I've been invited to surrender a God-given body part...

I arrived at work this past Monday at about 6:30 a.m. My boss felt that he had to counsel me and ordered me not to work between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. So, I had gone in about as early as constraints would allow: 0630. After all, I had a lot of work to accomplish this week...

At approximately 0740, I realized that I had left some tools at home as well as medicines for a condition that I am currently being treated for. I decided to dash home to get them. While at home, I bent down to fill Houston's water bowl... and, as I did this, it happened -- a pain in my abdomen such as I had never experienced before.

On my return drive to the office, I felt several more of these attacks. Two of them were so severe that I literally doubled over in response, almost hitting cars in the lanes next to me. I became very frightened. Luckily, I made it into our parking lot with my car -- and myself -- intact!

I immediately knew that something was wrong... but what was it? I had had an appendectomy over 15 years ago... so it could not be my appendix.

I went into the office... got to my desk, writhing in pain. I called Cigna, my insurance provider. During the course of that call, with all the voice prompts and such, I was advised that, if this were an emergency, to hang up... and dial 9-1-1. It seemed reasonable.

I decided to get confirmation from our corporate H.R. person. So, I contacted her via our Jabber client. After some banter, she advised me not to call 9-1-1 (contrary to Cigna's advice) but to have someone in the office to drive me to the E-R. I concurred and told her that I'd "ping" my boss, since I heard his voice nearby.

I stood up, walked a couple of feet to where he was having a consultation with one of my cohorts, and blurted "I need one of you two to drive me to the E-R on post." I don't recall the exact details, but my boss decided to give me a difficult time as he is wont to do.

I interrupted him to say that H.R. had advised me to make the request. He demanded to know why I had called her?? I don't recall replying... by this time in so much pain that I only wanted to scream... to cry... perhaps both!

Realizing that I was totally serious, he finally spoke up and said that he'd drive me over... Whew! I was going to get the help that I needed and sooooo desired.

When we arrived at the E-R, my boss offered (in what I recall was a very condescending tone) to carry my bag into the E-R for me... My pain was so great... my blood pressure so high... that I ignored his offer... especially the sincerity... or should I say the lack thereof which was voiced. "No, thank you. I can manage myself!"

And off to the E-R I went. Sounding like a whimpering puppy, I sat in the E-R at Fort Leonard Wood, providing the information which is always part of the process of seeking help from institutions which are overlorded by the legal profession. My mind wondered... is this the end for me? is this so severe that my life will be over soon? Memories of my having told friends, over the years, that, somehow, I did not sense that I would enjoy a long life... Could this be the event which would prove my feelings right?

The staff at the E-R was exceptional! I was introduced to "Nurse Giggles"... LOL... and "Nurse Meds"... The doctor who treated me was among the best that I've ever experienced... The staff was warm, kind, caring and extremely professional in every way imaginable. And I don't just say this because they injected me with serum which made the pain go away! <g>

Once it was suspected that I was having a problem with gall stones, an ambulance was arranged to transport me to St. John's Hospital in Lebanon, Missouri. I was transferred without incident... well, almost. The portal which had been inserted into my left wrist for ease was pulled out while riding in the van... the paramedic who rode in the ambulance with me was pleasant... and I distinctly recall talking her ears off!

I arrived... was processed at St. John's -- again, the most pleasant professional staff...

I was released and was given more medications... and an appointment with Dr. Tabb, a surgeon at St. John's Hospital.

Having left my vehicle on post, I did not have transportation to get back to Fort Leonard Wood... and needed to hire a taxicab. In case you are wondering, no, the hospital does not provide courtesy transportation -- unless, of course, the patient cannot afford the cab fare. Many friends and relatives (from afar) were surprised to hear this... but not nearly as surprised as I due to my bank's problems managing automated transactions...

I've been banking with FNBC for at least 2 years. I decided (as a preventive measure) to use my ATM/Debit card to ensure that I had funds to cover my transportation and was shocked that I did not have the $50 fare!

SIDEBAR
I would later learn that FNBC was doubling certain transactions and placing a freeze on $2 for each $1 spent on the transaction! I spent several hours working with Ms. Linda Clear, the Retail Manager of the Mammoth Spring branch of the bank. Over the course of 3 days, Linda offered various explanations -- excuses really -- for the problems which her bank had caused me. One excuse was that my new bank, Armed Forces Bank, had swiped my card twice.

When I visited Linda to give her the phone number of my contact at my new bank, I listened carefully as she tried pointing the finger at everyone EXCEPT her own bank, FNBC. She finally offered the final excuse: the source of the problem was that the two banks belonged to 2 separate financial networks. FNBC uses SHAZAM; AFB uses STAR. I suppose that, as long as the vendor (FNBC, in this case) can leave reasonable doubt that it is blameless, this is an acceptable approach.

However, I continue investigating the source of this frustration. Not simply because I am an obsessive-compulsive type; but, because it is unacceptable to me that anyone should "borrow" your money without paying you interest for the duration of the loan. And this is exactly how I perceive what happened. Obviously, since it is only hours and days... this is a short-term loan... what is not so obvious is that, for a legal lending transaction to take place, the lender (me, in this case) MUST give consent; which wasn't the case here. Hmmmmmm....

What makes this especially painful is that my father and his brother have been friends with Linda's family for many, many years... :(
END OF SIDEBAR

Not to worry... If I could assert that I was destitute (something which I was loathe to do), the hospital would consider me a charity case and would help fund my transportation home. Geez... with my income, to plead poverty is truly sinful, dishonest, and totally ridiculous.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy