Phone conversation with my hard-of-hearing father-in-law

My phone woke me up this morning when my father-in-law called.

Me (shouting): Good morning!

FIL: Good morning! Where is your husband?

Me (shouting): He’s hunting!

FIL: He’s sleeping?

Me (shouting): No, he’s HUNTING!

FIL: He’s eating?

Me (shouting): No, HUNTING!

FIL: Well, I just can’t hear.

Me (shouting): He is shooting birds!

FIL: He’s shooting words?????? Oh! He’s shooting BIRDS … HUNTING!

Me (shouting): Yes!

FIL: Well, I am calling with a medical question.

Me (shouting): He’s not here!

FIL: Well, I am going to ask you anyway.

Me (shouting): Ok!

FIL: The nurse told me that I am severely anemic.

Me (shouting): That means your blood is lacking something!

FIL: She told me to eat a steak.

Me (shouting): So, did you eat a steak?

FIL: I am cooking one right now.

Me (thinking the nurse probably did not talk to him this morning, and not sure what to say): Ok.

FIL: I knew I was feeling weak, but I just thought I was lazy.

Me (shouting): Well, I hope it helps!

FIL: Well, I gotta go check on my steak. Bye!

Me (shouting): Bye!

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November 11, 2017

My Father in law is 94. I get a lot of ill-timed nodding.

November 11, 2017

awww, this brought a smile to my face.   Funny little conversation

November 12, 2017

Hey, steak and eggs is a kickass breakfast… I would also prescribe some back bacon. 🙂

November 12, 2017

kind of funny to read, but I know that it’s not funny to live it.

November 12, 2017

exactly. My own mother is even worse, but at least we have her living in a retirement center. FIL is in a house by himself.

November 12, 2017

Ha. Been through this many times 🙂 Your description of the conversation is spot on 🙂

November 12, 2017

My father got a fancy in-ear hearing aid that came with a bluetooth medallion that hung around his neck. It could answer his phone and route it to his ear. That made it a lot easier to talk to him.

Can you or your husband talk to the nurse? It seems like severe anemia would come with a prescription.

November 12, 2017

Thank you for the suggestion. I will see what we can do.

November 12, 2017

This is almost a replica of the conversation I had with my dad this morning. So frustrating for both parties involved.

November 12, 2017

Oh, replica, but not the steak part. lol

November 21, 2017

Aw, so bittersweet. Dear FIL!!!!!!!! Thank you for your note, and I look forward to getting to know YOU, as well. :*)