Just a Little Bit Closer

Dear Frank,

Thought I’d entertain you with a story about a recent happening. Here’s how it went:

With extremely slow, crouched steps, I, in my nightgown, robe and slippers, made my way up the ramp to the clinic. Bess and I tried to chat as we waited for the doctor, but the pulsating headache, sore throat and shortness of breath was taking up all my energy.  

Can you just imagine — I was creeping along with robe flowing behind while my Bess, a vision of beauty, health and vibrancy, be-bopped along beside me in her yoga pants and tennies. I vowed to get well soon so I could again be-bop beside her in like fashion.  

Once in the exam room, I perched on the table and a gentle-natured nurse with swinging blond ponytail did the usual pulse count, temperature take and blood pressure dealio. The majority of her face was covered, ? so I found myself concentrating on her eyes as she spoke. They were nice.  

It was cold in that room, waiting for the doctor. I curled myself into a ball on the table. Fell asleep. With a slight tap on the door, my curly haired and pleasant doctor arrived. I’ve seen her once before and each time, I’m impressed. She listened. I described this onslaught, then I breathed deeply multiple times as she checked my lungs. After a few explanations, out she breezed to order a chest X-ray and blood test. Okay!  Onward we went towards remedying this sitch. I love this doctor.  

With a sudden, loud rap on the door, into the room – erupting forth with a bang – was a super toned-up Amazon of a woman who yelped out authoritatively, Taking your blood Which arm! (All one sentence). Mind racing, I quickly began accessing the situation. She was going to tourniquet my arm ‘til it turned blue and ram a needle into my vein. Blood would fly. This wasn’t going to be good.

Swinging around, she repeated: Which arm? And my response to her while slipping myself off the table ? and sliding into my slippers, was — I’m going to leave now, I think I’m through, Going home, Thanks. And I headed for the door. With her paraphernalia perched in hand and ready, she looked down at me incredulously (she’s either very tall or I’m very short). Why are you leaving? she asked. And my answer – Because you’re in a big hurry and that scares the dickens out of me. 

No, no she wasn’t in a hurry, she said. Her voice softened. She came closer to me and said, This will be easy. Just lay back and rest. Do you have concerns about needles, she asked. No I don’t usually. Ok, well then. This won’t take but a second.  

And she was right. Didn’t feel a thing. Relief. I complimented her and off we went to the X-ray room, me trailing after, double-steps to her long gait. She was laughing (and I was too) as she passed the doctors and nurses, exclaiming – Almost lost my patient. She was gonna walk out on me. First time that’s ever happened!  Everyone smiled.

Lee later joined me in the examination room and we waited for the test results. We chatted. (You know, we always enjoy each other’s company.) He answered a few work calls with white Bluetooth in his ears. His work conversations are serious and I find them so interesting and sometimes really entertaining. Afterwards, I make up responses and give him opinions regarding things I know nothing about.  It’s fun!  

After all the testing, we found my blood count slightly elevated so I’m on a round of antibiotics to ward off any possibility of pneumonia. Tylenol, ibuprofen, coffee, for the pain, she said. Lots of liquids. I’ll add probiotics.

Now I’m home with Gus. We are on the bed, relaxing and sleeping. He’s smushed up against me, snoring. With each of my coughs, he flits his ear and repositions himself alongside me even more, as if to say – If I get just a little closer, she will get weller. ❤️

Whew. Feeling better already! I’m very grateful that I am in good health, albeit catching the occasional thing that’s going around. I’m grateful for my family, my children, who lovingly do whatever is necessary. I’m grateful for this pooch who is seeing to it as best he can that I get better. I’m grateful for doctors and nurses, even the ones who catch me by surprise.

 

Love, 

Jane