TGIF

A carpenter and his apprentice were walking together through a large forest.
And when they came across a tall, huge, gnarled, old, beautiful oak tree,
the carpenter asked his apprentice: "Do you know why this tree
is so tall, so huge, so gnarled, so old and beautiful?" The apprentice
looked at his master and said: "No. . . why?" "Well," the carpenter said,
"because it is useless. If it had been useful it would have been cut
long ago and made into tables and chairs, but because it is useless it
could grow so tall and so beautiful that you can sit in its shade and relax."

Tao Story

I always love the Friday before a long holiday weekend, especially when it's a pay week.  It means that that even though pay weeks are cooking weekends, I will still have two days of rest.  

Didn't get my blood taken yesterday.  I'm beginning to think the Universe is trying to tell me something.  First it was the EKG machine not working when I go for the test...this after being misdirected and sent to the other side of the hospital to admitting where I waited almost an hour before being told I was in the wrong place.  Then, it was back to where I started from only to find that the machine was not working.  So, you guessed it.  Back to admitting so I can be tested by the machine upstairs.

Then, Monday rolls along.  The most important of the lab tests have not been done.  These are the tests that show whether or not I am a bleeder.  The doctor explained that this is very important when it comes to the lungs. The doctor apologizes and gives me another referral to the lab.  It was then that the following conversation between doctor and nurse ensued...

Nurse: (to me) 'Don't go back there.  You come to see me and I will do it for  you.'

Doctor:  'She shouldn't be billed again.'

Nurse: 'Don't worry.  I'll take care of it. She won't be charged.'

Doctor: 'Are you sure?'

Nurse:  'Definitely. Leave it up to me.'  (to me now) 'I am going to be in on Thursday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.  Come between those hours and come immediately to see me. I'll take care of you.'

Fast forward to yesterday.  Now, mind you, the lab is two blocks from my home.  Walking distance.  Once I am done there, I walk two blocks to a bus which takes me to the train.  Very easy trip.  I have to take a taxi to get to the hospital as there is no buses from my home that go directly there.  I'd prefer the lab rather than spending money I don't have, but this blood work is important.  So, I opt for the nurse.

Yesterday, I walk into the clinic and find it packed with people.  No problem, I thought.  They are all there to see one of the  doctors.  I am only here for the nurse. I explain to the front desk what I am there for, and she asked for my referral form.  No problem.  I hand it to her and take a seat. 15 minutes pass, 30 minutes, 45 minutes. There is no sign of the nurse in question.  'Did something happen and she took off today?'  I wonder.  Now I am beginning to get anxious. I go back to the desk and am told that the nurse has my form. I take a seat again.  60 minutes pass. 

Finally, I see the nurse in question and approach her.  She looks at me like she doesn't know who I am as I explain why I am there.   'Where's your referral form?' she asks, not too pleasantly I may add. I explain that I handed it in to the front desk.  'Without that  form, I can't do anything.' She turns and walks away.  'Don't you remember me?' I call out, but she just keeps walking as if I am some insignificant nothing.  I am furious now, but I take a seat again.  

Now we are reaching an hour and a half.  The lady at the front desk calls me.  'Finally,'  I sigh, relieved, but instead of instructing me to go to the back, she hands me a referral to go to the lab, the very same lab I was originally referred to. By now my pressure is through the roof, and I am ready to explode.  On the way out of the hospital, I tell my story to anyone who will listen. A nice hospital worker tells me he is having a bad day to and offers to listen, "You tell me yours, and I will tell  you mine," he says. (Turns out they took too much in taxes from his pay check.) I also told the security guard, two patients, and the lady at the information desk. I had to get it off my chest.  In the afternoon I left a message for my doctor and typed up a letter of complaint against the hospital.

 Needless to say, I've pretty much used up all my sick time and had I headed back to the lab, there would have been no sense in going to work. And I need my days for the biopsy. Whichever way I look at it, it was a wasted day all around. Too much has been going wrong with these pre-op procedures.  Can't help but question if there is a reason for it.  Is the Universe reaching out to me?  I am beginning to wonder.

Nevertheless, this is a holiday weekend, and I am going to brush the above out of my mind and enjoy.  On Monday, I'm going to whip out the George Foreman and grill some chicken and hamburgers.  We'll have some salads and ice cream and celebrate life in honor of those who gave their lives so that we may be free to celebrate.  Enjoy, my friends.

Wishing you all a Happy Memorial Day Weekend.