Living up to my family name.

Alrighty then, second half here we come...

So, if you've ever had the blessing of meeting ANY female on my Dad's side of the family you'll just nod your head with full understanding.  If you haven't, there are a few things you should know...1) we are a matriarchal family 2) you don't tell us no when we really want something and NOT expect a wickedly ugly fight ahead of you 3) we are stubborn beyond all reason.  (I get that from my Daddy-o too...in fact I get all of that from him too lol...)  So in other words, I have 3 (or more) generations of stubborn, will NOT take no for an answer, my way out the highway, coursing through my veins (you can imagine how fun Christmas dinner can be lmao)  so we'll say I had a little boost of May Kay and Joanna Grace rearing up inside. Poor head nurse.

I called her back after speaking to Walter Reed and asked to speak to the surgeon personally.  I explained to her I was approved by not JUST the psych eval but also my psych doctors!  She couldn't give two shits.  She fed me some line about policy (I had already called and verified that this was NOT in fact hospital policy)  I countered with this, she stumbled.  She countered with the surgeon was going on leave and would not be back until the Monday after Thanksgiving.  She would talk to him when he returned and would SEE if he would sit down and talk with me.  I thanked her sweetly (you catch more bees with honey after all) and I was nothing but sweet and demure (shut it people who know me..I CAN be demure..asses!) throughout our entire exchange the last few days.  She told me to call her the week after Thanksgiving to remind her.

So the day came...Nov 25th.

I was taking NO chances.  I gathered my evidence for the last 6 years proving that I have consistently, without lapse, been both in psychiatric and psychological (sometimes by 2 different docs at one time -marriage counseling, you can never have too much when it's free- in addition to personal counseling) as well as proof from the pharmacy that I refill all my meds consistently, and a note from all my psychs personally stating that I am consistent in care, responsible, and always call for med changes and make consistent appts, etc.  I grabbed my Nook, a bottle of water and prepared to hunker down for the long haul.  I was parking my ass in the general surgery clinic until I got at least an appt to talk to the surgeon.  You might not return my calls, but you can't ignore my smiling face :)

I arrived right as the clinic opened at 8:30.  When my number was called, I let them know my situation and who I was there to see.  They had the head nurse come out. I was told that they were short staffed, and she wouldn't have a chance to talk him until later. She would call me.  I smiled and gave her a huge thank you.  Then, I told her not to stress about calling. I would come up in the afternoon when things died down to save her the stress.  I walked out of the office at about 9:40.

About 10-15 minutes later, I got a phone call.  The surgeon could get me in at 10:00,  but I'd have to be there AT 10 because he didn't have a lot of time.  I assured her I would be on time.  She was shocked and reminded me that I'd have to be on time or else he couldn't see me.  I walked in the office 5 min early.  I have a sneaking suspicion that she was doing it to try and appease me by getting me the appointment, but she was thinking I'd never make it on time so I  wouldn't be seen.  Don't mess with me woman.

The doctor came in and sat down.  He looked over my file, looked up, and said, "Are you going to yell at me?"  I looked at him confusedly.  He answered, "Your psych eval says you are quick to anger.  Are you going to yell at me?"  I lightened up immediately!  I smiled and answered, "Are you going to cut me open?"  We made a pact: if he cut me open, I would agree not to yell at him.

We called the nurse to schedule the surgery.  The problem was that the only date available I couldn't do because of my trip to Disney World.  I wouldn't be able to go to my 2 week follow up, so it was a no-go.

I decided to go ahead and take the first available surgery in January.  She would call me as soon as the calendar came out and they had an open date available.  I won!  Health, here I come!!