Code Black

The weather in Tulsa has been weird since I got here. I expected the humidity, but not the constant blowing of the wind. I haven't gone outside very much during the day because it's like sitting in a furnace.

Thursday night I was deep in sleep and from far away I heard,"Code Black - everyone immediately move away from the windows and evacuate to the bottom floor." I thought I was dreaming and turned over to go back to sleep. A few seconds later the alert was repeated, and I heard footsteps scurrying down the hall. Whatever this was, it was for real.

CTCA staff were pounding on our doors, making sure we were evacuating our rooms. A tornado was headed our way. I threw on some clothes, stuck my room key in my pocket, and grabbed my cane. I had never been in a tornado before. All I could think of was the beginning scene in the "Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy and her family went into the underground shelter. (Yes, I know this is Oklahoma, not Kansas.) So now there are tons of medicated patients hobbling or being wheeled towards the elevator to take cover downstairs in the hallway. Some people even had their tiny dogs - I didn't know you could bring pets to a hospital.

Growing up in Flordia, I am familiar with hurricane warnings, but you have much more time to get ready. With a tornado warning you have to move fast. But the CTCA staff was prepared. In a matter of fifteen minutes we all had chairs, coffee, water, bananas, and crackers.

I really truly like the middle America folks that make up the majority of the patients staying at the center. Without exception all of the people I have met here are are genuinely kind, not sarcastic, and sincere. I know you can't stereotype people, but Tulsa is not LA. It's a very different vibe. So when I heard this sweet gray-haired patient say she needed a drink, my head snapped up. "I wonder when they are going to pass out the water. I'm parched,"she said.

I was most upset that I had left my prescriptions meds in my room. I didn't care if everything else blew away, but the meds are too expensive to replace. Luckily, the tornado missed us, but if we have another warning I'll be prepared.

We had hail this afternoon, and the skys still look ominous. I am keeping the tv turned on just in case we have another drill tonight.