Have you seen the ad on TV for some fibromyalgia drug that shows a woman standing in her kitchen with an overflowing sink of dirty dishes? She says she doesn't have the energy to take care of everything because of the pain and fatigue caused by fibro. And then she started taking this amazing medication and is able to again (followed by a million potential side effects).
That is sort of me. I mean I have fibromyalgia and the fatigue and insomnia that go along with it. And I am on one of the drugs with the fancy ad campaigns. But I deal more and more with the fatigue and insomnia and pain. And I am on additional medications to take care of the side effects.
And then what do I do? I keep on volunteering to help other organizations. I guess I have a problem saying no. And then I have no time to relax and take care of the fatigue and pain for a bit. So I end up overdoing things and am totally fatigued to a point where I feel like I am too tired to sleep.
But now I have to work on the word no. My health has made it apparent that I can't keep volunteering and have to learn how to tell people "I'm sorry but I am not able to help you as I previously thought".
But to be perfectly honest, I am really sick of my body preventing me from doing the things that I want to do. Its a huge frustration for me. I want to continue to do things and my body keeps letting me down. If I had my way I would never had cancer and any of these ailments at all. But since that is not to be, I will suck it up and keep on going. And work on that word 'no'.
Showing posts with label volunteer work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer work. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
A Crazy Day
This morning I am up early and need to get out the door in the next ten minutes (but of course I stop to blog first). I am volunteering at the annual New England Direct Marketing Association's conference where I take care of the vendors and help get them organized. Everyone else there hates dealing with the vendors because they ask so many questions but I have fun with it. But it will be a long day. Within an hour, I will be trying not to move tables around or climb under them to local plugs.
My question is how many more years I can keep doing this. For people with a bad back and arthritis it is not the most user friendly day. I have been doing this for several years now as my health has gone downhill. So I am not sure how many more years I will be able to help them.
I then have to finish packing to go to a friend's wedding (you know who you are Judie and Anders). My husband has this crazy idea that I will be done packing in time to go out for a leisurely dinner. That's just nuts. I still haven't gotten my medications organized for four days a way...
I have decided that traveling by myself I will suck it up and pay Delta their extra $25 to check a bag, and really hope they don't lose it. So if I am going to check a bag, I can bring a big bag to fit everything in. I have no idea what dress I'll be wearing so I am bring four dresses (three with tags still on so I have the return option) to choose from once I get there. This means several pairs of shoes depending on the dress. You get it. All this equals the giant suitcase. This just another example of me trying to be a normal person... (You know what happens next - crabbiness.)
But I digress. It will be a crazy day today. I have no idea how much time I will have to pack this afternoon and how much my back will hurt but I have to get going. I am due there in fifteen minutes. I'll bring coffee.
My question is how many more years I can keep doing this. For people with a bad back and arthritis it is not the most user friendly day. I have been doing this for several years now as my health has gone downhill. So I am not sure how many more years I will be able to help them.
I then have to finish packing to go to a friend's wedding (you know who you are Judie and Anders). My husband has this crazy idea that I will be done packing in time to go out for a leisurely dinner. That's just nuts. I still haven't gotten my medications organized for four days a way...
I have decided that traveling by myself I will suck it up and pay Delta their extra $25 to check a bag, and really hope they don't lose it. So if I am going to check a bag, I can bring a big bag to fit everything in. I have no idea what dress I'll be wearing so I am bring four dresses (three with tags still on so I have the return option) to choose from once I get there. This means several pairs of shoes depending on the dress. You get it. All this equals the giant suitcase. This just another example of me trying to be a normal person... (You know what happens next - crabbiness.)
But I digress. It will be a crazy day today. I have no idea how much time I will have to pack this afternoon and how much my back will hurt but I have to get going. I am due there in fifteen minutes. I'll bring coffee.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
There is a national group - National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) - which focuses on advocacy for people living with cancer. I detest the word survivor but I'm okay with it here. Their website url tells it all - www.canceradvocacy.org. They advocate on cancer issues.
