"What in the heck do you mean you only have one stinking ginger bread molasses cookie left????" 

And that was just the start of it!  Jim and I have had quite a week with people that can’t administrate themselves out of a box.  We are both fed up, exhausted, and ready to give the world the "what for".  For months this has been our story.  Ty introduced a whole new world of frustration as we have to deal with Doctors, Specialists, Therapists, Drug Companies, Insurance Companies, and State Programs on a continual basis.  We have decided that it takes an average of 4 phone calls to get one task accomplished because of the incompetence factor. 

The last two days alone will give you a glimpse of what I am talking about.  Let’s see, first it was the call on Ty’s speech therapy.  I tried to get ST through our private insurance but that was like pulling teeth (even though it was approved).  I gave up and went through the state.  The state did not have any home bound programs available.  I decided I would have to wait to pursue ST until Ty is off groundation:).  I get a call this week saying that a homebound ST was lined up for us 2 months ago but we never returned any phone calls.  WHAT phone calls?  They were using a number that I have not had in over 3 years.  A number that I corrected countless times.  Now….OF COURSE…they don’t think the homebound ST is available.  Further, I was asked to initiate the process all over because the referral has now expired.  Good one.

Then there was the fiasco with Ty’s RSV shot.  On the 22 of November I called the drug company and placed my order for Ty’s December shot.  I received a confirmation…done deal (ya right).  A week later the home bound nurse wanted to schedule her visit.  I still didn’t have the shot.  I called the drug company only to be told "sorry, your insurance moved you to another drug company and we canceled your order the day after you placed it."  Nice that they called to tell me that.  They sent a letter.  I had not gone out to get my mail so I didn’t see it.  I called the new drug company and had to go through their entire process to set it up again.  They made it virtually impossible to get the drug by the first of December.  RSV shots are only good for 28 to 30 days and Ty needed it on Dec 1st to be within the window.  That required at least 4 phone calls all of which required me to hold on voice response units which I HATE….just give me the darn operator…they never have the option I need anyhow!  FINALLY on Monday the drug arrives at my house.  I try to schedule the nursing but am told that I have to now verify that the nursing company didn’t change.  More phone calls.  Finally I scheduled the shot for Thurs (Ty will be over a week late getting it and I hope this didn’t open an exposure window especially as he is still sick!)  To make this absolutely hysterical, I get a call from the drug company today asking me to call.  I am instructed to call their 800 number and choose the customer service option.  Guess what?  There wasn’t a customer service option.  Why am I not surprised?  I opted out for an operator and waited nearly 20 minutes.  OF COURSE, you can never speak to the person who left the message and the person answering never has any idea of what in the heck you are talking about so I have to explain to them why they called me (and of course I don’t know).  Feel my tension mounting?  Imagine my reaction when the guy finally reads the file notes and say’s "I apologize ma’m but we are not going to be able to send you the drug that you ordered as we don’t distribute that drug.  Your going to have to use another company."  Dumbstruck I said "You mean the drug that you sent me YESTERDAY that is in my REFRIGERATOR?????"!!!!!  AAAAAGHHHH!!!!!  Holy Cow these people!

Today I send Jim to get Ty’s diuretic.  Of course this drug is a compound that has to be made by a specialty shop.  These specialty shops are generally uncooperative.  Yesterday they told me the drug would be ready by 10:00 am today.  Jim and I know better.  I mailed him the phone number and he called before he went to pick it up.  No it was not ready.  They can have it ready by 5:00.  He gets there at 4:55.  They can’t find it.  They search for 15 minutes only to find it on the counter behind them waiting for pick up.  They then try to charge Jim a copay.  He tells them that we don’t need to pay the copay due to the insurance changes we updated them with last month.  They changed their system.  Oops the person who could access that information just left.  Why?  Because it is 5:00 of course and he had to leave at 5:00.  They required 5 people to search for a drug that was right under the nose, and the sixth person, the one who holds the key of knowledge was meanwhile slipping out the back door.  Another 15 minutes goes by while they get on the phone to verify our insurance information.  Good glory.

For similar reasons, I was close to freaking out  on the customer service staff who dared to sell to another customer one of the last two ginger molasses cookies (after I had already ordered both of them).  I had traveled 20 minutes to Arrowhead for those cookies and I wanted them.  Jim and the boys were waiting in the car.  It was cold and raining outside.  Am I painting a bleak picture for you?  Oh yes, and let me not forget to mention that they also were out of crossant rolls for my sandwich and then I could not order a kids meal because the next restaurant I chose had run out of kids meals.  I couldn’t resist the temptation to ask them exactly what they did have!!!  When I was asked if I would like a different kind of bread I said "I don’t suppose I have much choice at the moment now do I?"  I am sure four letter words were flying my direction as I walked away.  I did not care.  I really wanted to schedule a moment with 2 restaurant managers and ask them how they could have administrated their business so poorly during an obvious Christmas rush.

Frustration upon frustration.  The world is just run by a bunch of idiots I thought.  I went to mom’s house for a bit…a reprieve from the rest of the silly little people who can’t think their way out of a box.  Jim then called to tell me that he came home to a note on our door.  I had failed to be home for a 3:00 meeting leaving our poor coordinator wondering at my door where in the heck I was.

Boy do I feel stupid.  What a silly little person I am.  I can’t administrate myself out of a box.  I am running my home like an idiot.  Every slanderous word directed at everyone else all came crashing on my head at 6:00 this evening.  The funny thing is, when I left the mall without my 6 cookies (I wanted 6 and got 1.  To top it off, Jim ate part of it  and I asked him not to)…the thought did occur that pride cometh before a fall.  I told the thought to disappear quickly because I was not finished ranting about the injustice of it all.   And then I fell off my mighty soapbox with a giant SPLAT!

Tonight I am reading, "It’s Not About Me" by Max Lucado.  Apparently, I need to be reminded of that.

P.S. For the record, no I was not going to eat all 6 cookies on the same night.  I just needed to know I had them for when I needed one.  Ginger Molasses cookies, the big soft ones, are a necessity during the Holiday season.  Everyone should know that.