“I Love It…

…when a plan comes together.” While never a fan of “The A-Team” that quote stuck in my mind earlier this past week.

I know, I missed several days of posting. And I hated to make good news wait. But I’m going to try to catch up here. So, if the tenses are a little wrong, please realize that I’m trying to edit this previously written post on the fly.

~~~~~~~~~~

During my last course of chemotherapy, I had had problems with keeping track of my liquid pain meds, so I asked the Cheerleading Squad for suggestions. The suggestions got sidetracked when I switched to the pill form of the medication, but the suggestions stayed in my mind.

My September 30 post, showed my new pill box that I obtained to handle the need to administer different meds at different times during the day. It was purchased large enough to handle the suggestions of using colored balls, or even M&Ms, to indicate my liquid meds.

With my oncologist’s flabbergasting decision to remove me from the Vicodin when I was concerned about the high, almost toxic, levels of acetaminophen and to substitute Aspirin as my pain meds, I had to start making some independent choices.

First, I went looking for an appointment with my Primary Care Physician.

Second, I made an effort to reduce the level of acetaminophen going into my system while maintaining the same level of hydrocodone by switching back to the elixir, the liquid form of my meds, for my two overnight doses.

So, out came the M&Ms again. I had made a “big bag” purchase of M&Ms from Wal Mart, 45 ozs for just under $7, to replenish my supply.

I took my 10:00PM dose the first night as liquid and set up the M&Ms for my 2:00AM dose. Amy and I stayed up until after 12:00AM talking, so I finally got to sleep by about 12:30AM. So, I was understandably tired when my alarm went off for my next dose. I remember the confusion I had when I opened the case and saw the brown and orange M&Ms. Then it came back to me. So, I took my liquid meds, and found that disposing of the M&Ms by eating them helped get rid of the awful taste of the meds in my mouth! Yeah! Later, I added a few more M&Ms to my pill box for just a little more bad taste eradication.

Over the course of the next few nights, I found that the system worked flawlessly! So, my special thanks to my cheerleading squad for the suggestions that came together to make my meds-taking experience both memorable and efficient! I couldn’t have done it without out your help!! It gets hard to think sometimes while sick, in pain, and the groggy feelings from lack of sleep that the drugs can cause.

So, thanks again for the suggestions!!!!!

BTW, apparently the elixir caused the gas problem I had!

~~~~~~~~~~

More good news, after finally getting past the layers of bureaucracy preventing a customer from accessing the services of doctor, which would have required me to wait for 3 weeks before seeing my doctor about my pain needs, I did obtain an appointment for Monday to discuss my situation with my PCP.

My oncologist, the doctor that didn’t want me to take Vitamin C because of the ascorbic acid it contained, wants me to take aspirin, which contains acetylsalicylic acid! As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Aspirin can cause Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) especially in the gastrointestingal tract, read that as the STOMACH! You know, where I have a tumor sitting across the opening to the esophagus.

Amy and I did show up for my appointment. My doctor, as my PCP and rheumatologist, shared my view that NSAIDS were not in my best interests, stomach-wise, and put me on something stronger that should still protect my stomach.

Now, this is the point where my privacy and preservation instincts kick in.

In order to obtain my new pain meds, I had to sign a Medication Management Agreement detailing my responsibilities regarding my meds, my communications with my doctor, lab studies and random drug screenings, and what happens if I fail to comply with my agreement. I currently hold a Class A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) and am already subject to the random drug screenings, so nothing will change in that regard.

Now, from all that info, you should be able to surmise that my meds might have a “street value.” And I don’t want some “street socialist” determining where I live from info on my blog and coming to visit me because he determined that his “need” was greater than my need. There is an entire section in my agreement describing the consequences of Lost or Stolen Medications; I LOSE! I get put in the same situation as my street socialist, by law. The only way I can then obtain relief is to do the same thing that my street socialist comrade did; steal it. Isn’t it great how laws work like that? The laws actually cause crime!

Now, most of you know me. Several of you have already experienced what happens when you show up at my door without any warning and at odd hours; I am prepared to defend myself. Now, more so than previously, I don’t have the energy to punch my way out of a wet paper bag. So, as a brand new member of the female, aged, or infirmed group, I keep a weapon handy. And I do know how, and am prepared, to use it.