On being a pain in the ASS

Yesterday was quite the day.  I started off feeling quite positive.  I was sure that it was going to be the day I got my dang tests scheduled.

But by 2 in the afternoon, my stress level was through the roof.

I hate feeling like I have no control over things.  And this entire cancer thing has been one big slap in the face reminder that really none of us have control over anything.  But what makes it even worse is when I feel like I am not being made a priority or I am being forgotten.

This was a big problem I had with my old endocrinologist.  So these challenges in getting the scan scheduled starting popping up, I got real nervous.  I don't want another doctor whose office can't get things done.

But that isn't the case this time.  I know that.

The medical assistant had told me it would take 4 or 5 days to get the shots approved by my insurance, ordered, and shipped.  Then we could schedule the test.  That was 2 weeks ago.

So I had been patient.  Now was the time to start making some phone calls and being annoying.

I called my health insurance.  Then the doctor's office.  Then the Thyrogen manufacturer.  Then the mail-in pharmacy.  Then my health insurance again.  Then another specialty mail-in pharmacy.  Then my doctor called me back.  And about 3 hours after I started making phone calls I think I may be on the right track again.  Maybe.  At one point yesterday on the phone, I was almost in tears, so frustrated with how this whole process was going.  I don't think anyone (including all parties involved) has any idea what is going on.  The first pharmacy I talked to told me it would be the end of the week before they got it figured out, even though they had the order LAST WEEK.  I'm sorry but NOTHING should take that long to get ordered.  Thankfully almost everyone I talked was extremely nice and helpful.  I have to say, I am extremely impressed with Pacific Source and their customer service.

Phil had his softball games, so it was just me and the doggies at home.  They were extremely well-behaved.  They played while I cleaned up the kitchen.  And played while I watched 2 episodes of Project Runway.  And then they slept with I put the tuna noodle casserole I made Sunday night in the oven.  And kind of slept when I opened up a bottle of wine.

 

By the time Phil got home, I was calm and relaxed again.  My wonderful pups and the messy kitchen gave me something to focus on and occupy myself with.

And while, yes, I felt like a HUGE pain in the ass yesterday I still really feel like if I hadn't been on top of things, it wouldn't have gotten done in a VERY long time.  Let this be a lesson... You HAVE to be your own advocate.  No news isn't always good news.  No news can sometimes mean that things have gotten lost in the system.

And speaking as someone who has had to deal with insurance A LOT in the last year or so... the health care system NEEDS to be changed.  Far beyond Obamacare.