So, if you read my postings regularly, you have most likely read The Other Day…, V6, #115, Medical Emergency, and are already aware that on the first day back from my trip, I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. That was on Monday, and that was an extremely difficult and stressful day, as you can imagine. Now, let me tell you about days 2, 3, and 4. You won’t believe it.
After spending hours in the ER and running around to various doctors and pharmacies all day Monday, we took Tuesday off, sort of. I was trying to make sense of everything that had happened the day before. I don’t know how many of you who are reading this have ever experienced this thing called Bell’s Palsy, but you have no control over it. It makes it extremely frustrating not to know where it came from, why, or how long it will stick around, or how to get rid of it. Basically, there isn’t anything you can do except deal with it and let it do what it’s going to do. I’m taking medicines, but, I’ll admit, I don’t know what they are for. Yes, the doctor told me what they were for on Monday, but my head was spinning then, and I don’t remember much. It’s kind of like learning a computer program for the first time. When you come back the next day, you’ve forgotten everything you learned the day before. I moped around the house on Tuesday, trying to figure out how to eat and drink and do all the everyday things. I do NOT make a good patient; this is not a secret. However, I didn’t lose my cool until Wednesday. On Wednesday night, I finally was mad enough I got up the gumption to go into my writing room and check my emails. I am sure glad I did.
As it turns out, I had received a letter from OnStar (our car’s security and safety system) telling me that on Tuesday, at 6:29 a.m., my car’s Anti-Theft mechanism was activated. That basically means that they had shut the car down so it couldn’t be stolen. I had been slightly distracted; therefore, I missed the entire situation for at least 36 hours. Not totally understanding what this meant, I went out to the car and tried to get in it. Nothing worked. It was late and dark outside so it was difficult to really see anything, so I decided to wait until the morning and take another crack at opening up the car.
Our car is a 2021 Buick Encore. Everything is electric in that car. Windows, door locks, hatchback, everything. It was explained to me that when the car is locked, everything stops working, and somehow, they drain the battery so that the car can’t go anywhere. In the scheme of things, this is a good thing to keep thieves out of our car, but not so good when it comes to keeping ME out of our car. So, the next day, in the dawn’s early light, I went out to the car and tried to get into it again. No go. I went back in the house and waited until 8:15 and called the dealership for assistance. They said I needed to contact OnStar and have them try and open it. I did that. OnStar tried to get the car started, but they kept getting an error in the signal, they said, so, of course, it wouldn’t start. Their explanation? The battery was dead.
Next, I called the garage back, and they said they would set up a tow. I told them that I would try to jump-start it and see if it was the battery causing the problem. I might be able to take care of it on my own. I have one of those jump boxes. You know, the thing that once you hook it up to the battery, it jump-starts the car, and vroom, you are off to the races. They are portable, and they pack a punch. Normally, it will get the car to start. Nope, not this time. It didn’t work. My son’s car was at home, so I tried using it to jump my car. You guessed it. That didn’t work either. I finally called the garage back and told them to go ahead and send the tow truck. Oops, wait a minute! They said we had to use the Buick app to call the tow truck. The only catch there, we had to download the app. I let my wife take care of that. She is better at those things and has more patience than I do. Anyway, there were about six dozen hoops to jump through in order to get it downloaded and set everything up. Eventually, about an hour after she started, we had an appointment for a tow. Another hour or so later, the tow truck showed up. (If you are thinking this already sounds like a long day, you would be correct).
The guy driving the tow truck was terrific. He brought his big boy “Jump Box.” It made mine look like a toy. One try and the car started. I explained that I used mine and also tried to jump the car, but I couldn’t get it to do anything. He answered by saying, “Sir, I have a very good jump box.” He was right. His tools were better than mine. But then, they should be. He is a professional, after all, who does this for a living. He then told me to wait about thirty minutes and take the car to Advanced Auto and get my battery checked. I did that, and it was fine. Thank goodness. At least the car runs now. I know because we had to use it to take my wife to another doctor’s appointment. With everything that goes on in the Crosby household, we can’t afford to be without a car for even a day.
So, all in all, I have to tell you, it has been an interesting few days since returning from our trip. It was probably the most helpless I have felt since the passing of our child. Frustrations were high, and I was mad at the world (especially because of the Bell’s Palsy), but I managed to keep what was left of my sanity and kept working at it until, finally, I got the results I needed. Moral of the story?? No matter how bad things seem, and how frustrated you get, hang in there. Sometimes there is nowhere to go but UP!!
Until next time, stay well and stay busy. MUH!! (3529 views)
