Two and a half weeks ago, on the day of Ming’s second scoliosis operation, my oldest friend, Tony, came to visit us in the hospital. Ming was in one of those gowns they put you in before surgery and he was waiting in a very small room with several other gowned people. He had been told to remove his underwear but, as the gowns are so see-through, he hadn’t done so yet and his bright orange jocks were quite visible.
Well, just before Tony arrived, Ming, thinking he might be called at any moment, went to the bathroom and removed the jocks and handed them to me all scrunched up to put in my handbag. “It feels really weird, Mum!” he said to me/to the whole room (even when he speaks quietly his voice booms!) He had been given a premed. of some sort which had disinhibited his already uninhibited personality.
A few minutes later, Tony texted me to say he was in the hospital cafe so I went downstairs and brought him back to the little waiting room to see Ming. As soon as he saw Tony, he stood up and shook hands, then said, “My genitalia are exposed.”
Tony’s jaw dropped slightly but he is used to Ming’s idiosyncratic statements so he just said something like, “Thank you for that information,” and I cracked up laughing when I saw the other people in the room smiling at this odd exchange.
Yesterday, Ming and I had lunch with Tony in the town where we always meet, halfway between where we live and Perth, where Tony lives. It was wonderful – Tony can make me laugh like nobody else, and I love watching the way he and Ming banter. It actually struck me, at one point, that Tony is like a second father to Ming, especially when Ming jokingly said “Thanks, Dad” when Tony paid for our lunch!
Thanks, Tony – your friendship is a gift.
This is us yesterday.
jmgoyder 
Hilarious! And Tony sounds like a gem!
He is!
Great photo of you all.
Ming sounds absolutely priceless.
I think most people who live in the country, or on a farm, probably speak loudly – something to do with communicating across large paddocks, or from house to garden or outbuildings?
That really does explain his booming voice!
What a happy photo. 🙂
It was a good day!
A friendship to cherish for sure Julie! Love to see you all laughing. Cheers, Margie
Thanks Margie!
How funny and wonderful 😀
Are all 19-year-olds obsessed with the genis? Argh!
this such a happy and funny post – fantastic !
Julie, This is so sweet, thank you for sharing it. Bill
So funny and great to see you all smiling and happy. – Lorian
You are so fortunate to have a wonderful friend as he in your life
Glad to see all the smiling going on, and it is contagious! 😀
Thanks for sharing, Julie, I needed a smile before bed!
I love your Ming stories. They always make me laugh!
He is a funny boy when he is not a monster!
yes very funny and something everyone can relate to …
Yes!
Haha, from what I read in your posts, your son gets pretty loopy from those drugs! This is hilarious, definitely something to save for the memories. How is his back, by the way? Back to normal, or you don’t know yet? Did I miss that update?
He is still convalescing but almost back to normal now (whatever normal is haha!)
That’s great. Is his back all fixed and back to normal?
Looks like you had some fun yesterday
It was so good!
The NHS now give these cotton gowns which close at the back and you take a dressing gown with you in case you need to walk to the toilet. If you don’t bring a dressing gown they give you a front-closing gown to wear on top of the back-closing one. They are not see through. You are allowed to keep your underpants on before surgery.
Before they used to give the back-closing gowns you used to see people standing in the street smoking, as it is forbidden to smoke in NHS hospital grounds. I regularly used to see people standing outside the old building at Glasgow Royal infirmary in Castle Street having a smoke. The road is very busy as it is a major exit from the M8 motorway to Glasgow city centre. Don’t know how many thousands of people got an eyeful!
Thanks for the huge chuckle!
When the gowns only closed at the back you could see so much flesh. I can only think that these smokers were so desperate for a cigarette they didn’t care about flashing their bits in public. It was mainly male smokers, I might add! I often wonder if they realised that their bits were on display.
Now they won’t operate if you smoke as it lowers the oxygen in the blood. They only operate if it is an emergency.
Fabulous story and photo, Julie. Good friends are priceless…
You are so right, my friend!
What a great photo!
Tony took it – my first ‘selfie’!
Jo, be proud that you don’t have a shy son … drugs or not.
When I was at the specialist with my “butt” problems and he examined me – he hit a spot that .. was very sore, I nearly lifted from the table .. the doctor said he was sorry and said that is not normal .. but I told him to not worry, because maybe it was the spot I have been looking for during the 40 years. The poor doctor didn’t know what to say.
You would have flummoxed him!
Never heard that word before .. love it – have to ask google for help. I would have come up with a killing comment .. I’m sure. *smile
To be sick we need loads of humor … to surive.
And you are a wonderful example of this!
Julie, if it hadn’t been for my sense of humor I would never made it through my cancer journey. Laughter is one of the best medicines.
The hospital staff told me that .. I kept the spirit up on so many on the ward, through my humor and laughter. That made me so happy to hear.
You continue to amaze me Vivi!
that Ming!
Indeed!
What a happy picture! 🙂 I can’t help but laugh at all the world knowing about Ming’s orange jocks. I’m glad to hear he is doing so well post surgery!
It warms my heart that you have someone like Tony to bring some sunshine into your lives!
Glad you had an enjoyable afternoon filled with laughter. xx
Love your sense of humour, Julie – and Ming’s!
Love the way you keep swinging. And meeting halfway? Good counsel for us all. All the best to all of you. I draw strength from your well. Dan in Chicago.
Great picture
Ooops! Great picture! I was hoping for a gown picture from your “uninhibited son!” LOL
Funny! Nice to have good friends drop in. When I was in pre-op I remember going back to the waiting room with a heated sheet wrapped around me – I was quite talkative after they gave me something “to calm me.” I was very grateful for my friend who accompanied me.
Love! Those close friends are the best–as are uninhibited sons 😀
Too funny! Go Ming! Go you! Great selfie! I love your power word — powerful! And the pic of the white peacock. It’s perfect reflection of inner strength that radiates outward — majestic and beautiful and welcoming to others …