The appointment, itself, went well. But the doctor is concerned because I still have some swelling and inflammation. He said it is rather unusual for it to continue for so long, but he doesn't know what is causing it. He prescribed to medications (an antibiotic and a diuretic) and wants to see me again in four weeks' time. I made the appointment before I left.
Then, I drove straight to the pharmacy to get my prescriptions filled. I also picked up more vitamin D capsules and calcium pills. I used my $6 in Extra Care Bucks towards the vitamins. The pharmacist warned me that the antibiotic might cause an allergic reaction because it is in the same family as penicillin to which I am allergic! The doctor knows my medication allergies, it is listed on the chart, but I don't know if he forgot about it or thought it would be OK for me to take this antibiotic. I tried to call the clinic to find out for sure when I got home, but they had already closed. I should have called from the pharmacy, I suppose, but I didn't think of it. Anyway, I didn't take either medication today. I want to wait and call the clinic in the morning and clarify. The pharmacist said I might need to take benadryl and I have some at home, but I'll ask the nurse if I should take any, and if so, then, should I take it before I take the antibiotic as a precaution or should I wait to see if I have an allergic reaction, first?
The nurse had also said to take the diuretic with a banana; the pharmacist said a light snack. I didn't have any bananas at home, so, after the pharmacy, I went to the dollar store that is next door to the pharmacy. Their bananas are $.49/lb., but the ones they had for sale today didn't look too good (a bit on the ripe side and I like my bananas a bit on the green side). However, since I was there, I picked up another can of table cream and two packets of wafer cookies, one for me and one to take to my neighbor T. My total came to $3.00. I didn't take a picture of the items I bought, but here's the receipt:
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| Dollar Store Receipt |
Since I didn't buy the bananas from the dollar store, I went to the adjoining grocery store and bought bananas at $.69/lb. and a single bolillo bread roll ($.25). My total came to $1.55. Again, I didn't take a picture of what I bought, but here's the receipt:
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| Grocery Receipt |
I walked around the grocery store and looked at a few things, but didn't feel like buying anything else! If eggs had been on sale, I might have bought some, but they weren't on sale, yet. I was tempted to buy a frozen pizza, but I resisted the temptation!
My grocery spending today came to a total of $4.55.
Amount spent to date = $22.24 + $21.87 + $4.55 = $48.66
Balance left in the April grocery budget = $83.07 - $48.66 = $34.41
It was past 4:00 p.m. by this time and I hadn't eaten anything yet, except for my morning cup of coffee, so I ate one of the bananas on my drive home. Once I got home, I called my neighbor T to see if our coffee date was still on, but she said she was having a headache, so we decided to have coffee on a another day. I warmed up the rest of the leftover Chinese food from Saturday and ate that and some of the wafers I had bought. The wafers tasted OK, so, I guess my taste buds are back, more or less!
After I ate, however, I felt sleepy! I was starting to doze off in my chair, so I moved to the sofa and took a nap! For just over an hour! Once I woke up, I had a cup of coffee and then, emptied the waste baskets and took the trash cans to the curb. Later, I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen (stove top and counters). Dinner was a baked potato, some of the shrimp I had cooked earlier (froze the rest), a cucumber salad, and the last of the papaya for dessert.
Later, I video chatted with my daughter. She is coming down with a cold/cough. But she went to work today and is planning to go to work tomorrow, too, although I tried to persuade her to stay home and rest.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Medical care
- Medical insurance
- The pharmacist warning me about a possible allergic reaction to the antibiotics
- Naps on the sofa
- Video chatting with my daughter
I got most of my to do list done! The only things I didn't do were visiting with my neighbor and a load of laundry, but I did went to the pharmacy, did grocery shopping, and took a nap, instead!
Monday's To Do List:
- Dr.'s appointment - DONE
- Coffee in the afternoon with my neighbor T - Postponed
- Do the dishes/run the dishwasher - DONE
- Another load of laundry
- Empty the waste baskets/kitchen trash - DONE
- Take out the recycling - DONE
- Take the trash cans to the curb - DONE
- 30 mins. of house cleaning/tidying - DONE (kitchen)
- Pharmacy - DONE
- Groceries - DONE
Tomorrow, I will call the clinic when they open and ask about the antibiotics and if I should take them and take benadryl, etc. Then, I plan to go to the office. I figured, that way, if I do have an allergic reaction to the medication, I will be downtown, closer to the doctor's office than if I were home, plus, there will be people to drive me to the clinic, if needed!
