STARS UPON THARS

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 308

About six weeks ago, I woke up with a shooting pain in my right thumb. It was like a literal bolt of lightning—or better yet, a surge of electricity zipping up and down my thumb. For weeks, the pain would come and go, mostly coming rather than going. After a week of that nonsense, I realized it wasn’t just going to magically disappear, so I hopped online to the VA to schedule an appointment.

The very next day, the scheduler called to lock it in; and that appointment was today. Funny thing was, when I made the appointment, the scheduler also reminded me that I was due for my annual check-up. (Which means a blood draw—easily one of my least favorite things ever). Anywho, when I showed up today, the receptionist—just the friendliest gal ever—said, “I see you’re here for your annual check-up, is that correct?”

Well, yes it was, but I asked her if the computer actually showed the real reason I had made the appointment. Apparently, the scheduler didn’t make my thumb the priority. That said, the receptionist was on it, making sure to note that for my nurse practitioner and the rest of the staff.

Within minutes, I was escorted back to the exam room. First things first: taking my vitals and all that other normal routine stuff. Then came the wait… just enough time to play a few games on my phone and catch up on the news. But eventually, the good doc came in, apologizing up and down for her tardiness. Alls I could do was grin and giggle, telling her: “Isn’t that normal when you go to the doc? You’re supposed to be running 20-30 minutes late. I factored that into my day.” She definitely appreciated the self-deprecating humor.

It’d been a hot minute since my last appointment, but I gotta give my NP credit: she remembered the last time I’d been in (or did a dang good job making me feel as though she did). More than that, she truly listened to my concerns, and didn’t waste a second getting right down to finding solutions. She ordered an x-ray for today, and slapped me in a wrist guard to help immobilize my thumb and give it a rest when I’m not typing. She also ordered some other kind of test to figure out what’s going on with the nerves in my hands and arms, but I can’t remember what that one’s called. After all that was done, I initiated a chat about weight loss programs, and we ended up having a really good dialogue.

As soon as she finished up her part, she walked me over to the lab tech who drew my blood and x-rayed my hand. Like I alluded to, I absolutely dread getting my blood taken. I’m pretty sure that goes back to a few corpsmen in the Navy who’d fish around inside my arm with a needle, “hunting for the vein”—them, and a few vampires from the Red Cross that could NEVER hit the mark. But this gal today? She went right in through my hand, and truthfully, I didn’t feel a thing. She deserves a gold star, an award, or something for those exceptional skills. Seriously, someone give that gal a raise.

Anyways, IMHO, they all deserve gold stars, a raise, or both. Because truly, their service and level of care today was exceptional. And if I have to be honest, that’s consistently been my experience with the regional VA clinics. The big hospital centers? I dunno. But these smaller, outlier clinics out in the rural parts: these folks are flat-out getting the job done.

Today, I’m grateful for the fantastic care I received at my appointment. It’s nice knowing there are people who genuinely care—those who choose to serve those who served this great nation.

What are you grateful for today? Now, I gots to wrap this up and put the guard back on my wrist. I’ll catch ya tomorrow!