Friday, December 26, 2008

The Continuing Saga of ME

The weather forecast for Christmas eve was totally wrong.  No rain.  I was lying in bed, contemplating whether I should attempt another Santa drive, when the phone rang.  FINALLY, the hospital was calling me back.  They said they could not accept any of the referrals of the civilian doctor I went to last Thursday.  Well then, WHY did they send me there in the first place?  But, if I could get to Andrews AFB in 45 minutes, I could get another X-ray.  Light traffic and heavy foot.  I made it there in 30 minutes.  I still did not meet the mysterious woman who is supposed to be my primary care doctor. Instead, I was seen by her "partner," a female Doogy Howser.  I had another X-ray taken and was told to go home and wait for a phone call with the results -- probably by 2 pm.  Six pm and no call.  No Santa drive either.  Better luck next year.
While I was at the Andrews hospital, the USO was handing out goody bags and BBQ plates to the military staff.  That gave me a hankering for BBQ, so I went to Famous Dave's for a plate of ribs. At least something good came out of the day.
My Christmas was low key.  I opened presents at 2 am. Hey, technically that's Christmas morning.  Then, back to bed to give my ankle a rest.  I got up at about 5 pm to prepare Christmas dinner.  I didn't sleep all that time, but watched Home Alone (for the third time this week) and some other Christmas shows.  I made maple-glazed ham, corn on the cob, scalloped potatoes and something I hadn't had since the age of 12 and hadn't ever made before -- green bean casserole.  Yup, directions on the back of a can of dried onion rings.  It would never have occurred to me, but I saw a story about it on the History Channel about the history of American holiday foods.  It appears that before the 1960s, American food was nearly as bad as British food.
I did NOT have seconds -- I just had lunch and dinner -- 10 minutes apart.  That pretty much sums up my Christmas. The kittens loved the boxes my presents came in.  They're going to be disappointed when I dismantle their housing project and haul it away -- maybe next week.  
I'm working again tonight.  Hopefully, I'll get that call from the doctor that I was supposed to get two days ago.  Of course, an X-ray still won't tell them whether I've torn any muscles or ligaments.  So, we'll be back to square one.  Socialized medicine.  Gotta love it.  

3 comments:

Tonto said...

Merry Christmas LR! Sorry I'm late. I have been so sick...wasn't a great christmas...out of commission.

Hey you and me both about the green been casserole. I don't understand that dish and people's obsession with it. I have heard people tell me it wouldn't be Christmas without it!?!

Don't get it but I always thought it might be because I do not like cream of mushroom soup condensed. I dunno but I am with you...had it once 8 Thanksgivings ago and never ate it again.

Hope the mystery of your ankle gets solved.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, Tonto, that casserole just LOOKS yucky! I hope you're feeling better, too.

LR, you've just gotta be your own advocate when it comes to medical. Nag, nag, nag. There's a reason nagging works quite often--people will do what you've been asking just to get you to shut up! ;)

Jim O said...

As a guy still recovering from serious, complicated and disabling ankle surgery, I truly sympathize. Hang in there!