BOOKS

BOOKS, such a history!  I decided to write about books this afternoon simply because I have a habit, as much as I have habits, I do jump around from thing to thing. I never go to  bed at the same time.  I forget to take medicine.  I do not eat at the same time.  But, I watch Book TV on the weekends.  This is a great way to hear about new books, see the authors discuss their books, and to hear questions.  Certainly, at this time in the history of the world, we are so very fortunate.  People say that there are a lot of books, but not of the quality of the old masters.   I certainly disagree.  If books are to inform and inspire there are many who do just that.  Of course, there are many written just for greed.  But, if you read much, you know the difference.  http://www.booktv.org/

I always tried to read and read and read to my little ones.  We still have books that Leah had as favorites as she grew up.  The Giving Tree was one of her favorites and she has a very giving and loving nature.  I believe that book had something to do with that.  It was an every night book for a while.   I cannot leave out the series of the time...Leah's father really loved The Cat in the Hat.. One book that is under our tree every Christmas is worn and old...but it is always there.....

I was wonderfully surprised when Sterling first read alone.  He came running into my room and was so upset.  He said, "Meme, why are they killing children?"  I was very upset and asked him where he heard that..  He said , "It is on the front of the newspaper today!  He was four.  I didn't know he could read.  I knew then, that he would succeed.  He was a reader.  I still have to have a newspaper delivered.  So cheap and so important.  I choose this newspaper... John Hope Franklin was a personal friend of my husband, a Duke professor and  a scholar .

      I will take this outlet to rant a little about books.  Sterling, my grandson, is starting college this next week.  He has a list of books a mile long for three courses.  The cost is out of sight.  I called my friend Harry  who is an academic and worked for a publishing company.  I asked him how English 101 could warrant a new edition every year?  Greed.  They print them in colors.  I do not believe this country has the values of GREED and screw the ones that have the littlest amount of money....our students.... our future.  I would expect the publishers to support not gouge.  I am wrong.  I am so angry as I am looking and looking for the books at a reasonable price.  I am comparing table of contents and find no difference.  I have resorted to looking at the syllabus and buying the first book(s) and continuing to look for reasonable ones.  One book for English costs $120.00.  I can understand why the kids are going so deeply in debt for their education.

     One book that we have many copies of in my house.  The Bible.  I have my grandmothers, my Aunt Frances', mine, and who know who else.  Last time I counted there are 11. I only use two.. a study Bible and a King James Version.  In this case the version matters.  My favorite book from a religious perspective is my Book of Common Prayer.
     Books come in so many formats.  We can read from a book, from a iPhone, from a Kindle...... We have Audiobooks (my favorite) to read in cars, or as you fall off to sleep.  I am reading, again, Narrative in the Life of Stephen Douglas.  I am reading it by audiobooks, free, on my iPhone.  Of, course, Sterling has been asked to buy it, and a specific edition.  I am really enjoying his books.  One especially,:  Rock and Roll:Its History and Stylistic Development 6th Edition with CD.  When he gets done, the money he will get for it does not even warrant selling it.

Keeping all!

On the subject of books, It is so hard for me to give them up.  I do not know what psychology that is.  I know that the best and most prolific reader in my family is Alyce, my sister.  She does have habits.  Most of them good, she reads every night before bed.  She goes through tons of books.  Then she can give them up.  I guess I consider them a friend and getting rid of them would be like getting rid of a friend.  I wish I had her discipline.... I would be much more productive.  My nephew-in-law, Sean, beats us all in reading.  He keeps his books.  I love going to their home.
 If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison


You may have tangible wealth untold;  Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.   Richer than I you can never be - I had a mother who read to me.   ~Strickland Gillilan (Thanks, Laurel)

WATCH Book TV over the weekend.  It is such a window to the world for me.  I love the way it works.  Watching Megan McCain discussing her new book.. Dirty Sexy Politics.  WOW...  There are so many lessons there. You get a different perspective of a younger generation of Republican women.  Not near so unthinking and reactionary as their older members (Palin).  I agree with Megan.... there are so many terrific female Republicans, how could anyone choose her.  Her advice... Stop the Media.  Enough on Politics.

