Deb Reluctantly Agrees

I wrote two blogs: one what I didn't like about Texarkana the other about what I did. Because I like you three readers, it's probably best not to inundate you with 2500 words--which is the average size of a chapter. So, I'm breaking it down.

The truth is, there are a lot of intangibles I like about Texarkana. The things I don't like are tangible. When Deb pressed me last week why Marty wants to leave, it broke down to a few major issues. The biggest is the lack of quality medical care. 

There are two orthopedics in town. I saw one when I had hand surgery. My left hand is botched, and I really need it reevaluated. My right knee (I believe) has a torn somethingorother. It's been this way for quite a while. Phoenix will freeze over next August before I go back to that ortho. Marty saw the other ortho when he dislocated his shoulder. I think I had the better experience. 

When we moved here, there were two hospitals. Another was being built. One of the two hospitals closed. Now there is one active hospital and the medical company sponsoring the building of the new hospital filed Chapter 7. So, there’s a large unfinished eyesore that may someday be a hospital.

Also, somewhat related, the collective physician age around here hovers around 65, and I've received more than one retirement letter from a doctor. Not that I go to many doctors, but they provide a mass mailing anyway. One of the few cardiologists in town passed last November. The others aren't taking on new patients. I don't need a cardiologist, but I find that troublesome.  

I speed dated dentists when I got here. The third dentist didn't even recognize I was missing a tooth. The second one has done such damage to my mouth that my current dentist (number four) thinks I'll eventually have to have two teeth pulled. But not yet. 

Last week, I went in for a cleaning. The hygienist was so horrible that I refused to go back. Seriously, she should have first bought me dinner and told me I was pretty given how violated I felt. As I write this, my mouth still hurts. I thought maybe I was being too sensitive about the hygienist until I talked with Deb (who goes to the same dentist), who confirmed that yes, this hygienist is terrible.