Are you familiar with the oral parity issue? That's the one where cancer treatment given as an infusion is paid for by your health insurance which covers most of it. But if the patient is switched to a pill form of treatment, it is covered as part of the pharmacy benefit - usually as a branded premium medication which is covered by a huge copay. The oral parity bill is hoping to change this so that the coverage is the same.
They had a a recent event called "Putting the Patient First" which focused on more issues of payment reform. They also have all sorts of resources on their website and they talk about a lot of other legislative changes in progress. And they have local chapters.
I am a volunteer with the New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship - or NECCS. Today is their annual luncheon where I helped get together the vendors for a small craft fair. I will bring my checkbook...
As part of the luncheon they award some people who have gone above and beyond. I nominated my oncologist for her cookbook for cancer patients so I am also introducing her.
If you are someone living with cancer and are looking to help in some way, the NCCS is a great way to help. I do not do as much on the advocacy side myself but am happy to help with their events and in other ways locally. Every little bit helps.
Are you familiar with the oral parity issue? That's the one where cancer treatment given as an infusion is paid for by your health insurance which covers most of it. But if the patient is switched to a pill form of treatment, it is covered as part of the pharmacy benefit - usually as a branded premium medication which is covered by a huge copay. The oral parity bill is hoping to change this so that the coverage is the same.
They had a a recent event called "Putting the Patient First" which focused on more issues of payment reform. They also have all sorts of resources on their website and they talk about a lot of other legislative changes in progress. And they have local chapters.
I am a volunteer with the New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship - or NECCS. Today is their annual luncheon where I helped get together the vendors for a small craft fair. I will bring my checkbook...
As part of the luncheon they award some people who have gone above and beyond. I nominated my oncologist for her cookbook for cancer patients so I am also introducing her.
If you are someone living with cancer and are looking to help in some way, the NCCS is a great way to help. I do not do as much on the advocacy side myself but am happy to help with their events and in other ways locally. Every little bit helps.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Over committed again
I am over committed again these days. Combined with a lot of back pain, it is not a lot of fun. We spent the weekend away (without a cell phone and survived) but that cut in to my work time.
I am working my one job, winding down my other job but do not have enough time to get everything finished and I have deadlines. I am also starting to do a little more volunteer work, and tomorrow is an annual event where I have to be there at 6 am - but its only ten minutes from home. I usually stay the whole day but this year they are going to be lucky to have me until lunch. Between back pain and other things I need to do, I am a little short on time and abilities.
Yesterday afternoon I spent was in a good deal of pain even though I took my pills. Silly me, I thought I could go for a walk after working for six hours.
Let's see how I do today. I bet I'll be on my way home by noon.
I am working my one job, winding down my other job but do not have enough time to get everything finished and I have deadlines. I am also starting to do a little more volunteer work, and tomorrow is an annual event where I have to be there at 6 am - but its only ten minutes from home. I usually stay the whole day but this year they are going to be lucky to have me until lunch. Between back pain and other things I need to do, I am a little short on time and abilities.
Yesterday afternoon I spent was in a good deal of pain even though I took my pills. Silly me, I thought I could go for a walk after working for six hours.
Let's see how I do today. I bet I'll be on my way home by noon.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Handling change
Change happens in life. Or we should say 'sh*t happens'. There is nothing we can do about it. Again 'resistance is futile'. Darwin told us about survival of the fittest - the ones who adapt are the ones who survive. If you do not adapt, you will become extinct.
I volunteer with a non profit organization - actually I volunteer for a bunch of organizations. But there is one organization that has been faced with a lot of change over the last few years. They have grown from a small organization to a big organization which is a good thing. As a result they have had to mature and change the way they do business. Systems that were grassroots focused, with everyone pitching in to do what they can, now have been streamlined and replaced by new ones. People have new roles. Older expectations have been replaced by new ones. Former volunteers and employees have left and new ones have come in. This is not a bad thing. It is sad to see people leave but people do move on in life.
