The Phone Gods Were Busy Today

Some days at work are routine.

Other days, the Phone Gods decide they need entertainment, and somehow all those calls end up finding me.

The day started with coffee in my favorite work tumbler, rain tapping against my tower window, and birds hiding from the weather. Poe eventually made an appearance, followed by a little red bird and another bird with reddish-brown wings. The Tower Wildlife Department was slow to open today, but eventually attendance improved.

Then the calls started.

One patient ended up at the wrong building and needed to be rescheduled.

Another patient needed Neurology but somehow ended up with me. I offered to give her the phone number and transfer her directly. She informed me she did not have time for that and would call them herself.

Well then. Problem solved.

Another patient had been sent for imaging much farther away than necessary. After putting on my detective hat and doing a little research, I was able to help figure out a location much closer to home. Sometimes helping patients is part customer service, part logistics coordinator, and part investigator.

One gentleman called because he had done some research and decided he would rather see a different surgeon. We had a good conversation about expectations, appointment availability, and the importance of having an honest discussion with the surgeon he was already scheduled to see. Sometimes people don’t need someone to schedule an appointment. They need someone to help them think through their options.

Then came my favorite call of the day.

A patient called because he had surgery a while back and woke up with a lot of pain. His wife encouraged him to call.

During our conversation he paused and said:

“I might have done something stupid.”

That immediately got my attention.

He continued:

“I drank a lot of wine last night.”

Then he clarified.

“I mean a LOT of wine.”

I admit it. I laughed.

He laughed.

It completely made my day.

By afternoon the rain clouds had moved through, the sky turned blue, the birds returned, and Musty officially clocked out by stretching across the cat tree and taking a nap.

Meanwhile, I was still answering calls and wondering how these situations always seem to find me.

I guess the answer is simple.

The Phone Gods know exactly where I live.

🌻

Lady Flava