Pandas in the ER.
February 8, 2009 by Elizabeth Donovan, M. A.
Filed under Life's Little Lessons
What you say?
Yes, there apparently are pandas in the ER.
How do i know of such things?
Because I am extremely familiar with our local hospital and all it has to offer children.
Like the pandas.
Pinkerbell, my brave little 5 year old, caught a nasty viral bug a couple of days ago and we both had the distinct pleasure of rushing to the ER at 3:30am amid lots of vomit and tears. Like all parents, I cringe whenever I have to see one of my children in pain and I am always grateful for health insurance, attentive nurses who bring pop sickles (and lots of coffee), and now…pandas.
You see, it was after little Pinkerbell got her IV that she noticed all that life had to offer in the mighty ER. When we arrived at the hospital (when I say “arrived” I mean that I frantically swung open the door with my spewing daughter in my arms and declared that it was 3:30am and I WAS NOT waiting to be seen.) we were quickly escorted to what appeared to be a completely Rated G children’s wing of the ER. Each patient room was painted with a bright mural reflecting “happier times.” You know, to put their cute little patients in a relaxed frame of mind before they stick them with needles and poke their adorable little tummies (I know, I know – it’s their job and I’m sincerely thankful for the docs and nurses -but still – nobody likes to be poked).
So, there we were. Two girls hanging out together in the ER at 4:30am, chatting about important stuff like why the IV liquid was not a cool color like purple and why I have to pee in a cup for the doctor because if I pee in the toilet he can look at it just as easily.
You know, the usual hospital gab.
When all of the sudden Pinkerbell noticed something odd in the colorful walls that had now become our home. Something, well, not so Rated G. Something that seemed harmless enough, but to the carefully trained eye of a small child, might not be so.
Heck, it was odd to my adult trained eye.
“Mom,” she quietly said, “Why is that baby panda looking at his mom’s privacy?”
What????
Then faint giggles erupted making my daughter forget all her woes.
I squinted at the mural of the mommy and baby panda so carefully and thoughtfully painted by an artist’s hand on the sterile wall.
Oh. My. Beejebbers!
The image did look like something odd was taking place.
What the heck? I had no idea the children’s ward was making it’s way into adult Panda films.
My daughter smiled at me and awaited an answer. (FYI: Just because you are psychologically trained to answer questions like this, doesn’t mean you have a clue when it comes to your own child).
“Um,” I mustered, “No sweetie.”
At this point, full on laughter is causing me to snort diet coke through my nose. Lovely.
“The baby panda is biting her leg. He’s just rough-housing with his mom. There’s nothing going on with her privacy” (aka, private parts if you haven’t picked up on that by now).
Here’s the thing. I liked the mural. Rated R or not . Why? Because it was funny. And doesn’t every parent and child who grace those hospital rooms need a good laugh. Heck, it got Pinkerbell to forget all about the needle in her arm. And she actually got to see her mom snort diet coke.
Not bad for an ER visit.
Before you ask, no I did NOT take a picture of the mural to post here. Quite frankly, I was so wrapped up in the whole experience that it just slipped my mind. But I will say that it is an innocent painting that can be interpreted different ways. And isn’t that what the true meaning of art is all about?
Privacy and Pandas. Now that’s how you do the ER.
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That is hilarious, Elizabeth! Nothing better than the opportunity to have huge belly laughs when you’re in the ER feeling horrible b/c your sweet girl is suffering. It would be a hoot to see it first-hand, but I’ll pass if it means staying away from ER’s.
I don’t know if I can type right now because I am cracking up. How funny? I can’t stop laughing thinking of your five year old asking you and wondering- and you thinking what heck do I say now?? I would have just laughed, too. Good answer- biting the leg!!
Thanks for the good laugh!!
Jen
Oh, Jeez! That’s too funny! How cool is that that you have such lovely ER rooms? Our pediatric offices aren’t even that nice. The last time I was in there I felt like painting them some murals and donating some books all on my own! Their single book called “The Vegetable Garden” can really only be read SO many times!
I hope all of your pandas are well soon! I would love to see that mural…
Hope she’s feeling better, we missed you both at the meeting today. I heard your hubby had it too…I hope you’ve managed to avoid the bug – yuck!! Feel better soon hugs to all of you. xoxo ml
Hmm, maybe those panda shenanigans are what landed them on the walls of the ER to begin with. You know what they say “if you cant be a good example, you will just have to be a horrible warning” in a pandaesque version sorta way. Hope your little pretty is feeling better.
Sorry that you were in the ER. At least you had something else to talk about and laugh at. How funny. Hoping all is well and everyone much healthier, now.
Oh LOL!! Glad it took her mind off of it. How is she feeling now?
Hope she is feeling better!
Hospital visits can be hard…it is nice to have a laugh when one is available!
Is she feeling better?
I was so hoping you’d taken a picture. Yeah, I admit it.
I love “privacy.” That’s precious. My girls have no problems uttering, “tootie,” “bootie,” and “boobies.” When they are a bit older I promise to teach them some semblence of decorum.
Stopped in from SITS to say hello! I hope Pinkerbell is feeling better!
Oh, it stinks that you had to be in the ER to see that mural, but it is funny! And a good sign that your daughter was OK, if she could notice something like that!
I’m sorry you had to go to ER, but glad you got a laugh out of it. We’ve seen some “interesting animal activities” at the zoo. Some jaguars were actually quite violent about the whole thing, it was distressing. Well, wouldn’t you know it, a couple of years later, the female was actually killed during the act!
And oh yeah, you’ve been tagged for the
4th Picture Folder, 4th Photo meme! The rules are:
1. Go to the 4th picture folder on your computer.
2. Post the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 more bloggers.
Oh, I am hope she is feeling better. Glad you were able to chuckle a bit.