No Entry at the Doctor's Office

ferncohen.com
Ever have one of those days when you knew you should have stayed in bed? Well, today is one of those days for me!

First thing this morning I went to get out of bed, with my aide’s help, and in my wheelchair. This is my routine every morning. Then, I drink down my instant breakfast, take my morning pills, bathe, dressed, and begin my day, such as it is. Well, this morning, my ankles just refused to cooperate. My feet kept giving out on me. I kept trying and trying, but no luck. Long Story short, it took nearly two hours for me to be able to take the two steps necessary to do the transfer. Now it is after 10 and time to bathe. There are parts to the bathing process where I have to hold on and stand. By now, I am so weak and so stiff, that once again my feet and legs refused to behave. Result: it was about 11:30 before I was ready to do what I had to do, and get ready to go to the internist to attend to my blood pressure.

After finding out at my last clinic visit, that my blood pressure has shot up to a dangerous level, I immediately called my primary-care physician [whom I have not seen since right before my diagnosis]. The earliest appointment he had available was today—10 days later. I thought “ok, I would like to take care of this quicker, but I’ll wait.”

So my aide and I set out for the doctor on a day that is unseasonably warm, but threatening rain. Now unfortunately I didn’t remember that there are four steps going to the doctor’s office. I have encountered that before, but there was always another way, eg. through front door of apt building, through basement – something! Well, here, there was nothing! No way for me to get in. I find this surprising, since Dr. Joseph is also a rheumatologist, and thus treats patients with arthritis. And I could swear I have seen patients in his waiting room with canes and maybe even walkers, but maybe not wheelchairs.

So now not only have I not taken any measures re my blood pressure, but I have to find a new doctor!! I hope this day gets better because I don’t think I can take any more!!