Sick

Horrible sore throat, weepy eyes, headache, ear ache, face and eye pain. Some of you know how terrified I am of Doctors. The above symptoms finally merged together to the point that I had to go see a doctor today.

Because of my medical phobias (very real) I usually go to a little place called Rapidmed, hoping they will just treat the current symptoms and not get too touchy feely and start ordering all sorts of tests, with a look of medical glee on their face. So I bravely made the call, trying to make the appointment.

They informed me that records showed that I owed a balance of over $400.00 from last year when I tore my MCL (inside part of my knee).They had sent me to this imaging place for an MRI to confirm that it was indeed torn. We were in the middle of moving at the time, but that is another LONG story.

For some stupid reason, our health insurance said they couldn't cover it until we were IN our permanent address. Somehow, maybe because of the move, they all failed to tell us about it. Which resulted in the Doctor's office turning me away today, until I got things straightened out with the insurance company. I told them that I was pretty sure I had strep throat (not my first time) and didn't feel like talking to the insurance company. So they politely said to have a nice day.

My throat is so swollen and hurts so bad that I wait as long as I can to try to swallow, much less talk. Then All of my other symptoms started pounding at me. So, I called CVS. I asked if their Minute Clinic required an appointment this time of year. They said no. I asked if the clinic was terribly busy today, because I was so sick I didn't feel like a long wait. They said No, it didn't seem that busy today. So, with hope in my heart, trying to stamp down the medical phobia, I bravely drove myself to the doctor. I had smartly timed it to be After lunch, to avoid the crowds. Aleve was bringing my fever down a bit and my eyes were a little less watery, so driving wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, even though the sun had to be the brightest I have ever seen it.

Inside the store, I made the long walk back to the clinic area. As I got closer I was pleased to see that there wasn't a line of sick people. Did I mention that I'm a germ-a-phobe too? I walked right up to the door and when it didn't open right up, I thought, Geez, I must be weaker than I thought. It was then I noticed a sign. It said Out to Lunch, be back at 3:40. I looked at my watch. It said exactly 2:40. Well shoot. Okay, I'm a trooper I can deal with it. So I signed in like the good little girl I become around anything medical. I thought I would just walk around the store and browse. Two aisles later I came back and sat down. My head hurt so much I wasn't in the mood to shop around. So I sat and I waited for an hour. Luckily, she came back promptly on time.

Before checking me out, of course she had to check all the paperwork. This is the pharmacy I have been going to for about five years. All the people behind the medicine counter knows me and my family very well. However, this was a new Nurse/Doctor person. She saw on the computer that I hadn't been to the clinic for anything in over a year, so she wanted to see my insurance card. I didn't have it with me. I politely told her that all the information was on record with the pharmacy. She wasn't impressed, she said that wouldn't work with her.

I called my husband at work, he must have the cards in his wallet. No answer. I suggested she call Aetna, I knew my husbands social security number and his employee number. She didn't want to. Finally, I slumped down in the chair, looked up at her and asked, "Can't you please just look at my throat?" She said she would, but I would have to pay for the full visit. At that point, I didn't care.

Once she saw my throat, and did the strep test, saw that I also had an ear infection and a fever over 101 and assessed my other symptoms, she was a lot nicer. She said I did indeed have a strep infection and a bad sinus infection. Then she lectured me for quite a while because my blood pressure was high. Well, ya think?

When I left the pharmacy, I clutched my medicine tightly to my chest like the treasures they are. And tonight, as I sit here, with weepy watery painful eyes, a sore throat so painful I didn't know it was possible and a headache that would probably win a prize, I thought I would share this adventure with you. My friends. I don't want to re-read this as I usually do, I know I'll sound like an idiot. But for some reason, I feel compelled to share. And how was Your day?

Drive Safely,

KT

PS. - I may have used a little creative license in the above story. For instance the sun probably wasn't the brightest I had ever seen it, it just felt that way.