in the facility

Yesterday was the previously-mentioned medical procedure, for which the preparation was more difficult than the event itself. It went quickly and fairly painlessly, with everything normal except everyone wore masks. I had to take mine down twice, once when the nurse took my temperature and once at the procedure, to have the doctor make a quick throat inspection and for the tech to attach the tube to my nose. (There's a name for these breathing things, but I forget what it is.)

The delightful part is that every single person, from the woman at the check-in desk to the man who wheeled me out to the pickup area, up to the nurses and the doctor, was helpful, friendly, agreeable, responsive: everything you want but so often don't get. If you have to have these procedures, this is the way to go. But then I usually get good service from Kaiser; the only exceptions are when I'm in great pain and consequently testy, which makes them bridle.

An even better surprise was when they asked at check-in if I wanted my flu shot. (Those started this week.) Sure, I said; if you're offering I'll take it: it'll save a lot of trouble later. So while the nurse was taking my vitals and entering them in the computer, another nurse came by and gave me the shot.

Among the paperwork I received, there was a page on how to sign up online for a drive-through flu shot appointment. So I gave that to B. after we got home.

After 26 years of marriage, it still gives me a small thrill when, for instance, I'm asked who's going to pick me up afterwards, that I get to say, "my wife."