bard of Massieville (Bard of Knockemstiff being the property of Donald Ray Pollock), Frank, Frank Shakespeare:

To work or not to work,
That is the question.
Whether tis nobler to stay at home with one's recovering wife,
Or to suffer the slings and arrows of one's everyday job.
That nobler path of attending to one's domestic partner,
While drawing on accumulated sick leave hath its charms,
Yet, the Puritan work ethic flows deep within my soul.
To which path lays the greater good?
To work, perhaps, to gain?
There are commissions available,
And one should earn his own way.
Or to attend the needs of one's bride,
Charms removed,
Yet at same time restored.
She hath perhaps needs best fulfilled,
By one strong (LOL), loving and caring at home,
Yet some needs are best fulfilled,
When husband leaves her the heck alone!
Alas, poor tradesman,
How do you tell?

Apologies to the Bard of Avon.

Be Seeing You!