#he's not on call anymore because he retired from obstetrics but he still works 40 hr weeks

[wallabywannabe]

ugh my dad got a bad respiratory thing. It's so frustrating when a doctor is sick. He tested for COVID and was negative but not flu or RSV, which I don't want to question why, but like, why not? But whatever, it's up to him how he wants to manage his health...within reason.

Anyway, combined with his heart issues, his coughing fits have caused him to lose consciousness 4 times this weekend. He didn't even think to start checking his O2 saturation until I suggested it, which I know he would have suggested if someone else was having such a bad time with a respiratory issue and weren't sure if it was serious. It's not like it's inconvenient or inaccessible. I think he just didn't think of it, which shows a worrying lack of concern for himself.

O2 is normal when he's not coughing, so that's good. But he's insisting on driving himself to work tomorrow, because he's mostly only coughing and fainting in the evening when he sits down and reclines. Which is still a ridiculous hill to possibly literally die on, because my mom is completely available to drive him to work.

(Also ridiculous that he wants to work when his heart is having trouble getting oxygen to his brain occasionally, which would surely warrant a sick day, but that's only hurting himself and he has stubborn reasons why he's totally fine to work that are not worth arguing about.)

My mom was texting us updates and I told her he shouldn't drive, and she agreed, but he didn't. Felt like I was overstepping my place as the "child" here but I kept pushing. Reminded them of my cousin and his wife who a few months ago drove drunk and killed someone. Icky card to play, but I know my dad was super judgemental (rightly so) about that and I thought that would hit home the most.

I feel a little gross but I also think it's worth being manipulative if it prevents a tragedy.