SORRY WRONG NUMBER
A Caregiver's Story
THE CAREGIVER RECEIVES CALLS FROM A WRONG NUMBER
THIS IS A TRANSCRIPT OF A SERIES OF PHONE CALLS, MESSAGES AND TEXTS REGARDING A WOMAN WHOM I DO NOT KNOW. SHE WAS DIALING A WRONG NUMBER; HOWEVER, THEY TELL A CAREGIVER’S STORY FROM BOTH SIDES.
THE CALLS TOOK PLACE OVER THE COURSE OF ONE WEEKEND.
FRIDAY
7:19 PM Voicemail message received:
“I need to call 911, this is an emergency. 911 Please.”
The voicemail message was clearly left by an Elderly woman. And although she did not struggle to speak, she appeared to be in some distress.
7:22 PM I called the number on the voicemail back and received this message:
“Your call has been answered by a voicemail system and extension #76103 is not available, please leave a message.
7:33 PM The Caller called again, and I answered the call:
“Hello.”
“Hello, Thomas? I need to speak to Thomas.”
“You have the wrong number.”
“This is an emergency. Will you call Thomas?”
“Yes. What is your name?”
“Christina McCoy.”
“Ok, And Thomas is?
“My son. Thomas McCoy- of course.”
“What is Thomas’ phone number?”
“213-555-0578. Will you call Thomas?”
“Yes, I am going to hang up now and I will call Thomas.”
“Please it is an emergency.”
7:36 PM I called Thomas immediately and spoke to him for exactly :36 seconds:
“Thomas, my name is Tracey, and our numbers are very similar. Your Mother called me by mistake and said that it was an emergency.”
“Thank you. My Mother is in a Nursing Home, and she wants out! I am on my way to her now.”
“Ok. Good Luck.”
SATURDAY
12:12 PM I text Thomas:
“Thomas, my name is Tracey and we spoke briefly yesterday because your Mom dialed my # in error. I am my Mother’s Caregiver and I host a Podcast on YouTube, “Caregiver’s Conscience. I heard something in your voice and thought that perhaps you can relate. I wish YOU peace, comfort, and strength. I felt and understood your frustration, compassion anxiety and strong feelings for your Mother in your one sentence. I was a “wrong number,” but things happen for a reason. U Got This”
12:22 PM Thomas responded to my text:
“Thank you so much for reaching out. You are correct, I am my Mother’s caregiver. My Mother had a stroke a week ago and is away from her home in rehab and is very frightened and just wants to be back in the comfort of her own home. I was on my way to calm her down when we spoke. I will check out your Podcast.”
3:58 PM Thomas’ Mom dialed my number again and having a better understanding of the situation, I answered:
“Hello.”
“Hello Thomas”
“No, you have the wrong number.”
“Is Thomas there?”
“No, this is not Thomas’ number.”
“Who is this?”
“My name is Tracey and I’m sure that Thomas is on his way to you.”
“I don’t want to be here.”
“I know. Thomas will be there soon. Is there anyone there with you?”
“Is he going to take me home.”
“We’ll have to see what the doctors say. Thomas will be there. You should get some rest.”
“Don’t let me die here. Please don’t let me die here.”
“Thomas won’t let that happen. Get some rest.”
“I can’t. Even if I wanted to go for a walk, that’s not going to happen here.”
“Thomas will be there soon.”
“Are you driving Katie?”
“This is not Katie.”
“There are things that I need to settle.”
“Thomas is on his way, and you will settle everything then. Is there someone there with you?”
“No, Thomas is not here.”
“But is there a Nurse there?”
“No there is no one is here, and I don’t want to die here.”
Choking back tears, I said, “Thomas will be there soon, and he will make sure that everything is ok.”
“Are you sure.”
“Pretty sure. I am going to hang up now. You should just be still and wait for Thomas. Okay?”
I hung up the phone in tears.
The call lasted a total of 17 minutes, 16 seconds.
I received several incoming calls throughout the day, which I did not answer. I believed that Thomas would be able to calm her down and I didn’t want to confuse her further by answering the phone. The calls came through at:
4:48 PM
6:25 PM
6:32 PM
6:35 PM
And additional voicemails.
4:55 PM Voicemail message recorded:
“Thomas, Thomas. Thomas. Thomas. Thomas. I’ll call again. You’re not driving, are you? 1-213-555-0578. Can Someone write it. 1-213-555-0578. Please”
6:32 PM Voicemail message recorded:
I could hear voices in the background.
“What do you call this building?
Response, “The Rehab Building.”
“I need to tell her where I am. I want her to pick me up at Church because we’re going to Mass. Do you work for St. Martin de Porres? Can you dial it again?”
NO CALLS, OR VOICEMAILS WERE RECEIVED ON SUNDAY.
MONDAY
6:32 PM The Last Incoming Call.
I see and recognize the phone number, so I answer,
“Hello.”
“Hello, may I speak to Thomas?”
“Are you a Nurse? You actually have the wrong number.”
“This is not Thomas’ number?”
“No, this is a wrong number, but I have spoken to Thomas and to Christina.”
“So, she keeps calling you? I am so sorry.”
“That’s ok. No worries. I understand.”
“What is your number? I’ll write it on the board.”
“No, I think that a better idea is for you to write Thomas’ number on the board. His number is 213-555-0578.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, how is Christina? I feel as if I know her.”
“She’s fine. She is adjusting well.”
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. THE NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS WERE CHANGED JUST BECAUSE.
My number is: 213-555-5708
Thomas’ number is: 213-555-0578
“She’s fine. She is adjusting well.”
As a Caregiver, I wonder.
My Mission is to “Tell the Others.” Please forward the link as you feel appropriate.
Heartbreaking. It may've been weird/annoying for some people to receive these calls. I'm SO glad she got you and not someone else on the phone. Your empathy and kindness shine through. Thanks for sharing, and helping others think twice about wrong numbers!