Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Labor Day Weekend

My pain meds were running low, so on Friday at 9 a.m. I ordered refills online. It didn't work - the pharmacy never got the order. It has worked before, but not this time.

I did have some meds. I have tons of darvocet, which makes me physically ill. I'm having a bit of a bad tummy anyway - last thing I want is more of that! I have tons of regular Tylenol. The recommended dosage doesn't come anywhere near what I need.

The pharmacy heard nothing on Friday or Sat. and of course the clinic is closed for the holiday weekend. So like the drowning man who clutches at the straw, I stupidly tried ordering refills online again, knowing full well that no human eyes would see it until Tuesday morning.

I have totally lost my appetite, but desparate for some darvocet (which must be taken with food) I asked Dick to fix me toast and eggs for breakfast. I took the darvocet, kept it down, and noticed some pain relief. I think I took a second dose after proper preparation, and again I had good results. But, I'm sorry to say, I just can't eat meals - makes me feel sick just thinking about it.

Dick found a bottle of tylenol 3 with codeine dated March, 1999. I'll admit to taking 2 of those, and they do seem to make me more relaxed. I'm keeping them around for times when sleep seems the best optiom.

Sat., Sun., Mon. with no pain meds. Hey, come on - we contribute to Doctors Without Borders! Where are they when we need them???

Hooray it's Tues! I'll have meds before noon! I called the clinic. I spoke to an actual person who asked all the right questions, and she promised to give my order ro Dr. Burke's nurse. Heavy sigh of relief. Right? This always works, right? We've never had a failure between the clinic and Rite Aid, right?

Well, we waited a proper length of time, and phoned the pharmacy to make sure that the prescriptions had been called in. No luck. So we waited another proper length of time and repeated the process. Rite Aid hasn't heard a thing.

We went for a little ride, with me stretched out in the back seat in my one comfortable position (which isn't as comfortable as it used to be way back when I had some vicodin.) We just happened to be in the vicinity of Rite Aid, so we went to
the drive-thru pharmacy pick-up. Even eye to eye, the man said he had nothing for us.

Back at home, I called the clinic to set up a consultation with Dr. Burke concerning my inability to get medication for my sciatica. They gave me an appt. for THURSDAY MORNING. (Pardon me for shouting.) Dick called the clinic at 3:51 p.m. to speak with Dr. Burke or his nurse, and was told that they had both left for the day.

So I was facing another night with no meds, plus I was really feeling sick with flu-like symptoms. It was not a good night. So I asked myself, WWLIWD? (What Would Laura Ingalls Wilder Do?)

This morning (Wed) Dick called the clinic at 8 a.m. to order the refills (4th time). He's really on the job now. He's planning to call someone every hour, either clinic or pharmacy, whoever's turn it is. So I have a good possibility of getting some pain relief today, right? Today's the day, right? I can't hear you..

As of 10 a.m., I have my meds, I have my meds, I have my meds, I have my meds. Nothing looks better than Dick walking into the room with a pill bottle in each hand!!

Dr. Burke put refills on each bottle - I'm so grateful. He is now the world's 5th best doctor. He'll just have to work his way back up to first.

I have my meds. Thanks, Dick