Here in Chicago, just like any major urban area in the U.S. that has Walgreens (and no, there’s no apostrophe there), there’s about one on every block, it seems. You know, like Starbucks. Anyway, Brian and I were at our local Walgreens recently. The allergy and other over-the-counter meds that kids can get high from are locked up, which is understandable. But at the one we go to, the deodorant is also locked up. We pondered this.

Brian: Maybe it’s so people don’t use them.

Barb: Eeewwww!!!

Brian: (laughing) Could you imagine? You go to use your new deodorant and find a hair on it!

These past couple of weeks I’ve felt really, really weak and totally tired. Part of it is definitely because one or two nights out of the week I don’t sleep at all, in spite of the trazodone. Plus, I had my first maintenance ECT this past Friday.

Well, had I not visited my GE last week I never would have known that I’m anemic! Because he’s affiliated with Swedish Covenant, they faxed him a copy of my bloodwork.

While I was at Swedish Covenant’s E.R., one of the nurses or assistants or something drew several vials of blood from me. I bled out, remember? (If not, read here.) They never bothered to tell the E.R. doc the results of my blood test! Even my PCP, when I saw him recently because of the flu, said it’s been over a year since I had bloodwork done, but no hurry — I can have it done in a month or two. And here, I had it all this time! Or my GE did, anyway. WTF?

Fuck off and die, Swedish Covenant Emergency Room. I don’t care that your newly opened, completely renovated E.R. is gorgeous (note that this link may be dead one day), your fucking staff (except for the doctor and nurse I was lucky to have) is totally fucking incompetent.

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Originally written Thursday, February 28, 2007:
Need to make a trip to the emergency room? Don’t go to Swedish Covenant Hospital’s E.R., where Brian and I have now been for two hours, even though I told the triage nurse that I rated myself a 9ish (out of 10) on the pain scale.

While waiting in triage, located approximately 15 – 20 ft. from the entrance, we made the unfortunate discovery that the sliding glass doors wouldn’t slide shut. Brian happened to glance at a thermostat, which read 54?F — indoors. Fortunately, we waited only 15 (very cold) minutes in triage. Afterwards, the nurse was kind enough to let us wait in the emergency room itself, rather than in the waiting room, which is next to the entrance.

Kind as she was, however, I was the one who offered to give a urine sample. I’ve made enough visits to E.R.s in the past, and they always ask for one. I may be mistaken, but I believe this is standard, especially for women, to ensure she isn’t pregnant. The results dictate the procedures the staff may or may not be able to perform. When I finished, I set the cup where she instructed.

The restroom was disgusting: discarded hospital gowns littered the floor; the toilet seat was raised, displaying a large, dry urine stain towards the back of the rim; and the sink desperately needs Drano? Build-Up Remover. When I urinated again later, even more gowns were strewn around, and the stain remained.

(more…)

I left for my GE’s office half an hour early to give me enough time to get a soy latte (yeah, I’ve gotten used to the soy milk since I’m not supposed to have dairy). Good thing I called the doctor’s office first because I couldn’t remember what floor they were on–turns out I’m driving to the wrong fucking office! The receptionist even called me earlier to confirm the appointment. Um, she could have given me the address then.

She also told me that since I’d never seen the GE at that particular office, that my chart is at their other office (the one I was on my way to), so I might as well reschedule for an appointment there. I couldn’t get another one until next Thursday because that’s the only day the doctor is at that office. Well, let’s just hope I don’t bleed out between now and then.

So I decide to get a latte on my way home. I get to Starbucks (I would have preferred to go to Perfect Cup, which is right by the doctor’s office, but I was closer to home and so was Starbucks), place my order, and then realized that I never took my wallet out of my hockey bag when I unpacked everything else out of it this morning after my pick-up game. (By the way, Shane, one of the guys I play with said that there are just going to be some shots I won’t be able to stop–playing with guys, that is–because of my size. He meant it in a nice way. Also, because there were three of us goalies who showed up again (I’m the newest one, but I don’t mean playing-wise necessarily, one of the other skaters told me not to let the other goalies dictate when I can go play–that we’re supposed to rotate every 15 minutes. That was pretty cool of him.)

Bottom line: no doctor’s appointment; no coffee; not happy.

nothing. i had another ECT again today, and for the first time since i’ve had them, i’m constantly having to pee. what a pain in the ass. also, the regular shock doc is on vacation or something so some other doctor’s doing it, and this guy does it super early! like on Friday, we have to be there at 6:15am! Jesus Christ. i don’t know yet if i’m going to have to go back next week or what. well, i don’t feel better yet.

in other news, Brian picked up the keys to our new apartment. we can move in on the 15th, but i don’t think we will ’til the 24th. i hate moving, but i can’t wait to get out of this place.