Finding Small Joys on Trips to the Retinal Specialist

Recently I had my six-week check-up for my macular degeneration. Nothing out of the ordinary was going on. My vision felt pretty stable as a matter of fact, which is always a hopeful feeling, pretty much betting this could be a “no-shot” kind of a day. Or at least, that was my hope anyway.

Escorted to the RS

Usually, my husband is my designated driver, but this day was different. Hubby was off on a major hiking adventure, making him unavailable. So the next available person for this job was our 21-year-old son, who just happened to be home for the summer break. I am sure that this early morning appointment was not at the top of his list of things to do (8:30 a.m.!), but thankfully he stepped up and was my escort for the day.

The COVID-19 protocols are loosening up a bit, so drivers are now being allowed to come in during the actual visit. Our arrival was promptly at 8:15, giving me time to check and taking a seat to wait. I wasn’t sure, but I thought that this son of ours chose to wait in the car to either:

1. Sleep, early wake up are tough on a 21-year-old, or
2. Spending time in a waiting room with a very clearly older crowd was not up his alley.

Either way, he chose to wait outside, and so he did.

The appointment

This appointment, like the many previous ones before, followed the same steps. Check-in, wait, get called back, and start the first round of exams.

The simple eye chart test, the pressure test, the dilation leading to the eye scan. The next step, the actual doctor reading the scan, the icing on the cake, so to speak. I truly breathed a huge sigh of relief when I heard those magic words, “No shot today.” Yes, a great appointment.

Checking out

Being super dilated makes the next step challenging, the scheduling of the next appointment. Seeing is truly challenged, but the staff is very helpful, and the appointment is made and in the books. My mind is on to better things, like leaving this office and grabbing a bite of breakfast with my chauffeur.

I leave the office and squint, peering across the parking lot, straining to make sure I get into the correct vehicle (that's a story for another day!). I cheerfully get into the car, ready to get going.

Meanwhile...

This is when our son shares the best story of the day. (Just a note, he’s a music major, and music is everything for him. This is the story he shared of his time waiting for me.)

He was listening to music as he waited with windows rolled down as the heat of the day had not built up yet. Singing is his passion, and singing he was doing, loud and proud. As the tune came to an end, his singing stopped. Right next to him, in another car with another appointed driver, waiting for their person.

With much appreciation and approval, this other person clapped, thanking him for the morning entertainment. My kid, glancing over, nodded his thanks and quickly rolled up said windows.

Small joys

I loved this story, and it just added to my happiness for this early morning appointment.