When we think about moving elsewhere we often pause because of medical care. After all, I can walk to my dentist, to my PT, to the bone scan place. My PCP is a mile down the road, other specialists are very nearby and excellent.

But. Today was a heads up of a sort. And, it’s starting to feel fucking typical.

My orthopedic surgeon’s practice has had two names, two portals, and three physical sites since I met with them less than a year ago. So I cut myself a little slack when on Monday I went to a follow-up appointment at the wrong building.

Doctor not available to reschedule until December, so I agreed to see his PA at week’s end (today).

Text chimed in at nine this morning: “electricity out in the building. We will call to reschedule.”

They called. It was a robot telling ME to call and reschedule.

I called to reschedule and after fourteen minutes of electronic selections was connected to a person.

And guess what? Now I’m seeing the PA on December 23. And, in the building I hate driving to. And, it’ll be rush hour.

So my husband was correct to wonder out loud: is this access to medical care so great?

Meanwhile, if the government weren’t shut down, this could be a telecall.

PS I object to AI. I really object to the energy and water it consumes. Hate its output. Hate what it’s doing to media, literature, etc. But over the weekend, I copied and pasted my MRI results into it and then asked for exercises and got two PDFs. Most were exercises I’m already doing but a couple were more focused on my spine and flank.

And lo! Since starting them, my right leg is feeling better. It’s the first improvement since the surgery in March. Not trivial.

So, my goal is to be asymptomatic by December 23.

(And I was half-kidding when I quipped, “asymptomatic and cancelling my appointment on December 22).