The organization has also had some growing pains over time. There have been issues with conflict with personnel, a problem employee, and lack of transparency. Some of the changes are to compensate for these issues. These things happen and life will go on. The problem employee has left. New expectations are being laid out. The organization continues to do its good things.
BUT (and that is a big fat but!) some people, volunteers mostly, are not handling the change well. There is some disgruntledness coming out from the volunteers. It is spreading negativity and unhappiness. I am not sure why it is continuing. Every new bit of change is being disparaged with additional comments. While I believe in the organization and like what I do for them, I am getting to the point where I don't want to be associated with them. Not because of the changes but because of the way some people are not adapting to the change.
It is taking the fun out of it for me. I am approaching a crossroads where I must make a decision on whether I continue to volunteer or not. I am sure I can find other organizations where I can volunteer but I have made friends with the other volunteers and will miss them and the organization.
Its all about handling change. I am trying but feel I am being pushed away by the unhappy ones. Maybe the change that happens is I move on.
I volunteer with a non profit organization - actually I volunteer for a bunch of organizations. But there is one organization that has been faced with a lot of change over the last few years. They have grown from a small organization to a big organization which is a good thing. As a result they have had to mature and change the way they do business. Systems that were grassroots focused, with everyone pitching in to do what they can, now have been streamlined and replaced by new ones. People have new roles. Older expectations have been replaced by new ones. Former volunteers and employees have left and new ones have come in. This is not a bad thing. It is sad to see people leave but people do move on in life.
The organization has also had some growing pains over time. There have been issues with conflict with personnel, a problem employee, and lack of transparency. Some of the changes are to compensate for these issues. These things happen and life will go on. The problem employee has left. New expectations are being laid out. The organization continues to do its good things.
BUT (and that is a big fat but!) some people, volunteers mostly, are not handling the change well. There is some disgruntledness coming out from the volunteers. It is spreading negativity and unhappiness. I am not sure why it is continuing. Every new bit of change is being disparaged with additional comments. While I believe in the organization and like what I do for them, I am getting to the point where I don't want to be associated with them. Not because of the changes but because of the way some people are not adapting to the change.
It is taking the fun out of it for me. I am approaching a crossroads where I must make a decision on whether I continue to volunteer or not. I am sure I can find other organizations where I can volunteer but I have made friends with the other volunteers and will miss them and the organization.
Its all about handling change. I am trying but feel I am being pushed away by the unhappy ones. Maybe the change that happens is I move on.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
What's going on
I realized that I haven't blogged about me and how I am doing in a while, which was the whole point of this blog in the beginning. I'm doing okay mostly. The cancer business is really in a maintenance phase meaning I go to my medical oncologist three times a year for another two years, I go to my radiation oncologist once a year for a few more years, and I go to my surgeon annually and have a mammogram arranged through his office for life. I also go to the endocrinologist again in January for another thyroid ultrasound and if its stable I will be back on annual ultrasounds for a few more years and then I hope to get to one every five years.
Nearly three years out from chemo, my hair which I used to keep long and straight is now short and the natural wave shows. All the ugly gray which first grew in is gone and I am back to my brown with a few strands of gray here and there. I still get occasional tingles in my fingers from left over neuropathy. The other chemo side effects seem to have faded.
It is harder and harder to lose weight - is this aging or as a result of cancer treatments? The same can be said for my lack of a brain - due to chemo or aging? I don't know but I will claim chemo brain for a while and will look for my inner size six that I know is still there.
My current medical issues revolve around my left ankle which is still painful and I think I will have some clean out surgery in December as it is not any better. My back is my central complaint. I have had three treatments to relieve pain this year alone. I take two pain meds and an anti inflammatory for my back. This is not a situation which will change anytime soon. Two years ago it was not a problem at all. As one area is treated another area shows up. It is not fun and is a life changing event. But its not cancer - is that a cheery thought? I don't know - its a life long problem as well.
