Hey Jeff.. just off to bed! I thought Essie had some interesting points... but I see you do too. How about, keeping an open mind? Having no preconceived ideas about how it might go/what you want to bring up? Let the MC lead ? (is she/he any good, do you know? Solution oriented?). I guess Essie is saying, that she pushed her issues and ended up S? But then... things have been like a S for you in many ways anyway. I hope you manage to get an appoointment fixed up soon anyway!
