What A Day
I left home about fifteen minutes after eight this morning and was at the doctor’s office about twenty minutes before my appointment. The paperwork for blood work was ready so I walked across the room to the lab and only had to wait about five minutes. Then it was back to the doctor’s office where I only waited another five minutes. I told the nurse about the problem I have been having when I bend over loading the dishwasher. When the doctor came in to do the checkup he told me that what I was experiencing was Orthostatic Hypotension. I asked the doctor about a prescription for Hydrocodone but he gave me all the reasons that I do not want to start taking a narcotic. He said that really the only thing left to do to get rid of the pain is to have knee replacements. When the doctor was finished with the routine examination he left to have the nurse check on what tests had been requested earlier. In a couple of minutes a different nurse came in and told me that I needed to go back to the lab and have more blood drawn for additional tests and I was also to go to the X-ray lab for an ultrasound of the arteries in my neck.
I obediently went back across the room and gave the paperwork to the lady at the desk. Very shortly she came over and said that they could not do the ultrasound then and not sure they could even do it today. When she said that she would go see if they could work me in I told her I would greatly appreciate that for I would prefer not to come back another day. She went back to the lab and then came out and told me that they could do the X-ray at two o’clock. She also told me that I could also wait until then to have the second vial of blood drawn. She told me to just come back a few minutes early for the blood work.
By this time it was ten o’clock so I went to the library to get a book to read since I had finished the one I was reading while waiting for the doctor. I went to large print and found all three books of a series that is on my list of books to read. Checked out the books and then drove to Fox’s Pizza to have lunch and kill some time reading. After lunch I went back to the library to spend time on the computer waiting for one thirty to roll around.
Last week I finished the first three books in a series of ten that are all recorded on CD. Monday the library called to tell me volumes four through six were available and then today I checked the CD shelves and much to my surprise volumes seven through nine were available. They have volume ten on CD also but someone has it checked out so will have to get my name on a request list. The series is about the Civil War and I am thoroughly enjoying the books.
I was back at the lab shortly after one thirty and was called for the blood work in just a few minutes. However, it was ten minutes before three before I was finally called for the ultrasound. Then I learned that I was down for two thirty and not two. I was nice though and did not go back to the desk and mention it to the lady who had told me I was scheduled for two o’clock. After all they did work me in so that I would not have to come another day.
When I left Green Clinic I decided to go to Green Clinic Surgical Hospital to see if I could get an estimate on what a knee replacement would cost after Medicare paid their part. Was not as bad as I expected so maybe next year I will think about having it done. Would save a lot of money to have both done at the same time but will have to talk with the orthopedic surgeon about that.
Doing all the moving of boxes and furniture yesterday did a number on my knees. I decided to rest my knees as much as possible today and do clearing out that I could do seated or standing for a short time. No walking through three rooms pushing a dolly loaded with heavy boxes. And no moving of furniture either which I also did yesterday. My back also needed a rest. However, when I finally got home this afternoon I was so tired and sleepy that I took a short nap and then headed to the grocery store. I was sitting in the driveway when Brian called and asked what was for dinner and I must have sounded very tired for he asked if I would like for him to bring something home. I told him I would be delighted and drove back onto the carport. Since he only works a half-day on Fridays, I do not have to get up early tomorrow morning to prepare a lunch. No alarm and I can sleep until I wake up.