When Ida-Mae presents for her consult, she is still dismayed by the recent mammogram and biopsy. She is standing with feet planted, wrapped in the crisp green gown with arms crossed over her ample bosom and a wide eyed look over the mask. “Doc, this is just BONKERS!” We collapsed together laughing until the medical assistant poked her head in. “Ida-Mae, I do declare that you made my day!” It is bonkers. What a great word. In fact it pretty much can describe everything today. She is calling out her new journey as she sees it. At 82 guidelines would avoid screening for cancers (to save dollars- can’t treat every elderly person for everything) but a great grandchild’s loving squeeze made her aware.

I am going to borrow her word. Have you also begun to feel as if the world is upside down? Seems everyone has lost their minds and frustration is de rigueur of the day. “Bonkers” is great because it allows you to have an opinion while not taking it all too seriously. Just agree that this new normal is nuts. You’ve noticed… customer service doesn’t serve, businesses are not busi, housing languishing for so long is in demand and now some have no where to call home, used cars are more expensive than new, gas prices are up but somehow it was a good idea to shut off the flow, children are not truant, they and the teachers are encouraged to stay home. Churches don’t want congregations to sing, Olympics shut out fans to cheer. Drug dealers have open borders but Cubans fleeing Communism are spurned. We do not need to watch an apocalyptic movie- just cell phone video.

No wonder people want to remain shut off from the world and live in their bath tubs. Its a hot mess. My own natural tendency to devise plans and manage issues is meeting resistance. I am persistent by nature so I frequently demand assist up the chain for resolutions, if medical care isn’t happening fast enough I am fierce. Overall I find myself less tolerant. I never knew even as a physician that there was “obstinate defiant disorder”. Now I am convinced it is ubiquitous.

The whole world is caving to craziness. So what can we learn from comical but frustrated Ida-Mae? The simple act of saying “its bonkers” brings the power back to you. Not to criticize, strain, fix or repair. Just a simple word that says it all. No pressure. Some say, “it is what it is” which implies giving in. My sister reminded me that our father used “enough is enough“. Isn’t that the truth? But today I am choosing “Bonkers” – its fun to say with no need to explain our opinion or work it out. That’s acceptance, right? Have fun saying it out loud…it is very satisfying. If it can apply in the cancer center, it pretty much can apply in every situation today. Ida-Mae just summed it all up for us.