Waiting Over a Week for My Telemedicine Appointment

 Four months ago, I had an appointment with my pulmonologist. She did her exam. At the end of the appointment, I asked for my next visit to be scheduled as a telemedicine appointment. The request was noted. I was given an appointment time.

Last week, I called the day before my appointment to confirm the time and date. I also checked to make sure the appointment was a telemedicine visit. The receptionist said the appointment was scheduled as being in-person, but she could change it to telemedicine.

On the day of my appointment, I waited and waited. No one called me. I know the office is busy. They sometimes do not get to the telemedicine visits until late in the day. No one ever called.

Yesterday, I received a phone call from the doctor’s office. The person apologized for my late telemedicine appointment. The woman asked, “Are you available today to have a telemedicine visit?” I said yes. The appointment was scheduled.

Yesterday, I waited and waited. No one called.

I am not in need of having the appointment. I keep it just to stay on the books as a patient. I wonder when I will actually have the telemedicine appointment.

You know you are tired when…

Last week was extremely stressful and chaotic. It was supposed to have been a nice peaceful week, but a number of unexpected things came up, which turned my tranquil life into panic at the disco!

This next week will also very busy. I need to follow-up on things which happened last week—call doctors’ offices, look at test results, check with the pharmacy for a prescription, etc.

To say I am tired today is an understatement. I am completely wiped out! Since I have a lot happening this week, I thought I would tape my YouTube early in the week. Well, it is filmed, but watching the clips is rather hilarious. One segment I am slurring my words and do not make sense. Through the magic of editing, the audio is fixed.

This evening, I was trying to take my medicines. I had a glass of water. I went to take a drink and completely missed my mouth. I spilled water all over my pants.

Next, I needed to go outside to water my mom’s plants on the porch. I needed to take off my sweatshirt and put on my jacket. Instead of taking off my sweatshirt, I took off my pants. I did not realize what I did until I almost went outside without pants on!

Next, I conveniently “watered” my foot with the water hose. I had to laugh. At least my foot is now wet just like my legs are.

I came inside and went to bed. I think I am done for the day.

 

 

 

When a Doctor’s Office Cares

Since February, I have been in significant pain from an ovarian cyst caused by endometriosis. I have been trying to get medical intervention, but my efforts have yielded little fruit. I have been to the emergency department twice and have seen four different providers. And nothing has been done to get rid of my cyst, which continues to grow.

In desperation, I reached out to a clinic almost 400 miles away. The clinic has been fabulous. They are prompt in their communications and are very organized. My visit with the doctor is not scheduled until mid-August.

Today, I had a SEVERE pain attack from my ovarian cyst. I was shaking uncontrollably. Despite taking over-the-counter medicine for pain, the pain refused to let up. In my distress, I reached out to the clinic and explained I cannot wait to see the doctor. I am in so much pain.

A nurse has reached out to the doctor and is trying to get me a sooner appointment. She will let me know if I am able to see the physician earlier than my scheduled appointment.

I was left dumb-founded. After all this time, someone actually cares. Someone is trying to do something for me to help get this ovarian cyst resolved before it becomes a medical emergency. I pray I am able to get a sooner appointment, but if I can not, what a blessing it has been to find a doctor’s office with compassion.

Forgetting. Can I blame this on my ovarian cyst?

Over the weekend, a woman contacts me regarding getting a tracheostomy tube and using a ventilator. She has a lot of questions. As I read her email, I immediately think, “This would make a great YouTube video.” I respond to the woman’s request, giving her brief answers. I explain I will make a YouTube video which will give more details.

I look at the calendar. I could rush the video and release it on June 5. But I do not want to do this as I like to have time to write the script, film the video, edit it and then go back through the video and re-edit it at a later time. The process takes about two weeks. I tell the woman I will release the video on June 12.

I immediately begin writing the script. I write and re-write the words. I am fairly happy with the script. I just need to film it, do production work, edit it, etc. I plan to shoot the video this week.

When I film this week, I am extremely tired. I have on my computer desktop the video I had originally planned to tape this week. Without thinking, I open up that script and film that video. It is only after I am done filming do I realize I taped the wrong video!

