Swine Flu & Me

I have a buddy who has playfully been asking for me to write about the comedy of my life.
Yes, I am one of those people who seems to have random chance happen frequently and the irony is that I don't even believe in random chance, which makes it all the funnier.
The tipping point for me to share this adventure is the swine flu. Oh, you heard right, the swine flu begins my new column because it really sums up my life and I don't even eat pork.
So, it is a calm Tuesday when I receive my emergency call from my step dad who is battling cancer right now. He asked if I could take him to the VA Hospital in Muskogee because he is needing a platelet transfusion and timing is critical. "Of course," is my instant reaction!
Now, since I was feeling a bit achy already I decided it would be best for me to wear some gloves and a mask as not to put my valuable patient at risk. Sure it was a little embarrassing when everyone was giving me the "I am so sorry" stares and the nurses hovered as I took my chair, but being someone who enjoys some attention, I ate it up.
Transfusion goes well, adorable little, old man in the chair next to us, even better, especially with the small ring of wet around his pants as he honorably hobbles away. Road trip home seemingly normal, lots of deep breaths that we made it on time and that it worked so no night shift at the hospital.
All is well in my world.
Then, a breaking news report that the swine flu has hit Oklahoma and has been confirmed at the VA Hospital in Muskogee. Mom calls me immediately.
"Can you believe you were there when someone had it?"
As my fever breaks and my legs are covered in goose bumps from the now cold sweat that is upon them, I know full well, that yes, I can believe that I was there and I am actually empathizing with the poor soul who put Oklahoma on CNN.