I was scheduled to have a nuclear scan yesterday, Monday. I got up early, got a shower, and was drying my hair when the phone rang. Considering it was 7:23 AM, I knew it had something to do with the test. Turns out that the medication that was necessary to perform the test was on a damaged plane in Missouri due to a tornado. So, the test was rescheduled for this morning. We have major storms nipping at our heals----not a good day to be away from home.
It didn't take long to realize that something was wrong after I got to the hospital this morning. Heads were together, the words 'thyroid scan' were being mumble all over, and a statement that left no doubt they were talking about me. There was a miscommunication between the Dr's office and the scheduling department at the hospital. The test that was ordered is only done on people who still have their thyroid gland. The test that I was supposed to have required a larger dose of radiation. After taking the capsule, I would return in 2 days and then have the scan. Long story short, the technician left no stone unturned until it was all sorted out, and cleared with the insurance company and I got the medication.
So, medication taken after a rather lengthy delay, and buddy, I'm ready to get out of there and go home! Not so fast! I turned my valet ticket in, and waited. And I waited. And I waited. Approximately 15 to 20 people came got their cars after me. I finally asked the fellas where my car was. An attendant who took my ticket, apparently never pulled my keys! (I'm pretty sure he was on his way to lunch, and just didn't want to deal with a car with a flat tire.) When my keys were pulled, there was a note attached that said I had a very low tire. I started to cry, because here I am: I'm still recovering from surgery, and I can't change a tire. I couldn't have changed a tire if I hadn't had surgery! I told them I didn't know what I was going to do. One attendant said that security would change my tire if it were flat. So, I felt a tad bit of relief. The joke was on me, when the attendants didn't call security, and told me that I would have to drive to the Pilot and air up the tire.
I made it to the Pilot and tried to get someone to help me. I was crying so hard, I could barely talk, but absolutely NO ONE would help me. I told them I didn't even know how to use the air pump and the girl simply said it takes quarters. OK! Good! It takes quarters, that tells me exactly how to use it! So I scraped up 4 quarters and loaded the machine, but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get any air to go into the tire. I had a melt down! I had to call Darin and asked him to come to Knoxville and help me. People drove by, and just looked at me as if to say, "Woman, you know you got a flat tire? You need to change it!" Where are all the good Samaritans in Knoxville? A motorcycle cop rolled up and asked if I had called, and did I need help, but before I could tell him that I didn't call, but I DID need help, dispatch told him where he was supposed to have gone, and off he went.
Darin finally got to me about 45 minutes later. He tried to get air in the tire, but apparently the tip that was supposed to be on the hose was missing. The only thing he could do was put the spare tire on. He had so much trouble trying to figure out the crazy jack. After about 35 minutes of frustration, he got the car jacked up, and got the tire off. But, when he was loading it into the trunk, the car rolled off the jack! It almost rolled into the front of Darin's truck, only missed it by about 2 inches! I was praying that God would send us a good Samaritan, but everybody just looked, and drove on. He was finally able to get the car back up, and put the spare tire on. I walked back to the Pilot, and asked a nice fella if he knew if there were a place nearby where I could get a tire fixed, and he told me how to get to Pep Boys. It was only about a mile away. Thank you Lord! I knew I couldn't drive all the way back home only going 45 miles per hour on the Interstate!
I sat in Pep Boys, and convinced Darin to go on back home and go on to work. He would be late, but not too much, I don't think. I sure appreciated all that he did, frustration and all. I suppose I waited about 45 minutes, and was told that my car was ready. Now, I only had about 25 dollars to my name, and I didn't know what I would do if I needed a new tire. But, the nice clerk told me that I had a leaking valve stem, and there would be no charge! Thank you Lord! Here was my Good Samaritan!
I've tried to look on the brighter side of most situations. If I get behind a slow car, forget something and have to go back home, get stopped by every, single stop light, then perhaps the Lord is sparing me of trouble that I could potentially be in up the road. I was really upset over the neglect of others to help another in need. In the end, I got what I prayed for! I believe herein is another lesson learned. God worked, just like he said he would----on His time, not mine! Thank you Lord!
There is a painful truth, however. Had I been a pretty little whisper of about 140 pounds, people would have been bending over backwards to help me! I know this and it hurts more than I can say.
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