I sigh, and am thankful I can still film the trach/vent video next week. It will be a rush to get it done, but at least I will not break my promise to the woman. I have been extremely preoccupied with my ovarian cyst. I think I will credit this slip of the mind to my ovarian cyst…because the only other option is admitting my mind does not remember like it used to (and that means I have to admit I am getting old!).

Why I panic when the gas tank is low.

 Whenever I get into the car with my dad, I often hear the low gasoline chime. The car is low on gas. But, the place where we get gas is about 45 minutes away. My dad refuses to get gas anywhere else. My dad tells me the gas indicator is just an approximation. There is always more gas in the tank.

As a child, the gasoline station we used was on the other side of town. There was a hill and several stop signs. During one adventure, the car said it was out of gas. But have no fear. My dad was going to skip getting gas at a number of other gas stations. He was going to his petroleum station. As we ascended the hill, the car lost speed. It coughed and chugged to get up the hill. I was paranoid the car was going to turn off, and we would roll backwards into the traffic behind us. Praise God, that did not happen.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, the car lurched forward, and we gained some speed. I was nearly in tears as my father refused to stop at a gasoline station. No, we had to continue on to the gasoline station he preferred. Before reaching the station, the car ran out of gas. Praise God, there was no one exiting the gasoline station. We coasted into the station. My dad steered the car into the closest pump. He applied the brake, and we stopped.

My dad in triumph said, “See. We made it!” He thought he was deserving of a gold medal. I, on the other hand, was sick to my stomach and was crying.

 Since that incident, I always make sure there is at least 1/4 of a tank of gas. I am paranoid to run out of gas.

For what it is worth, today, my dad again had an empty gas tank. The car said it had 46 miles until empty. My dad needed to drive 45 miles to get to his preferred gas station. I am very glad I am not in the car with him. I cannot tolerate the stress of an empty gas tank. I hope he makes it to the station. He has in the past run out of gas.

It’s exhausting to be in pain

When I was at a recent doctor’s appointment, the physician was shocked at the size of my ovarian cyst. She said, “That must cause a lot of pain. How do you sleep at night?” The question took me off guard. I had pain, but it did not interfere with my sleep. Yes, if I woke up, the cyst was uncomfortable, but after tossing and turning, I could usually find a position which was more comfortable and fall back to sleep.

Since this weekend, however, my pain has changed. My ovarian cyst is causing a tremendous amount of pain. I have a hard time falling asleep. I also have woken up in the middle of the night screaming in pain. Additionally, I usually wake up early in the morning from the pain.

I am trying to only take over-the-counter pain medicine, but it often does not touch the pain. I break down and pill split a precious pain pill. Sometimes the pain medicine lessens the pain; sometimes, the pain remains the same. I grit my teeth and try to continue on with my day.

I am absolutely exhausted. The constant pain is using up a lot of my energy. Plus, not getting much sleep is also taxing my body. I hope and pray I can have my ovarian cyst removed (and also have other endometrial complications resolved) with surgery. When will this happen? Probably not until the end of summer.

One obstacle after another. Crawling through the days

Last week was extremely stressful. My monthly reminder of womanhood came. Five loads of laundry later, the mess was cleaned up. Then I had to film YouTube videos. I continued to be sick with my monthly friend. I went to a doctor’s appointment and was sent to the hospital. Sleepless nights followed. I had two drug reactions. Before getting anything resolved, I was sent home. Then it was time to unpacked from the hospital and frantically get caught up with life.

My computer’s battery failed while in the hospital. My mom tried to get the computer fixed, but it would cost over $1,000 for repairs. Thankfully, my mom gave me her old computer,
and she bought a new device. Then I had to transfer all my files to her old computer. I had to film more YouTube.

When I thought things might be calming down, I found out my appointment with a doctor this week needed a referral. Without a referral, the clinic would not bill my insurance. I would then be on the hook for the charges. I had to cancel the appointment. So, I now need to get an appointment to see my primary care provider and get a referral to the doctor.

Lastly, I need to find a gynecologist who will be able to remove my ovarian cyst. Perhaps this is a futile search, but there is one more doctor’s office I can call to ask if they accept my insurance. My ovarian cyst is growing and is causing pain. I need it removed, but who will do the surgery remains a mystery.