As a wife-in-training, Kevin is really putting me through the tests. I’d like to think that I’m passing with flying colors, but sometimes I’m just passing out instead.

In a situation of emergency, Kevin went to a health clinic yesterday morning and I drove like a madwoman over to be with him. I was concerned when I pulled in that the sign said “Woman to Woman Gynecology”, but then realized that the gynecologist wasn’t in association with the health clinic (relief!), just housed in the same building. I spoke with the woman at the front desk and told her I was there to see Kevin Crall. It slightly freaked me out that she knew who I was talking about right away and said, “Oh, go through that door. I’ll take you back.” (I was thinking, “Oh gosh, he’s dying and I don’t know what to do!” Never mind the fact that he was with a doctor…)

The nurse poked her head in the room to announce my arrival and I was allowed entrance. The doctor brought me up to speed on the situation and the pending procedure. Thinking that I would be of some support to Kevin, I stayed in the room. Knowing my past history of blood, needles, and fainting, I should have known better, but I was thinking, “Em, buck up because Kevin needs you.” I obviously didn’t watch the doctor, but just stood, holding Kevin’s hand. Even still, yep, right during his time of need, my ears starting ringing, my eyesight became very spotty and suddenly, I felt deaf and blind. I remember saying, “I think I need to sit down.” And then next thing you know, I’m sitting over on the other side of the room in a chair with my head between my knees.

As you might imagine, they quickly got another nurse to take me out, where she gave me water and commanded me to sit and breathe deep through my stomach, which, by the way, is a very confusing thing to tell someone who is trying to reorient themselves. Finally, regaining my balance, though not my pride, I went back in (once I knew everything was over) only to find out that they were transferring Kevin to the University ER.

That started out our day in the hospital. For the next 14 hours, we were passed from one doctor to the next and then back again. Apparently, Kevin is some medical wonder as no one could understand or diagnose him. Tests at least ruled out some of the more serious concerns, but I was sure to step outside the door once the doctor started doing anything besides talking.

My only pride for the day–which still doesn’t even out the fainting part–is that I kept my composure through most of it and, though I broke down once, it wasn’t in front of Kevin. Kevin, on the other hand, remained in good spirits throughout the day. I don’t know if it benefited him more or myself. He joked with the nurses, with the doctors, with the transports, with the new doctors, and with random people in the hallways and elevators as he was being transported from place to place. At one point several hours into it, his main doctor commented, “At least he hasn’t lost his sense of humor.”

The second time we were transferred back to the ER yesterday, the nurses told the transport to put Kevin back in his “regular room,” which was funny and sad all at the same time. Kevin said, “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not that I have a ‘regular room’ in the ER now.”

In the end of the day, around 11:30 last night, we were sent home and Kevin is feeling surprisingly better today, thank God. It was unbelievably exhausting. On the upside, I slept like a baby last night! On the downside, if Kevin faints while I’m having our baby, I won’t even have the right to yell at him for it.