We set Zip up in his temporary/adjustment crate around noon and then went to see my Primary Care Nurse, Amy Eldridge, who wanted to check on me after my accident and fall last week. She told me she was moving on from her position with Saratoga Hospital.

We returned two hours later, and Maria was scratching Zip’s ears. I thought it might take a day, but no wise animal ignores Maria for long, and we can see that Zip is bright and alert, taking everything in but showing a sweetness already visible. I’m going to try scratching his head tomorrow.

If possible, I want to be a part of this, but I may have to wait until he is out of the crate; I’m no good at crouching, especially now.

I  was sorry to hear it for me but happy to listen to it for her. She seemed ready to move on and try something new. She is very interested in different forms of holistic medicine that I would like to explore while staying with my Wester Medicine Practitioners at Saratoga Hospital, all of whom will benefit me.

Still, Amy was a rock and a safe place for me during this summer of surgeries and head bleeds. She kept track of everything and kept me on track and grounded. She is extraordinary – warm, open, and caring. She was always there when I needed her, and her gentle and thoughtful wisdom guided me and kept me safe.

We plan on working together when she leaves; she has ideas about nutrition that I want to hear and learn from, apart from primary care work. It isn’t the end of something; it’s the beginning of something new.

I practice radical acceptance; change is a part of life as life and death. Amy is not leaving my life; I will see and know her in a new way as a friend and healthcare practitioner I can trust and learn new things from. We are already friends. The rest will be pure pleasure.

I know the doctor who will replace her, and she is impressive. I’m happy to have her as my primary caretaker.

Still, I owe Amy many thanks. She has helped me to navigate the morass that American health care is and kept an eye on me all through this remarkable trek. I’m not going to say I’ll miss her because I won’t let that happen.

I should say that I am thankful for her; she has kindness and empathy that is so hard for medical people to have in our screwy system, but Amy has never lost it. I want to learn more from her about eating healthily and healingly.

I’m not surprised. Primary Health Care is tough work in a system so Balkanised and individual.

I never saw Amy as an institutional person any more than I am or Maria is. I think that’s why we get along so well. I’m excited about working with her; she has some beautiful ideas about staying healthy. And I want to keep working on it. She said I looked fine.