Heidi and I missed our appointment last week because we all had that plague. It was rescheduled for today and so, armed with these big questionnaires, we braved forth at 5:40 a.m. for our appointment.
Yes, that early.
I have no idea why he sees patients so early. Maybe he's a morning person?
But ... when we got there, the office was dark and there were two other cars with people in them, waiting. Uh oh. The 6 and 6:15 appointments. It didn't look good. Happily, though, he showed up by 6:30 and since Heidi and I were 3rd in line, I didn't think we'd have to wait too long.
Dr. R seemed amazingly organized today ... and there was no infernal scale! Yay!
When he found out that Heidi is talented in art, he asked her if she'd like to participate in a contest to decorate the cover of his next book. He writes these booklets to give to organizations, schools and patients. Anyway, Heidi seemed surprised and flattered and said she'd give it a try.
Dr. R looked over her questionnaire and asked a few questions about her answers. He wants to try doubling her Zoloft prescription first and see if that helps. His eyebrows shot up at one group of questions. He showed us that her answers indicated she has ADD inattentive type.
Oh, great, the disability du jour. I remember watching some Dr. Phil shows where he complained that kids are being overdiagnosed and how you really can't tell except with an EEG. I thought about mentioning that to Dr. R but he already moved on. "Let's think about it a week," he said.
TB and I were supposed to fill out these booklets too. TB had trouble finishing his because the questions were very private. I filled mine out, though and Dr. R looked at my answers. He said, "Wow, maybe you have it too."
Good, something else I can blame my procrastination on! I love it! Not.
I was very happy that we weren't there for hours and hours and made it out in just an hour.
1. Do you remember that moment when you discovered you could be a person to one or both of your parents, and not just 'the kid' anymore? What happened? If it hasn't happened yet, will it ever?
I can't remember the moment because I have never exactly been "the kid". Many times I was my parents' interpreter and I remember trying to explain what words meant (like 'escrow'). They would ask my advice when I got a little older and that kind of power was scary. When I was a kid, I always felt grown up ... but little.
2. Everyone has a passion. For some it's reading. For others, it's hiking in the Alps. When did you discover a passion of yours? How did you discover it? Is it still going strong?
My passion is writing. I was a little kid when I discovered that I loved to write stories. Too often I procrastinate or struggle with writer's block and so I haven't worked on a story in many months. I do write everyday, though, journal entries and other little things.
3. Everybody's had those moments in their lives when they've just snapped. A mid-life crisis if you will. Do you remember the circumstances of your most memorable 'snap'? What happened?
I was driving on the Southern State Parkway one morning on my way to work and I thought to myself, "I just can't do this. I can't be strong and I can't stand any more right now." I thought about driving off the highway and going home. I argued with myself for quite a few miles before I finally did get off the parkway and go home. Then I just cried and cried almost the rest of the day. This was some time in the year after Rich died and I snapped quite a few times then.
Bonus Question for Comments: Gotta ask it: Where were you on 9/11/2001? Do you remember that day? Explain.
I was interpreting at a school that trains displaced disabled adults. The Deaf clients were all busy doing their thing and I was trying to surf the web. I couldn't get any site to open up and it was puzzling and frustrating. Finally, I did manage to get on yahoo and I couldn't believe my eyes: there was an image of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. The teachers began buzzing and I realized that they were learning what was going on too. The teachers decided not to announce it in class because they didn't want to start a panic and so we just monitored the news all that long long day. I called the schools to make sure my kids were all right and they were. I just couldn't get my mind around what had happened, particularly when the buildings collapsed. All those people, lost! All the innocent people in the planes and in the buildings -- I was just totally horrified and scared to think what might be coming next. For the first time, I was glad that Rich wasn't there to see what was going on in our crazy world. I was in a state of shock the rest of that day and throughout the next couple.
Onesome: All-- all the world's a stage... So what types of issues put you on your soapbox?
I tend to get going about lack of adequate health insurance and housing for Americans, homelessness, and the war in Iraq
Twosome: Things-- what sort of things are you most likely to purchase "spur of the moment" when shopping?
Books ... I am dangerous in a book store!
Threesome: Girl-- sugar and spice and everything nice? Come now, what are YOU really made of?
I think I have a soft outer crust, an inner one made of steel and a center made of marshmallows
Wednesday Whatevers
1. Is it easier to be responsible for only somebody else, or yourself, and why?
It's easier to be responsible just for me! It's so much easier to care for just one adult. I don't have to worry so much about eating when it's just me. I can sleep as little or as much as I want. I don't have to get dressed if I don't want to. It's easier but it's definitely not fulfilling!
2. Why do we keep track of dates?
Because they have special meaning to us because of an appointment or because they're linked to a loved one in some way or to a holiday
3. What do you get from being right?
Self-satisfaction
Posted by Cassie at February 3, 2005 07:52 PM