The Objects of My Affection

[weaktwos]

For a woman who walks into a Walgreens perhaps twice a year, three times in a day is a wee bit of overkill.

Here's a question: What lengths will Anne go to in order to get her medication.

Well, I practically stalked the On-Call for my dentist's office.

He called in my medication at 2pm today. Walgreen's didn't get the order the first time. So I phoned up Doc P. again. He said it would be ready in an hour. Excellent.

I busied myself by tending to pre-travel errands. I dispatched the little predators at the lovely and gracious domicile of taogrl. We caught up a bit.

Free of the felines, I went to acquire my precious tools of staving off further tooth distress. It was 5:30 in the afternoon. Walgreen's 24 Hour Pharmacy was closed for four hours. It was so comforting to know they were sorry for the inconvenience. Anyone paying attention would have seen a flash of anger in my eyes. Perhaps it's more desperation.

You see, I'm an addict. I'm addicted to non-pain. I'll go out of my way to attain my desired operating state. But, what can you do? There's no pharmacist. No pharm, a definite foul. But, I had other things to do.

Glad that I only lived a mile plus change from Walgreens (thanks to their agressive expansion), I went home to continue preparations. Holding of mail and the daily paper. Paying of bills. Organizing my drum lessons. Making Miss Redd, my City of Heroes toon, hit level 30. These were the things I occupied myself with, focussing on items other than the persistent throbbing of my tooth.

Which tooth? It's the second to the last molar on my upper right side of my jaw. I believe it's #17 in the World Dental Federation Notation. But such a attention grabbing molar like mine needs a name. I'll name it Throbert.

Anyway, I digress. Where was I? Nine o' Clock rolled around and I skipped into my chariot and zoomed over to Walgreen's. No prescription. They couldn't find it. I was forced to trouble the on-call dentist again. He said he called it in. He called it in again. The lines at Walgreen's were extensive for a Sunday night. Many folks were craving their meds. There was one Pharmacist. The phone was ringing off the hook. Cars were waiting in the drive through. The poor pharmacist needed to be three places at once.

I walked up to the counter and explained my situation. He said that he couldn't find my prescription. I explained the situation and asked what could I do to ensure he got the prescription? I mentioned that I had to be on a plane by 7am and needed to get this medication. Finally he checked the automated prescription line and found my doctor's prescription. He said he needed an hour to get it filled.

I came back two hours later. Midnight, and I was still drug free. But at last, I would be rewarded. He had my drugs, remembered who I was, and was appreciative for my patience. He was extra helpful in finding my benefits information for my HMO, too. What normally would have cost me $55 only cost me $10.

And now, I took Vicodin 2 hours ago. It's supposed to make me sleepy. I'm not sleepy. But there is no throbbing in my jaw. I feel much better. In two and a half hours, I awaken to head to the airport. Four nights in San Antonio.

The first order of business tomorrow, after checking in will be to discuss my root canal appointment with my dentist.