Duck Weather

This week was my take-time-off-so-HR-doesn't-yell-at-me vacation. So, naturally, the weather's been scuzzy. The ducks are happy, but us bipeds without waterproof feathers are less enthused.

I managed to get out to a couple of parks, at least. And a rainbow tried to wreck my car. But that's another story...

Speaking of the car, I got it down to the shop for its tune-up, hoping against hope that they could track down that odd noise. I really should be more careful what I hope for; the noise is going to cost me a fair chunk of change to fix. Though at least the problem was found in the shop, and not on the side of the freeway while my car smolders in ruins.

At this rate, I'm wondering if I'd be better off skipping my every-three-year eye exam.

In other non-noteworthy news, I finally wound up with a Facebook page. It's a longish story connected to a Nook game and a purchase that has been neither refunded nor implemented after a week of tech support tag. Frankly, I don't know what to do with the thing, as I really don't have much to say (as this blog amply proves), but I suppose it's something I should figure out if/when I ever have stories to promote.

I suppose I ought to find something more productive to do. Until next post, here's another duck picture, in direct contradiction to the oft-repeated adage that water simply rolls off their backs.

(In the interest of full disclosure, just after I snapped this, a quack - er, quick - shake dislodged it. But the camera doesn't lie - it was there!)

Interlude with Crow and Coot

The second round of medication apparently did the trick. I have some lingering ear and sinus stuff going on, but it's the kind of stuff I'm used to, not whatever the heck that bug was.

And I bit the bullet and made an appointment for a doctor visit in May, in the hopes that, by getting in to see a primary care physician, I won't have need of her services.

Now I just need to get my car tuned up and my eye appointment for new glasses, and I'll be good to go for a while.

(Oh, despite the ongoing soggy weather, I finally got a chance to try out my Xmas camera today, down at the nearby state park. I'm still learning the thing, but so far I'm happy with it.)

Health Care vs Head Crud, Round 2

So, I finished up the antibiotics this morning, but all was not well.

My throat and tonsils were no longer sore, so that much was accomplished, but I still had chills and occasional night sweats. I also had sinus and ear pressure and intermittent headaches, and I just plain didn't feel right. Overall, I still felt better than I did 10 days ago, but the bug wasn't gone yet. I want it to be gone.

On the theory that, if I needed more antibiotics, I shouldn't wait too long, I called my primary care provider to see if I could arrange an appointment. However, since I hadn't had a chance to visit yet for an initial visit, I was told I couldn't see her - or anyone in the clinic. When was the earliest new-patient-visit appointment available? Some time in May.

I was transferred to a nurse practitioner, who informed me that I might be able to get in on Friday. This is Tuesday. I need to be able to sleep between now and then, which isn't easy when I wake up with headaches and night sweats as often as not.

Thus thwarted, I headed back down to the walk-in clinic - the one that said it accepted my Medicaid. This time, I was informed that they may not accept it, and I might be billed for anything that happened.

What changed in ten days?

In any event, I was kind of stuck. I didn't want to drive miles out of my way, and I'd already been seen here for this problem. Hoping that my tax refund would cover it, I stayed.

On the plus side, it doesn't seem to be an infection, at least not a sinus infection, anymore. On the minus side... he really didn't quite know what it could be, though he suggested a possible allergy issue or tension headaches from stress or eyestrain. (Which is possible, I suppose, but doesn't quite explain the chills and sweats.)

I left with two new medicines to try and a referral to an ENT if this doesn't work.

Fingers crossed, second time's the charm here. If not, I'll have to call ahead to make sure my health care plan is accepted.