Return Of Summer

 

Return Of Summer

In My Bloodstream: Lisinopril,  Amlodopine,  Omeprazole, Tamsulosin
On The Stereo: Everything's Alright: Jesus Christ Superstar

Apparently two days of autumn were our allotment.  Good grief!  Summer weather has returned.  We are esconsced in scorching heat exacerbated by sweat inducing humidity.  Even those who usually are non-plussed by our summers are calling foul.  A visit to a sauna would give us some relief.  The weather.  Always a topic of much conversation.  At least we have air conditioning.

I went to Walgreen's the other day to pick up some prescribed meds.  One particular renewal was not available, as my G.P. had apparently refused to fill it.  As hot as it was outside, my temperature  exceeded it.  Why did he not fill this prescription, when it was he who wanted me to take it?  Now I had to chase him down to get an answer.  Pain in the butt.

I returned home and phoned his office.  Closed for lunch.  Call back later, the message said.  Arghhhh.

Later, I called and talked to his secretary.  I was poised for war.  Oh, she said.  We have not seen you since April and that drug requires a visit within six months prior to re-ordering.  Why did no one call to tell me this?  Fine.  Carry on.  When can I see him, or use his tele-med system?  Oh.  I need blood-work first?  OK.

She told me she would fax the orders directly to the local lab and I should make my appointment with them before Friday, so that I might talk with the doc next Tuesday.  Okey dokey.  I can do that.  I told her that I would make my appointment on Thursday.  ( I had my regular golf games on Wednesday and Friday.)

On Thursday morning, I drove The Teach to school and headed over for my 8 a.m. appointment.  They were ready for me, and in I went to visit the vampires.  Do I have my scripts?  No.  They were supposed to be sent over directly from the doc's office.    After a quick visit to the fax room, she returned and said there was nothing for me.  It was 8 o'clock and my doctor's office did not open until 9.  This day was not up to standard.  I drove home for another cup of coffee.  My mood was darkening.

Later, again, I called his office and spoke to his assistant.  What was going on?  After a review of my records, she said that I was supposed to call the day before my lab appointment to trigger the sending of the fax.  Two things about that, I said.  One, nobody told me that.  And, I had told you, or somebody, that Thursday would be the day I would make my appointment. 

Well, when could I go back to the lab?  I told her that I could be in the car in one minute.  That was how soon.  

Then she asked if I had eaten anything yet?   No-one told me that I needed to fast!  I had made some outstanding scrambled eggs that morning.  Served them with orange juice and a beautiful English muffin, with a choice of honey or raspberry jam.  Not to mention a cup of hot, aromatic café.  All served in the most hospitable environment of Chez Robbo.  All done to impress my bride.  Does that sound like I had been fasting?   So, I was unable to go that day. 

We re-set the schedule.  I do not believe that either one of us was amused. She, by my story, or me with their incompetence   I debriefed Kat that evening, with me adding my usual dash of panache to the tale, and she was slightly amused.

On Saturday, my bride made her weekly trip to Publix, our local grocery store.  She had intended to get her flu shot at their pharmacy.  She stood at the counter, at the place specified for customers to wait.  The pharmacist was already attending to a customer.  Three older (by Kath's definition) people went directly to the place where he was, and asked for his attention.  They wanted their flu shots - today.  He ignored my teacher friend and looked after them.  Kath called to him and told him that she had been patiently waiting for him, well before the others arrived.  I will be right with you, he said, and proceeded to give the others their vaccines.

When finished, he came back to see what she wanted.  A flu shot, she said.  She was then advised that he had just given his last three doses to her now enemies.  Well then, can you arrange for me to have an appointment first thing tomorrow morning?  No.  You must do that on-line.

Kathy was not pleasant when she arrived home with the groceries.  I was of two minds.  I understood her frustration and was openly supportive of her frustration.  But I was also secretly pleased that I was not the only one feeling victimized that week.  Misery loves company.  Sad but true.  We had each other.

                                                                           Joy, my ass.

Our hearts were lifted later that evening, when Alabama played football.  After their typically slow start, they gave us an entertaining game.  They won handily, surgically removing any lingering stress from the tightly played first half.  There is joy and comfort when your team plays well.  And we felt both.  Our day was greatly improved.  Roll Tide.

Sunday golf was also a release from our shared tensions.  Things like bungled customer service would usually make us shake our head or roll our eyes, and laugh.  I'm not sure if the pandemic's black cloud changes our demeanor, but just maybe, it does.  We deal daily with health and cancer concerns, and normally our spirits cannot be undermined.  These days, "normal" is taking a break.

This week's song pick struck me as most appropriate.  Mary tells Jesus that "everthing's going to be alright" while he is concerned and upset about the world's state of affairs.  

We are in the midst of great discord today, and we, like Mary, continue to seek, and to offer, comfort.  Striking parallels, I thought.  I love the musicality of this song, and find myself singing it  to no-one far too often.  One line calls for the cooling "for the fire in your head and feet".  Way too close to home this past week.

I apologize for the tardiness of this week's message.  Was hopeful to finish up my doctor visit, but he has yet to get the information on my blood results.  Friday morning I visit Moffitt again to see my dermatologist.  Another fun day.

Talk to you next week.  Stay strong and enjoy your every day.  Our lives my be like this for a long time.  Resilience is a necessity of life now.  Be thankful for your family and friends.  I most certainly am.

Love from The Sunshine State.