House Calls Postcards

Following my most recent surgery, what the bills refer to as: "Allografts, morselized and placement of osteopromotive material and accompanying spinal arthrodesis. Anterior interbody, including disc space seperation, disectomy, Anterior instrumentation 2 to 3 vertebral segments. Autograft including harvesting of the graft and bone marrow aspiration. Alloraft, structural in spine surgery"... I was complaining one day of extreme, unbearable pain. A friend of mine said, "Why don't you call and go in to see the doctor?" "Because I can't move, much less drive myself to the doctor!" "Well then, tell HIM to come see YOU!" Yeah, right! Perhaps during "the good old days". When cola was a refreshment that came in glass bottles. Or in the old t.v. series "Gunsmoke" when "Doc Adams" made the rounds in his buggy! I think even medical hero "Marcus Welby" was depicted making house calls! Heck, I can't get the neighbor kid over here to give me a bid for mowing the grass, how in the world would I ever convince the surgeon in charge to my care, to come pay me a visit! I first titled this piece, "Havin' Company" as I imagined a rural setting on a warm Sunday afternoon when the neighbors down the road might come calling. But I thought, "How come the neighbors have a car, and the residents don't?" Instead, after my recent medical experiences, I'm naming this, "House Calls". Except, if that service were available today, the neurosurgeon would be transported in a chauffeur driven stretch Mercedes. Meanwhile, regarding my pain, I DID call the doctor and arranged to a ride over to see him. After a few more scans, xrays and tests, he determined that my body was being "slow to react" to the aforementioned surgery, and that everything was fine. I was given another prescription, and in a nutshell advised: "Take two of these every four hours and call me in a couple of weeks!" Enjoy the newest piece and thanks for listening!