Tucson Orthopedic Institute; walking the Loop

 I had to take the day off and see a shoulder specialist at the Tucson Orthopedic Institute (TOI).  The TOI is part of the Tucson Medical Center on Grant Road.  It's a 90-minute drive and I left with 2.5 hours to spare.  It felt weird driving to Tucson without at least one dog, but today's high in Tucson was 90F. I took some cardboard and tin cans to drop off at te recycling station.

I'm glad I allocated over two hours to get to the TO, as finding a parking space is not easy!  The lots around the complex are either for employees, patients, or guests.  I found an open space in the children's section, a short walk from the TOI.  The lobby for the TOI is spacious.  I had to create a patient portal via a tablet. 

I was seen on time.  An aide led me through a maze of hallways and exam rooms before arriving at my scheduled exam room. My BP was 113/84. A scribe was in with the visit, writing down everything we talked about. I had to ask the PA why she was in the room with us, as there was no introduction. 

Prognosis: no surgery needed, but I should start therapy now.  I insisted on therapy closer to Sierra Vista, to avoid a three-hour drive.  The PA, Anthony Knox, agreed.  I was out of there within an hour.

I then made my visit to Tucson a day trip, trying two eateries, photographing some murals, and walking the last of the Loop section along the Tucson Mall.  This is 2.3 miles total, out-and-back  I parked on the east side of the mall, crossed the bridge to get to the north side of the Rillito river, and started walking westward.  It was 3pm and few people were using the multi-use path.  The section near the mall is heavily used by homeless people, the wash is trashed.  

I changed direction on Oracle Road, where SteveT and I last did that section of the Loop on January 23, 2022 and  walked back via the near-empty mall to avoid the drizzle that had started.  This walk was just under an hour.

I stopped in at the Tiki Boba Corner for some delicious Vietnamese Mango-pineapple black tea.  The shop owner, Cherish, remembered my name from my first visit six weeks ago! 

Heavy storms hit Sierra Vista and Hereford, but the parts of Tucson I was in were spared.  The storm moved in from the South and I could see lightning in the South, but I never got wet.  Many streets in the city center were flooded as I drove back home