WORKING FOR JOINT COMMISSION JCAHO



Hancock Building Home of JCAHO

Dennis O'Leary, MD President



     Today I spent some time at the Doctor's office again.  No big deal, just getting ready for my surgery next week.  The time brought my memories back to working for the JOINT COMMISSION.  It was on this day in 1987 that I began my tenure with the "JOINT".  I flew into Chicago, took a limo, registered at a fancy hotel, and got ready to start JCAHO employment on Monday.  I had just come back from Saudi Arabia.  Nothing could have been a bigger shocker than walking up the Magnificent Mile from my hotel to the Hancock Building  and to JCAHO.  The wind was blowing snow everywhere.  There was another new employee that you will know....Dennis O'Leary.  I knew him first while we were stealing donuts from the kitchen next to the conference room.  I had no idea who he was, but we enjoyed conversations all during my orientation. and later as a mature surveyor I felt he listened. It has been fun to watch his JCAHO career.

     I was not prepared mentally or physically for Chicago..   I  had left Dhahran in early October, traveled through Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China and arriving back in the States through Hawaii.  The average temperature was in the eighties.  My friend Mary Rose and I sailed for two weeks, then it was home and job hunting. 



Magnificent Mile



    My friend Alice Parrish, you will hear more about her later, suggested strongly I apply to Joint Commission to be a surveyor, I did and I was for fifteen years. I will never forget getting the telephone call.  I was visiting my friend Jane in Raleigh.  Her house has been a warm spot in my life for years.  Thanks, Jane.

      The class for February 1987 was wonderful.  I am searching down those folks, so if you know where they are, please let me know.  Searching....I am also looking for pictures and mJCAHO history.  It is amazing how little information is on the net. Only today and what is gonna be.   As I indicated, we walked (I am sure today,they would have sent a limo) from our hotel to the Hancock building and took an elevator to the 22nd floor, I think. You almost didn't notice the dire cold and snow when you walked the Magnificent Mile.  

    I do not believe I have ever studied as hard.  We started at 8am and ended at 6pm. Maybe ate a pick up then it was more study.  Usually in a group.  Pat Hassel was my model, so smart!  Thanks Pat. 

COLD, COLD MORE COLD

     My first assignment was in Albion, NY.  The team was Josephine Tozolo, Don Hansen, and the doctor rotated.  Don gave me guidance and advice that he will never remember as being such a support to me. Jo did not think I had any future in the Joint and used ever effort to get me out.  She did not succeed.  I hope she knew that I was well motivated and did survive.  Don helped as did Rosemary Laubenthal; they believed in me.Thanks.  I think Jo got a bad taste in her mouth when we arrived in Albion looking for a motel.  She took one look at my yellow caddy--I think she wanted to have a stroke. I loved that car we both lasted over 18 years.

Beekman Downtown

We surveyed only one day per survey that year.  My first assignment was in NY.  We visited Jamestown NY.  I finished my surveyor training just five hospitals later after doing Beekman Downtown.  Jo left, telling me I should go home.  I called Rosemary.  She simply said you. have a schedule and you are expected to finish it.  I did, and about 600 hospitals later, I retired.  Thanks to Don Hansen! 

Where we choose to stay was always interesting.  During my first exposure to New York, the city, it was more interesting.  Hotels were toooo expensive.  We found the Pan American on Queens Blvd.  It was something I don't want to remember, but I do.  The rooms were small and the roaches were huge.  I couldn't sleep, Jo was telling me I had to go.... It wasn't  a good memory.  I am sure it has improved since 1987.

More about JCAHO, motels, hotels, roads, people and hospitals later.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIFTED ME UP..... PHAL




Phal Buntoum



     This morning I woke up thinking about how alone growing older can be.  Feeling sorry for myself, I guess.   That led my  thoughts to the many, many people I have known over the years that have helped me beyond any expectation.  How rich they have made my life.
     The first person I thought about was Phal   My life was in such disorder and she was my rope to order and sanity for over five years in Raleigh.  I was so lucky to have her in my life.  She thought that she was housekeeping for me.  What she was really doing was keeping my attitude a positive one.  She was helping me keep my sanity.  She was bringing me a wonderful view. 
      She would come and sunshine would come in my little condo.  Very quietly I would hear her come in and begin when I was sleeping after hours of pain.  We would talk about life.   She knew the pain of being afraid, surviving on her own, being alone, and starving.  She came to this country from an Asian country and survived atrocities that you and I can only imagine, and probably not very well.  Yet, her attitude never altered.  She came to my house in kindness, warmth and giving. 

