One thing which is working better and is less stressful is that they have assigned a Symptoms Management Doctor to JZ and whenever we need refills on the myriad drugs in play, she places the order immediately, confirms it with us, and it goes through without a hitch.

That is so smart, I almost can't believe the US medical system allows it.

That is so smart, I almost can't believe the US medical system allows it.

Right? You remember how stressed I was back in January just getting one refill of any kind of controlled substance which inevitably took three trips to two different pharmacies and innumerable calls to get somebody to authorize it.

That symptoms doc sounds like a great plan but sorry about the onerous tasks!!

I realized belatedly that yesterday I was SO TIRED and then had a headache….and then this morning I saw I hadn’t taken my meds yesterday AND I didn’t have any coffee. Yeah, bad combo, self. Duh. Today, both accomplished, hopes for a better day.

I've been trying to sign up to receive Social Security (retirement) benefits. I've maxed out what I can receive, haven't received a raise for several years and costs keep going up, so I figured I'd better get started. I went online to sign up - in March - and got blocked by their system, so I scheduled a phone call for this morning. Turns out that, since I signed up in March, I can receive six months of payments! And then monthly direct deposits. Took half an hour, but I think it was worth it.

Once this gets settled (there's going to be paperwork to deal with, so I expect it'll take a while) I can look at signing up for Medicare. oh joy.

Took half an hour, but I think it was worth it.

Hell yeah, it was worth it!

I'm glad Symptoms Management Doctors are a thing (although it's unfortunate that they're needed).

I broke some wee plastic thingy off my coffee maker Wednesday night, and rendered it unusable. I ordered a new one that looks like it might use my old carafe, as it would be nice to be able to have one in the washing machine and one awaiting the morning brew. But it's going to be Sunday before it arrives. Until then I'm using my French press. A process that is charming on a lazy Saturday morning is less so early on a work day when I'm too rushed and sleep deprived to be pouring boiling water around. Still, as life woes go, it's pretty minimal.

Symptoms Management Doctor

At our first meeting, my oncologist introduced herself as "...and a palliative care specialist." It was quite a shock, because the only context I had for the term "palliative care" was hospice. I remember thinking, "I didn't think it was that bad!" and desperately tried to keep my expression neutral. I have since learned the distinction between palliative care and hospice care.

My team at the cancer center is the oncologist, the PA, their coordinating nurse, the clinical trial coordinator, and the scheduler. It has been amazing (and reassuring) to see how smoothly they all work together. The coordinating nurse is effectively the master sergeant -- whatever needs to happen, she sees it gets done.

I'm glad Symptoms Management Doctors are a thing (although it's unfortunate that they're needed).

Yup, this.

Way to go, Todd! That is no mean feat, navigating those waters. My dad had to get his congresscritter involved to get his straightened out back when he was first eligible. Congrats!

I ran out of instant coffee this morning and I haven't decided how I'm going to deal with the whole caffeine intake question. The days I go into the office I drink their coffee, and many days I forget to have any coffee, so it's not an urgent question. I may be entirely out of foodstuffs, though (other than my emergency protein shakes) so there probably ought to be grocery shopping in my near future.

Meara, here's a book to look out for in 2024: [link]

Thanks Sue that’s perfect!