Saturday, December 28, 2024    

     I don’t plan to spend many hours in medical waiting rooms.  After the Urgent Care Center says I am too sick for them we drive to the hospital emergency room filled with sad sick people.  Old old people slumped in wheelchairs, young mothers with kids, and the rest of us. Dozens of us.

    For ER treatment, I first sign in and relinquish my picture ID and sit in the designated part of the room.  Then an hour later my picture ID is returned to me. Another hour, my name is called out to go to the registration desk, and move to another waiting area.  Another hour, another call to the second registration desk.     

     Another hour, then to the screening room.  A decision is made by the staff. Yes, you need care and you will get the next vacant treatment room. Blood tests are done and then back to waiting room. Another hour and I move to the treatment room. I stay in the treatment room for hours while being infused with water and antibiotics. Then I am released and return home. Exhausted.

     I make a new friend, an old man with a crushed hand needing his bandages changed. We do medical talk, describing different procedures. We move through the system in tandem.  He doesn’t get the prize, a treatment room, but his bandages are changed.  He waves good bye to me as I am waiting for the treatment room.