Snowy garden, rare in Raleigh

The time she was with me was one filled with change for me.  I had a long series of surgeries and other painful times.  My garden in the back of the condo was my love.  When I first moved in I had a landscaper plant for me.  I loved sitting and just absorbing, even the spiders.  Phal and I shared our love of plants and everything gardening.  She knew the details of the plants that were shared with her homeland.  The things to eat, to use as medicine and to enjoy with our soul.  We would weed, cultivate the soil, fertilize and suffer the beetles.  We almost lost the war of the wisteria and mint.  These are two of my favorite things.  But alas, for a very small garden they can take it over.  We fought the prolific monsters as if they were the enemy.  She dug with her tiny hands, down to the bottom of the roots.  Sometimes we would laugh when another would come in that exact spot.  The hours I spent with her in my walled garden were a source of such happiness for me.

As my back got worse, I could do so little when it came to bending and cleaning up after my kitties.  I thought I was going to have to give them up.  But with never a word of protest, Phal helped me with the litter detail.  I kept my kittens.  She will never ever know, well not until now, how grateful I am to her.

On my chair  Squeaks and Simba

On my Four Poster... Simba and Squeaks

As I moved to Cleveland each day that she helped me as  I cried. She probably, more than anyone else in my life understands my pain at leaving.  We looked at so many of my little treasures and appreciated.  She got rid of stuff for me, cleaned and cleaned.  I wish she was here with me as I face another surgery.  But I would never wish her to be in Cleveland instead of Raleigh. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

WRITING A BLOG, OR ANYTHING

It seems appropriate that I talk a little about writing.  For years I have been significantly intimidated when it comes to writing.  I think it comes from the classes I spent in my freshman year at Duke.  I am sure some of you remember the trek via bus, foot or begged ride, from West to East and the walk to the classroom.  Usually I was significantly tired  and it took me a while to get acclimated to the seat.  We never seemed to have enough time to get to class on East. 

I did well in my senior year at Greensboro Senior High School with Louise Smith^.  She was a jewel as I later found out. Seems I did not appreciate her enough until I got to Duke and I know I never told her how I felt.  She had a huge pile of books in the back of our classroom.  They were certainly musky enough.  I was somehow sure that she bought them as first publication even though they were all the classics.  She seemed so old then, but she taught another twenty or so years after I left...maybe more.  Many of you remember her.  She truly got us ready for college.  It would have been unheard of today, but she required a composition each week.  Somewhere between 250 and 500 words.  Oh my!  Kids today would die.  As I said, I did well at Duke with A's because of her.   Her first quote in class was.....

"GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying:

And this same flower that smiles to-day

To-morrow will be dying.

My goodness she was a smart one!  That poem means a lot more today.

Back to my intimidation.  It is all about grammar.  I had to be so careful and somehow it takes away the spontaneous nature of writing.  I am not good at detail.  That is one reason.  The other is that through my life I have done lots of writing but.... it was technical in nature and that is a whole different set of rules, and when I wrote for articles and contributions for books I had wonderful staff and editors.  

Now I am just putting words down in this Blog.  The purpose is different.  I am sharing my life, my memories, my thoughts and whatever else.  I don't really care about the grammar,if you can read it. Some of you will cringe at the rules I ignore, and some of you wont even know the difference. I know that some things I say will be so misinterpreted, and some of you will think it is foolish... many will love and enjoy.  Hope you never feel it is pointed at you.   If it is ever published I am sure some lovely editor will take care of the grammar.

“Writing is one way of discovering sequence in experience . . . connections slowly emerge. Like distant landmarks you are approaching, cause and effect begin to align themselves . . . experiences . . . connect and are identified as a larger shape.”

Eudora Welty


*For those who may be interested, in the Duke Archives, Louise Smith is interviewed in the Oral History of Civil Rights.... http://library.uncg.edu/dp/crg/oralhistitem.aspx?i=677

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It is the time of day when everyone starts to get ready for the festivities of the night.  It is time to bring in the new year... 2011.  I am truly looking forward to this next year and praying that it will be a better year for everyone I know and everyone I love. 

Every year has it ups and downs.  For me, this year has been a really down year.  I am praying that it will be a better one for everyone....our family, our country, and those I care for. 

I have spent now 75 new years eve's.  Of course the first so many were outside my memory.  The next ten or so were what people talked about.  My grandparents didn't really relate to parties, much less New Years' parties.  There were a few words, discussion of what had happened but all mostly at the dinner table.  Our dinner table was always there every evening and were full of discussions.  Mostly talking about family stuff, rarely books, and never politics, but lending stability.   Anyhow..... in my years of enlightenment, I found out that people gathered in groups and blew horns, kissed each other and yelled alot.  When we got a TV set, I was around eleven or twelve, there were wonderful pictures about this New Year.  They discussed the old year.  I loved the programs where they showed lots of fireworks and that tradition of a big kiss at midnight.

