Which Do You Want First?

The Good News or the Bad News?

You’ve all had this query presented to you a thousand times. Each of us probably has a preference as to which we will choose first. For me, 95% of the time I will choose to be given the good news first. For a few moments, just let me savor the untainted good news before you poison it with the bad.

Yesterday was a very eventful day for this household. Because I believe in “doing to others as I would have them do unto me” I will present the “good” of each event before the “bad”.

Event #1

The Good News is. . .

Bill took the day off work yesterday, and we spent it together as a family.

The Bad News is . . .
He took the day off because he was seeing an ophthalmologist who specializes in retina problems. His optometrist whom Bill saw on Saturday because of a blurry spot that was marring his field of vision referred him to the ophthlmologist. The optometrist also told him to make an appointment with his family doctor because this could be the result of high blood pressure. Of course, Bill didn’t have a family doctor; thus I made him an appointment with the doctor that my children go to (don’t worry – not a pediatrician), but the first appointment for a new patient was for next Monday.

Event #2

The Good News is. . .
On the way to the ophthalmologist whose office is over an hour away, we saw a most beautiful and unexpected sight. A gorgeous, sapphire-blue, male peacock walked in front of our car not more than fifteen minutes down the road from our house -- out in the middle of nowhere. I actually had to stop the car to let him amble across the road AND (JOY OF JOYS) I HAD MY CAMERA WITH ME!!!!!

The Bad News is. . .
Notice that there’s no picture of the peacock. I grabbed my trusty project basket (you know -the one I told you I always carry with me) to get my camera. All the while this peacock is just placidly strolling across the road. Just as I had found the camera, I glanced in my rearview mirror only to find that several cars had caught up with me and were now lined up behind me. The peacock had now cleared my lane. “The do unto others” stipulation forced me to go on without the picture rather than hold the others up. Sighhhh

Event #3

The Good News is. . .
My older daughter, who is working on completing her requirement of fifty hours of driving time before she can take her drivers test, drove. This would give her a little over an hour toward reaching her goal.

The Bad News is. . .

Bad Weather.

Event #4

The Good News is. . .
We had no difficulty in finding the Retina Specialist’s office.

The Bad New is. . .
After having driven for over an hour and having spent two hours in that doctor’s office the only thing accomplished was photographing Bill’s retina. Oh yes, in the course of all of this, Bill’s blood pressure was taken and was now in the 168/110 range. The doctor’s advice, after informing Bill that he could have a heart attack or stroke at any moment [a statement which could only set his mind at ease and serve to lower his blood pressure = ) ] was to see his family doctor that same day. We explained Event #1 to her.

Event #5

The Good News is. . .
She called the family doctor to have him move Bill’s appointment from next Monday to that same day (yesterday).

The Bad News is. . .
The family doctor’s office was CLOSED for the day. Now she instructs us to drive home and go to the emergency room near us.


NOW, BECAUSE I DESIRE TO END ON A GOOD NOTE HERE. . . I HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS WILL BE THE 5% OF THE TIME THAT I WOULD RATHER GIVE THE BAD NEWS FIRST.

Event #6

The Bad News is. . .
The emergency room doctor wants to admit Bill to the hospital.



The Good News is. . .
He was able to stabilize Bill’s BP and decided to call the doctor with whom Bill has an appointment on Monday. That doctor in turn prescribes medicine to hold him over and moves Bill's appointment to today. Thus no overnight hospitalization. Bill shouts, “HOORAY”!!

Event #7

The Bad News is. . .
After taking Bill, home I go to the pharmacy to get the prescription. I am told that the co-pay for the medicine after insurance is $57. It is at this point -- after traveling over 3 hours in the car, spending 2-1/2 hours in the ophthalmologist’s office, 4 hours in the emergency room, missing lunch and supper -- that I am not quite ready for another blow. I know that $57 might not sound like much in this day and age, but the past four years have found us financially challenged. Four years ago Bill lost a good paying job and has taken a job at less than half his former pay (all the time applying for hundreds upon hundreds of jobs to regain his former level of employment). Anyway, after the day I had had, I was a little emotionally drained, and I could feel the tears beginning to well up in my eyes. “Please Lord, don’t allow me to humiliate myself by crying!” was my silent prayer.

The Good News is. . .
First, my tears were kept at bay. Second, the dearest, sweetest young pharmacist I have ever met was filling the prescription. She must have realized my turmoil and devised a way that she was able to give me 5 tablets to hold Bill over until he saw the doctor today. Then she tried several methods to get me a discount and I finally ended up paying $11 for the medication.


The Very Best News of all is. . .
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. . .The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” -- Psalm 46: 1 & 11
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” -- Philippians 4:13