Today John had an appointment with his general practitioner. He went totally prepared with a list of things to talk to him about.
- Cough- STILL. All the freakin’ time.
- Sinus drainage that just. won’t. stop.
- Bottoms of feet burning-(Apparently this is a diabetes thing that we are just becoming acquainted with.)
- Swings in blood sugar levels
- Still off of Lisinopril and blood pressure remains low. (Yea!)
- Xanax is doing absolutely nothing and want off of it.
- Depression.
So he whipps out the list and covers everything in short order. We really like his doctor and he is always comforting to visit. We walk away feeling like there is someone on this earth that is caught up to speed with all the shit going down besides us. There were answers for some of the problems and suggestions and samples to get started on for others.
So John came home and was telling me all about the appointment and what all the doctor said and we were looking at his list and glad that it was all crossed off. We had answers for everything we needed so far.
Then my man that I have seen cry less than a handful of times in the past 20+ years, teared up a little and I was truly a bit terrified. He told me the rest of the story like this:
He made his way to the front window to settle up before his visit and was presented with a bill for this particular doctor from all the visits while he was in hospital for those two weeks. It was what was left after the insurance has paid it’s portion.
It was a lot.
It was also unexpected right at that moment.
They asked if John could make a payment plan.
He said yes, he’d be happy to do that.
How much?
……..$20.00 a month?
Is that the most you can do right now?
He said, yes, because right now he’s employed and he doesn’t know if he’s going to be released to go back to work before the “paid leave of absence” is up. – He may not be employed after that.
There was a older lady standing behind John waiting to pay and overhearing this whole conversation and she quietly slid an arm past him and laid a twenty dollar bill on the counter, saying, “This is for his December payment.”.
I think John was mortified at first. He insisted he was fine to pay it and tried to give it back to her. She took it and handed it directly back to the receptionist and told her to apply it to his bill. He was so very touched. I am wondering how long he stood there and thanked her. She said to consider it a Christmas present.
I wish so much he had gotten your name. I would have done everything I could to look you up and you would have a thank you card out to you first thing tomorrow.
Whoever you are, where ever you are, thank you, merry Christmas and God bless you.
24 comments
Comment by witchypoo on November 19, 2009 at 8:02 pm
There is great pleasure in giving 🙂
Beautiful post, woman.
.-= witchypoo´s last blog ..Open Mouth Insert Foot =-.
Comment by Sabrina on November 19, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Not that it’s difficult these days, but that made me cry. What a sweet woman.
.-= Sabrina´s last blog ..Randomness in my head =-.
Comment by Krissa on November 19, 2009 at 9:08 pm
OHMIGAWD! I was bawling! Not a site anyone should have to see…
Comment by Amy on November 19, 2009 at 11:14 pm
What a sweet story. Thank God for the good people in this world.
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Fab Friday Foto–Volume IV =-.
Comment by Nan on November 20, 2009 at 4:29 am
And THAT is the spirit of Christmas. Hope things start looking up again for you guys. I hate the US medical system…. I have too many friends who have been made broke because they, or a friend, or a family member, have been sick.
.-= Nan´s last blog ..Totally Blowing My Cover =-.
Comment by Chief on November 20, 2009 at 1:44 pm
That is such a sweet gesture. We are on a $20 payment plan as we speak with the hospital.
.-= Chief´s last blog ..One more thing you can do with wooden spoons =-.
Comment by mepsipax on November 20, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Good post. Insurance sucks, bastards screwed me over in college. I was a single parent college student and couldn’t afford that shit. Hope the diabetes thing goes well.
.-= mepsipax´s last blog ..Fuck Friday and the cellphone signal it rode in on =-.
Comment by Ree on November 20, 2009 at 6:50 pm
And you’re worried about guest posting? Oh darlin. I’m sobbing over here.
XXOO
.-= Ree´s last blog ..Haiku Friday – The Usual Complaint =-.
Comment by Jean M on November 20, 2009 at 8:53 pm
That is awesome! Hugs to you guys!
Just the other day my parents were in a little cafe and the waitress told them their bill was being paid for by a young couple with a small kid, which I found very nice. They couldn’t believe it. Karma is GOOD, cause my parents so deserve much!
.-= Jean M´s last blog ..Wordless Thursday Because I Can =-.
Comment by Aunt Becky on November 20, 2009 at 11:48 pm
What a beautiful story. That makes me want to cry. Damn, now I am crying. What a wonderful post.
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..A Little From Column A, A Little From Column 2 =-.
Comment by tattytiara on November 20, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I am so glad I happened across your blog. That is one of the loveliest things I’ve read in a long time.
.-= tattytiara´s last blog ..I’m only writing this title because I felt sorry for it. =-.
Comment by Kelley @ Magnetoboldtoo on November 21, 2009 at 2:57 am
wow.
When you just think the world is full of uncaring arsehats something like this happens.
Wonderful.
Smootches to you both babe.
Comment by grandma j on November 21, 2009 at 12:01 pm
that post made me cry. The world is full of wonderful people. You are one too.
.-= grandma j´s last blog .. =-.
Comment by Hyphen Mama on November 22, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Awe jeez, now I’m all weepy! Now I’m going to go through my kitchen cupboards and box up food to donate.
.-= Hyphen Mama´s last blog ..Morsels and Crumbs…. =-.
Comment by Lisa on November 22, 2009 at 4:47 pm
that is the most touching Christmas gift, wow! I know she went home with a joy in her heart that money could not buy!
Comment by Kristina P. on November 22, 2009 at 4:51 pm
What an amazing woman! Things like that restore my faith un humanity.
.-= Kristina P.´s last blog ..Leader of the Fanny Pack =-.
Comment by Karen on November 22, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I LVOE it! I love when people do awesome random things like that. I love that you were the recipients. I wish that kind of thing happened more often.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..By No Fault Of My Own =-.
Comment by Daughter #1 on November 22, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Hello mommy me and dad say hi, and this is a great post!
Comment by Krissa on November 22, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Oh, dear Lord… you and Dad can’t be trusted on the internet… 😉
Comment by Nicole on November 23, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Tears and chills. It is so nice to know that there are still amazing and generous people in the world and that they are right next door.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Sunday Snapshots: The Christmas Card Edition =-.
Comment by the better of the two daughters on November 23, 2009 at 4:22 pm
hi mommy.
im glad you posted about this.
it was so sweet.
….. and im better then Kessa.
love love
Comment by noe noe girl on December 1, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Angels are everywhere Krissa. God just wants John to know everything is gonna be alright. Hugs, kisses and prayers for you both!
<
Comment by Margaret on December 5, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I just found you through Ree and this is the most touching post I think I’ve read in quite some time. I’m glad I found you though.
It’s amazing what the Christmas spirit can bring out in people.
.-= Margaret´s last blog ..Frustrations =-.
Comment by warriorwitch on December 13, 2009 at 8:12 am
yeah, best post in a long time.
i emailed you, please respond.
.-= warriorwitch´s last blog ..tis the season =-.
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