As luck would have it, all during college, I was home.  I didn't date anyone in my town, so I continued to celebrate the famous day all the way through college.  Now, I need to tell you, I wanted so bad to go to a party.  I even tried once to get up a party with my grandparents and my cousin Jean who was there for the holidays.  Well, I got napkins, and horns and hats.  Everyone got tired and went to bed.  Such a disappointment.

As luck would have it... I have been married twice but both husbands had no interest in New Years.  Well, I take that back..  My husband Ralph had grandchildren that had come to visit for the holidays.  I think I shamed him into doing a party.  We bought sparkly grape juice, balloons, horns, and hats.  We had a fine party.  I think Teddy and I had the best time of all.  It was such a good party.

Thanks to my nephew Jim, I celebrated a New Year in Berlin.  It was one of the highlights of my life.  I was on the way back to Saudi Arabia and stopped over to see him.  We spent time walking the streets, drinking beer in pubs, and just talking.  For the holiday we went to a restaurant, Franco's I think, and had a wonderful evening.  At the bewitched hour, we went outside and watched the fireworks.  Thanks Jim.  You didn't know how much I appreciated that night!

Lets see, that is two New Year's..... I just cannot figure out why I don't remember any more.  I know I worked a lot of times.  Wish some of you who have known me over the years can remember for me.  I know I have received hundreds of phone calls wishing me a Happy New Year.

This year I will be home alone.  My daughter and her husband will be at a party.  I am so glad that she will have an escort and I hope he brings to her the glitter of the night.   My grandson will be at a party, the adults will be home, at a friends house not half a mile from here.  All have instructions to call me if they need to.

I am visioning a better year for all of us....

• Lets help our church, our spiritual group, --our group that lifts us and others up.  For me, I want to get more involved in the Episcopal way of life.  I want to walk a better walk.
• Lets make sure we take care of our bodies... we exercise, eat well and take our medicines. For me, I plan to walk in water more, survive my surgery, and eat a lot less candy and more spinach.
• Let each of us use our talents to make the world a better place.  For me, I want to paint more, paint better, make little pleasures for others. Maybe I will discover another talent.
• Lets support or President and lend a hand, as we are able, to help him get his agenda done. We elected him, our complaints should be followed with action of support. I plan to read more, understand more, and write more letters ....
• Lets pray that the aggressors of the world find out there is a better way.  Course it has been several centuries...but we can always pray.  I will  pray and hope our young understand.
• Lets understand and help others understand what greed does to our environment, to our souls, and to others.....and cut it out. I plan to evaluate every purchase and see if it is need or greed.  Every single one.
• Lets help the animals that are mistreated, lost, and uncared for... in whatever way we can. I will care for my little one, Simba... help to care for Annie, CoCo and the other cat in our home.  I might even volunteer at a shelter, that would be fun.  I will give some food.
• Lets work on our environment.  I will start with mine.  Keeping my place in order will help a lot.
• Lets share our knowledge and thoughts...YES I want to continue to write what I am thinking and not let myself get intimidated by those who might not want to hear my rants, just let it roll, Rusti. Since I love to hear what others write in their styles and with their personal censors, I think I shall give myself permission to do things in my style with my censors.. thanks Bob Burridge. Yes, I will name more names.
• Lets love each other. Every opportunity to let someone know you love them just must not be overlooked.Do not be shy.  I plan to make sure that you know through this blog, my calls and other times together that i treasure you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

GRINCHING CHRISTMAS --- RULES

HOW TO GRINCH CHRISTMAS

Christmas is such an emotional and special time.  Doesn't seem to matter if  we are Christian or not.  It has to do with our own special history.  But, because of any number of reasons, there are ways that people screw up Christmas for others.  This seems to be the best time to remember how that happens.  This is very personal.  It is the stories of how people have made my Christmas a real emotional downer.  Maybe, I think to myself, If I write it down, it will take away the pain of it, the disappointment of it.  So here goes.  By the way, if it bores you to know about others experiences, skip this blog.

RULE 1
Tell someone you are going to do something and then don't do it.  I remember, as a child, I did not live with my parents, I lived with my grandparents. Many times my parents would tell everyone that they were coming for Christmas.  I would wait to open my presents waiting for them.  I would look out the door a hundred times to see if they were coming.  When the evening came and then night.  I would go and hide and cry.  Children, especially, look forward to things in such a real way.  Still today I react, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year when this happens.  My we sister and I share the suitcase story..... maybe someday we will tell you that one.  Of course, we cant always do what we say we will do..but we can always do things to make it so that it is understood. Just admit it!  I cannot get there, do it, etc.  Talk about it. I have to thank those of you who worked though pain to keep your word for your family and those you love.

