Power of Attorney

Two days until surgery. I wasn’t afraid of going into the surgery until I received a call from the hospital. They wanted to pre-register over the phone to save time and so that I didn’t have to do it on the day of surgery (I already have to show up two hours early, what do I need to save time for?). I gave the usual information of name, birth date and insurance to the admin lady, then she said I had to speak to a nurse to go over my medical history. She couldn’t find a nurse who was available so she said the nurse would have to call me back. The nurse calls me back after lunch and starts asking questions about my medical history.

Do you have a history of heart attacks in your family?

No.

Do you have any allergies to any medication?

No.

Have you had a cold in the past week?

No.

Do you have any known medical condition that we should know about so that you don’t sue us if something comes up and you didn’t tell us?

No.

Do you have power of attorney?

Do what I have what?

Power of attorney.

Why would I need power of attorney?

In the event that you remain unconscious, do you have power of attorney?

Why would I be unconscious? THIS IS A SIMPLE SURGERY. He said 45 minutes in and out.

Calm down, miss, I have to ask you that…

I’m not having a heart transplant. It’s just a lump! I had my wisdom teeth taken out and I woke up after an hour under anesthesia.

Miss. Calm down. Miss…

How do you know I won’t wake up. Did he tell you something?

Ma’am. Forget about that I asked you the question.

But now you’re getting me worried. I am going to wake up right? It’s not that serious of a surgery, is it?

Ma’am. It’s just a formality. I have to ask you that question. I ask everyone that question. You don’t have to answer it today if you don’t want to. You can give me the answer on Friday when you come in. Okay? Breathe now, lady.

Oh okay. No power of attorney.



Yeah, that got me just a little bit nervous and it had me thinking. What happens if I don’t wake up? I live all by myself in SF. I have no family here, just my BF and the only friend I could count on is 45 minutes away. Who will call my parents? What will my parents do even if they knew? They’re 3000 miles away. WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

I start having a panic attack and call my BF and tell him I’m having second thoughts about the surgery. Upon recounting the conversation with the nurse, my BF tells me “you know what I would say? Pull the plug!”

Gee, thanks. Just for that, I’m going to go through the surgery just so I can wake up and tell you “You’re not that lucky.”