The hospital gate keepers stopped me from entering. It was time again for my three-month oncology appointment. They must have tired from asking over and over, the same Covid-19 and Social Security questions. Frequently returning patients like me have long tired of answering with the same multiple No’s on every visit.
They greeted me instead with a small sign board of printed questions. Smiling and pointing, they present it and ask if you answer YES to any of these. Wow – one simple shake “No” of the head – instead of No again, No again, No again, No again, No……
The Admin assistant checking me in was asking again those two critical ID questions: Name? Scott. Birth date? “It’s tomorrow” I answered. Well, I see it is, happy birthday! But I still need the year.
The Oncologist began our visit by asking her usual list of questions – any new pains? Any new medications? Unusual or suspicious growths? Any new cancers?
I was reciting the usual answers when I stopped to tell her that talking through my mask made it difficult to express myself. I felt buffered. And I didn’t like not seeing the expressions behind her mask.
I pointed out that her eyes could be suggesting a hidden smile, or they could look exactly the same with an “Eeeeew – that’s sick!” expression.
“FANTASTIC!” she said to sum-up my blood test results. All your labs look fantastic!
I said that was good news. I didn’t think I could ever do better than stable – no change; and I could live with that.
She explained that my results were stable, no change. But she said Fantastic to be a little more expressive and compensate for the communication suppressing masks.
We’ve been working on our kitchen, remodeling again after 40+ years. It’s been in our plans for a while now as previously mentioned here. You can see more progress photos here.
My age-odometer has indeed clicked up to 68. That’s within striking distance of 70 (really?). Getting old is a slow adventure.
At my age, I wish I had a bar scanner to help me count my blessings, that would save so much time! Most of them are directly associated with my primary blessing – my wife, Diane. After 47 years of marriage, and a couple years of rehearsal before that – we’re still practicing love (and I love it!).
I remain thankful to God.