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PATIENCE IS AN
UNFORTUNATE VIRTUE |
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My car was acting up. The dreaded "Check Engine"
light went on and the dashboard said that something catastrophic was sure
to happen in the next day or so. Since I was still under the 36,000 mile
warranty, I called the Ford dealer service department.
"I'd like to bring my car in," I told the nice lady
on the phone. "Apparently, it could blow up at any minute."
"We'd be happy to help you," she replied. "Let
me check our schedule."
This was last Friday. There was a long pause while I assumed
she was checking to see if I could bring it on Monday or Tuesday. Finally,
she came back on the line.
"The next available appointment is October 10th,"
she cheerfully said. "Would that work for you?"
"OCTOBER 10TH!!" I cried. "I'LL BE INCINERATED
BY THEN! Or even worse, I may hit 36,000 miles in the next five weeks.
Isn't there something sooner?"
"I'm sorry," she replied, even though I knew she
wasn't. (In fact, I think she took pleasure in showing how busy they've
become). "That's the best we can do."
I hung up and contemplated our new world. Everything
takes more time. Everyone is busy. Whether it's supply chain issues or a
shortage of qualified help, be prepared to wait months, instead of days,
to get things done.
See some patio furniture you like? Better order now, and if
you're lucky you might get it delivered by next spring. Interested in a
new car? Pop down a deposit, and wait and wait.
But the best example, of course, is the medical profession.
This is where it gets really irritating.
Since I failed miserably in having any of my children either
become a dermatologist, or at least marry one, I'm stuck with making
appointments for my latest growth.
The older I get, the more weird things appear on my skin.
Naturally, I assume most of them are melanomas, which are deadly. So when
I see something new, I pick up the phone to make an appointment, like I
did yesterday.
"NOVEMBER 4TH!!" I cried when she gave me the first
available appointment. "I'LL BE DEAD BY THEN."
"I'm sorry, that's the best we can do," she
cheerfully replied, not the least bit sorry. "I can put you on the
cancellation list if you'd like."
I figured there's a good chance other people might die
waiting, so I gratefully accepted.
Sometimes it gets even more outrageous. My daughter called
the pediatric ophthalmology department at UCSF to have them check a minor
eye problem her six-month old son was having. They told her they'd love to
see him, but the first available appointment was in March, 2023. Sad but
true. (Luckily, she found another option and he's fine).
I'm sure almost everyone has a horror story about the time it
takes to see a doctor, especially a specialist who is your only hope of
recovery. It's so frustrating.
I'm currently trying to fix a nerve problem in my leg, a
complication of hip replacement surgery. I'm making progress, but getting
appointments with the miracle workers who can get it done take time. But
that's okay, it's only been 17 MONTHS!
Every time I make an appointment, it's six weeks out. I
meet with the doctor, and they schedule a procedure that they think will
work. The scheduling date---yep, six weeks out. That's 12 weeks to try
something that may or may not work. When it doesn't, you start all over.
Frustrating.
If you want to see the good doctors, or the good mechanics,
or buy the better furniture, you have to wait. That's why the schedulers
are so cheerful when they tell you the next available date is light years
away. It shows they're working for the best.
Sometimes, though, you want instant gratification. That's why
I look forward to haircuts. I've been going to the same hairstylist for
many, many years. I call her in the morning, and have never failed to get
an appointment the same day. In fact, only once or twice has she not given
me the exact time I requested.
Now some might argue that the reason she's so available is
because she is a lousy hairstylist. That may or may not be true, and I
don't really care. All I know is it's nice to not have to wait.
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