I had a really bad day.

A loved one had medical problems. As always, bad times are made worse with bad communication.

If you stay calm and talk to each other and explain the situation, the disaster can turn out okay. Not great, but okay. 

People are grumpy these days.

These are stressful times. We can all make it a little easier for each other by talking to each other and love each other. Make an effort. Try to be nice even when you feel hateful and angry. I was so hot and sweaty under my mask the other day, I just wanted to scream. But I made sure I said hi to people and I tried to chat a little each time I had to interact with someone.

Back to my bad day.

I make some communication mistakes on my recent lousy day, but I also did some things right. Let me know what you think. Please share and subscribe to my podcast and my YouTube Channel. 

I had plans on my recent bad day. And you know what happens when you have plans? Life happens.

Not long ago I produced a podcast episode, and it is called, Bad Day, please check it out. I’m now creating “Another Bad Day.” And it’s funny/ironic that I’m returning to the scene of my first Bad Day episode. I am heading to the hospital right now. It’s never good when you are rushing to the hospital.

The Plan

My plan on “Another Bad Day” was to have my hair colored. Because thanks to all you jerkos out there, and you know who you are, you are the deniers, the non-readers, the people who deny science. You who won’t wear masks or adhere to the distancing rules, California is now having a second round of closures and shutdowns. My lovely hairdresser, who is close to losing her business, is shutting down again. Today was going to be the last day to get my hair colored before the second round of shutdowns. But that’s not happening, so gray hair it is. Gray hair, man hands, nails like claws and depression. This all contributed to my bad day. But it is not the center of the badness.  

I shot a video while my “Another Bad Day” was happening. I posted most of it on podcast.gloriamoraga.com. 

Flash-back to the Beginning of the Week

It is a great week my sister came to visit with my niece and nephew.  And we were doing all of the things we love, watching movies, reading, I was grilling steaks, and chicken and it was great. My daughter had taken my grandson to San Diego for a mini vacation. And Sis and my niece and nephew had come to help me with my granddaughter, Aryah, who can be a handful.

But it was ending, my daughter and grandson were returning, and my Sis and her two grandchildren were going home. I was going to the aforementioned hairdresser.  

Sis was in the garage, packing the car. My nephew was helping. I got a load of clothes ready to wash.

Why did I have to Wash Clothes?

When a towel is left on the floor in my house, the dog pees on it, then the cats pee on it. We can’t leave towels on the floor. The laundry room reeked of pee. Lord. Just wanted to share.

My niece was packing some of her things. And I saw her out of the corner of my eye as she fell to the ground. She fell straight backward. I didn’t know what was happening. Then I saw her begin to shake, and I knew she was having a seizure.

My Beautiful Niece was having a Seizure.

As soon as I realized she was having a seizure,  I went to her and put one of my hands on her chest and grabbed her hand and checked her pulse.  It was weak but steady. I checked her tongue and her eyes. Her shaking continued. It seemed to go on for an eternity. I yelled for her brother. He came in, and I told him to hold her hand. And still, she continued to shake.

I spoke to her the entire time. I said, “You are okay. I am here. Your brother is here, and your grandma is here. The three of us love you more than anything; you are with people who love you. We love you. We love you. You are okay.

I let her know we’re going to call an ambulance. I continued to comfort her. I never stopped talking to her. She couldn’t speak, but I saw one teardrop slip from her eye. It pooled under her eye. I asked my sister to get a cold washcloth so I could bathe her face, which was sweaty.

Calling 911

I spoke to the 911 operator. Here is what I said, “my name is Gloria Moraga, gave my address, and I said my 15-year-old healthy niece is having a seizure. I need paramedics right away.” She asked if my niece was breathing. I said yes, but her pulse is weak. She confirmed the address again and told to put away the pets and unlock the doors. All the time, I held on to my niece’s hand and comforted her. The operator asked about COVID19 and if anybody in the house had a fever or symptoms. No. No symptoms.

Thank you, First Responders!

And then they began to arrive. Handsome, sexy men in uniforms. They took over. They were perfect. One asked me if I needed help getting up? I was just sprawled on the floor. I said no. IDIOT! I should have gotten some help.

Her pulse was weak,  but she was talking and answered their questions. What is the date? What is her name? Who is the President of the United States? I wish they would change that question. Who needs to hear his name at a time like this.

One-On-One Communication

We identified ourselves. Auntie, Grandmother, brother. Where is the mother? they asked. I called her. A paramedic took the phone and spoke to her in my office.  I smelled the cat pee on the towels. I thought. I’m a fricking mess.

They decided to take her to emergency. We shouldn’t follow in our car, the lead paramedic said. They won’t let you in the hospital. You will be stuck outside in your car. What? We said she’s a minor. She’s 15 someones responded. Welcome to COVID19, one of them said. Okay, I guess I said, He said, it’s not okay, it’s dumb, but it’s the rule.  

 I arrive at the hospital, and it’s “Bad Day Part One” all over again.

 At this point, I am circling around the parking lot, trying in vain to find the entrance and/or a parking space. It’s impossible. So I do what I recommend what you all do. I communicate. Because of my crazy hair and mu look of hysteria, nobody walking nearby will stop and talk with me. Finally, I spy a gentleman in scrubs having a cigarette. He is huddled near a bush. I’m thinking he is doing that so he can hide in case his supervisor comes out.

Here’s my annoying voice.

Of course, that’s a lie. I’m here for my niece, not my granddaughter. But notice how I’m a horrible liar. I stumble and stutter. But I’m prepared to lie my ass off to help this child. I if they waterboard me, I will not crack!The good Samaritan/smoker points to the emergency room entrance, which is for emergency personnel only.

Ya. Emergency personnel are “a person” like me. Lord. He points to another entrance. Its really far. There are construction crews but no parking. I stupidly say.

Lord, I’m an idiot, I think. I’m flirting at a time like this. But he was nice to help me. So I want to give him a compliment. His response was to snuff out his cigarette and practically run away from me. I now have this effect on men.) And why do I feel like I have to tell everyone about my broken leg.) Back to the car.

I drive around for 10 minutes, trying to find a place to park. At one point, I try to drive on a walkway, but my little Mercedes will not fit.

The apostles are Simon/Peter, Paul, John, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Mark, Luke, Matthew, Andrew, Thomas (the doubting Thomas and finally, the traitor Judas Iscariot. To be honest, I only got 12 of them before I Googled. I totally forgot Bartholomew. How could I forget him? 

At this point, I want to say, the only reason I got into the hospital was because I chatted with the guard who’s son is a hairdresser. My point is. Please talk to people. Please be polite. Tell them a little about yourself. Ask them their name. tell them yours I have gained entrance to so many places because I said Hi and my name. “Hi, I’m Gloria Moraga.”

I rush outside. I am going to meet the nurse and my niece at another door. And of course, someone is blocking my car. I want to scream. Instead, I roll down my window, and guess what? It’s my niece, the mama of the 15-year-old. I breathe a sigh of relief!

Take care of yourself.

Practice your one-on-one communication skills every day. You don’t know when they are going to come in handy. Thank you again to the first responders.