Emotionally I am feeling okay. I take antidepressants and see my therapist regularly. I am on an even keel and am coping with life. Do I sound like I mental disaster? I hope not. They say after a cancer diagnosis there is a sense of PTSD and that 25% of cancer patients are treated for depression after the fact.
A lot of the stress is off me in that I am no longer going to the doctor every week or so. Now I am going every month. Every time I pull into the hospital parking lot, the stress of the whole cancer roller coaster returns at some subliminal or not so subtle level. It is easier to stay off the roller coaster when I stay away from the hospital.
Four years ago I was working in downtown Boston and looking for another job as my work schedule got me home from work two hours after my husband and my boss was impossible. I wanted a job closer to home. I left my downtown job and got a job closer to home and got laid off two weeks before my breast cancer diagnosis. This little quirk of fate allowed me to switch my life into volunteering, working part time and for non-profits which actually makes me happier than trying to juggle medical issues and a full time job in downtown Boston.
My husband and I are happy in our lives. We both have taken turns being patient and caregiver which gives us a new perspective on things. Anyway, that is my life in a nutshell now. I am doing okay but my life is forever changed again. The only thing I regret is getting cancer a second time and I had no control over that.
Nearly three years out from chemo, my hair which I used to keep long and straight is now short and the natural wave shows. All the ugly gray which first grew in is gone and I am back to my brown with a few strands of gray here and there. I still get occasional tingles in my fingers from left over neuropathy. The other chemo side effects seem to have faded.
It is harder and harder to lose weight - is this aging or as a result of cancer treatments? The same can be said for my lack of a brain - due to chemo or aging? I don't know but I will claim chemo brain for a while and will look for my inner size six that I know is still there.
My current medical issues revolve around my left ankle which is still painful and I think I will have some clean out surgery in December as it is not any better. My back is my central complaint. I have had three treatments to relieve pain this year alone. I take two pain meds and an anti inflammatory for my back. This is not a situation which will change anytime soon. Two years ago it was not a problem at all. As one area is treated another area shows up. It is not fun and is a life changing event. But its not cancer - is that a cheery thought? I don't know - its a life long problem as well.
Emotionally I am feeling okay. I take antidepressants and see my therapist regularly. I am on an even keel and am coping with life. Do I sound like I mental disaster? I hope not. They say after a cancer diagnosis there is a sense of PTSD and that 25% of cancer patients are treated for depression after the fact.
A lot of the stress is off me in that I am no longer going to the doctor every week or so. Now I am going every month. Every time I pull into the hospital parking lot, the stress of the whole cancer roller coaster returns at some subliminal or not so subtle level. It is easier to stay off the roller coaster when I stay away from the hospital.
Four years ago I was working in downtown Boston and looking for another job as my work schedule got me home from work two hours after my husband and my boss was impossible. I wanted a job closer to home. I left my downtown job and got a job closer to home and got laid off two weeks before my breast cancer diagnosis. This little quirk of fate allowed me to switch my life into volunteering, working part time and for non-profits which actually makes me happier than trying to juggle medical issues and a full time job in downtown Boston.
My husband and I are happy in our lives. We both have taken turns being patient and caregiver which gives us a new perspective on things. Anyway, that is my life in a nutshell now. I am doing okay but my life is forever changed again. The only thing I regret is getting cancer a second time and I had no control over that.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Can't Come Up With A Title
I am not sure how to title today's post - Ending Years of Denial, Off to be Labeled, or Volunteering Again. Today (and tomorrow and Sunday), I am off to the Thyroid Cancer Survivor's (hence the label - I hate that word) Association's annual conference which is being held in the Boston area for the first time (ending the denial). I will be a volunteer - which means I will sit at a table talk to people about things that I don't really know about. I will also get to attend some sessions on fun topics such as 'Long term survivorship' (I better be in that club after 28 years even if I hate the word), 'Coping with Multiple Health Issues (maybe I could write that one), or 'Ask A Doctor: Managing Thyroid Cancer for those diagnosed before 18 or as Young Adults' (I may be too old for that one). I am sure I will get a yummy bag lunch each day and my back will hurt by the end of the day (but wait, it hurts at the start of the day so I guess there won't be any difference).
