38 Comments
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Julie Neches's avatar

Thank you for sharing the hospital visit and for having "The Management" clarify that you have not been disowned. Whew!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you, Julie! Sometimes The Management just has to step in, you know?

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Julie Neches's avatar

Good thing The Management stays on its toes!

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Patsy's avatar

I see a future for you and your bro at comedy nights...you two play off each other so well!!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

We've been fine-tuning our act for way too long!

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Joey Held's avatar

How topical since I was also at a hospital last week. Your visit sounded much more eventful, if not enjoyable. Also the entire bit about the various pre-op nurses would make Abbott and Costello proud.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you, Joey! I'm glad your visit was uneventful. We made the best of it. Hospitals are not my favorite place.

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Mary Young's avatar

This was HILARIOUS! I hope your "not-mom" is doing well after the surgery (and that she finally got some food)

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you, Mary! She's just fine and enjoyed a nice dinner soon after. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

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Alyson Mosquera Dutemple's avatar

"Did he offer you a surgery you can't refuse?" Nearly made me spit take over my coffee! So funny, Amanda!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

My apologies for taking so long to respond, Alyson! I'm glad I gave you a laugh (and equally glad the coffee was saved)!

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Tim Burns's avatar

Groucho and Zeppo walk into a hospital with their Not-Mom Harpo... so freaking good, Amanda!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Oh Tim, thank you!

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Susan Pomerantz's avatar

One of my favs, Amanda. LOL a lot.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you, Susan!

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Laura Grossman's avatar

I think they did not let both of you in there at the same time because last time, all the surgical gloves were blown up and had faces on them when the surgical team came back. Or, maybe it was the surgical glove volly ball game? Or taking all the "warmed" towels?

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Shhhh!!!! I think you're just jealous. 😂

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Laura Grossman's avatar

🧸 gummy

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Chris Stanton's avatar

It’s hospital week here on Substack!

It was very kind of you and your brother to accompany this mystery woman to her procedure. Also, I want to be on a text chain with two.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

I suspect you and my brother would have a spectacular time.

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Jonathan Leblang's avatar

Having just accompanied my 22-year-old son to surgery last week (all was good), I can appreciate and commiserate. However, we didn't have any celebrities. Just three people in the waiting room making calls on their speakerphones, all in different languages, each speaking louder and louder to be heard over the other two people doing the same thing. After about seven minutes, one of the multitude of administrators (who can't answer any questions about the timing of surgery but are required to sit behind desks marked "information"--maybe they are answering 411 calls) came out from behind the desk and told each of them (in English) to stop or go outside. This worked for about a minute.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

That whole "information" thing is such a scam! I'm glad your son's surgery was all good.

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Sondra Berlowe's avatar

Your "Not Mom" is so happy you had a good day!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

So I hear!

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Artyn Gardner's avatar

Hysterical!!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Hi Artyn, and thank you!

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Ed's avatar

Amanda-As someone whose anxiety hits a 10 in hospitals, I love this piece. Didn't quite get the "not your mom" piece, but also didnt care. It was great, funny stuff

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thanks so much, Ed. My anxiety was a lot higher in the moment, believe me!

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Ofifoto's avatar

Aren't hospitals so much fun? Not as much as the text conversations with your brother, though. Fabulous writing, Amanda. The nurse change overs was a bit like my experience in the labour room, when I was having my first baby.

A friend of mine, who is a nurse, had just started a new job in the OR recovery room of a children's hospital. One of her first days there, she had been on shift for 45 minutes and her nurse manager told her to take her first break. I know nurses can do wonderful work, but really?!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Managers! Thanks, Ofifoto!

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Iris Nagler's avatar

Not too confusing. All was revealed at the end!😊👍

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you, Iris!

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Mark Jaffe's avatar

I feel another hospital visit might be needed

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Next time you do the waiting!

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