Spinning on that dizzy edge

So now that the kid is finally a teen and fully amidst middle school, the homework load is turning into a mountain. We were persuaded by the school last year to downgrade his IEP to a 504 plan; as a result, his support level has gone from daily conferences to basically zero. (Needless to say, I'm pretty pissed.) The not-so-little man's executive function is not up to the task of managing all the bits that need to be corralled, so he asked me to get him on meds for his ADHD. We got in to see the specialist pediatrician last week, and had the prescription called in and ready the same day. Only, when I went to pick it up (exasperated all over again that even though the two pharmacy locations I use are ostensibly part of the same chain, their computers don't actually talk to each other, so I have to give each one my insurance info), my new prescription plan required a separate authorization from the doc (I'm guessing where the doc has to say "Yes, this patient does actually need this drug", SIGH). So I had to leave without it. Then Friday night the pharmacy left a message on the answering machine about a question on the prescription, which I didn't get until they after they closed. Today I got another robocall saying that the prescription was ready, so I headed there after work.

This time, the filled prescription was for another medication entirely, and two different formulations to boot. The doc's office hadn't called me to say there was a change, so I was entirely confused, and left without the meds again so I could call the doc tomorrow. Then I got home to another call on the answering machine, saying the pharmacy had gotten the original prescription properly authorized, but it was going to be more costly than expected.

Tomorrow will be lots of phone calls as I try to get this all straightened out, while remaining calm. I anticipate much deep breathing and abuse of the mute button on the phone.

Well, that's a lie, because I am beyond cranky with cancer and the healthcare system.

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who left comments and good wishes yesterday. ( Surgery went well, cancer still sucks. ) The short term goal is for him to get home for Thanksgiving. The long term? To quote "Hamilton", "Stay alive."

On my to-do list yesterday was making phone calls for various medical visits that I've been putting off, because a) I hate phone calls, b) I hate making and remembering appointments, and c) I hate dealing with insurance. My insurance plan switched last year, so every one of my previous providers has to be vetted before I can see them again. ARGH ARGH ARGH. The BCBS provider search web site is absolute crap, as is their coverage. My gyno is in-network, but not my CPAP person or my son's pediatric doc. This all was determined after two phone calls to BCBS customer service taking almost an hour. (Pro-tip: if a doc retired in September, take him out of your search database and website!)

I understand that I'm lucky to have health insurance, and that my company switched coverage so the costs wouldn't go up astronomically, but damn, this process is a pain.

It is snowing quite heavily this morning, which would normally be delightful to watch as I snuggle with the Emperor on the couch under a blanket. But we are leaving to visit a friend in another state today, so the frozen precipitation is not appreciated. At least it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.