Sunday, June 17, 2012

Will Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder?

For the next few weeks I will not be writing any blog posts due to my surgery and recovery.  I hope when I am once again back to my old self that I will be able to pick up where I left off and that you will once again be kind enough to read my blog, give me your comments, and share ideas or suggestions for topics that interest you.  Until then, I wish all of you well.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Do I Take Things Too Literally?

When people tell me they are going to do something, I expect them to do it.  I expect them to do it when they say they will do it, and I expect if they are unable to do it that they will contact me and tell me they are NOT going to do it.  They should either explain why they cannot do it, or they should give a new date by when they will do it.  I don't care if it is returning a phone call, following up on a service request, scheduling an appointment, providing information, or anything else; it matters not if they think their commitment is mundane.  It is NOT mundane to me.  Phone calls should be returned within the same day whenever possible or at least within 24 hours.  Follow-up is crucial so they should not drop the ball and never get back to their customers or clients.  Connecting the dots and using common sense should be requirements for all persons who holds jobs.  If they are unable to use their common sense or to connect the dots to see a conclusion based on their actions or lack thereof, then the people employing them should provide training to them and require that they not be too lazy to practice what they are taught.  We are
becoming a nation drowning in incompetence, ineptness, apathy, and even downright ignorance.  How did this happen to America?  Even in professions as crucial as healthcare, a doctor recently told me that he is increasingly frustrated because it seems no one has passion for their work anymore.  He said they just want to put in their shift hours, get their money and go home, and they really do not care about the patients.  Needless to say, as I face my upcoming surgery I hope I do not end up on the hospital floor where those types are.  A sad commentary on the times in which we are living!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

If I Were A Little Kid, Would I Cry?

Most of the time I am a very strong, positive person with so much optimism that my daughter has always referred to me as Polly (Pollyanna).  Recently I was diagnosed with lung cancer, and it is not easy to wrap one's brain around that kind of news especially when one does not look or feel sick.  For the past two weeks all I have done is be examined, scanned, biopsied, pinched, patted and poked, and have three days at the beginning of next week with more of the same.  I have been trying to be very upbeat and not write the ending until I know the middle.  So if I can deal with something significant like lung cancer, why am I on the verge of tears because the circuitry board in my central air conditioner burned up a couple of hours ago.  I got my reliable repairman to come out even though it is Saturday, but he cannot order the part until Monday and has no idea how long it will take to get the new board.  You may recall that I live in the desert so the temperature is already well into the 100's and rising.  Trying to juggle all the appointments, prepare for the surgery which has been scheduled, organize things so as not to burden my children with too many details to handle.............all of that I have been doing and can do...............but the darn air conditioner breaking was not in my plans or on my calendar.  Now I must either impose on a neighbor or friend to use their guest room or go to a nearby hotel..............forgive me for whining as I know there are people with so many more problems and worse ones than I have...........but today at this moment I have just reached my coping limit.............tomorrow is another day, and I will do better.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The Doctor Is In And Eisenhower Medical Center Is The Place To Be

Even more often than usual, my calendar is filled with medical appointments.  Scan for this.  MRI for that. Biopsy of something else. Injection for small tear in rotator cuff. I have some doctors whom I have been seeing since moving to the desert six years ago.  Now I have added two new ones just this week.
Since moving here I have encountered only three doctors I chose not to remain with, and I replaced them with different ones who actually seem to be interested in my health.  I am thrilled to say that the two additional physicians are in that same category so I am feeling very blessed as I face some new health challenges.  When you must put your life in the hands of strangers it is imperative that you at least like these people, that they listen to you and address your questions and concerns, and they do not crank patients in and out of their offices as if  they were factories.  My two new doctors and my existing physicians all serve me well, and together they encourage, comfort, heal, and treat me with unfailing kindness.  I am very thankful for each one of them and for Eisenhower Medical Center which provides great care and high standards to all who enter their doors.  Lucky me to have the good fortune to live in an area with such good health care.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Has Common Sense Vanished From The USA?

There is so much information masquerading as "news" or "truth" it is hard to know what to believe or whom to believe.  I am very distressed when I read things that indicate decisions are being made for the citizenry by people in official capacities who have absolutely NO qualifications for the jobs they hold.
We are lacking people who have common sense, who can connect the dots of any scenario to form logical conclusions or come to intelligent decisions.  Surely I am not the only person who feels that our lives have been tossed on something akin to a carnival ride (the Tilt-A-Whirl comes to mind) from which we cannot escape until we the people take back our country and demand more from our paid elected representatives and leaders.