Day 82

The first thing I did this morning was to tape my knee with the Rock Tape I received in the mail yesterday. Over the Rock Tape, I put on the immobilizer and then I headed for the coffee maker to begin the day.

Next, I made a call to try and set up an appointment with my primary care provider to get a referral to an orthopedist for the week that I get back to Washington. I was told that the first appointment available would be July 29. I explained that I have already made one trip to an ER and one to an Urgent Care Clinic, and that my knee was not improving. The woman on the phone said she would make a note in my file for review by the provider to try and procure a referral without an office visit, and if they had questions, they would call me. Naturally, I asked when I could expect to hear back. “Not today. I can’t tell you when, but not today.” she said. So, I called the 800 member service number, and requested and override to the policy requiring a referral to an orthopedist. I was told that I could call one of the approved orthopedic service providers and see if they would take me without a referral. “If not”, the gentleman said,”there really isn’t any way to speed up the process of referrals.” I asked for a list of orthopedic specialists in the area, and he emailed to me. There are exactly 3, and they are all in the same office. So, I dialed the number. The woman who answered the phone indicated that I had called a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She kindly offered to transfer me. I thanked her, and awaited the transfer. Next thing I know, I have reached the orthopedic ward of a hospital. When I explained that I had been transferred there and that I was trying to reach _______ _______ orthopedic office for adult care, the woman kindly offered to transfer me. Not surprisingly, that transfer resulted in a return to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon’s office. For this Peace Walker, the best action was to Step away from this task for the remainder of the day.

When Kelli dropped me off in Napa this afternoon, I had the opportunity to view the progress of the garden Colleen is growing. I also stood looking right at the beautiful orchid she had inside. Colleen is a gifted gardener, and I find moments of Peace each time I see the way she nurtures and tends the plants.

When I Stepped away from the phone calls this morning, it was a conscious decision. I wanted to stop before I felt stressed, and in doing that, I was actually able to laugh a little at the the absurdity of “the system”. For me, this type of conscious choice to take care of my psyche is a way that I am able to stay focused on the greater purpose rather than be distracted by the particles. And for this Peace Walker, purpose is primary.