Can I tell you some funny little stories about Tipper Gores mother? She was a patient of mine when he was the VP.
The first nursing report I got on her was that she acted like a female pirate “Arghhh” the day shift nurse told me and thrust her arm forward as though she was swaying with a pint of rum in her hand. She also mentioned that she had previously been at George Washington Hospital but had some problems after she threatened to sic the IRS on some nurses she didn’t like. I laughed. I liked her already.
She was a hoot. Reminded me of my father in law. I took care of her quite often. She was at a big hospital 15 miles outside of DC for a couple months, I believe. Tipper was a great daughter. She visited her mom everyday which I found quite impressive given who she was and her busy schedule. As far as I recall Tipper missed one day. Some type of an event for her photography book in 1996 that she had just published.
Anyhow one day I asked Mrs. A…so tell me what kind of a man was Bill Clinton. She responded: “Oh he was a charmer, a real charmer”. And then whispered: “I didn’t vote for him”!
Another day Mrs A. asked me: “Barbara, do you know a good doctor that I could introduce Tipper too? I said but Mrs. A, Tipper is married to the Vice President of the United States”. She said: “Like I said , Barbara do you know a good doctor I could introduce Tipper too?” And I laughed.
On a side note she said to me one day that I resembled Laura from General Hospital. And I said “but Laura is so pretty”. She said but “you are fatter”!!!!
She had an elderly boyfriend with the most beautiful blue eyes. He was a good person and such a kind soul.
I talked to her White House physician one time. I don’t remember what for. But she didn’t have an Oncology dr and I found that strange.
When Tipper was coming to pick her up to be discharged…Mrs. A was driving me nuts (was hard to do) so I called the number and talked to Tipper. I told her about her mother’s excited state of mind and asked what her “ETA” was? She responded that she didn’t know what “ETA” meant and then I heard a SS agent tell her “ Estimated Time of Arrival”.
I also took care of a secret service agent that served under 5 USA President’s. He said he couldn’t take it anymore during Bill Clinton’s presidency and resigned his prestigious position. Bill’ss over the top night rendezvous were wrecking havoc on the Secret Service’s family’s lives. He said it was so chaotic for the agents in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Said they had to call in agents constantly to cover him during the middle of the night. Something they never had seen before. Anyhow he wanted no part of that administration.
He also told me Hillary was not a good person. That the secret service was confused as what to do when Hillary would physically attack Bill. That it was really bad. And what a mouth she had.
I also Asked him about Ronald Regan and Nancy. I asked him if they were “truly in love”? He responded that they were and gave me some White House photographs with RR’s signature.
I tend to believe dying patients. They as real as you can get. That is what I like about them.
What I have learned around people that are nearing the end of their lives it gets down to 3 things: God, family and friends. That is all.