Border Patrol Stories
Hospital Support
While going through and especially painful divorce, I accepted a detail to Border Patrol HQ in DC. I was far away from family and friends. I had no support system in place.
One evening, I noticed an odd pain in my lower right abdomen and immediately thought and dismissed the idea that it was appendicitis. I thought, I'll go to work tomorrow and if the pain is still there, then I'll go to the hospital.
Mid-morning the next day at work, the pain had become more pronounced and I realized that I really needed to get it checked out.
So, I went to my supervisor Rich H. and told him, "Sir, I've had this pain for almost 24 hours. It might be appendicitis and I think I need to go to the hospital right now. I respectful request sick leave for the rest of the day."
Without missing a beat Rich said, "Denied! Get back to work."
My response, "10-4 sir. When I collapse unconscious, please let the paramedic know I'll be in the cubicle over there."
Of course Rich was joking and I left work for the hospital.
Once at the hospital, tests were conducted that confirmed that my appendix was near bursting. The doctor told me to make my calls, that I was going into surgery immediately. Well, I only had Rich to contact. So, I sent him a quick text and went into surgery.
Now, Rich had a horrible commute that was over two hours, one-way. That four hour commute was on top of a ten hour workday. Further, he had a young child with significant heath needs. Rich was at capacity!
I woke up in a recovery bed at about 10PM. At the foot of my bed stood Rich, still in dress uniform.
I asked him, "What are you doing here?"
He told me that he knew I was alone and he felt it important that I not be alone when I woke up after surgery.
Years later and I still tear up when I tell that story.
To end on a funny note, several months later while leaving a neighborhood pub after a few too many to drink, I was telling a companion about my "emergency episiotomy".
After I said it, I thought, "That din't sound right." But the conversation continued to other subjects without and further discussion.
The next day, after the alcohol induced cobwebs dissipated, I released that I had referred to the wrong medical procedure and was relieved that no-one caught my mistake. By the way, I'm a man.
One evening, I noticed an odd pain in my lower right abdomen and immediately thought and dismissed the idea that it was appendicitis. I thought, I'll go to work tomorrow and if the pain is still there, then I'll go to the hospital.
Mid-morning the next day at work, the pain had become more pronounced and I realized that I really needed to get it checked out.
So, I went to my supervisor Rich H. and told him, "Sir, I've had this pain for almost 24 hours. It might be appendicitis and I think I need to go to the hospital right now. I respectful request sick leave for the rest of the day."
Without missing a beat Rich said, "Denied! Get back to work."
My response, "10-4 sir. When I collapse unconscious, please let the paramedic know I'll be in the cubicle over there."
Of course Rich was joking and I left work for the hospital.
Once at the hospital, tests were conducted that confirmed that my appendix was near bursting. The doctor told me to make my calls, that I was going into surgery immediately. Well, I only had Rich to contact. So, I sent him a quick text and went into surgery.
Now, Rich had a horrible commute that was over two hours, one-way. That four hour commute was on top of a ten hour workday. Further, he had a young child with significant heath needs. Rich was at capacity!
I woke up in a recovery bed at about 10PM. At the foot of my bed stood Rich, still in dress uniform.
I asked him, "What are you doing here?"
He told me that he knew I was alone and he felt it important that I not be alone when I woke up after surgery.
Years later and I still tear up when I tell that story.
To end on a funny note, several months later while leaving a neighborhood pub after a few too many to drink, I was telling a companion about my "emergency episiotomy".
After I said it, I thought, "That din't sound right." But the conversation continued to other subjects without and further discussion.
The next day, after the alcohol induced cobwebs dissipated, I released that I had referred to the wrong medical procedure and was relieved that no-one caught my mistake. By the way, I'm a man.
Hospital Support
DISCLAIMER: The views and experiences shared in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HonorFirst.com, the U.S. Border Patrol, or any government agency. These stories are presented for historical and cultural insight and have been submitted by current or former Border Patrol employees with minimal editing for clarity.
