I had a mid-morning appointment at the VA today. My appointment was scheduled for 10:30, but I arrived at 7:30 am. Yes, three hours early! There were a couple of reasons for that. First, I have another appointment at 7:00 in two days, and I want to determine the best time to avoid the busy early morning rush hour, taking into account traffic and parking. I also wanted to find a parking spot close to the building without the stress of searching during peak times. I know that finding parking around mid-morning can be tough because many people prefer early appointments to get their day over with, not knowing how long they might need to stay. Second, arriving early gives me a nice, short walk and the chance to easily find a good parking spot. That walk is essential since I had a recent surgery. I don’t want to be on my legs too long. I need to avoid pushing myself too hard.
While sitting here, I couldn't help but notice that most of the patients are elderly veterans, many of whom use walkers, wheelchairs, or canes. They are from the Korean War and early Vietnam era, which makes me feel middle-aged. There are a few younger men and women, maybe from the Gulf War or Desert Storm era, the 80s or 90s—I could be mistaken, of course. It's only 9:00 am now. Everyone is respectful and surprisingly quiet. Some bring their families, while others, like me, are here alone. My wife always wants to come, but I prefer she stay at home. I genuinely appreciate her caring thoughts and actions, but visiting the VA can sometimes take two to five hours. She did stay with me during my laparoscopic surgery at a civilian hospital quite some time ago—and I even ran into one of her friends who still works here. They are good friends and used to work here together.
I have a favorite seat next to the window, usually in the corner where I'm not too close to anyone and can enjoy looking out. I noticed only one couple wearing masks. As I watch the endless parade of cars searching for a parking spot, I feel surprised by how slowly they move, like a leisurely procession. I'm glad I arrived early today. I also enjoy watching the shrubs and trees gently sway in the breeze. It looked so cool outside, and everything felt nice and comfortable.
The volunteers were truly incredible; they sacrificed their time and showed patience and kindness to the veterans who needed help. Some veterans were unfamiliar with the Dorn VA, and I heard that several of them were from out of town. The red-coated or red-vested volunteers gently pushed them in their wheelchairs and kindly offered to walk them down to the doctor's office. They also enjoyed friendly conversations, making the experience more comfortable and welcoming for everyone.
I have about an hour before I see my doctor. I prefer scheduling early, but she usually arrives around 9:00, so she needs to go through her emails first. By 10:30, she's ready to see me. Thank goodness that He's teaching me patience! There's always at least one person who talks loudly on their cell phone or plays loud TV sounds, creating some noise in the waiting room. They don't realize everyone can hear them, but luckily, I have hearing aids that sync with my phone. This way, I can listen to music, YouTube, or even answer calls, even if the conversation is a bit noisy. I really appreciate the VA's support—they paid for my hearing aids, which help me stay connected to the news or tunes. Oh, and I mentioned to the guy sitting near me that he didn't need to be on his phone, but he was making hospital appointments. Well, I think it's my turn now—my doctor is calling me!
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