By Rev. Tom White, February 19, 2020 — As an Army Veteran, I am entitled to use the Veterans Administration facilities for my medical needs. For several months I have been having difficulties hearing in my left ear. I chose to use the VA to address this problem, largely for economic reasons. Getting a hearing aid out in the civilian world could cost me between two and three thousand dollars; going through the VA would cost me nothing.
The one basic problem I faced was that my usual provider for VA services—the Wilmington VA Hospital—didn’t have an ENT unit; for that I would have to go to the Philadelphia VA.
I had never been to the Philadelphia VA. All I knew was that it was located on Woodland Avenue. But where? I left early on January 23rd for my appointment. Surprisingly, I arrived at my destination quite easily. The giant hospital was at the very apex of Woodland Avenue. I simply found an attached parking garage and went in. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to write the location of my parking spot. I thought that I’d simply rely on my memory of how I got to the parking spot. That was a big mistake.
The hospital itself was huge. I managed to get to the ENT unit and was eventually treated. All seemed to be fairly positive. I was sent home with a container of special ear drops to take three times a day for ten days. I was free to go.
That is when the trouble started. I simply searched from the second to the sixth levels and couldn’t find my car! I walked and walked, half the time going up! I knew that the car couldn’t be stolen—I had the keys!
Finally, near collapse and panic rising, I went to the security department at the hospital. They put me in a wheelchair and wheeled me through the huge parking garage. Finally, we found the car. I thanked the officer for his fine help, then got into my car and headed out! I just got myself out. I realized now that I had to come to terms with the aging process and what it is doing to my memory.
I am determined to be much more careful about remembering where I have parked. I am sure things will go better. My next appointment for the VA visit is scheduled for mid March In fact, it will be on the 13th of March, a Friday…Friday the 13th!