2/365blog

Waiting Room at the walk-in clinic:

11:05 a.m.
The receptionist said there was a 2-1/2 hour wait. What could I say. There were only a few chairs left in the waiting room. As it is, I’m still waiting for them to call my name to make a $15.00 co-pay. Once paid I’m committed. Committed to sit around in the waiting room with people coughing. Parents with kids and the morning news chattering from a wall mounted T.V.

11:20 a.m.
Fortunately it’s me this time that needs medical attention and not a family member. Still feeling the results of a recent illness. It’s been 15 minutes now on the expected wait. I’ve moved to a seat closer to the receptionist’s desk to better hear them calling out names. A little hard to hear over the television and coughs.

11:37 a.m.
The waiting room is clearing out. More empty chairs. No screaming kids. Coughers still coughing. The receptionist just told another new walk-in that it would be a 2-1/2 hour to a 3 hour wait. The pregnant woman being told this responds with, “Wow”.

11:45 a.m.
I wish that I had stopped to sync a few episodes of Big Bang Theory to the iPod Touch before coming here.

11:51 a.m.
I’m not a big fan of the local ABC affiliate. As a kid in pre-cable days, this was the only station that came in clear enough to be the preferred station to watch. Not any longer. Even with shows titled, the ‘500 Pound Dad’ and ‘What not to Wear’, IMHO these are better shows to watch other than ABC’s Life on Mars.

12:00
Just made the co-payment of $15.00. First acknowledgment that I’m still here. I smell burgers from Carl’s Jr. Yum. Here I am on day 2 trying to eat less and move more. I can still have a protein burger from Carl’s.

I met Jennifer at a Carl’s Jr. in 1985. I was 20. She was 23 and still living at home finishing her teaching degree. I had been out on my own for a couple of years. Soon after I left Carl’s and began a career as a civil servant for state government. I was still plugging away in college as well.

Jen and I were married in 1987. Still happily married. She has been teaching since graduation. I’m still in serving in state government. So lunch at Carl’s it is.

12:20 p.m.
An hour and 15 minutes in. I’m in it for the long haul. I’m using the WordPress application for the Touch. After using the Touch daily for over a year, the battery life is still impressive.

12:40 p.m.
I’m in! Waiting for the doctor. Blood pressure was taken and is fine. Still not feeling well. Kind of weak. I’m thinking a cause is due to not having any protein today.

Started the day with a 3 advil, a multi-vitamin and a coffee and croissant. That’s it. I’ve had this sort of feeling before when venturing through the day with no protein. As one who has experience on a low carb, high protein diet, my body reacts quickly to the need for energy. This reaction was a little different.

I’m still waiting, but it’s closer to getting an answer and out of here. Waiting time in reception room was an hour and 35 minutes.

1:50 p.m.
In the lab for blood tests. Blood pressure was fine. Hemoglobin tests were excellent. Waiting to have blood drawn.

2:00 p.m. Leaving the walk-in clinic. So far so good. Hungry and tired. Heading to lunch then home.