In some ways I am looking forward to this. This is the lost ailment for me. I really don't know much about it, can barely tell you what kind I had (papillary and some follicular if I look it up), and much about long term effects. I do know it has meant a lifetime of synthetic thyroid hormone and annual doctor visits with a chest x-ray for a thingy in my lungs and the statement 'with your medical history, we have to be sure' repeated over and over again before every test/exam/surgery/procedure. Maybe I can learn more about living with this... And long term issues and recurrence stuff - the warm fuzzy side of cancer again.
Anyway, it should be interesting. And will top off an interesting week. The cat went back to the vet (let's talk about his ailments, rather than mine for once). His diabetes is getting better. He seems to be producing his own insulin again which means we lower the dose to one unit twice a day and go back in a week. If he is stable, no more insulin - even though we just refilled the $100/bottle. But they also think he might have high blood pressure because his eyes are dilated. He has had this problem for a while with his eyes but they can't really check his blood pressure (what do they do have a miniature cuff for him?) because he is so scared while at the vet. How do you treat high blood pressure in a cat? Take him for a daily walk to give him more exercise? Change his eating habits - no more snacks? But he is getting back to normal.
Now my week included a visit to the physical therapist which was actually a positive medical experience for me for once. The PT thought that my ankle has healed really well, I have exercises (3 sets of 20 twice a day or 2 sets of 30 - I can't remember), and will go back for about 3-4 weeks of twice weekly visits and he thinks that's all I will need. I will add that physical therapy makes my ankle hurt.
However I went to see my therapist who is a psychologist and she is concerned about me. The lovely Lyrica can cause some anxiety and depression issues so she wants me to talk to a medication specialist about all the stuff I am on. She took me to the triage room to set up the appointment. It was the secret room in the back... with one really weird patient in there who was a little scary... and they scheduled me to meet with a psychiatrist who specializes in medication next week. They wanted me to wait around to meet with someone that day but I really didn't have time (and the other guy was creeping me out). So let's see am I anxious and depressed about non-stop medical issues and they give me medication (which has not yet kicked in to help my back) that can compound these emotions? And I already take a lot of other medications (could stock my own pharmacy) Hmmm... How would you feel?
Well, right now I feel like I am late. I have to leave soon and have not yet taken a shower or gotten dressed. But I have eaten breakfast.
In some ways I am looking forward to this. This is the lost ailment for me. I really don't know much about it, can barely tell you what kind I had (papillary and some follicular if I look it up), and much about long term effects. I do know it has meant a lifetime of synthetic thyroid hormone and annual doctor visits with a chest x-ray for a thingy in my lungs and the statement 'with your medical history, we have to be sure' repeated over and over again before every test/exam/surgery/procedure. Maybe I can learn more about living with this... And long term issues and recurrence stuff - the warm fuzzy side of cancer again.
Anyway, it should be interesting. And will top off an interesting week. The cat went back to the vet (let's talk about his ailments, rather than mine for once). His diabetes is getting better. He seems to be producing his own insulin again which means we lower the dose to one unit twice a day and go back in a week. If he is stable, no more insulin - even though we just refilled the $100/bottle. But they also think he might have high blood pressure because his eyes are dilated. He has had this problem for a while with his eyes but they can't really check his blood pressure (what do they do have a miniature cuff for him?) because he is so scared while at the vet. How do you treat high blood pressure in a cat? Take him for a daily walk to give him more exercise? Change his eating habits - no more snacks? But he is getting back to normal.
