It Was A Stressful Week ….

I've tried to open that note that was left on my car window last month several times with no success. I'm guessing that whoever put it there didn't count on how bad the rain was gonna be. I threw it away after a day or two. If it was Gordon, he'll get back to me somehow. If it was some local business man, too bad.

I drove down to New Brunswick on Thursday the 9th for my scheduled Blood Work at RWJ. It was shortly after 7 in the morning and I don't usually see anyone out unless they're walking their dog or jogging but I did pass by this guy.

He didn't look too happy being out so early. I guessed he was on his way to work.

Monday the 13th, I was out early as usual. I didn't get my Blood Work results on Friday but I chalked it up to being August and having people on vacation. I was driving through a development in Woodbridge when I saw this women out speed-walking.

Good for her, I thought, and drove on. Later that afternoon, I got antsy about the results and called my Cardiologist's Office. I wound up leaving a message.

Tuesday, the 14th, was my Birthday. I was on my way to Route 9 to head down to the Golden Corral in Freehold for Brunch when I got delayed on Amboy Avenue.

Once again, I've been stopped by the train. I did get to the Corral in time and we had a great meal.

Wednesday, the 15th, I heard back from my Cardiologist. They decided I should increase my dosage of Magnesium and Potassium. The Magnesium isn't a problem because it's "over the counter" but the Potassium change required a new prescription. I figured they'd take care of it.

Thursday, the 16th, was overcast with some showers coming on. I cut through a Krauser's lot to get to Avenel Street when I saw this guy.

He's one of the people that I call a "Regular". If it's not too cold or not too wet, he sits out in front of his building and just watches the people and the traffic. He seems happy.

When I got home, I set up my meds. I have this pill caddy that holds a weeks worth and I stay on top of it - refilling the empty slots every 3 days. I realized that I was due for a refill of my Prograf .5 - one of my imunospressants - so I called in the reorder to my Pharmacy. It required approval from my doctor so I knew it would take a few days.

Monday, the 20th, I checked in with the Pharmacy. They hadn't gotten the approval that they needed so I had to call the Doctor. They called me back later and told me they'd given the OK.

Tuesday, the 21st, I got a call from my Pharmacy. They got the OK, they had the meds I needed, but it would cost me $200. This was way more then I was used to spending. They said that they'd faxed a form to my doctors that needed to be sent on to my Secondary Provider. I called my doctor so they'd keep an eye out. They called me back about an hour later to let me know that they'd gotten it and sent it on.

On Wednesday, the 22nd, I drove up Main Street to Amboy and saw another "Regular" - a young man who wears some heavy clothes even on hot days.

As long as he's comfortable, I thought, as he crossed in front of me. I went o my way.

That afternoon, I got a call from my Secondary Insurance Company. They'd reviewed my paperwork and agreed to lower the cost to me to $132 for the 3 month supply. I wasn't happy but I didn't see that I had a choice.

Thursday, the 23rd, things turned around. I got a text message from Doyle at 1:12 PM -

    "Heard you were having a problem with a prescription. No worries. All is good."

At 2 PM I got a call from the doctors that everything was worked out. At 2:30 I got a voicemail message from my pharmacy that the prescription was ready for pick-up. the total cost would be $7.

Thanks, Doyle!

That afternoon, I called in a renewal for my Potassium but was told that my Secondary wouldn't cover it because it was too early - probably because I had to double-up on the morning dosage. I called my Cardiologist again and actually spoke with someone. She understood what I was talking about and promised that someone would get back to me.

Friday, the 24th, I picked up my Prograf. That afternoon my favorite nurse - Jackie - called me. She apologized for what happened with the Potassium order. There was a miscommunication but the new scrip was called in.

I spent a quiet weekend.

This morning I woke up early. They say we're in for a heat wave so I went out to run some errands early. On my way up Chain-of-Hills Road (which winds it's way through parts of Avenel) I came up behind this guy.

I've said before that I don't like bike riders but this guy kept weaving back and forth between the curb and the middle of the road. I pulled up behind him at the corner of Grove and Oak Tree and followed him until there was no one else around.


Point, press, Flash.

I kept driving.

When I got home, I called my Pharmacy. My Potassium order should be in tomorrow. I'm not sure what the price will be but it doesn't matter.

This week, I have a check-up appointment with my ENT on Wednesday. Other then that, I plan to take it easy.

I have to get over last week - it was too stressful.