I would like to state, for the record, that I'm ignoring the idiot advice nurse.

It turns out the oncology/hematology doctor who is supposed to be dealing with the mystery anemia is out this week. I had an incredibly annoying conversation with his advice nurse, who kept concentrating on the shortness of breath, not the joint pain, and insisted I should see a doctor today and have someone drive me. There are no appointments anywhere near me, so she wanted me to go to an urgent care place and wait. Then she keeps reading a list of urgent care facilities I could go to, revealing that she has absolutely no grasp of Atlanta geography.

The shortness of breath is the same as it's been for weeks. I've managed to go to the grocery store, Home Depot and other errands without passing out. It's the pain I need help with. Instead I get someone asking me five different times if I've had surgery and if I had a history of heart disease.

Also, one reason this thing was such a clusterfuck in the beginning was that I kept seeing different doctors. I'm going to get an appointment with my PCP this week so that at least there's not another doctor in the mix. I don't know what good it will do, but she can order a blood test.

X-posted with Natter because I think we could all use it: 13 Ways to Get Through a Rough Day [link]

I needed that yesterday, and it totally worked.

13 Ways to Get Through a Rough Day [link]

I am NOT JOEY FATONE.

Man, I *do* feel better!

Geez Ginger. I get why she is concerned about shortness of breath tho even if you have been dealing with that for awhile.

Thing is, urgent care won't get you a colonoscopy right? So what is the point?

All I really want at this point is some damn pain pills so I can get through the no-NSAID period to the test Monday.

How frustrating, Ginger. It sucks that you have to deal with the pain, the waiting AND the idiocy.

13 Ways to Get Through a Rough Day [link]

I feel better! It's magic!

Ginger, how fucking annoying. I get why the nurse might be initially more concerned about the shortness of breath, but it would be way more helpful if she could be redirected away from that focus to the actual problem at hand. Can you not take Tylenol? That's not an NSAID. (I think. Don't trust me.)

Tylwnol IS A nsaid - one that works differently than asperin, but a nsaid

It is true that people who cannot take other nsaids are often allowed tylenol but it is still something to check since taking tylenol if you are not supposed to can cause serious problems.