RULE 2

I got the Spirit

Don't get the spirit.  Treating Christmas as just another day seems to be some kind of cop out.  Family and friends sometimes just don't get it.  They don't seem to know how great the day is.  Now, I will say, it is very tiring to make traditions and keep them.  But just another day?  I remember one Christmas when someone, not to be named, changed the oil in the car.  I remember yet another one, when someone read a book all day and talked to no one.  Anyhow, the spirit is the engagement, the laughter, the hugging and the loving.  So many times it is people we don't even know.  This year, Sterling is working in a grocery store.  He put on his Hurricane Santa Hat and shared that spirit with his customers.  He gets it!!!!



RULE 3.

Don't get the importance of tradition.  Almost all of us have traditions that we love.  For me, I love having a special time to open presents, having a special meal, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, having candles burning on Christmas Eve, having oyster stew on Christmas eve, listening to happy Christmas carols into the evening,  having everyone hang out in their pj's enjoying their special presents... So, yes, I am a traditionalist.  I don't think I am the only one.  When these traditions slip away, for me, then the importance of the season slips away.  Unless, of course, one tradition is changed for another.  This year as in 2006 we had a seafood Christmas meal.  Nancy's idea, I think. My daughter made the most wonderful change.  We had enough of the turkey and all the mess for Thanksgiving, so we decided to do the Seafood thing.  She put newspaper all over the table, and there was tons of crab legs, scallops, muscles, calmari, shrimp.... It was delicious and afterward just take newspaper and all to the trash.  I think since we have had it twice, it will become, for this family, a tradition.  It was especially nice, since we are not near the coast, to bring NC to Ohio.  Not so much work  Fun conversation.  Thanks Leah.

RULE 4

Being emotional absent.  It happens.  This is one of the very best ways to be the Grinch.  If you really want to spoil the day for everyone, then just don't participate with your heart and soul.  You know what it looks like.  No comments, no smiles, etc.  Sometime it is because of alcohol.  Sometimes it is because of drugs.  Sometimes it is because of self pity.  Sometimes it is because we are too concentrated on ourselves.  The bottom line question is.... how much can you forget yourself and how much can you make yourself happy by being  a contributing human being in others happiness. Being "under the influence" on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day doesn't let others know what we are really feeling. Everyone walks on eggs, not being able to predict what will come next.  The words and actions of alcohol being questionable.  The highest level of being unfair to those we love.

RULE 5

Being physically absent.  This is very unlike, but like being emotionally absent. There are many times in our lives that we have made choices "not to go..." when going would have made the world such a happy place.  I know that there were many years that my parents could have come  to see us at Christmas but choose to booze.  I know there are times when sons choose their lives, daughters choose theirs, children choose their friends.  When being physically present would make the life of people who gave life joyous.  The issue here is self importance, self indulgence, and in some cases self protection.  It is not an issue of right or wrong.  It is just an issue.  The outcome is the truth.   I think of the people who are in long term care facilities, and in hospitals.  I have observed the deep pain of loneliness there.  Letting one of your own feel this loneliness is perhaps one of the most painful of all actions and may be one of our greatest sins..   Justin, my son in law, worked Christmas Eve this year and for the first time observed this and felt the pain of people just being dropped off, forgotten and alone.   Physically absent can be as simple as retiring to ones own room or as complex as flying half way around the world.   Some of my most wonderful Christmases were spent taking a plane from Arabia, driving to Florida and having a Christmas with my daughter and my sister and her family.  I know they couldn't possibly know how important they were to me. Thanks Alyce, Leah, Suzie, Nancy, Jim and Jeff.  Phone calls count here.  They make us physically present.  My sister always tries to be first to say Merry Christmas.  Thanks, Alyce.

RULE 6
Being Judgmental  Yes, we are all guilty aren't we.  I know that I am.  The judgements are not reserved for the old, like me, that have our outdated ideas of what ought be.  Although we can certainly be judgmental. But for each of us who puts down what is important to others.  It may be simple traditions that we think are stupid. It might be religious beliefs.  It is so hard to put away these things that we think should or ought be.... and truly enjoy others joy.  A motto from my friend Sherry:  Don't should on me.


