My new physiotherapist just called. We had a long talk, she’s coming here on Thursday. She wanted to come on Tuesday, but that’s too soon. Now I’m a nervous wreck. I have to reorganize the apartment. I have to explain things to her, but she doesn’t listen. Not really. She sounds very young.

I think she’s one of these people who believes the only way to bathe is to shower. That’s not how I was raised, not how Mom was raised. We do things differently.

How do I explain my dizziness? I haven’t found one health professional who can understand my balance problems.

I don’t like being put under a microscope and being understood.

And my neighbours are partying all weekend. Non-stop. They were still at it when I woke up at 4am.

One of their guests sounds like my nephew, in both French and English.

I’ll have a Belgian cookie now...

To think I was concerned about being so close to the train station, the fire station, Main Street...My neighbours are grinding me down. If it’s going to be like this all summer...What am I going to do?

Oh, I'm so sorry, for the stress from the PT person and the neighbors. I hope you can put off the apartment reorganization and just concentrate on making a list of things you want to discuss with her.

mimi : Thanks! It’s going to be interesting. She didn’t listen to what I had to say. I have the feeling she’s going to try to force my square peg in her school’s round hole, like most medical people. I’ll have to direct her into something that’s useful to me. It’s a free service, this being Canada, so I don’t want to waste it.

I think I’ll ask her for her advice on some exercise devices I’ve been looking at.

I’ll have to tell her about the trouble I’m having with clothes. Basically, they hurt.

I'm guessing that you will be able to express your needs. It's good that you're thinking about it ahead of time. With my new doctor, I've taken a document that follows up on my last appointment and new concerns that I might have. Then they and I have something to go on.

mimi : Good idea! I do something similar.