I went in to my doctor yesterday and one of the last instructions he gave me was REST. Get as much rest as possible this week. Then he handed hospital paperwork and an RX that filled the entire page w/directives.
I drove a few short blocks over to CVS where you have to wait in line. Then when you are called and they read the RX they ask you to step over to the Drop Off counter where they go into their computer entering ALL the info and politely tell you there will be a 15-20 minute wait.
After the allotted time they page you on the intercom. Then you go back into line that now is to the length of the aisle it's located in. Then yippee! It's your turn to walk up and pick up your medication. But, wait a minute you have to tap on the mini computer w/it's pen, give the pharmacy clerk your DOB, sign your name, give the pharmacy clerk your Cares Card, then run your ATM card. They hand you a mile high print out of coupons and then they hand over your RX bag, then they yell over to the pharmacist, Consultation! You are then directed to the Consultation counter where they come over and explain how to take the meds, etcetera. Well, that is... unless you get a pharmacist who is subbing for your pharmacist as I did yesterday.
This amused me in a... are you kidding me? kinda way. She is reading the directions, then says to me in regards to an antibiotic, that is really 2 antibiotics in one, and that are ginormous horse pills (this to a girl with a gag reflex for meds to begin with...) Take this one time a day, in the morning. The actual directions on the label that she has just typed reads: Take 1 tablet, twice a day (for 20 days). Her response, when I call her on this is... Right.
Alrighty then, moving on... Next on my list is a steroid/prednisone. The directions are mind-boggling. Take 4 tabs daily x3 days. Then 3 tabs daily x3 days. Then 2 tabs daily x3. Then 1 tab daily x3 days. (I now have created a log to keep track of these after each dose).
I came home and collapsed. I couldn't nap because did I mention that prednisone keeps you awake? So, I called my doctor to hear if my insurance had approved the CT scan. Nothing back yet. Which is typical, you soon learn that your time frame of when it would be convenient for you to have this test means nothing to them.
What I have learned about the medication that I'm on this week-- it's changed every week for the last 4 weeks, is that it tears up my stomach, makes me nauseous, and yet, at the same time I'm absolutely ravenous, beyond hungry, but I can only eat extremely small portions. I've lost 6 lbs., but wouldn't recommend this avenue for achieving that goal.
Rewind to the above instructions to rest. So, I had to fast after mid-night as I had to get blood work done this morning at the hospital. And we all know that we go to the hospital to get rest, NOT. So, there I was... starving, caffeine depraved, wide awake because of the steroid and exhausted. Which is the perfect condition to fill out paperwork, then wait in the waiting room. I don't think WAITING and RESTING are the same thing. Afterwards, I wandered down to Radiology to find out about my CT scan. Not approved yet. They'll call me when it is and schedule a date and time.
Then home. I see that Johnny's chicken has escaped it's pen, from 2 doors down the street, the chicken is forever on the lam hiding out somewhere she's not supposed to be, only in my neighborhood... I yell out at her as she cuts in front of me in the driveway, heading to our side yard, You're on your own! I am not chasing you and taking you home. Good luck with the outdoor gang little chicken! She is actually quite large and plump... Risotto (our guard) cat would have no thoughts about chasing her out of the yard and down the street in a second-- just as fast as her little chicken legs would carry her.
My first stop, of course, was the kitchen for food-like substance and caffeine. I decided on blueberry yogurt, a banana, and coffee in my fav demitasse coffee cup with a splash of Amaretto flavored creamer. What I've found is that the steroid makes me wired and hungry, while the antibiotics continue to rip my stomach. So, of course, I was once again starving at lunch. I also find that I am craving fresh veggies and greens, more so than usual, and I consume a lot of them on a daily basis, anyway. Lunch consisted of 1/2 avocado, 1 sliced tomato and a salsa bowl filled 1/4 of the way with veggie chili. And I have to drink tons of water, which I do daily, like 1 1/2 liter a day. For a change of pace I intersperse this with juices. One of my favs is raspberry, blueberry and purple carrot-- it's really super yummy. Save Mart carries it.
And, of course, being on this stuff makes you loopie, although, I refused to accept that... until I went in to the kitchen when Jeff was cheffing up dinner last night. I was in search of a can of Grapeade. I'm talking to Jeff, blissfully unaware of what I'm doing, I opened the can, stuck my straw in... and noticed, this didn't taste like Grapeade, there was a carbonation, but what the carbonation was and it's flavor wouldn't register until I began to walk out the door of the kitchen towards the master bedroom. I backtracked and said, Jeff this isn't Grapeade... looking at the can it read, Stella Artois. I had inadvertently opened the beer. This isn't what I want. WTH!!! Jeff is doubled-over with laughter, I tend to have that effect on him a lot. He took the beer and I paid close attention that I opened the right can. Gadzooks! Erin had warned me these meds would make me loopy...
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