Hi Everyone. Today is a slow day for me, and I need it. Yesterday I had a, probably, very minor surgery, but it was a huge issue for me because, well, I have issues. I don’t like to be touched, and I get anxiety when I don’t know what to expect. It comes from having to dodge the unexpected, ya know? So, for me to go into such a situation is stressful, and ironically, the lead up to the event is by far the greatest part of the stress. But, yesterday, the clerical, nursing, doctors, and whoever else that I was too oblivious to observe their quiet professional efficiency, made sure I knew what was to happen, were personable and funny and absolutely great.

I don’t know how I would classify myself as a patient, but I do have a fair understanding of myself. When I get anxious, I talk more, joke a lot – and I’m really not funny to anyone – all in an effort to control the situation. It’s silly, I know, but it’s me. So, these poor people had to deal with this idiot. They were communicative, engaging, funny, and helpful. Shoot, the lady in recovery helped me put my pants and shoes on. I don’t know how much she gets paid, but it can’t be enough!

The thing about people who work in service is that they rarely hear about their job unless something goes wrong. Then, oh boy, do they hear about it. Perfection is unattainable, but something I once heard from my father has stayed with me: It’s the mark of a true craftsman who can take a mistake and still come out perfect. I obviously don’t know if any mistakes happened, but I do know this: it was my job to show up and place myself in their hands so they could solve my problems for me. They did a great job of that.

Now to answer your probable questions: My story basically begins with a sinus infection that I later realized, via the very bad taste in my mouth, was accompanied by a dental abscess. I went from not feeling so great to being in serious trouble and Scottie sent me off to the walk-in-clinic. And, why is it that I only get sick on weekends???? But, that followed with a trip to the dentist where I spent almost three hours getting a cleaning followed by a molar extraction. Remember: I don’t like to be touched. I was having the shakes in the car ride home afterward so bad I had to pull over before I wrecked. Unfortunately, that particular molar tends to send its roots into the maxillary sinus cavity, and the sinus membrane grows/seals around the roots. But, between the abscess, the bad root and the sinus infection, that membrane was weakened and did not heal. So, I had a hole in my head, one that did not heal. So, the doctor fixed a deviated septum, while he was in there anyway he says, cleaned out my maxillary sinus, did something to the membrane to help it heal, roughed up the root hole and stitched the hole to my mouth closed. Took about 90 minutes. Total cost so far is approaching $25,000. My insurance company is not happy with me. My costs exceed $5,000, not including three missed days of work and a week plus of light duty, but I can’t exactly have a hole in my head.

My lessons from this:
* Take care of your teeth!
* If you have a problem, don’t figure it will solve itself in time. Call someone! Get it resolved, or at least understood. Yes, it’s expensive, but Wow! – does it get expensive if you don’t take care of it when it’s relatively cheap.
* Be appreciative of the people who are there to help you. They are not a servant, they are doing a task you can not do for yourself but need, and they are due respect. On Monday, I am going to take in a box of Lindor Truffles to the surgery center at the hospital. It’s a small cost, especially in relation to the rest of it, but it goes to the people who helped me when I was a mess. And, let’s face it, anyone who helps me put on my pants and shoes deserves at least chocolate!

Hugs.
-Randy

ps: to anyone who helps people with a smile and good humor: Thank you!