Things Are Opening Up but Many of Us Will be Happy to Stay at Home

Today was different than most since my last doctor visit in Clackamas, Oregon on March 12. That visit was for a checkup with the OBGYN Cancer doctor and went well. Today was a checkup for my ears as the left ear was plugged in the tube. For the past two months there was no hope of getting in to see a specialist for anything unless one went to the Emergency Room. Even when I fell on March 30th all I could do was talk with a doctor by phone. Each time I tried to make an appointment I was put off until the clinics would open. They are not necessarily open now, but they finally gave me an appointment. My ear being plugged was part of the reason that I fell. Today she was able to open up the tube and I can hear much better. I am very grateful to the medical staff who made this happen for me. When I went into the medical facility I was greeted at the entrance by a group of ten staff, including an armed guard, waiting to process anyone coming to the door . This is serious business. The main thing learned today is to speak up if you need to be seen. If and when they do open up for appointments treat the staff well as they are overly stressed just trying to work and maintain their own lives. After the visit we stopped at my friends to drop off some books. It was a social distancing quick visit. Then when we got back to Scappoose we went to Dairy Queen for some lunch. The line was long, but went pretty fast. Now we are back home and I will be doing a couple more weeks of staying home. As we drove on the freeways the electronic boards showed "Local Travel Only, Stay Safe" or something along that line. If you can send me a picture that would be great.