Grace Upon Grace
I was going to the dermatologist’s office at the government hospital when I realized I had put the appointment in my calendar for the wrong day. My appointment was yesterday - the appointment I had waited six months to get. Now, it was lost.
I’d have to play the socialized medicine’s little game of going back into the app at 6 AM and trying to reschedule another appointment with my local clinic for that day. (This usually takes a few mornings of trying.) At that new clinic appointment, the doctor would refer me back to the hospital dermatologist… probably six to twelve months later.
Sigh.
I should call this socialized medicine “hoops” because you must jump through so many. For instance, I get a 30-day supply of meds each month. I have to go to the local clinic two days before or two days after the date they give me, hand in my slip, and then they tell me I can come back in two hours to pick up the prescription. And it usually means I have to make another special trip. And even though this is government healthcare, it’s not free. We pay about $100 a month for the coverage.
Back to my story. I decided to go ahead and go to the dermatologist’s office so I could become familiar with where it is for... the next time.
After asking the security guard at the door where the dermatologist’s office was (receiving not only the directions but also the proper way to pronounce “Dermatologia”), I took the elevator to the fourth floor.
After wandering around for a bit, I asked a nurse where the check-in window was. She pointed. I approached the window I had previously strolled by (clearly labeled Dermatologia) and presented myself.
“Hi, how’ve you been?!” an overly friendly voice behind the glass greeted me.
Almost like she knew me. She did look familiar, so I played along until I could place her. Ah, she was one of the worship team members from Monte de Dios, the church we used to attend.
After exchanging pleasantries, I started feeling both relieved and provided for. Perhaps she could help me reschedule the appointment?
“Yes, your appointment was scheduled for yesterday, but we just had someone not show up. Let me see if I can get you in today.” After a brief moment, she said, “OK, you’re all set. Just wait in front of door 437.”
WOW! What grace.
Now, Costa Ricans are world experts in patience. They are used to waiting for just about everything. Doctors’ offices are the poster child for waiting. It can be hours. How long would my wait be today, I wondered.
About a minute later, the door opened, and a doctor called me in! What?! Grace upon grace.
I quickly had the sun-damaged skin spots frozen into oblivion and was on my way.
What a turnaround! I fully expected it to be months before being able to see the doctor. I thanked my friend (I still cannot remember her name) and was on my way, very grateful.
Grace upon grace, I told Heather as I relayed what had just happened. May we be aware of His goodness and grace today!
And one last grace I just remembered. While praying yesterday, I had asked the Lord what fear He wanted to eradicate from my mind. I felt like He said, “the fear of doctors.” In recalling this story, I certainly had the good feeling of being cared for by the medical staff. Praise the Lord!
Love,
Dave, for the Helmuths
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