The In ‘N Outpatient by Kris Harty

No doubt the suspense has been killing you.

When we last got together on this page, I was guiding the hospital’s barely-legal-to-drive valet manager through the post-accident process. A valet backed another patient’s high profile pickup into my low profile convertible, crushing the front corner of my car.

Ouch.

This repair would require more than bandages and stitches.

After accident paperwork was completed and my pre-op appointment ended, I headed back to my car. I had plenty to think about for the hour-long drive home from Denver.

My doc and I were still in the planning stages for what this knee revision surgery would exactly entail (I say ‘we’ like I had ideas to contribute… Not!). My cutting edge (oooh, bad pun ahead) orthopedic surgeon wasn’t happy with the options. There was no optimal answer. But that’s another story for another time.

Take my word for it – my mind was whirling from the appointment. So much so, I’d temporarily forgotten about the car incident until heading for my car. “Ugh.” That plus a few other words escaped my lips – feel free to use your imagination. If you can think it, it spewed.

Thoughts swirled all the way home. Once there, I managed to remember to call my local x-ray department. Ah yes, the rules and regs of insurance. My surgeon was out of network but approved. That doesn’t mean insurance would pay for all x-rays taken at his office. That would be way too convenient and efficient for everyone. I needed to get more x-rays taken an hour south where I lived in Colorado Springs. That office would then need to have a currier drive the film x-rays to my surgeon in Denver. Aiy yi yi.

The day of the x-ray appointment was one of our worst blizzards of the year. I didn’t want to delay the pre-surgery process by cancelling. Plus, I’d scheduled my car to be repaired at the body shop that morning. I’d also reserved a rental car for the day. The rental car place and body shop were at the opposite corners of town from my house. X-rays were across town from there. As any good (ex) Minnesotan says, “Uff da.”

As I found out quickly, my rental car didn’t handle the snow and ice quite as expertly as did my Saab convertible. Those Swedes know how to make a winter- ready car.

Slowly making my way across town, I barely made it to my x-ray appointment on time. After adding to my already overly radiated body, I gingerly trekked out to my rental car, nicely buried in snow and ice. Fortunately, I’d thought to grab my extendomatic ice scraper from my own car and brought it with me. All would be ok.

Or so I thought until I got closer to my rental car. What’s with the bright orange neon dayglow sticker attached to the driver’s side window?

Come back next week for the real final conclusion of the car vs medical appointments saga.

Chief Inspiration Officer Kris Harty is the Stickability Specialist. Kris helps healthcare teams persevere through Compassion Fatigue. By sharing tools (Stickabilities) that she learned from her own medically challenged life, Kris encourages healthcare professionals to Stick to it – no matter what! Kris’ constant companion – her walking Stick – is the inspiration for her message. Diagnosed at age seven with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, she draws on 40 years of stories as a healthcare recipient. She is the patient who now returns to say “You make a difference. Thank you.” Her sometimes funny message is always content-rich, practical, engaging and inspiring. Kris’ company, Strong Spirit Unlimited, reduces burnout, turnover, and Compassion Fatigue by re-engaging healthcare leaders and professionals, especially nurses. Kris Harty is an inspirational keynote speaker, author and small group facilitator who helps people overcome challenges by creating unstoppable momentum in life and work. Clients say her message is life changing. Call 877.711.STICK, e-mail StrongSpirit@StrongSpiritUnlimited.com, or visit www.StrongSpiritUnlimited.com.

The In ‘N Out Patient by Kris Harty

Have I told you about the time my pre-op appointment was upstaged by my car?

I was glad to have made the hour long winter drive safely, arriving early for my pre-op, mind racing with concerns over a challenging knee revision surgery.

Rounding a corner in the parking lot, I found a line up of cars, idling, waiting. It wasn’t clear what we were waiting for, but it was clear we were not moving in the foreseeable future.

Apparently, the pickup truck driver ahead of me was waiting longer than he liked. Backup lights go on. No, he’s not really…..

STTTOP.

Where’s that bleeping beeping horn???

CRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUNNNNNNNCHHHHH.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. This did not just happen.

Not now. Not with everything else on my plate. And not my beautiful car, my baby. My beloved convertible. Ohhhh, help.

Am I ok? Seem to be. If not, guess I’m in the right place.

The driver of the pickup looked like a child. Are they really issuing licenses to 12 year olds now?

“What’s that? Can’t be….You say you’re the hospital VALET?” Oh that’s just swellllllllllll.

I guess insurance won’t be an issue.

Once inside the office, thoughtful nurse Fran, asked her now usual, tentative question: “Everything else ok for you?”

On prior visits, there had been a layoff to report and other unwelcome news.

The only response I could muster this time was to laugh somewhat hysterically.

After sharing the story with Fran (“Oh, my gosh, you’ve got to be kidding!”), I told her there would be a gentleman asking to see me in my appointment room regarding insurance.

Fran raised an eyebrow. “That’s a first.”

The valet’s manager was unable to come to the site of the crash before I needed to leave for my coveted appointment time.

After changing into cloth shorts two times too big for my 4’6” frame (before Fran found ‘specifically-for Kris’ size shorts to order – did I mention she rocks?), and enduring contortionist x-rays, I pseudo-patiently waited for either: a. my surgeon or b. the hospital car insurance guy. Big question: who would appear first?

Fran poked her head in, smiling slyly. “Umm, someone is here to see you.”

Ta da. Insurance dude won the race.

And I got to show off my oh-so-flattering two-times-too-big shorts. Bonus.

The insurance dude, the valet’s manager, was maybe 19. It became painfully obvious this was his first accident to cover. I walked him through some of the steps.

When he said he needed to go back to his office across campus to make copies, my patience wore out.

“You know, we’re in an office setting. I’m betting if you asked Fran, she might have a copier you could use.” He seemed too young to detect a not well hidden note of sarcasm.

“Oh, yeah. Maybe she would.”

Ya think?

So there you have it – part one of the car/medical parking lots/incidents story.

But wait… there’s more.

Tune in for the concluding episode next week on this same Bat channel.

Chief Inspiration Officer Kris Harty is the Stickability Specialist. Kris helps healthcare teams persevere through Compassion Fatigue. By sharing tools (Stickabilities) she learned from her own medically challenging life, Kris encourages healthcare professionals to Stick to it – no matter what! Kris’ constant companion – her walking Stick – is the inspiration for her message. Diagnosed at age seven with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, she draws on 40 years of stories as a healthcare recipient. She is the patient who now returns to say “You make a difference. Thank you.” Her sometimes funny message is always content-rich, practical, engaging and inspiring. Kris’ company, Strong Spirit Unlimited, reduces burnout, turnover, and Compassion Fatigue by re-engaging healthcare leaders and professionals, especially nurses. Kris Harty is an inspirational keynote speaker, author and small group facilitator who helps people overcome challenges by creating unstoppable momentum in life and work. Clients say her message is life changing. Call 877.711.STICK, e-mail StrongSpirit@StrongSpiritUnlimited.com, or visit www.StrongSpiritUnlimited.com.