Uptown Girl
“I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences. Today is one of those experiences.” ~Sonia Sotomayor
Yesterday was appearance two of my winter medical tour. (Tickets on Ebay.) I had an 11:45 in the city. Morning routine: meds, bloodcheck, quiet devotional time, coffee while chatting with my mom, and breakfast. Made the bed, showered, dressed, & did the female public spoofing — on schedule.
Medication eval, time for mid-morning meds and (ominous hush), the interstate. Though not taught in highschool driver’s education, I quickly learn interstate/rush hour sign language. Carmen, my nagging garmin, always argues with me over the restructured city infrastructure. Crankin’ out some rock n roll oldies, Carmen whines “recalculating,” in a repetitive stutter as I veer onto the short exit to an abrupt stop at the medical practice.
With pride, Rocky (my wheeled gym bag), and Frac (one of a set of hiking poles), guide me by my lonesome across the drive to the door. (With SPS, a solo entrance is always a surprise!) I sign in just to be told I am two hours early and cannot be worked in. Stiff Person has taught me to be flexible. I move the ‘after’ Wal Mart visit to the two-hour wait slot to also include a Mickey D’s desperation lunch.
Cities have everything but a Wal Mart. Getting directions to the closest one, I travel to an unknown suburb 15 minutes away. Hastily eating my lunch, I’m off in an SPS version of a shopper’s grab race to collect the items on my list. Locating one of three open lanes of twenty, I check out and make it back to my appointment, listening to Carmen’s protests again.
A beaming physician comes in with my two-inch chart. I aced all my labs. (Still have my triple diagnoses though.)
Some interesting conversations, five-minute friends, from my day:
+ I met a woman outside of the office with a rare disorder(s). Upbeat, we talked shop and I was actually familiar with her meds. Fast friends.
+ Bantered with the elevator people, always do.
+ One of the building’s security personnel was downstairs and walked me to my car. He is one of my regular ‘walk and talks.’
+ Was included in some inside employee intrigue at Wal Mart with the cashier and an employee off the clock.
Feeling thankful for my lab results, I chose to avoid the rush of the interstate with a leisurely drive through the quieter city streets, absorbing the magnificent buildings, intricate bridges, glistening water — later the antebellum homes of the historic area. Yielding to a needed caffeine boost, it was another McDonald’s stop for an iced coffee to continue my drive and ‘high five’ day.
Another med eval and bloodcheck. Having weathered a few rough days, I thought a gym visit might help loosen things up. After initial objections, my body responded in unison with my mind. To compensate for the earlier unhealthy fast food lunch, supper was a Mt. Everest gourmet salad.
Fatigued and in pain, I was feeling the physical effects of a busy day. Filling the tub with hot water and scented soap, a music channel soothed my senses as the steaming soak relaxed my body. The heated electric blanket on the mattress beckoned as I slid between the covers. I went to sleep happy, at peace, and with a prayer of thanksgiving on my lips. I cherished what many would consider “an ordinary day.”
Love Is All Around (Theme Song from The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
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