How was your Monday? What have you planned for Tuesday?
So sorry to hear that you still have swelling and inflammation. And let's hope you're able to take the meds to address it and not have any allergic reactions. Glad you'll be at work around others, should you take it. Penicillin allergies are no fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. I called the dr's office this morning. Dr. is working at another clinic today and the nurse hasn't come in. So, I left a message for her to call me back. I shall wait until I clarify things with her to take the medications.
DeleteI hope you have nothing else going on health-wise! One of my kids has an antibiotic allergy (not penicillin, another one) and that was smart of your pharmacist to point that out! I always like to double-check with the pharmacist as they seem to know more than the doctors. I would insist the doctor choose a different antibiotic. It is too risky to try. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. I am waiting for the nurse to call me back. Sometimes, one reads the list of possible side effects and wonder if they are meant to cure you or kill you! LOL!
DeleteOh dear, sorry about the swelling and inflammation. Do hope your Rx is sorted quickly. I think I would prefer a substitute for the one in the penicillin family, especially if you have a weakened immune system. I agree with you about some of the side effects.
ReplyDeleteMonday I did a load of laundry and put in the dryer. Did a lot of house cleaning ready for Easter company. Waiting for hubby to put the extra leaf in the dining room table and then it can be laid ready for Easter lunch. I now do as much preparation ahead of time. I have accepted the fact this is how it is for me.
Tuesday went and had my hair cut/colored. Have done a load of laundry and it is on the line to dry. Also have done my walk. So I am pleased.
Take care dear blog friend.
Sandy
Thank you, Sandy, for your concern. Sounds like preparations for Easter are fully underway in your house! These days, I just keep the extra leaf in the dining table on, permanently! Saves me the effort of pulling and pushing the table, storing the leaf, and finding places for the two extra chairs! It makes a nice big surface for cutting out fabric when I sew and for spreading out my papers, etc. You have had a couple of very productive days! Is your daughter preparing a dish, too, or are you doing it all? By the way, what time is Easter lunch and do you have room for an extra guest if I invite myself? :D
DeleteProud you waited on the ok from doctors office , before taking the antibiotic. Best to be safe.
ReplyDeleteHope this gets the problem cured.
Have a great day.
Thank you, Judy. After this, I won't assume the doctor has read my chart and noted my allergies; I'll be sure to ask if prescribed medications are OK to take with my allergies!
DeleteHope you have/had a great day today. I hope what I wanted to do today was take Mom to Dr.'s appointments and run to her pharmacy because that is what I seem to have done today.
ReplyDeleteOh, Anne, I, too, hope that it was what you wanted to do today. (((HUGS)))
DeleteSorry to hear that the radiation site hasn't fully healed yet. I hope that you don't have any problem with the medication.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have been having fun with my new bottle washer, preparing bottles for our bottling session this evening. It works well. Once again I have rows of bottles in two large oblong roasting pans and they will be sterilized in the oven before being filled. I like to see all the same kind of bottles lined up, but when these are used, I shall have to start preparing all shapes and sizes for the next batch, including jelly jars and mason jars!
Take care, Bushlady
Thanks, Bushlady. That bottle washer sounds interesting! Glad it works well. I hope you have enough bottles and jars for your syrup! You might have to ask people to return their empty bottles so you can reuse them! Sounds like you are going to be busy these next couple of evenings!
DeleteIf you are allergic to a family of drugs you can easily, unwittingly go into anaphylactic shock; extremely dangerous for someone living alone. I hope you'll read up on these dangers. You need an Alert kit in your handbag with driver's licence and a card on your fridge where EMS are required to search.
ReplyDeleteBest defence is your pharmacist. Ask each of your RX be reviewed within it's group and against all your regular meds. You likely won't believe me but this includes OTC items like allergy tablets and stuff advertised on TV.
Since you will be monitored with lab work and MRI scans regularly, you may as well establish a specific location for requisitions and tracking results. For example, a bright colored, lightweight, business size vinyl envelop in your handbag and a specific place on your fridge, held in place with a magnet type bulldog clip. That's just two places to look before departing for appointments.
Thank you, Hon, for the tips. I have since spoken with the nurse and the dr. prescribed a different antibiotic for me. I haven't received it yet, since the pharmacy didn't have it in stock and needed to order it. But it should be ready tomorrow. If not, I'll call to find out what's happening.
Delete