joan garry

Here’s a shot of me and my mother.    Joan Garry and Joan Garry.  Yes, we both have the same names.  And the same hats too.

My mother had emergency eye surgery this weekend and  I won’t bury the lead. She is doing quite nicely.

This photo was taken by a nurse right after my mother had put all her regular clothes in that plastic bag they give you.  You see, I had just gotten a new iphone and was sitting in the adjacent cubicle dressing in my own cap and gown so I could hang with my mother before her surgery.  I thought it might be fun to take a picture of myself.  I was sitting there and threatening to use my new phone to take a picture of my mother from the back (gown open in back).  She did not find me funny.  At all.

And then the nurse heard the banter.  “Why don’t I get a shot of the two of you?”   Well I just thought this was the best.  But never in a million years did I think my mom would agree.

As you can see, she also thought it was an inspired idea.

While she was in surgery, I continued to explore the functionality of my iphone and sent the photo along to family members awaiting an update.  I did a very nice job except I inadvertently sent the photo to a gentleman named Greg Torborg.

I can’t imagine what he was thinking.  Mother / daughter lobotomies perhaps?

I”ve written a piece this morning for The Newark Star Ledger offering my top ten tips for accompanying your aging parent to the hospital for surgery - I hope you’ll have a read.  And yes, it involves bringing a camera.