I thought there were more ways to make a grinchful Christmas, but it seems like those six ways kinda take care of them all.   At least, these are the most important. 

Feeling the love of Christ through the love of family and friends makes the best of all Christmasses.

ENCOUNTERS WITH HEALTHCARE Entry One

Traveling in to Cleveland from Olmsted Falls  30 minutes

Surgical Building...
Visits and Special Treatment
Surgery not done here.

Today is December 29, 2010.  It is a better day.  The everything seems to be better. It has been a very bad Christmas, for a lot of reasons.  The thing for me was trying to keep myself physically and psychologically up and moving, when I was dealing with having been told some problematic news.  I complained to my primary care physician that I had vague abdominal pain.  They did a CAT scan and found something where my appendix usually resides.  That meant a consult with a surgeon.  Of course, the report, which was available to me online, impression  .DIFFUSELY DILATED APPENDIX, THIS IS MOST LIKELY MUCOCELE OF THE APPENDIX  THOUGH APPENDICEAL CARCINOMA CANNOT BE EXCLUDED.   I, like most others, reacted to that diagnosis. Surgery is always the answer. I will state the bottom line first. The danger is in having it pop, and that means something that is very difficult to treat. Does make sense. Spewing who knows what all inside the abdomen.

Today I decided to publish my progress.  I wanted to chronicle my feelings and observations and share them with you.
 I will label the entries,  ENCOUNTERS WITH HEALTH CARE, so those of you who want to not deal with the journey, can read only the other entries. After having visited over 700 hospitals in this country, I find there is so many things to laugh about and complain about.  So here goes..........

Yesterday I went to my appointment at Cleveland Clinic and me my surgeon and his team.  Truly, I felt right at home.  It is so much like Duke it is scary. 

I have scheduled surgery on January 24, which seems like a long time away, but on the other hand, if they are not worried, I do not have to be.  Silly, ignorant statement...but gives some solace.

First, let me tell you how to make one go crazy.  Thank you Cleveland Clinic.  I was made an appointment with a surgeon for December 21.  I was in the car tootling toward downtown Cleveland, and received a phone message telling me the appointment had been changed and they would like me to see a more specialized surgeon.  OK.  I couldn't wait to get to the computer and find out the qualifications and why this new surgeon.  Now how is this for specialization.  this new surgeon, which I saw yesterday.  Is a specialist in appendix surgeries.  NOW give me a break.  He also specializes in pancreas and liver stuff.  My guess it is a specialization based on cellular issues.  The surgeon, Sricharan Chalikonda, MD, is very certified in Lap surgeries and that is how it will be done. He is also working in Robotic surgery.    If he has to, of course he will go to open incision, but that is highly unlikely in today's world.  He is also going to repair the ventral hernia I got from the last lap that was done three years ago.  I will probably not have to spend the night, unless I am very late in the day.  I am going to ask for first case, of course. This is  a real important thing, If you can muster up the courage to make sure it happens.  So I always try. The staff is alert having just had a bunch of coffee and sugar,

the room was cleaned during the night from floor to ceiling, 

 I will have general anesthesia. Cleveland Clinic has a bunch of sites and of course I opt for the most complicated one on the main campus.  Well, I guess my guys will get over having to hang out down there. 

Now for the observations.  The fun stuff.  When I arrived for the visit I was a bit early for the 10:10 AM time.  At 11:20 I was summoned into the inner sanctum.  The usual blood pressure, weight and review of vital info took maybe ten minutes, at most, then into the exam room.  Another thirty minute wait.  In comes a young woman and we begin an hour interview.  Of course, being the second year resident, she had read every word of my record.  We had to go over every word again.  It did seem we went over them twice.  A very thorough, maybe obsessive, young doctor.  THANK GOD FOR OBSESSIVE.  Out she went.  Another forty minute wait.  In comes the boss... Dr. C (we will refer to him as Dr. C) Spent an efficient thirty minutes, reviewing and explaining.  Out he goes.  In comes the nurse.  Not the one that did the original stuff, but the real boss.  The explanation of all that was to ensue.  Cards were given and a pleasant, We will see you when we do the things required before surgery.  I will send you appointments.

In the middle of traffic I fought my way home.  In my heart I am grateful.  That visit really took a long time, any diva would have screamed.  This diva would have been really uncomfortable if it had gone any other way.

Postscript:  Just looked at My Chart.  On January 11 I have seven appointments.  Beginning at !! AM and ending at 4:30.  Betcha I am there until six.  More Later.

My doctors credentials....

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/physician_name_search.aspx#6382