Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Some words can sound alike, but be TotAlLy different..

I got to thinking the other day how I can hear a word, and a completely different meaning comes to my mind.

And I become...confused.

Yep. I do.

For instance....a couple of years ago I had a little heart scare. I went into the ER with a cough that I thought was my usual horrible bronchitis. The Doc on Duty (kinda like a "Doc in a Box") looked at my chest x-ray and said I had a really big heart...I thanked her and rather humbly I said.."Well, I do try.."

She said, no, my heart was enlarged and I needed to go directly to the hospital. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

Needless to say, we went. After a battery of tests, readings, pokes and prods I was given LoTs of meds...some I'd heard of, some not.


When the "Regular" Doc came in the next day and I told him I had to pee a lot, he said "It's because you've had Lasix .."

"What! This is Sooo cool! I came in here with a big heart and you fixed my eyes too?? Can I see now without my glasses?? That's awesome!"

He looked at me rather oddly. Apparently HE knew that "Lasix" is a water pill and NOT Lasik Eye Surgery to correct far-sightedness....

Bummer.

Then there was the time when I was a brand new Mommy with a crying baby. Worried, I took her to the pediatrician.

Now grant you, this guy could have been MY pediatrician - I was barely 18..

He examined the baby (Hi April!) and sighed and what he said was..."It's just temper.." but what I heard was...

"It's DISTEMPER!!!!"


I screamed at him.."Didn't you give her shots for that??"

Ah, to be young and...stupid..

Flash forward a few decades. Sister Gerri had had some heart issues (notice a pattern here?) I'd been following her trials and tribulations with my sister Kathy who gives me the scoop when we talk (we Sullivan girls have an "Emergency Family-Broadcasting System" that we've passed down to our kids too) If one sister can't get a hold of the other, she calls another one and we start calling the kids to check and so on..but I hadn't discussed the issues with Gerri yet..




So I finally get a hold of Gerri..

Me: "Hi, how's it going?"

Gerri: "Oh, OK I guess.."

Me: "So what are they going to do about it??"

Gerri: "They're going to take it out and replace it. (she says..nonchalantly..)

Me: "what...?"

Gerri: "Yeah, they said I needed a complete new one..they're coming out on Wednesday.."

Me: "WHAT?? They're COMING OUT THERE? WHAT THE...???"What do you mean they're coming out there...

Gerri: "They do it all the time - it'll just take a few hours."

Me: "WHAT?? They're COMING OUT THERE??? TO GIVE YOU A NEW HEART????"

Gerri: "What are you talking about?"

Me: "What are YOU talking about???"

Gerri: "My septic tank....."



Me: "Oh..Well..allrightythen. So, how are the horses??

Moral? Probably should make yourself. very. clear. when. speaking. to. me.

Nah, then I'd have nothing to blog about.



-me

10 comments:

diane b said...

Words can be confusing (so can oldies). Remember the line in the movie "Have you got Origano?" "Hope not I only had a check up the other day"

Vee said...

Omigosh! I probably am one of your long-lost sisters. These kinds of things happen to me all.the.time. You write about it so well!

Unknown said...

ROFLMAO, that was so funny! Just found you yesterday and am looking forward to returning again and again!

P.S. The distemper one is my favorite.

Betty said...

Bwaa, ha, ha!! I'm afraid as I age (gracefully, I hope) that my gradual loss of hearing is going to get me into trouble. I sometimes misunderstand what is said and then I wonder why someone would say that? Fortunately, I think we've usually figured out I didn't hear correctly. This was a fun post!

Heather said...

you are too funny! i want to call you and talk to you just to see what happens, LOL.

Connie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Connie said...

I enjoy your blog so much. Goodness, you have such a variety of information and those crazy bathing caps.
I love your photography very much.... jut loaded with talent !

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Great post as usual!. You sure can write a story.
I enjoyed it very much,
Have a wonderful day,
Elizabeth

Charmingdesigns said...

Oh my goodness. I needed a good laugh. Come back and visit me...I was in the middle of a blog-re-do. lol. I grouped them...Thanks laurie

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

LOL! Thank yoo so much for the giggle this evening Colleen. It was so nice to see your comment on my blog tonight. I must confess, I have been a terrible blog friend lately. I will try to be better....
xo
Penny

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