Wow... It's Been One of Those Days...
24 February 2012
I am a little more calm than I was about an hour or so ago. It has been a rough morning already.
Alexander's audiology appointment was scheduled for 10 o'clock this morning. It was a rescheduled appointment, because I was told by a certain "Kristen", whom answers the phone for the specialist's office, that Fort Irwin was a mere hour away from Yucca Valley, where their office is located. After Google mapping directions, I noticed she was way off. It is in fact 120 miles away from our home and 2 hours, 43 minutes one way. So, this morning we set out early enough to make that appointment. Unfortunately, a little less than halfway to Yucca Valley, a tractor-trailer was flipped on its side crossing the entire state road. The police and ambulance had not yet arrived, and there were no cars between me and the semi. A white pickup had waved for me to slow down from the side of the road about half a mile before reaching the accident. I felt bad for the driver(s), but I don't think I would have been able to help in any way, and the white pickup driver was already on the phone with 911. So, I turned around, determined to make it to this appointment.
I begin by using the maps application on my phone. A lot of help it was. It just kept telling me to do a U-turn and go back the way I was originally headed. So I looked at the map and saw another road somewhat parallel to the one I was on, heading in the same direction I needed to go. I get back on I-40 hoping we will still make the appointment. To make matters seemingly worse, my hood wasn't latched all the way, and it was bouncing around. Terrified it was going to flip up and cause me to crash, I pulled over to latch it completely. I finally reach the exit I need to take. When I get to the parallel road I intended to take, I find that it is where the concrete ends. The entire road, which borders a Marine Logistics base, is nothing but a dirt/sand mix. No thanks. So, I turn around again, deciding to head through Victorville. However, that was going to add an extra hour to the trip. As I am passing through Barstow, I stop to call the office. Lucky for me, "Kristen" answered again. I told her about the accident blocking the road and the lack of options, but I was clearly just making things up. Interrupting me, she asks if I would be able to make it by 3pm. I said it should be fine, assuming no more accidents or other tragedies. She informed me that this would be the last time they can reschedule. I, feeling embarrassed and a tad angry, acknowledged what she had said and apologized for missing another appointment, though it was out of my control.
Driving back home to spend a couple hours relaxing before having to leave again at noon, I got more and more upset about having to drive so far to be treated so rudely. I decide to call our insurance company, praying there is another audiologist closer. Thankfully, there is one just on the other side of Victorville. Though it is still a good drive, it is less than two hours, knocking an hour off each way! The new audiologist will get Alexander's information and referral when they get in tomorrow morning. I will be calling to set up his new appointment then. Hopefully, they are little more professional because we are stuck with this one!
I got to call "Kristen" back and cancel this afternoon's appointment, explaining the new office was closer. She asked where it was located and "informed" me that they are about the same distance. Negative, "Kristen".
Monday is Alex's speech pathology appointment. They are in the same area as the new audiologist, so I may drive around to find their office before his appointment. That way I will know how long it takes, since everything is miles away from this post.
Sorry this was so wordy, but, as I said, it has been a crazy morning.
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