Monday, February 3, 2025

T Stands For Spice Merchant Coffee Helpers

 

I want to start today by explaining why I have not seen a doctor for my hand, wrist, and arm.  My two cats have a vet.  In fact, they have two vets, but I have never had nor needed a medical doctor since I moved to Wichita in 1991 to obtain my doctorate.   Now I find NO GP (general practitioner) is taking on new patients.  I called every clinic and every office both in the phone book (yes, I still use mine) and online.  One office told me they had a man (I really want a female doctor) who would take me, but it would be mid June before I could get in to see him.  None of my friends could help because they told me to use their names when I applied (to no avail).  Not sure what I will do because there seems to be a real need for GPs in Wichita. 

For T today, I am headed back to The Spice Merchant.

These are the two wonderful guys who help me when I get my "free" pound of coffee each month. 

Meet Jason on the left and Robert on the right.  I'm so short, I had to stand on a stool in order to see over the white buckets, each of which contains a different type of coffee.

I took three shots because I was afraid my shaky hands would give fuzzy photos.  In the background, you see the equipment where the various coffees are roasted.  The buckets of coffee beans are my ticket to T this Tuesday.

I've shown you mine, now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants. 
 
 
 
 

20 thoughtful remarks:

Sharon Madson said...

I am so sorry you can't find a doctor. I have heard it is difficult to find one who will take new Medicare patients. When we moved across town 7 years ago, we only had a choice of two. I thought that was because we wanted a certain area. But I know it is a problem. Did you go ahead and make the appointment to the one? Then at least you would have a doctor. Happy T day.

Mae Travels said...

As far as I know, it’s also very difficult to find a new doctor here, but there are several “urgent care” [ not Emergency Rooms] and other walk-in clinics where one can get help without the formalities. I hope you can find someone to look at your arm soon.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Tom said...

...our medical system is great when it works!

Carola Bartz said...

I think it is a US-wide problem of not finding a GP who takes new patients, Medicare or not. We also have so-called urgent care centers where you can go toif you don't have a doctor. Maybe tose exist in Wichita as well? At least someone could look at your arm. Not many people who went through many years of studying medicine want to be a GP anymore because it doesn't pay as well as a specialist. It's all about the money. I'm really glad that I've always had a GP and my current one, a man who I have been seeing for many years, is a wonderful doctor. I'm scared that he will retire sometime in the next few years. I really hope that you will find some medical help for your hand, wrist and arm. And I can only second what Sharon said, maybe it's a good idea to make an appointment with the one doctor, then at least you have a GP.

My name is Erika. said...

It fun to see the 2 guys who help you get your coffee at the Spice Merchant. And sorry you haven't been able to find a GP. Could you find a nurse practitioner instead? That's what I use since my doctor left the practice.But I love her; she is smart and very easy to talk to and she has time for our appointments. If she can't help me, she can get me into see the doctor much more quickly. And like several other people said, there is always urgent care. Just suggestions you might want to consider. I hope you have a super T day, and find the care for your arm that you need. hugs-Erika

Iris Flavia said...

It´s a shame with the doctors, it´s the same over here and yes, it´s mostly all about money and bureaucracy. One wonderful doctor I had said he´s sorry he only takes private patients now. Others are full over months, many don´t speak German or English. Our politicians don´t care, they have doctors, and likely the best.
I hope you find one and soon, this takes way too long already.
Or really look for those places mentioned above.
Cute guys at the merchant :-)

Lisca said...

What fun to see the guys that help you at the Spice Merchant.
I'm so sorry to hear about your problems finding a doctor. I remember Iris had the same problem. Here in Europe (at least in the EU). people without GP or healthcare can go to A&E (accidents and emergencies). They are obliged to help you but They don't provide ongoing treatments. Many uninsured foreigners use that service.
We are very lucky here that we have excellent health service. I have a really lovely caring GP, who loves his job.I can go in any time and if needed get a same-day appointment. And it's free.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

Rostrose said...

I'll get in touch with you later with a real comment!
Hugs, Traude

Let's Art Journal said...

Such a great photo of the The Spice Merchant helpers and how lovely to get your coffee each month, I loved seeing all the equipment in the background too 😊. So sorry to hear you can't find a doctor, getting appointments at our doctors is a real pain so we go to our local walk in centre where they triage so we see the nurses too who are fabulous. Take care and I hope you get things sorted soon. Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x

Let's Art Journal said...

Also sorry for not visiting last month, we've just got back from Tenerife; I hope you had a wonderful January! Happy February ❤️. Hugs, Jo x

CJ Kennedy said...

It's not just in Wichita. It's particularly hard to find a female doctor anywhere taking on new patients unless you need a pediatrician. Maybe you should pick one doc and go for the initial visit. Usually you don't see the doctor but the Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant as they will do the history and triage any issues. Hello Jason, Hello Robert. Looks like quite an operation they are in charge of. Happy T Day

Sami said...

So sorry to hear that you can't find a Dr for months ahead! At the clinic where I work patients complain if they can't get to see their Dr within 2 or 3 days! But I know in country areas it's difficult to get Drs as they all want to work in the cities. Could you maybe go to an Hospital emergency department and get an x-ray or Ultrasound done to see if anything is broken? Robert and Jason are quite good models :) Hope you find a Dr or hospital that can help you soon Elizabeth.

Violetta said...

That´s really a mass that you can´t find a doctor. It seems to be all over the world. Even here it is difficult to be taken as a new patient. Or you have to wait for month. I hope your hand will heal without doctor. All the best...and two nice guys roasting coffee.... Have a good time
Violetta

Jeanie said...

It can be tough finding a doc. I'm grateful my doc has trained and hired two new people with similar philosophies as he has (though young!) before he retires and one of them will take me on. Meanwhile, can you please go to the urgent care and have them check you out? If there is something more significant than just time, they may be able to help you or refer you to physical therapy.

Rita said...

That's horrible that you can't find a new doctor! Do you have any walk-in clinics in town? Urgent care would have to see you. I have to use the walk-in clinic for anything needing attention right now because in order to see my regular doctor that could be 2-3 months!

Lowcarb team member said...

I am so sorry to read that you cannot find a Dr. I wonder if it may be possible for you to see a Nurse Practitioner? Just a thought.

I did enjoy seeing the pictures of Jason and Robert.

Take care of yourself, my good wishes.

All the best Jan

Barwitzki said...

I keep my fingers crossed for you...
and first drink a nice black coffee.
hug

nwilliams6 said...

Hello Elizabeth. I always love to see your Spice Merchant pictures and I hope to visit there one day. Only you know what works best for you, but I suggest seeing a doctor as soon as possible and not waiting. I hate to know you are suffering. Happy T-day and many hugz

Empire of the Cat said...

Nice to see a behind the scenes photo. Your arm problem seems to have gone on for a while now, so maybe try an urgent care facility, or bite the bullet and make an appt with the male doc you mentioned even if just for this one thing. Happy T Day!

Lowcarb team member said...

Stopping by again to say you are in my thoughts ...
My good wishes.

All the best Jan