Lucky

Today has been interesting. First, on my way out to spend the day in the library, I noticed my neighbor's cat is out in the common hallway. This beautiful cat can be seen playing out in the hallway often, so i didn't think much of it. However, as I was driving down the street I realized, Claire's car, my neighbor, wasn't in the parking lot. I called just to check in, and I am so thankful I did. Claire was 2 hrs away at her folks. So I turned around. Called the landlord, got the spare key and then we tired to coax the cat back into Claire's apt. By this time though, the cat was pretty freaked out, hiding behind a door and soiling itself. Poor guy. We locked the outside door, so no one could open it, letting the cat escape outside, and left the cat in the hallway with Claire's door ajar. 15 minutes later, the cat made it inside. I locked Claire's door and headed for the library.

Enjoyed a productive day at the library, 6pm came and I was calling in quits for the night. Time to head home. Normally, I just head down Monticello, but sometimes I like to drive down Dorothy to day dream about owning a house someday...to look at the pretty well-kept lawns. As I was driving along, I noticed a black and white dog lying on the grassy part between the street and the sidewalk proper. I thought it was strange. As I got closer I realized the dog was leashed and an owner was sitting by her, I slowed and looked as I drove by (yes, i am a curious type) and realized she was waving an arm. I stopped with urgency, realizing immediately that something was wrong! She had gone out for a walk; she can't walk on her own but uses a motorized scooter. The scooter had gotten snagged on a rough patch of sidewalk and down she went with the scooter battery coming off and pinning her leg. I pulled the scooter, it was a bit heavy, and the battery off her and asked how she was doing. She seemed coherent, but I was concerned. I called 911 and the paramedics got dispatched. I asked about what happened, asked about her pain level, her breathing, told her not to move and assured her; help was on the way. She didn't appear to have broken any thing; however, I was concerned about her left ankle and shin that took the brunt of the scooter's weight in the fall. She did have surface lesions on her knee that were in need of first aid.

Paramedics arrived. I held the dog back and stepped aside to let them do their job. She said didn't want to go to the hospital. So they didn't do anything! I repeat they did NOT do anything. I thought at least they would attend to her scrapes. Check to see if her ankle was sprained or anything. At least give her a 'look over'. I was in shock, in disbelief. She has neuropathy and is thin. They barely ask her anything. Aren't people concerned for others? Have we all become so jaded? As a future physician, I was sick to my stomach. She asked for an escort home; nope. they couldn't help. All they did was help lift her back onto her scooter. I escorted her home. Gave her my number and I will be checking on her tomorrow.

While we were sitting in the grass talking, waiting for the paramedics a lady bug found us. (her dog's red leash is in the corner of the photo) And I thought to myself, I am lucky and thankful to have decided to drive home the way I did. Glad to have been of help. Glad to give back a little.

I can't wait to be a physician!