PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

I am an “impatient patient.”

I admit it.

Not sure about the question in the headline, but the thought contained in the phrase above crossed my mind this week in my role as a patient of the Doctors’ Clinic in Salem.

Recently, I have received great care and service there for two health issues – (1) viral bronchitis that set me back for a few days with a bad cough, headache and a sore throat, and (2) another bout with gout.

In both cases, I found myself illustrating this oxymoron – an impatient patient!

I wanted the various medications to work faster. No doubt they were working, but not fast enough for me.

So, do I add this phrase – impatient patient – to the list of oxymorons I published in this space recently.

My answer is yes.

And let me add this serious point. I am a believer in medication as long as they are prescribed by a competent medical practitioner, as is the case with me. Without them, I’d be lost.

With them, I have a chance to get back on the golf course.