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The long journey to my acquaintance with the downside of military hospital vs. the civilian sector began in August 2024. I am subject to colds that occur in such a manner that when one ends another starts up. They linger a bit and before I consider the thought of carrying a convenient handkerchief in a left pocket they are gone.

Not this time.

My mother spent her time (or social life) keeping doctor appointments for anything and everything. My sister claimed she would look in her medical books for symptoms and off she would go. Lord help the poor doctor who she felt a bond with. I go in the opposite direction and bother them (as it turned out) when the SECOND threat of imminent death is presented. Much more on that probably in Part 2.

In November I have had enough of what I termed a sinus condition that would not give it up and called for an appointment at Wright-Patterson AFB Base Hospital. We live a seven-minute drive away from there and I use their emergency room for a shortcut for any real issues that would arise in my retirement years as necessary. This would invariably mean a two hour For so loss of time with bad TV in the lobby but a break from sitting around the house deciding what to read next. Lately pulp western novels of the adventures of Jim Hatfield from Texas Rangers magazine. There was that one break where I read Jane Eyre but that's another tale. (Credibility with Litnet insured and no tsk tsk from Logos ensured. Back to business.)

I am assigned a primary care doctor which I have never met. There will be one phone call from him in my future. Another after that rom my kidney doctor wondering what trouble I had bene causing. (My apology for the overuse of foreshadowing. Insecure out of practice storyteller at large.) Normal method is to make the appointment and take the doctor who is handiest. Wright-Patt is a teaching hospital, so they come and go. I'm easy in these things after 21 years of service and take whoever it is in stride with the luxury or knowing all findings will be logged in their computer records. Now if they would just LOOK at them.

Before I go further in this entire ten-month period I was always treated with respect and dignity. Could really have enjoyed that in the active-duty days but retirement has its perks. Any attitudes that came up are purely of my own stubbornness and pride. God is not pleased, and I am usually humbled in due course.

The first doctor went for the allergy diagnosis. I have two cats currently and a dog and refuse to believe they have anything to do with this and reject it out of hand. However, they are the professionals, and I accept the possibility of 'something' I might be allergic to praying it isn't comic book or old books and have their version o Flonase to play with.

For two weeks. Can't win them all and my faith in the medical system remains intact. But in March it will take a severe hit.

No change whatever and starting to get grumpy. I throw it away and grumble some more and everything goes on hold until March 2025 when things ramp up to more fun and games.

NEXT: Sandstorms and cobwebs take on a sinister meaning and the above blog title justifies its use.