A Typical Friday

I admit to a big relief whenever Dennis and Raquel leave on a Friday, and I am home alone for a few short hours.

(Just as I finished writing the above sentence, Raquel and Dennis rolled back into the house - five minutes after they left. Raquel told me Dennis wanted me to come along - they were teasing me! He just needed his medications before they left or the morning.)

Anyway, after that brief interruption, I have about 10 minutes before....

Raquel just came back for one more thing, and now it's time for me to go, too. Be back later.

3 hours later

I ran some errands - I had purchased, online, a new phone for Dennis to replace the phone thrown in the washing machine (the phone I purchased was a Nextel, and I was assured by Sprint that it would work, but it did not not come with the necessary Sims card. So I asked where and how to get a sims card and was told that maybe, just maybe another store might have one laying around). Then I had lunch with a friend who wants to job share with me next year, if we can figure it out. It was a great lunch, with a really fun gal (yes, you Sheila) and a perfect two hours.

Then it was to the pharmacy to pick up a drug for Dennis. It was not in. This is the super antacid that was prescribed to Dennis after his last bout with pneumonia in December. It still has not been filled. It needs a prior authorization, because it is not formulary. The pharmacy says the doctor has not written the auth yet, and the doctors office says the pharmacy has not asked for it yet. They are both wrong.

When I returned home, I immediately called the doctor's office, and was in the middle of the call when Raquel and Dennis returned home. So much for alone time today.

But I would turn away any alone time for time with a girlfriend. And that is what made today perfect.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

ClonazePAM

One of the issues with MSA, and other movement disorders, involves sleep, or the lack there of. The symptoms include thrashing about, screaming and sleep talking. Dennis is not alone in this. I have heard from other care-givers that they have experienced the same problem.

Of course, this results in anyone else in the household from getting a good nights sleep, too.

I have mentioned all of this before, but I mention it again today because of the drug, ClonazePAM. I do not pretend to understand what the drug is all about, but it's a mild narcotic, a muscle relaxant, and also helps minimize the sleep disorders that Dennis exhibits. It also becomes useless after a while, and doses must be increased. It isn't covered my Medicare, but it is relatively cheap.

And I am taking it too.

My doctor prescribed it for me as an anti-anxiety drug, to be taken when I come home from work at night when needed. It does help me relax, let go of work, and focus on Dennis. It also helps me sleep better.

The last time Dennis was in the hospital, his doctor took him off of sleep medications. He felt they were a part of the problem in his infections - breathing, swallowing etc, may be inhibited by sleep drugs. Then we went to California, and for three nights I did not get a decent night's sleep. The fourth night, we both took the drug and we both slept better.

I am not endorsing any drug here. I am simply mentioning that sometimes there are answers out in this world that are simple. This little narcotic, legal narcotic, has improved our lives. There are still nights that Dennis wakes me up, but now I am able to fall back to sleep once again. And for me, that is priceless.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis

No Wonder I Am a Cynic

Yesterday, Dennis went to visit his family doctor. Dr. Keifer is the one who Cigna denied as a family practitioner, and held up a few of the insurance claims. I asked him about his credentials, and he told me he has been, always and only, a general practitioner. He has no ENT interest, let alone specialty. Should I call Cigna and let them know?

No.

Today, I went to the pharmacy to pick up one of Dennis' meds. His insurance refused to pay, because his coverage had been terminated.

I wish I could say nice words, but none come to mind.

So I came home, called Cigna, who told me I had to call Medco (his drug coverage), who told me I had to call ADP (where he sends his Cobra payments). I spent the next hour and a half on the phone, once more, talking pleasantly to people who try hard, but aren't able to accomplish much of anything.

I asked the guy, who happened to answer the phone at Cigna, how many calls had been placed on Dennis' behalf since January 1, 2009. Over 75 calls, most of them from one of us, have been generated to fix Dennis' insurance problems. This does not take into consideration the calls to ADP or his drug provider.

No wonder we have been sleeping so much during my spring break.