The View from Middle Spunk Creek
Accidental Heroes
I met a lot of them in the past month: people who go to work every day, underpaid, overworked, or both. They go to work to provide medical services of one type or another. For the most part, they do it cheerfully and with an upbeat attitude. The vast majority do it competently and caringly.
Nearly all of these people agree that the health care system in this country is broken: a system run by insurance companies, big pharma and administrators who are more interested in profit than in quality medical services. These folks work in that system every day. But they are not the reasons that the system is broken. They are the reason the system works at all.
They don’t go to work intending to be someone’s hero, but they are, whether they know it or not.
There are so many of these heroes for me to personally thank:
First, thank you to all who sent cards and emails, and who came to see me in the hospital [even those I didn’t remember being there. Sorry Jeni and Russ).
Thank you to the incredible nursing staff at Fairview Ridges in Burnsville, MN. At every level: emergency room, cardiac unit, ICU, you were all outstanding.
Thank you to Dr. Steven Battista and his surgical team. Hard to understand if you weren’t there, but they made surgery a party. No stress in this group.
Thank you to my cardiologist, Dr. Karl Foster-Smith. He is thorough and transparent, two great characteristics in any doctor. I’m looking forward to collaborating with you when I start writing First Witch.
Thanks to the cardio rehab crew at Fairview. Your support and guidance has made me say words that I never thought would come from my lips: “I’ve joined a health club.” Seriously, you make exercising enjoyable, and your classes have made me wiser. And welcome Sam and Jake, two members of that crew that have joined our ever-growing ranks.
So thank you all.
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Before we go:
Congratulations to Timya Owen and Brian Lutterman, two good author friends, whose short stories, Prank and The A to Z Solution, respectively, were included in the new mystery anthology: MINNESOTA NOT SO NICE: Eighteen Tales of Bad Behavioir.
This is the third annual anthology published by Twin Cities Sisters in Crime. For great mystery reading from Minnesota authors pick up a copy at your local bookstore.
And speaking of local book stores: mark you calendar for Saturday, April 4. Once Upon a Crime Bookstore in Minneapolis will be holding an anniversary celebration with beer, raffles and local authors all present. Time is 3:30-5:30 p.m. I’ll be there. Hope you are too.
Until Next Time: Rob
