Anatomical Abnormality

K paced the floor like a cat.

The nurse had called to say that the surgery was finished and that the doctor would be out soon to talk to us, but thirty minutes had passed and we hadn't heard another word.

K stopped in front of me, visibly irritated.

"I don't think it's right that these doctors give parents their child's surgical results right here in the waiting room in front of all these people," he said.

I looked around.

"I think they only deliver good news out here. If there's bad news to be heard they take the family members to a consultation room."

Just then our doctor entered the waiting room and approached us.

He scanned the room.

"This is too public," he said, "follow me."

I thought K might pass out on his way to the family consultation room.

I looked over my shoulder at him and his eyes bugged out at me in this crazy, urgent way that said,

"THIS IS WHERE THEY TELL US HE DIED ON THE OPERATING TABLE!!"

I resolved not to look over my shoulder at him anymore and simply followed the doctor where he led us.

"First of all," he said, "everything is fine."

[Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you...]

"But..."

[BUT??!!]

"But he has an anatomical abnormality called a dehiscent jugular bulb."

[Por favor, speak-a di Engliss to me Il Doctorio!]

The surgeon explained that on the right side of his body, The Mayor's jugular vein travels through his ear on its way to his brain.

Apparently, fewer than 1% of the population have this variance in their anatomy.

The doctor told us that The Mayor would be admitted to the hospital and monitored overnight, even though this was originally supposed to be outpatient surgery, to make sure the jugular vein didn't bleed as a result of the surgery.

[Bleeding jugular = big, fat, freakin' emergency.]

"I tell ya," the surgeon said, "seeing that jugular vein took a year off my life!"

[Dear Mr. Doctor Man - While I appreciate your commitment to transparancy and the sharing of your feelings, I SO DID NOT NEED TO KNOW YOU GOT SCARED SH*TLESS DURING MY SON'S SURGERY! ]

He reassured us that the odd placement of The Mayor's jugular vein wouldn't pose any difficulties for The Mayor in life, for example, it won't limit his participation in sports or other activities.

It will make any further ear surgery that might be needed extremely complicated.

"If I never see your son's jugular vein again it will be too soon!" his Doctor exclaimed.

[You and me both, Mr. Doctor Man.]

Despite the alarming presence of the jugular, the tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy were successful and the doctor believes The Mayor will recover well.

K stayed at the hospital with him for the night and I am home with The Rooster.

As scary as it was, the weight of far greater tragedies surround you at a children's hospital and ground you in the truth of your own good fortune.

The Mayor will heal.