#168 / 2010 Winter: Las Cruces

JOE CONTINUES TO DECLINE

#168

And to Dana and my journal:
One thing so difficult for me now is not being able to cuddle with Joe in the bed. His stomach is sore from all the shots, his liver and pancreas are tender and he can't tolerate anyone touching his sides. We just hold hands under the covers.

I think Joe has another clot in his foot. He can hardly walk and I found an old broomstick for him to use as a cane. He hasn't taken any pain pills although I am constantly goading him to do so. 

"I would be the first to know if I am in pain?" he tells me. But he makes these funny little grunts and his breathing is often labored.

I made a spectacle of myself at the doctor's office before we left town because I couldn't get the prescription for Lovenox filled. I was not aware he was only going to get one month of medicine and then a refill had to be authorized by the new doctor in Las Cruces. 

When the pharmacist  told us we would have to pay cash which we couldn't have done, I went flying into the doctor's office trying to get a verification. I was so upset I couldn't talk or make any sense of what I needed to communicate.

And of course that doesn't happen quickly. I got on the phone to the Loveless representative that we have been working with and she got everything worked out in Albuquerque. We were ready to travel there when we hit the snag with that prescription.

So it all worked out but not before the assistants at the doctor's had to come around the desk and comfort me, "Just breathe," she said. "We're here to help you."

I had panicked. But I did believe the assistant, they are all here to help, Joe really does have an entire team working on his behalf. I don't know what I would do without that insurance rep, I call her so often and she has never let me down.

We will spend this week visiting around for Christmas then we have to go back to see both doctors before the end of the year. Joe's blood has to be monitored because of the blood thinners. When we return in January Joe's book will be the top priority: Backpack Slacker: A flashback of the 60s