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smokingbootI did not do so very well there.
Maybe it's because of the cold wind and infected tooth, maybe it's due to feel seriously more fatigued than I remember, so much so I am actually thinking of getting tested. But what is the point? If I am post Covid, there's no reliable test for anti-bodies. And apart from a phantom sore throat and a really unremarkable cough, extreme fatigue is all I have. It could be any lurgy.
Having said that, there's been a spike in cases in Central Scotland.
Whatever the excuses, I'm not pleased with myself.
Cat gets bald patches. I take cat to vet. In itself, such a visit has become a palaver. You make your appointment, drive to the vets, phone the vets reception from outside. They then come, you have a consultation on the doorstep, they take your pet in for examination, then bring it out, along with appropriate medication and tell you what's going on. You go home and pay over the phone for consultation and medicine.
Problem; I don't drive, husband is too busy to help.
Solution: local taxi.
Yesterday I make the appointment for 4 and book a taxi for 3.40.
Taxi firm calls to announce the cab will not be with me before 4.
Vet can't shift the appointment, I postpone appointment for 3.20 today, and reschedule cab.
Cab will be here on the dot of 3, I am assured, it will wait, there will be a waiting time charge of course, then bring me back. All good.
Today at 3 cab gets here.
I get in, the driver starts asking me about the waiting time. He tells me he has another job for 3.45, so can't wait for long. I am astonished that the cab service really thinks a vet's appointment booked for 3.20 is going to be less than 10 minutes at the best of times, never mind now with people waiting outside the vets and consultations even more delayed. He gets me there, waits, phones me and tells me he has to go. I tell him I will talk to the office about it, but actually if they want their money they can phone me and waste their breath explaining how this all made sense in their little bonces.
We stand in the cold. Everybody stands in the cold. Cue lady with agitated dog that roams around on a long lead and barks incessantly. The lady and her dog are standing too close to where the vet comes out. The dog wants to go home. It barks and barks and barks. The vet comes out of the reception holding cat carriers, the dog is there with its nose all investigation and cat scaring and still barking. Out comes my cat. The vet tries to explain, because after all, this is still a consultation. The dog is behind me ratcheting it up.
'I can't HEAR anything!' I say, half turning my head to catch the lady dog owner's eye. Because this is as close as I get to stand further away or shut your damn dog up! The lady looks astonished, the vet surprised and even the dog seems quelled. But the lady moves away and I get to hear the diagnosis and prescription.
And I feel like a very bad person.
It is clear no-one yells (OK it wasn't a yell, but I raised my voice) at this lady or her dog. It is probably a very nice dog. But I needed to know what was going on with my pet.
R came and picked me up, and chuckled when he heard the story.
'I don't want the vet to think I'm a nutter,' I explained.
'Don't worry,' he said, 'bet the vet wishes she could say stuff like that!'
We're home now, cat is fine, and me?
I'm having a glass of wine by the fire. That's me done.
Maybe it's because of the cold wind and infected tooth, maybe it's due to feel seriously more fatigued than I remember, so much so I am actually thinking of getting tested. But what is the point? If I am post Covid, there's no reliable test for anti-bodies. And apart from a phantom sore throat and a really unremarkable cough, extreme fatigue is all I have. It could be any lurgy.
Having said that, there's been a spike in cases in Central Scotland.
Whatever the excuses, I'm not pleased with myself.
Cat gets bald patches. I take cat to vet. In itself, such a visit has become a palaver. You make your appointment, drive to the vets, phone the vets reception from outside. They then come, you have a consultation on the doorstep, they take your pet in for examination, then bring it out, along with appropriate medication and tell you what's going on. You go home and pay over the phone for consultation and medicine.
Problem; I don't drive, husband is too busy to help.
Solution: local taxi.
Yesterday I make the appointment for 4 and book a taxi for 3.40.
Taxi firm calls to announce the cab will not be with me before 4.
Vet can't shift the appointment, I postpone appointment for 3.20 today, and reschedule cab.
Cab will be here on the dot of 3, I am assured, it will wait, there will be a waiting time charge of course, then bring me back. All good.
Today at 3 cab gets here.
I get in, the driver starts asking me about the waiting time. He tells me he has another job for 3.45, so can't wait for long. I am astonished that the cab service really thinks a vet's appointment booked for 3.20 is going to be less than 10 minutes at the best of times, never mind now with people waiting outside the vets and consultations even more delayed. He gets me there, waits, phones me and tells me he has to go. I tell him I will talk to the office about it, but actually if they want their money they can phone me and waste their breath explaining how this all made sense in their little bonces.
We stand in the cold. Everybody stands in the cold. Cue lady with agitated dog that roams around on a long lead and barks incessantly. The lady and her dog are standing too close to where the vet comes out. The dog wants to go home. It barks and barks and barks. The vet comes out of the reception holding cat carriers, the dog is there with its nose all investigation and cat scaring and still barking. Out comes my cat. The vet tries to explain, because after all, this is still a consultation. The dog is behind me ratcheting it up.
'I can't HEAR anything!' I say, half turning my head to catch the lady dog owner's eye. Because this is as close as I get to stand further away or shut your damn dog up! The lady looks astonished, the vet surprised and even the dog seems quelled. But the lady moves away and I get to hear the diagnosis and prescription.
And I feel like a very bad person.
It is clear no-one yells (OK it wasn't a yell, but I raised my voice) at this lady or her dog. It is probably a very nice dog. But I needed to know what was going on with my pet.
R came and picked me up, and chuckled when he heard the story.
'I don't want the vet to think I'm a nutter,' I explained.
'Don't worry,' he said, 'bet the vet wishes she could say stuff like that!'
We're home now, cat is fine, and me?
I'm having a glass of wine by the fire. That's me done.
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no subject
Date: 2020-10-08 01:20 pm (UTC)I think he got it exactly right. Sorry, I'm laughing too, but just a little.
I'm astonished, sometimes, at people's inconsideration, especially under these circumstances, but occasionally it's brought out the best in them, as well.
Which makes me all the more grateful. That, you know, under the circumstances they're able to embrace our shared and vulnerable humanity.
I AM sorry that you had to endure such an ordeal when you're not feeling well yourself. Which is why, having done so and having written a great account of it here, you should give yourself a break.
And maybe pour yourself another glass of wine, lol...
no subject
Date: 2020-10-09 06:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-10-09 08:26 am (UTC)