Now my week included a visit to the physical therapist which was actually a positive medical experience for me for once. The PT thought that my ankle has healed really well, I have exercises (3 sets of 20 twice a day or 2 sets of 30 - I can't remember), and will go back for about 3-4 weeks of twice weekly visits and he thinks that's all I will need. I will add that physical therapy makes my ankle hurt.
However I went to see my therapist who is a psychologist and she is concerned about me. The lovely Lyrica can cause some anxiety and depression issues so she wants me to talk to a medication specialist about all the stuff I am on. She took me to the triage room to set up the appointment. It was the secret room in the back... with one really weird patient in there who was a little scary... and they scheduled me to meet with a psychiatrist who specializes in medication next week. They wanted me to wait around to meet with someone that day but I really didn't have time (and the other guy was creeping me out). So let's see am I anxious and depressed about non-stop medical issues and they give me medication (which has not yet kicked in to help my back) that can compound these emotions? And I already take a lot of other medications (could stock my own pharmacy) Hmmm... How would you feel?
Well, right now I feel like I am late. I have to leave soon and have not yet taken a shower or gotten dressed. But I have eaten breakfast.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Back pain update
Since I haven't whined about it enough I thought I would bring you all up to date on my back pain (instead of just whining about it). Basically, two degenerating discs - L3/L4 has asymmetric disc protrusion with mild stenosis and L5/S1 has a broad based disc bulge without significant stenosis. (Stenosis is a fancy word for squishing nerves into tinier spaces than they used to be in.) My back also has some instability where some days it was rotated and some days not. The PT has helped, particularly with the instability, but not as much with the pain in my back and hips and tingling down my legs.
I wake up some days in pain and sometimes in the middle of the night. I have pain meds and anti-inflammatories but still am not happy. Two more PT sessions and the probably off to the pain clinic for some other kinds of relief. The options that I know of aren't very good. Cortisone shots are only a temporary solution. Surgery for this type of thing is not necessarily successful in pain relief. I am not sure what else they can do. I don't want just another prescription. Does this make me happy? No. Does lack of sleep make me crabby? Yes. Grr, grr, grr. I am convinced my body came with a 40 year warranty and everything is now falling apart.
Otherwise, I am fine. No problems. Currently. I am sure something else will decide to act up as soon as we get this back mess under control. Triple, triple grr.
Anyway, yesterday I was pretty busy but did manage to arrange a job interview for Thursday morning. Today I am very busy. I will go to the gym now and then the vet is coming at 10 to check kitty's eye. Its not looking too good. But what if he loses sight in his eye (or even loses his eye)? How does that impact his quality of life if he only has one eye with which to inspect/supervise the bird feeder? After that, I am going to Boston (by subway) to go to some volunteer training at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. It should be interesting (and there will be snacks).
But that's my boring life. You just read about it. I just write about it.
PS No my crocus did not bloom yet. Sigh.
I wake up some days in pain and sometimes in the middle of the night. I have pain meds and anti-inflammatories but still am not happy. Two more PT sessions and the probably off to the pain clinic for some other kinds of relief. The options that I know of aren't very good. Cortisone shots are only a temporary solution. Surgery for this type of thing is not necessarily successful in pain relief. I am not sure what else they can do. I don't want just another prescription. Does this make me happy? No. Does lack of sleep make me crabby? Yes. Grr, grr, grr. I am convinced my body came with a 40 year warranty and everything is now falling apart.
Otherwise, I am fine. No problems. Currently. I am sure something else will decide to act up as soon as we get this back mess under control. Triple, triple grr.
Anyway, yesterday I was pretty busy but did manage to arrange a job interview for Thursday morning. Today I am very busy. I will go to the gym now and then the vet is coming at 10 to check kitty's eye. Its not looking too good. But what if he loses sight in his eye (or even loses his eye)? How does that impact his quality of life if he only has one eye with which to inspect/supervise the bird feeder? After that, I am going to Boston (by subway) to go to some volunteer training at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. It should be interesting (and there will be snacks).
