Acupuncture appointment…
To say I was dissapointed would be such an understatement… Thursday (day before the appointment) I spoke with the acupuncturist, to talk to her about the possibility of me being late. I explained to her that since I am not on a schedule (my doctor refuses to order my pain meds as being required every four hours the way they would need to be if pain management was really a priority. The way they are now, but the order does not specify that this is important so I am often waiting an hour or more, this gives the pain an opportunity to increase substantially and means I rarely have the pain under control) I am at the mercy of the emerg and that I would do what I could (that’s not much) to try and stay on schedule but could not make any promises.
I was thrilled that she said this wouldn’t be a problem (I had wondered if I’d have to cancel until a time in the future when a schedule would be established for the injections or something)l She assured me that she had no other appointments Friday afternoon and did not have to leave until 15h so it was all good.
Friday 13h30 should have been my appointment, we arrived at her office at 14h but she was already gone. She did not try to call, her work phone does not forward anywhere so so my attempts to get in touch were futile. Mom asked a few times “do you think there is any point to waiting?” I did not know, I was crying and trying to answer Emeraude’s questions at the same time… For the last month I had been using that appointment as the light at the end of the tunnel and now it was gone. Finally we had to leave, it was time to go to Wilson Memorial hospital for my injection…
That went well. I never know what to anticipate when visiting out of town emergency departments. I’ve had so many problems when out-of-town docs are working our emerg that I get really stressed thinking about visiting other er’s. The nurse that had been on ER at MGH the night before had however, copied my standing order (and about 2 weeks worth of the actual post they make when I come in!) for me so that I could just carry the page with me rather than have orders (doctor’s orders are not transferable from one hospital to another anyways as each individual doctor can only write orders where they have hospital priviledges) which was a HUGE help (I was so grateful!). I was seen at Wilson Memorial as soon as I went in, the nurse put me in what I would guess must be there chemo room (very nice, private & quiet) and then after taking my vitals went to see the doctor. The doctor didn’t even require seeing me and order my injection immediately, we were than able to leave! It went faster than most of the visits I have to the Manitouwadge emerg and since I was expecting the opposiite, that somehow it would take much longer, at least that was something that went smoothly in Marathon (thank goodness because I was now travelling for nothing). I have to say the last time I was in Marathon was pretty much the same at their hospital, fast, curteous, without issue.
ANYWAYS, so the appointment was a bust and I still have not heard from the acupuncturist (am hoping she & her family did not have any terrible emergency) and have no idea when Iwill be able to re-schdule… My Mom was in Marathon yesterday and I had hoped she would be able to see the acupuncturist and schedule at least a month or so of weekly visits but this did not work out either. I’m trying to take it in perspective, I still needed a better plan for my pain meds regardless as the acupuncture will most likely take about 2 months to have measurable improvement, or reduction of symptoms.
I did finally have the opportunity to speak with the Chief of Staff at our own hospital. He’s a pretty nice guy, in the past any time when I have needed a doctor who could take action, he’s come through so I have no reason to doubt that he is looking in to the subcutaneous pump and therefore my chances of getting to White Lake without much delay (I SO NEED TO get there and spend some quality family time with my kids… 2009 has been a very long year so far).
After getting a dilaudid injection at Wilson Memorial, Mom, Emeraude & I went to Rumours, a coffee shop/bakery that is in the same strip mall as Jennifer Bott. Emeraude chose to have a scoop of bubble gum ice cream in a cone and then we headed to the Canadian Tire (just across the parking lot). I finally found a candy thermometer so that our next snow taffy project (and many others) will have a good chance of working out.
I also bought more mini muffin tin liners and a few other odds and ends. I was SOOO tired at this point and really couldn’t wait to be on our way home. I think it’s safe to say that Mom must have been pretty warn out also, she had worked in the morning before picking us up. Emeraude was an absolute angel, she had expressed alot of interest in the acupuncture and thought that she would get to watch but just rolled with the situation when everything changed and she was expected to just go along for the ride for a whole afternoon. I am so proud of how well behved and patient she was all day long!
We stopped at A&W before leaving, Lloyd had asked for a Grandpa burger and Mom treated us to what I picked up for he, Emeraude & I. I just finally ate my papa burger (I had also picked up a Mama burger which I ate as soon as we arrived home lol.
