Mick McKellar Update--Day +39
Rain and mist blowing past my window allows only a thin bluish glow upon they keyboard of my hoary old laptop. Without the impetus of pending appointments, my day started early, but evolved slowly. Marian had a chance to sleep a little longer, so our morning dance as we prepared for the day was unhurried. Normally, we are up and out of here in less than an hour, to catch an early shuttle to the Clinic.
But we don't have to go there today.
My job today is to heal. Marian has laundry and shopping chores. I decided to follow up on a drama that began yesterday...
The gift of time...
We received a wonderful gift of additional minutes for our Tracfone. It must be one of the first flip open models, and we've had it forever. I get a few minutes each month on a cheap plan, so we don't usually make or receive long phone calls on the little phone. However, once we arrived in Rochester, the Clinic insists on phone availability 24/7 if one is to remain an outpatient. So, our previously "emergency" phone has become my life-line to the hospital.
My brother Knights (Knights of Columbus Calumet Council 1245) donated a large number of minutes to us -- a very thoughtful and wonderful gift. So, I immediately logged into my account on their web site and entered PIN number, phone number, and some code generated by my phone, clicked Submit and they said thank you.
Problem: No minutes, not even this morning. I attempted to handle it by e-mail with their online support staff. Five messages back and forth before they figured I was adding minutes from a prepaid card (part of my original message). They gave up and said I should call, because they called my home phone and I was not there. (Please note: all of this was in my original message.)
Because there is no long-distance capability on our room phones (except by phone card), I dialed up my Tracfone friends on Skype from my dependable old laptop. I provided numbers and codes to find my phone, numbers and codes from the gift card, and response codes from my old phone. That did not work, so we had to reprogram part of my old phone's memory. She read long lists of numbers I (with fumbling fingers and shaking hands) dutifully entered and read back the codes until one was accepted.
Not bad...except I was in the middle of a coughing fit at would not stop. In the end, we have the minutes and our life-line to the hospital is in great shape. The technician received my thanks, and probably needed a break.
About that interview:
The technician sounded a little bored at first, and began to rattle off instructions from a pre-printed list or script, I am certain. Even with headphones and a clear channel I could not follow...my ear-legs are not that quick. So I interrupted her spiel, and asked her to start over and talk to me about my problem. I explained my situation. She asked a few questions. I answered. The resolution was not simple and I often had to repeat lists of numbers or ask her to repeat a direction.
But, she slowed down a bit and demonstrated great patience with a cantankerous and coughing client. The end result was minutes for us and a job well done for her.
Excitement: Filter Change
An unexpected knock at one's door is always an exciting treat. One of the kind fellows who work so hard to maintain this place was asking permission to come in and change the filter. I did a quick sweep to be certain my dirty socks were in the laundry and not on the bed, and let him in. Each room is individually heat-controlled and all the air is filtered, the filters changed each month.
He quickly replaced the air filter and vacuumed every nook and cranny of the control unit and all the air exchange vents. That's how clean this place is. It's all very reassuring.
I mentioned this mundane visit because (unlike my friend on the phone) he always has a good word and a good ear for listening, yet he was efficient and polite and gone in a few minutes. I found myself wishing he could stay and visit for a while.
Taking time to talk to folks and learn about them and the problems before rushing to prepared solutions might not always be more efficient, but is 100% more human, more caring, and more loving.
I thank you for your prayers, mail, letters, cards, e-mails and calls. Your good thoughts, prayers and bits of home are a blessing everyday.
God bless you all and good night.
Mick