But that's my boring life. You just read about it. I just write about it.
PS No my crocus did not bloom yet. Sigh.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Aggravation and the return of brain cells and other things
Yesterday, call me slow, I received an appointment list in the mail from the hospital giving a list of my upcoming (and last week's) appointments. I thought about it and realized that my physical with my primary care physician had disappeared from the list. I checked and realized it disappeared from the appointment sheet probably in December - and I never noticed until now. So maybe I am slow.
Anyway, I called and was told yes your appointment was canceled due to a scheduling change by the doctor. I can understand this. These things happen. What I don't get is the following:
- They never rescheduled the appointment. They told me they only deal with cancellations about a month or two before they were supposed to occur.
- The doctor is booked until August and they can't schedule August appointments until Monday because that is February and they book six months out.
- So, if they didn't deal with my cancellation until March - the month before - would they be rescheduling me for September?
I tried to communicate this to the woman on the phone and she said 'dont shoot me, I'm only the messenger. They (the doctors) change their schedules and we (the phone people) take the heat for this.' Well that helped a lot. Of course you take the heat if you don't reschedule people for cancellations when they happen. Anyway, I got a few hours of sleep on Thursday night so I was nice and aggravated and very 'pleasant' on the phone. Monday I will call back and sort it out.
In the meantime, last August I reported losing all kinds of things and they have been reappearing. The missing down comforter was at the cleaners under someone else's name, the missing hydration pack was in the basement, and my missing yak traks were hidden in the closet and I found them yesterday. This is very important as locally, we are living on a glacier with glare ice everywhere. If only I could find my brain cells. Then I would be happy.
Today I am off to be educated on how to be a good volunteer for the American Cancer Society in a three hour training session this morning. Actually I think it will be interesting. But I could have slept late today. Perhaps crabbiness will reappear. These days my husband is quick to point out the return of the crabbiness. My back only hurt a little last night so I did sleep a fair amount which helps this situation.
A friend is also coming over for a walk on the bike path which was plowed after the last storm. But then it rained and froze and the portions of it in the shade are skating rinks. Yesterday I tried walking and nothing like water on top of ice to make things interesting. This made me determined to find the yak traks. Brain cells, where are you?
Anyway, I called and was told yes your appointment was canceled due to a scheduling change by the doctor. I can understand this. These things happen. What I don't get is the following:
- They never rescheduled the appointment. They told me they only deal with cancellations about a month or two before they were supposed to occur.
- The doctor is booked until August and they can't schedule August appointments until Monday because that is February and they book six months out.
- So, if they didn't deal with my cancellation until March - the month before - would they be rescheduling me for September?
I tried to communicate this to the woman on the phone and she said 'dont shoot me, I'm only the messenger. They (the doctors) change their schedules and we (the phone people) take the heat for this.' Well that helped a lot. Of course you take the heat if you don't reschedule people for cancellations when they happen. Anyway, I got a few hours of sleep on Thursday night so I was nice and aggravated and very 'pleasant' on the phone. Monday I will call back and sort it out.
In the meantime, last August I reported losing all kinds of things and they have been reappearing. The missing down comforter was at the cleaners under someone else's name, the missing hydration pack was in the basement, and my missing yak traks were hidden in the closet and I found them yesterday. This is very important as locally, we are living on a glacier with glare ice everywhere. If only I could find my brain cells. Then I would be happy.
Today I am off to be educated on how to be a good volunteer for the American Cancer Society in a three hour training session this morning. Actually I think it will be interesting. But I could have slept late today. Perhaps crabbiness will reappear. These days my husband is quick to point out the return of the crabbiness. My back only hurt a little last night so I did sleep a fair amount which helps this situation.
A friend is also coming over for a walk on the bike path which was plowed after the last storm. But then it rained and froze and the portions of it in the shade are skating rinks. Yesterday I tried walking and nothing like water on top of ice to make things interesting. This made me determined to find the yak traks. Brain cells, where are you?
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