Odd Man Out

So after being told that I have Sjogren's Syndrome, my primary doctor referred me to a rheumatologist. Just in case you don't know what they do, they mainly deal with people who have such illnesses like arthritis.

Yesterday was my appointment. I had to drive all the way to Dallas and make my way up to the 3rd floor of an especially old-looking building. The elevator door opens right into the doctor's waiting room, where about 35 people, all over the age of 65 are staring at me. I sign in and sit down in the only seat right next to a lady with an oxygen tank. I look around for magazines and find a table full of them but the only selection-- Arthritis Today.

So I picked up the magazine and faked interest in all the different advances in the world of arthritis. They finally called my name and told me to wait in the 2nd waiting room. Seriously, this 2nd waiting room was directly behind the receptionist desk. I'm not sure what the point of moving to that room was. All I could think is that most of the patients at this particular facility needed a rest every 50 feet or so. This waiting room only had 3 other ladies in the room with me, all with oxygen tanks. I could feel their stares as, once again, I look for a magazine, only to find the same selection as the first waiting room. Then I had to go to the restroom. As soon as I walked in I see this:

I immediately walk out and ask the receptionist if there are multiple restrooms or just one. I literally hear one of the ladies with oxygen tank start giggling. The lady at the desk laughed a little too and then pointed to the restroom I just walked out of. I walked back in and then decided that it must be something that can be removed for users like myself. Nope. Must've been super-glued in or something because the thing wouldn't budge. I have never felt so awkward in my life as I did when I had to sit down on that. It just felt wrong.

When I walked out of the restroom the lady with the oxygen tank that had laughed at me before was talking to another lady with an oxygen tank and pointing at me. Then the two looked at each other and laughed. I could not believe it. Here I was, just finished using the restroom on some sort of toilet aid and now being laughed at by ladies with oxygen tanks. What are the odds???