Cactus Flower

First of all let me say that I've had some great doctors in Brazil whom I appreciated and who really work hard to treat the patients with kindness and respect.  They are few and far between, rarities in a land of public hospitals that often have no bandages or medicine.  They are fine jewels in a place where even private, paid clinics where patients get no respect. Thursday I went in to get a sonogram at a paid clinic where I have been seen before. This time was a little different.  Each of the other visits where arranged by the doctor I had seen.  My doctor called the chief of operations at the sonogram/mammogram clinic and said basically, Put this person in line.  I'm sending them over right now and I want special treatment.  This time I was on my own and oh woe was me! I know how these things work in Brazil.  I've stood in many a line and jumped places in a few - yes, when in Rome sometimes you have to know how to fight like a Greek wrestler to ...

I have had a little medical problem lately and most likely should have gone to find a doctor in the big city sooner than I did.  Today I went after some research and incentive and was seen by a competent doctor.  I've had a few good and mostly a lot of bad experiences with doctors since living in Brazil.  For the most part I just try to avoid the need.  Recently the situation couldn't be ignored and so... Once I went to take Dalton to a doctor when he was about four, I think.  A lady at the church in Fortaleza said she knew just where to take him.  So, I went.  She went early to "get in line" for me.  Many Brazilians find ways to deal with the "Order of Arrival" policy of most doctors and clinics. Basically this policy says, come when the doors open and get your name on the list of people that will be seen that day.  Some doctors will actually see all that are on the list, some have a cut off.  Some have two lists - morning and afte...