5 Hours in the ER Today
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (112288)
United States
May 5, 2026 5:03pm CST
Well, that was an exciting day with mom today. Spent it at the ER because she has been complaining of foot pain for a couple of weeks, and this morning—she lives with my sister—she called her in tears, my sister had worked the night before, it was my day with mom anyway, and she asked if I could take her.
"Sure," I said. Even though I know a trip to the ER is like a three-hour tour on the SS Minnow.
We had both suspected it was probably arthritis, but just to be sure, we figured, why not just go through the process and get an answer.
Sure enough. It's osteoarthritis, according to the X-Rays. As the doc put it, "Her bones don't even look like bones anymore. They look like cauliflower."
Wonderful.
Of course, there's nothing that can be done. Just take some anti-inflammatory medications and use topicals. The usual for that sort of thing.
But we spent almost 5 hours in the ER dealing with this. Meanwhile the people in the waiting room were farting, holding puke bags, one guy was apparently going through withdrawals of something or the other...
What a mess of people.
16 people like this
15 responses
@moffittjc (128446)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 May
@porwest I agree. I've already outlined all the things I expect my own kids to do to care for me when I get too old to function on my own.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (128446)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 May
ER's are never fun, but I'm glad you didn't report a life-threatening emergency for your mom.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (128446)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 May
@porwest My mom also had dementia, and it got progressively worse at a breakneck speed after my dad passed away. I can relate to what you're going through.
2 people like this
@porwest (112288)
• United States
6 May
@moffittjc It's a tough disease to deal with. There your mom is, right before your eyes, and yet...she's not really mom.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97139)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 May
For that reason since I am fairly health, take no medications, and pray to the Lord for health I will not subject myself to any of this even it something unfortunate happened, I would just aly back in my bed and pray.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97139)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 May
@porwest my dear mom was fine until we went to Riga, Latvia, in 1994. She was in her early 80s. Suddenly, a year later, she was diagnosed with sclerosis on the brain and did not understand much. Other than that she was just fine. At the age of 84 she passed away due to kidney failure. Where that came from, I don't know, but until age 84 she was happy-go-lucky and even still enjoyed music and dancing.
@lovebuglena (51778)
• Staten Island, New York
6 May
Why did it take so long at the ER? Did she have to wait a long time just to get seen by someone?
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (51778)
• Staten Island, New York
6 May
@porwest is it not enough staff or do they work too slow?
1 person likes this
@porwest (112288)
• United States
6 May
@lovebuglena It's just the way ERs are. I have never been to any ER that was ever speedy.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68062)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 May
I’m glad to see you posting but I wish it was for something more light and happy lol I’m glad she’s OK though.
I need to go to the ER and get checked out or make an appointment with a primary care. My right leg has been giving me hell for weeks and the first appointment they can get me with PCP is in June so if it acts up anymore, I will be doing a three hour tour with the ER too.
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (31597)
•
5 May
It's not funny
Especially not for your poor Mother.
You are a good son.
Please explain the reference of bones looking like Cauliflower.
The guy withdrawing might have been quite funny, and the fsrting and like bags
Nothing like ER
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (31597)
•
6 May
@porwest
Lol bones can't look like a cauliflower can they?
1 person likes this
@porwest (112288)
• United States
6 May
@Ineeddentures Apparently...they can. lol
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169014)
• United States
6 May
What a not fun day, but I am glad there is nothing more serious. Does she like ginger snap cookies? Ginger is anti inflammatory and I find my arthritic hands are happier when I eat them. The Walmart store brand is not bad. Might as well try something fun for the pain.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39986)
• Toccoa, Georgia
6 May
Prayers for your Mom. That is so sad about the sick people in the waiting room. I would be nervous with all the germs floating around. I hope you and your Mom kept as far away as possible from the sick patients.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (17600)
• Torrington, Connecticut
6 May
That sucks, my grandmother has arthritis as well
1 person likes this
@porwest (112288)
• United States
6 May
I absolutely loathe the ER, for more reasons than one. But as they say, sometimes it's a necessary evil. As for mom, she's had this dementia thing for years now, and it gets harder and harder to deal with on a daily basis. But we do what we can—these other little regular aging things just add a little compounding.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (10749)
• United Kingdom
6 May
Oh dear …. Sorry to hear that ….but I guess at least you know what it is and can get medication for it ….hope it works ….
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (220844)
• United States
7 May
I feel sorry for your mom. I know how she feels. I hope the meds and topicals will help her. You're a good son for taking her to the ER.
1 person likes this
