Normally the week before I travel to Ohio, I don’t go anywhere and just try to relax. But I had a neurologist appointment scheduled, and I needed a refill of my medication, so I decided to break my rule and just go out. The problem is that the neurologist is 40 minutes away from my house, and Brad was too tired to come with me. So Felix and I had to go alone.
I forgot to take my Valium early, and was too worried about taking it right before I drive (even though it doesn’t make me sleepy), so I had to skip it. That didn’t help my anxiety driving there and having the appointment!
Felix also didn’t help, because I think he could sense my anxiety from the driver’s seat, so he whined from his SleepyPod carrier in the back seat the entire drive there. That didn’t help my anxiety, either!
But we made it! I was feeling extra vulnerable, so even though I don’t need to take my wheelchair to doctor appointments because I’m usually not walking or standing for 15 minutes, I still brought it with me. I feel safer in my wheelchair. It’s easier to hold Felix and get his help.
I did have him on the ground as we walked through the three entrance doors to get to the neurology waiting room, and he did a great job. He also did wonderfully waiting in line and hanging out next to me while I checked in.
At first he lay down on the floor of the waiting room, which I got a super cute picture of. Then, even though he doesn’t usually seem to sense my anxiety when I’m out, maybe I was so anxious that he finally did sense it while I was out and did a few paws up on my legs, which I got pictures of. It was fortuitous because you could see how my blue Disney dog leggings match his new blue vest!
So I picked him up on my lap where he was better able to provide pressure therapy. And we were soon called back. It took them four times and two people to read my blood pressure for some reason, but it was normal once they finally got it. Everyone was asking me where Brad was—I guess he makes a big impression wherever he goes!
While we were waiting for the doctor, I got a selfie of Felix on my lap. He is such a handsome Japanese Chin! I am wearing a grey sweater and a black mask, and have short curly hair and small cool glasses.
When the doctor came in, she agreed to the dose change I asked for in my migraine medication, and did a quick exam. Felix was very good for the exam, and only sniffed her arm once when she was examining me.
It was a quick exam, but on the way out I wanted to make an appointment for next year. She normally likes to see patients every 6 months, but I explained how hard it is for me to leave the house, and since I am very stable, she said a year would be fine. The only problem was that the software in the office wouldn’t let us make an appointment for next year! We tried for like 5 minutes! Finally we said they’d call me once they figured out the problem and make the appointment.
Then it was time for the long drive home. It was fairly trafficky on the way home, and Felix was quieter, for which I was grateful. Unfortunately I had started to develop a migraine in the doctor’s office, but didn’t have any water with me to take a pill, so I just had to deal with it all the way home.
When I got home, I immediately took my med, took out the trash and recycling, ate some cookies, and am now sitting down and writing this blog entry. Next I hope to get some relaxing in!