I am an expert at waiting:
- Always the one who is dressed and ready to go first,
- Always early to arrive for appointments,
- Always flexible about time constraints,
- I usually wait double time since I arrive early and others arrive late
Imagine all the waiting required over a lifetime – a half hour here, an hour there, etc.
Turns out even I (the expert at waiting) can be surprised stunned.
The general concensus among orthopedic experts is that I need a hip replacement. Yes, another complaint has emerged about one of two lower extremeties.
Yesterday I went to a highly recommended surgeon who, after double XRays, agreed that the hip on the opposite side of BigFoot needs replacing.
“You could get in for surgery soon with one of my partners. But I am booked through the summer of 2021,” he said.
What?
Did I hear that right?
A year?
2021?
I would have to wait a year?
In bewildered shock I answered, “It seems you are the best surgeon for this and of course I want the best. Maybe I could tough things out.”
The doc did not seem surprised as he outlined the plan. “My nurse will call you with a date,” said he. And then they gave me a folder on exercises to do post surgery as well as what to expect in the hospital.
Are they serious?
In a year there may be technological advances that would call for exercise instead of surgery!
In a year I might be DOA from Covid-19. Notice how I can talk in initials now?
In a year I may be too old for surgery.
In a year ANYTHING could happen.
I still cannot imagine WAITING A YEAR for a date with a surgeon can you?
On the other hand, I am an expert at waiting.
Virginia Views 