My friend Big John is back in Connecticut. The “Big” in front of his name is well deserved. John is a giant of a man, tall, broad and powerful.
For much of his adult life John worked outdoors. His job was physical. He used every bit of his size and power. It took its toll.
John’s back in Connecticut getting a new knee. He lives in Florida where new knees are the norm, but medical care sucks. Too many old people with chronic conditions. Providing that care takes its toll on the providers.
“This place is number nine in the country,” John offered, referring to St. Francis’ Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute.
I’d been to St. Francis in the past, but didn’t remember it as big as it is. Like so many other medical centers, St. Francis has grown city sized!
Medical care is very big business. These buildings attest to that. That makes me uncomfortable.
The woman at the information desk handed me a map then rattled directions. I prayed there would be another information desk on my route. The hospital’s campus is that complex.
We live in amazing times. After his stay at St. Francis ends tomorrow, John heads to rehab. Within a few weeks he’ll be walking around as if nothing’s happened. All those years of hard work and abuse to John’s knees will be erased.
How cool is that?