Tuesday: Another Doctor's Appointment

Today was another sunny, mild day.  I had another doctor's appointment today, so I took the day off from work.  Which was a good thing, because all I managed to do today was go to my appointment and come back!

My appointment was scheduled for 1:00 p.m.   I was asked to arrive at 12:45 p.m. (they always ask you to be there 15 minutes early to check you in, etc.).  I left the house just before noon and I walked into the clinic at 12:40 p.m. Checked in, paid my co-pay, and sat and waited.  Read through my prayer book, cover to cover.  Watched parts of the children's movies they were playing on the monitor (shared waiting room with pediatrics and family practice; the latter part of Robots and the first part of Wreck-It Ralph).  I don't know why they have the volume set so high, but it was still too loud for me even after the security guard on duty lowered it (when people in the waiting room couldn't hear their numbers being called).

And I waited.  I knew that the nurse assistant had muttered something about the PA being triple booked, when she made the appointment for me (although she had been speaking in Spanish to another person at the office), so I was prepared for a long wait.   But at 2:00 p.m., I decided to go up to the receptionist and ask her how much longer would I have to wait, since my appt. was for 1:00 p.m.  She said, "Let me check; they were looking for your chart".  I was called in a few minutes later!  Apparently, the chart was on the PA's desk as she had been reviewing it, earlier! 

The PA apologized for the wait and thanked me for waiting.  She said she was checking my file because the oncologist's office had sent her a report.   I updated her on what the neurologist had to say.  She will wait for his report, but she was pleased he didn't find anything wrong.  I mentioned the other fall and she examined my shoulder and had me move my arm, etc. and she agreed that there doesn't seem to be any fracture.  I am to continue to ice or apply heat as I choose for any stiffness and soreness.

She looked at my blood pressure and sugar level monitoring logs and she wants to keep the blood pressure medications as they are (said she has seen in my chart how crazy things became on previous occasions when the blood pressure medications were changed).  But she wants to lower the blood sugar medication to half my current dosage.  I am okay with that; this is the second time my blood sugar medication has been reduced since I first started taking it.  The goal is to be off of it, completely, eventually.  I am to continue to monitor my sugar levels (and pressure, too) for 3 more weeks and see her again in 3 weeks.  

I was at the clinic till almost 3:00 p.m.  I hadn't eaten lunch yet, although I had taken some crackers and a banana with me.  I wasn't even hungry, but I ate a couple of bites of the banana when I got into the car.  Now my car smells of banana!

I decided I wasn't in the mood to go shopping for a pair of pants after all, and came home!  Didn't get home till 4:00 p.m.!  I debated whether to stop and buy some fried chicken for my meal (Tuesday special: two pieces - drumstick and thigh - for $1.79), but decided not to.  I had enough food at home and fried chicken isn't the healthiest thing to eat, is it?

I brought the trash cans in, checked the mail (bills and a survey regarding the services of one of my doctors), texted daughter (spoke to her on the phone after she got home and we will video chat a bit later), ate a very late lunch, opened the windows to air out the house, and relaxed.

My neighbor whose husband passed away just before Christmas called to give me details of the funeral Mass scheduled for later this month, I chatted with a friend who called to ask how my doctors' appointments went, replied to a friend's email and to a cousin's text.  Still need to clean the litter box and wash a few dishes, pack a lunch to take to the office tomorrow, and try on an outfit (tried on two of my wool skirts and they are both too big in the waist - fitted waist bands;  they sit on my hips!).

Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to reduce the dosage of my sugar medication.
- A safe drive to the clinic and back.
- Answered prayers.
- Another sunny day
- Friends and family who call, email, text, etc., to ask how I am.

Today, I spent: $15 for my co-pay; $5 for parking.

It is supposed to rain, again, tomorrow.  I am planning to go to the office.  Hope the morning drive won't be too bad.

Wednesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Call the street tree services about the sapling my neighbor planted/getting a permit to plant, etc.
- Call the pharmacy to see if my new medication is ready for pick up
- Go to the pharmacy after work, if it is ready
- Do some housework, maybe?

How was your Tuesday?  What have you planned for tomorrow?