Bad days

Some days you just wish you didn't get out of bed. I'm so grateful to be alive and don't want to take life for granted so I hate to admit it, but I do have days like that.

Last week was a perfect example. I headed to Southampton for a "routine" medical test - a bone scan. (For me it was a follow-up and not because there was a problem. My life has become a long line of medical tests and doctor's appointments...) Anyway, I intended to stop at a specific gas station for fuel because tank was quickly approaching empty. Then I forgot to stop. I was nearly at Bridgehampton when I knew I was in trouble. Then I remembered that my husband had encouraged me to use the business gas card he had given me so I knew I could stop in Water Mill. I pulled into the station, slipped my card into the machine, and this message flashed back at me: EXPIRED CARD. I should have known then it was going to be one of those days.

Once at the hospital I checked in for my test. This one, a bone scan, involves injecting some radioactive material into my veins. Since venous access is always a challenge for me, I am always prepared for a bit of a trial. And so the technician began. One attempt, two attempts, three attempts - now she's getting agitated and embarrassed. I did my best to put her at ease, which was the best course of action for my own good. Finally she got a vein. She began to inject the serum and then - not good - the vein collapsed. Now we need to find another vein. She called another technician in. Long story short: One hour ten minutes and 9 attempts later there was finally enough to make my bones glow. I was sent out for two hours to come back for the test after my bones had absorbed it all.

So I wasted some time in Southampton - shopping at Hildreth's, eating a McDonald's hamburger at the beach, browsing a children's store, then back to the hospital to connect with a friend there who I could impose on to chat a bit. Once the two hours had passed I went back for the test which took about 45 minutes and then I headed home. Or tried to. I discovered to my dismay that I had locked my keys in my car. My heart sank as that realization set it because I knew I had to call my long-suffering husband to bring the extra key over. Which he did.

Long story short, it was one of those days when nothing went quite right from beginning to end and by 6:00 that night I was exhausted. I didn't want to be social or smile at anyone and I was ready for bed about 8:00. I'm so glad that those days don't come around very often. I think Murphy's Law was in effect and there wasn't even a full moon...