What a day.
First off, the heat has again become unrelentingly unbearable. It is 6:00 pm and it's 98 in Lloyd with a "feels like" temperature of 109. I hoping that it will be at least somewhat cooler in North Carolina.
Part of my day was wonderful. My next-to-youngest brother, Chuck, is the person I always call my first baby. I was twelve when he was born and by the time my mother had her last child a year later, at the age of 40, Chuck's crib was in my room and I probably changed almost as many diapers as my mother did. Oh, how I loved him when he was an infant, and our brother Russell, too. I adored those two little redheaded darlings.
Russell has become somewhat estranged, I guess, from our family. That's what you call it when someone moves and doesn't give you their address, right? Which breaks my heart but I understand.
I have another brother who lives in Bellingham, WA and I rarely, rarely see him either.
After my mother died, even Chuck and I became more distant. Shit happens, and shit did happen after Mom's death and feelings were hurt and let's face it- our family never was anything but dysfunctional and the way things were handled after the death didn't help at all.
So even thought Chuck and his family live on the other side of Tallahassee, not the other side of the moon, we haven't seen each other too often in the last years. I think it's mostly been a situation where we had to let things lie for some time and today we finally got together for lunch and it was as if we had never not seen each other regularly and as I told him, that shows that not only do we love each other, but that we are friends, too.
I don't know how he feels about our afternoon, but I feel like it was fun and wonderful to catch up. To be honest, we have been important parts of each other's lives for many years and I am grateful for that.
We met at the Wharf and ended up sitting there for hours, talking. I not only tipped when we paid, but I also left a ten dollar bill on the table- rent money for keeping the table occupied. No one else needed the table but still.
If I'd had a twenty, I would have left that. It was worth a whole lot more than that to me to have that time with my brother.
The first thing I had to tell Chuck (and I told him that I needed to get it out of the way because it was making me very anxious and upset and he understood because, well, we're family) was that I am freaking the fuck out because we are leaving on Sunday, the compounding pharmacy where I get my bio-identical hormones is closed on Saturday, and they have not yet received a renewal prescription from the OB-Gyn who prescribes them even though I went and got my exam a few months ago as I was supposed to do, and even though the pharmacy has been calling him for over a week to please send it, and although I, too, have called his office.
I need these hormones. Not only am I one of the 15% of women who never stop having hot flashes after menopause, they also help me with my emotions and other real and very true physical stuff. Important, quality-of-life stuff.
As I told the nurse when I called the doctor's office two days ago- if I don't get those hormones, it's going to be a big mess.
And that is putting it mildly.
Also- let us just say THIS IS NOT A GOOD WEEK FOR A MALE DOCTOR TO BE FUCKING AROUND WITH A WOMAN'S HEALTH CARE NEEDS!
And I like this doctor fine. Maybe there's a good reason he hasn't responded to the pharmacy or to my pleadings but I haven't been informed of that either.
I guess if he hasn't gotten back to the pharmacy by tomorrow morning I'll be going to his office and staying there until someone listens to me. What else can I do? I have no desire in the world to do that and I don't really have the time to do it either but getting those hormones is more important than making fig preserves and cleaning out the hen house.
I got none of those things done today because after Chuck's and my lunch I went to Costco and to the library and then to Publix where I swear I must have spent five days and four nights. I was getting regular things, plus things to take with us, and things to have here for Mark. I also spent some time chatting with a woman who works at that Publix whom I like very much and I learned something about her today- she is Terez's cousin! She had asked me how Lily's kids are and so I showed her the picture I took of them yesterday with Terez and she said, "That's my cousin!"
Ha! Small world. Small community, too.
By the time I got home and had everything unloaded and put away, it was way after five and I was exhausted. I meant to go pick more figs and maybe I will after I finish this but I feel like that might just do me in. There is no waiting for things to cool down around here right now unless you plan on waiting until possibly October.
I guess that's all the news that's fit to print and most likely even more that wasn't fit to print. I shall also add that I just saw Violet and Doc Pansaloony walk across the backyard and he is definitely taller than she is. Glen and I watched two of Darla's kids pretend fighting yesterday and Liberace was watching them intently and quietly from a distance. I am sure he is taking notes on potential future problems. A good rooster has to be aware of these things.
I will also add that to all of my UK friends I offer my huge congratulations for finally getting rid of BJ. I can only hope that his replacement is at least somewhat better. I realize that the problems he created will be with you for a very long time and in that, I not only sympathize, but can empathize as well.
Be well, y'all. Stay cool.
Love...Ms. Moon
That is just too hot. And how I sympathize with the urgency and anxiety around getting the hormone rx refilled. Just because things are everyday to doctors, does nothing for the nerves of patients in need. I hope you can get it done.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you in doing a sit in until it's done. It's easy to dismiss phone calls, but a person showing up in the office is much more effective. I have done this, in a different kind of office and the embarrassment factor was so great that people jumped to it!
My mum used to do that. She'd take her knitting and just sit there until she got properly attended to. Doctor, government facility, didn't matter to her.
DeleteWell, it got done. Story to follow. But it sure did stress me out. And I would have gone down to that office. No doubt about it.
Deletelordy. Your lunch with your brother sounds very nice and good....the rest......not so much. I also would park my ass in the doctors office pronto tomorrow, though that *should* be unnecessary......but hey, it will likely accomplish the task of getting you what you need. I am sorry about your heat and humidity.......I would be stone dead by now
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I swear- it is hot enough to kill a person. It's horrendous. Almost as hot as it was a few weeks ago but humid on top of it.
DeleteAfter a hysterectomy when I was younger- I did not do HRTs, just cold turkey madness- That's the way to go- no dependence on the med profession! Just madness. I am comfortable with that...now.
