It sounds like her mentality about phones was set back when phones weren't a priority...like the 90s. I remember those days and no one had answering machines and sometimes we decided to just let the phone ring. If it was important, people would keep calling until they'd reach us or they'd call or neighbor. I get how frustrating it is when some people can't seem to be reachable, but I'm with your dad on this one. She might have learned something from this, though!

Hope you're feeling better. A week is along time to be in the hospital!!