The Ramblings of Munro

Waiting for the ring

For the second day, we are spending time at Toronto General Hospital.

Rose came here yesterday after having a bit of a problem with her heart. She's doing much better today and is resting in the ICU.

If you've ever been to the cardiac floor at TGH, you will know that there is a waiting room on the second floor where the families wait for news. It's a comfortable room with lots of cozy chairs, a tv, a computer, lots of magazines and plenty of places to plug in your various devices. It's a bit like doing jury duty but more of a familia responsibility as opposed to a civic responsibility (and many more places to comfortably sit)

There is also a phone in the room. This is the phone that connects families with the health professionals.  Every once in a while, the phone rings and someone runs to the phone to answer and to see who is being called. Last night, they had a volunteer for a few hours who did this service. During the day it's a free for all - and then whoever answers will call out the name of the person who is being summoned back to the CCU or the ICU.

It's quite a process and as you can imagine - because people are concerned about their loved ones - there is also a fair bit of nervousness in the room.

Kirk pretending to be the volunteer at the desk - the phone is hidden from view behind the lamp. 

posted by Munro @ 11:51 AM