ReplyDeleteBusy busy bee getting ready to vaca- so much to do!
Family is always a little bit weird I find. Everyone in my family is dead so no worries.
I bore all of the menopause symptoms without HRT but when the anxiety hit that I almost did not live through and my then NP recommended the bio-identicals, I was ready to try anything. Urinary incontinence, hot flashes, all that physical stuff is one thing. Insanity is another.
DeleteFamily is truly always weird. Damn. Sorry yours is all dead. I guess?
I'd be visiting that office, too, and not leaving until satisfied! You need a happy vacation.
ReplyDeleteI was freaking out but it's settled now. Phew.
DeleteI still have hot flashes and I get dizzy with them. My mum had hot flashes until she died, at 88. I'm fucked:)
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you don't have to park at the doctor's office.
Families are hard. I thought it was just mine but as I get older I realize it's pretty much everybody.
Yeah. Some families rate higher on the fucked-up scale than others but none are perfect, no matter how they look from the outside.
DeleteHot flashes for eternity are pretty much the definition of hell. I still get them even with the hormones but it's not nearly as bad. These I can live with.
His cabinet quit in protest of his lying and his inability to put the country ahead of himself. There are some members of the GOP that I hope were taking notes. We got tRUMP out of office, but honestly, so many of them are still fighting to be the first in line to kiss his behind.
ReplyDeleteYour temperatures sound excrutiating. So do your hot flashes. Good luck with your doctor.
No kidding on the GOP taking notes! Do it, guys! They won't. We're just fated to be fucked, I'm afraid. At least for now.
DeleteThese temperatures are horrible.
37paddington:
ReplyDeleteIt’s so good you got to sit and talk and just be with your brother today. Families often do splinter after the elders die for all sorts of reasons; I think we all have such a story, or a lot of anyway. It can be painful but what can we do but accept what is. And lady, I hope you get those hormones! You will do what you must. But I really hope you aren’t forced to camp out in your doctors office. Womens’ health care is getting very iffy already. So many stories.
Families...well. You do know. But I think Chuck and I are okay. And hormones have been obtained! I was ready to go see if I could buy some on the street. Kidding/not kidding.
DeleteI hope you get those hormones in time! I had hot flushes a lot longer too and for me, part of that was because my blood pressure and cholesterol were way to high (WAAAAY too high) and things are better now, but I still get hot about ten minutes after eating too much chocolate in one go, or ice cream. And coffee is off the menu forever.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd die if I had to give up coffee. Chocolate would be hard, ice cream not too bad, but coffee? Yeah. That would be fatal. Bless your heart!
DeleteMy family is/was a little broken too, one son hadn't seen any of the siblings since 1998, so we arranged a get together earlier this year which went very well and now we are planning another. I was very happy to see all my kids together and talking things out.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it just takes a push, a prod, someone to say, "Hey. Let's see each other!" You know? Doesn't always work but if it does, it's beautiful.
DeleteI haven't spoken to my sister in Denmark since 2016 (her choice), but God alone knows what happened. No fight, no nothing - well except for loads of support from our end when her husband ran off with his Russian internet trollop. Families are weird aren't they!
ReplyDeleteShe may feel to ashamed and embarrassed. Who knows? I wish you two could make some amends. I know it's not always possible.
DeleteGosh, no excuse for your doctor's office to hold up your meds request. It is so easy for them now to notify the pharmacy online. I would go to the office too and find out what's going on.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough when family grows apart. I see that happening with my own children as I have one son who doesn't keep in touch much. The rough part is that he is the father of my 2 oldest grandkids so I don't see them much either. I always keep reaching out so I hope we will work it out...
That's me above! Damn the Anonymous button!
DeleteEllen- that's so hard about your grandchildren. I hope that your son begins to realize that it is important for everyone that his children spend time with their grandmother. It's another opportunity for his kids to be loved.
DeleteI echo everyone else about the hormones. What is the problem. So yeah you will have to go there and make a big stink. A friend of mine did a big job for a company and she was having a hard time getting paid. So, finally out of patience she borrowed a couple of unruly small children and did a sit in in the reception area letting the kids run wild. She got her check.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good visit with your brother.
I have no idea what the damn problem was. Someone's not doing their job, though. I could have taken the OMG's into that office and by the time Magnolia had gotten tired of sitting there, I'm sure that someone would have helped me.
DeleteI'm glad I had a good visit with my brother too!
our family is messy too, so i completely understand about your relationship with your brothers. i hope you get that script today!
ReplyDeletexxalainaxx
Got, it, girl!
DeleteI'm glad you got that time with your brother. It's important to stay in touch with the people who share our past. As for Boris, I'd have been a lot happier if we'd gotten rid of him back in 2016 when he was spreading lies up and down the country about all the wonderful things that Brexit would do for us. And has any of that come to pass? Of course not.
ReplyDeleteAnd is America Great Again yet? Uh...OH HELL NO!
DeleteThe hell those two men have put our countries through is just unbelievable. And it doesn't end when their positions did/do.
So glad you and the younger Brother got some Face Time and caught up. Perhaps you can get together more often if he too appreciated the quality time you had recently? As for the Hormones, I do so Hope that gets sorted out satisfactorily. I'm having trouble getting my Diabetic supplies now since I'm in between the Insurance switch when you turn 65 and have Military Retiree Dependent Healthcare, which is stress inducing. I'm glad BJ is kicked to the curb, too bad Britain had to suffer him as long as they did, and certainly we can relate, since we are still suffering DT's devotional Cult... all these wacko leaders like Russian Vlad, DT and BJ need to just FOAD.
ReplyDelete