The Sunday morning before Thanksgiving I noticed I was getting That Feeling in my throat. It's the one I always try to intellectually overcome by reasoning it will go away.
But it never does, and by Thanksgiving I had a full-blown case of the crud.
Now I'm not hot on going to doctors unless it's a last resort, and that's primarily because they've changed their methodology since I was a child. Not only do they no longer make house calls, or send something out when you explain by telephone how you feel, but they insist on extensive lab and diagnostic work that has nothing to do with why you have called for their services.
Patty insisted that she call Our Doctor. He agreed to provide a prescription for a non-narcotic cough suppressant that they like to call Pearls. The things look like round vitamin E capsules. But Our Doctor wasn't going to do anything more unless I came in for the extensive series of tests. I took the Pearls. They didn't work any better this time than they had the zillion other times they had been prescribed for me, with or without the office visit and the extensive tests.
The Saturday before Christmas I had gotten worse. Our Doctor had taken off for the holidays. So I went to a Doc in the Box clinic here in Dallas called Prima Care on Mockingbird at Abrams. There were rows and rows of coughing people in the waiting room, a few with splinters in their hands, one who thought her blood pressure was too high, and on and on.
When my turn came, my doctor was Dr. Robert Speegle. He's 84-years old, graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch in 1951, is a Fellow in the American College of Family Practice and Board Certified in Ambulatory Care. Dr. Speegle works a full-day, every day seeing patients at his clinic because that's what he likes doing almost as much as he likes hunting.
Dr. Speegle is also an award-winning big game hunter and continues the sport today. You can read about his hunting conquests on the Internet.
Within less than five minutes, Dr. Speegle had examined me, told me precisely what was wrong with me, told me what medicines wouldn't work to cure me, and sent me out with a loan prescription. "You'll be 100% better tomorrow, and you'll feel good enough to enjoy Christmas on Tuesday. Follow my instructions precisely and without any deviation."
And you know what? This guy delivered on his promises. I was back among the living the following morning, and by Christmas I was ready to celebrate with our family. He doesn't know it, but he's my new doctor.
I also want to take a moment to tell you that I've found my Cub Scout den mother. We're talking about my den mother in 1950!
She moved to Dallas from Galveston some years before her husband passed away. Turns out, that like we did in Galveston, we go to the same church in Dallas. And that's where we saw each other.
She has just celebrated her 92-birthday. And, like Dr. Speegle, she's still blowing and going. Her name is Jane Bickel, and this picture of her is exactly like she looks. I promise. And her mind is still New York Times Crossword Puzzle Solving Material.
My story has only one purpose. It's to be a microcosmic celebration of the lives of my friends Robert and Jane. Two people who continue to make enormous contributions to the lives of others. Two people whose take on life I hope will be mine when I'm their age.
By gosh Bill Cherry, You have actually made me feel young.
Bill Roberts
BTW What did he give you that worked so well?
Hey Bill....I'm with Bill. What did he prescribe that in one day could cure a month of misery?
It gives me hope that those two are still so active and vibrant at their ages...
Well Bill and Miss Joanie--
With things the way they are today, I'm totally afraid to say what he prescribed. I promise, though, that what I reported about my case is absolutely the unvarnished truth.
Maybe if you feel you need this "cure" you can have your doc call Dr. Speegle and ask him what he prescribed. Then your doc can make the proper evaluation. The number is 214 828-0448. And for those of you in Dallas, call and make an appointment.
If your experience is the same as mine was, you'll get to cut to the quick and go right to getting well.
billycherry
Miss Karen
Miss Patty would never permit me going camping with anyone but her....not even with a 92-year old former Cub Scout den mother named Jane.
Hope things are going well in Fort Worth. I've got some very good friends there.
Billycherry
Nice post, Bill. We need to come up with a new term to replace "retirement." We need a term that captures a continuing sense of purpose and activity for folks who aren't striving to achieve their own obsolescence.
How about independent, as in "saving up for your independence?"
Frank
Frank,
That is totally profound! I am going to spread that word with credit to you. Thanks for every word you wrote and every thought you had.
Billycherry