24: The layered look

i live with a yo-yo.  "what's that???" you ask.  no, i am not putting donna down.  rather it explains living with a person who can be as cold as ice or as warm as toast.  again, "what's that???" you ask.  i better dig myself out of this hole, but fast.  donna is quite sensitive to room temperature.  within an hour's time, she likely has changed the temperature several times.  she is wrapped in blankets one minute and is wearing a light cotton tee the next.  whenever we go somewhere, summer or winter, donna takes a jacket to use in case she gets too cold.  she is a fashion expert in the layered look.

in a sense, we have to learn to live life dressed in layers.  just as soon as we think we have a situation under control, something happens unravel our plans.  either we learn to adapt or we become rigid in our beliefs and ideas.  believe it our not, there is more than one way to deal with a situation.

the degree to which we have control over a changing situation involves several layers.  how much control do i have over myself, the situation, another person, an institution?  and that amount of control we may have can change without notice.

almost two weeks ago, my latest blood work came back with one very low number.  the doctor gave me an injection and within a couple of days, prescribed a medication as well.

all was neat and tidy until the pharmacy called to say that the medication needed pre-authorization.  at that point, the situation snowballed out of control as the number of players needed to make a decision quickly went from one to five:  the doctor, the nurse, the insurance company, the insurance company's pharmaceutical consultants, and my local pharmacy.

over a week had passed and despite all that donna and i had done to close the deal, no final decision had been made by the players.  in a moment of freaking frustration, i called the insurance company... again.   after listening to my story, the representative put me on hold for a brief moment.  she returned to say that a similar medication, just as effective, was available without the need for prior authorization.  it was that simple!  i had the medication in-hand later that day.

in order to cope, to adapt, and to deal with life, dressing in layers is imperative.  we need the freedom that our mental and emotional wardrobe can give us.  when one outfit doesn't work, it may be time to change clothes.  now, i tend to like the same clothes... those that feel a part of me in color, texture, and design.  but sometimes, i have to wear something different... something more suitable and more appropriate to the situation.  and to complete the outfit, the layered look works best.

before i finish, i need to make a humble confession:
donna is married to a man who wears shorts and tank tops around the house all year round.  even in the winter, you may find a window slightly ajar.  so her frequent changes of clothes, her layered clothing, and her blanket on/blanket off routines etc., are significantly influenced by my need to be cool.  yes, i can be high maintenance.

 now, that feels better.