PADDY WHACK

[SuzyQ411]

A few days ago when I was getting ready to go to the doctor's for a routine shot, I should have been alerted that things were not going to go my way when I ran out of hot water while in the shower.

I shivered through it but got dressed, blew my hair dry, used the curling brush on its flyaway ends, then headed into the cold but sunny day.

In fact, the sun was so bright it brought my mood up considerably and I was enjoying being out of the house for a change.

After I pulled into the back parking lot at the medical clinic, I fumbled for my phone in my left coat pocket, to  alert my doctor's office that I was there and awaiting the cue to go in.

But the sun was so bright I had a heck of a time finding a position that I could actually see the screen icon for my phone. I held the phone up high, to my left and to my right, and in my lap. No luck.

After a number of attempts I finally found a spot with the phone practically in my face that allowed me to see the icon. So I pressed on that and the screen I wanted opened up. I knew if I pressed on the top of the screen that my option to search contacts would open up.

That, I was finally able to do, but do you think I could see the keypad? No way! It took me ages to finally position the phone so I could type in my doctor's name and complete the call.

And I waited and waited and waited and no one answered the phone. Nor did the " leave a message option" present.

Frustrated, I decided to buck protocol and go to the door and knock. I figured since I was double-masked and knowing the clinic staff would also be masked, that it would be ok. 

As I knuckled the door, my eyes caught a notice that said to "call  this number" when you arrive for an appointment. The number was totally different than the clinic number. So, I prepared to do just that.

But, now that I was out of the car and in direct sunlight, I had even more trouble seeing my screen. So I moved about, trying to find just the right spot that would allow me to see and to pull up my keypad. By then, I was getting really impatient and began spewing out words my Mother had warned me to never say.

Finally I got to the keypad, entered digits, and when the answer came I was told I had reached a local radio station! Well, Crap!

So, I sought again for vision of the key pad, dialed, and learned I had reached the clinic. When I said who I was and why I was there, I was met with a long pause.

I was told there was a mix-up somewhere as there were no nurses on duty to give me my shot.....What???

I explained my confusion, noting I'd received an auto-call to remind me of the appointment. Again, a long pause.

She apologized for my inconvenience, then asked me to wait outside the locked door while she contacted the "sister" clinic in the front of the building . She would ask if they could send over a nurse to give me the shot.

My impatience was starting to boil over as I paced back and forth in front of the door.

Soon, my phone rang. Again, I could no longer make out the screen and had a devil of a time answering the darned thing. But, when I did, I was informed there was no nurse free to come to the back office but the sister office said to drive up front and come to their reception area and they would work me in.

So, I drove up front, walked into the building, got my "Covid temp" taken, answered all the questions, then walked the hall to the sister office.

I went directly to the reception area and identified myself. Finally, I thought, we are getting somewhere!

Just then, a  nurse appeared and said to me " I am so sorry but we have just learned that your insurance company now requires pre-approval for this particular injection. So once we get the approval we will call to reschedule your appointment."

What could I say in front of all that staff except "Thank you?"

But as I made my way down the hall to the outside door, then walked to my car, I chewed and chewed on the bone of total exasperation.

Once in the car, I reached for my sunglasses, but they weren't where I normally keep them.

It didn't take me long to realize they were on my face! No wonder I couldn't see my phone! This led to a delicious fit of silly giggles and I felt so much better.

By the way, I never once thought of smoking a cigarette!!! 

P.S. Just a reminder that there's only a few days left to play this week's Trivia Tuesday game.

We'd love to have you join us : https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/games/blog/2021/02/09/trivia-tuesday-292021