A few years ago I was having such trouble with cellulitis in my left leg that I often had to go to the VA Hospital to see a doctor for an unscheduled visit. Sometimes I would have to be admitted to the Hospital to be put on IV antibiotics. This happened often enough that I started packing and taking what I called my “just in case bag.” I would have a change of clothes for discharge time, plenty of underwear and socks, books and other things to pass the time and maintain my spiritual practice, and sometimes even my laptop. There were intervals when the bag would stay mostly packed for weeks at a stretch. Fortunately, I haven't had to do this for a while.
Today, I got an early start on the day's activities because when I woke early, although it was early, it was also too late to go back to sleep without risking oversleeping on a day that I was supposed to arrive early for my treatment. Therefore, since my check was already in my account, I sat down to the computer and paid my bills and then set out to run my errands before the drive to the Hospital. I even treated myself to a grits-and-eggs breakfast at a local restaurant where I last ate over thirty years ago. The morning progressed very well with me getting a lot done very efficiently, even managing to find an almost new tripod at Goodwill for $3.09. With my long-standing prostate problems and my newer radiation side effects, one of the keys to such an expedition is keeping myself within reach of clean rest rooms along my path. In fact, the stop at Goodwill was for just that reason.
This morning, as I said, was going very well. I had reached the point that I only had two more stops before I would head to the VA Hospital for my treatment, but I again had to find a rest room. Unfortunately, I did not get there fast enough and I had an “accident.” When I got back into the truck, I could smell the urine. Instead of getting to RTU early, I had to go home to change clothes before I could go there. After getting cleaned up and changed, I wound up late enough that I was the last patient they treated today.
I was so embarrassed by the odor and so disappointed by going from being ahead of schedule to being late. I have decided that I will start packing another “just in case bag.” This one will have a complete change of clothes and the adult wipes they use in the hospitals. I'll have to keep this in my truck at all times to handle situations like this.
I once heard that if one is not truly humble, one has to “be humbled.” I guess that this may be a measure of that happening. In any case it is just one more thing that I have to deal with on this particular journey. As with everything else it is not only for my benefit but for the benefit of everyone. In that regard, I'm sure I am not the only one with this kind of experience.
BTW, Happy New Year.
I'm bringing in the new year blogging?
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