I got a call this morning saying that my appointment with the new endocrinologist next week had to be rescheduled. So I called into the appointments line of the clinic asking for her next available, only to be told that it wasn't until June 10th at the earliest. Three weeks away doesn't sound so bad...except that I can't have any appointments from June 1st to July 6th because of summer school.

When I told them that I needed the appointment to be next week, I was sent to the nurse line of the doctor only to be told the same exact thing (no appointments until June 10th!). The nurse was understanding (the nicest that I've spoken to in that department) and asked if my numbers were okay (yes, I'm in control) and if I needed any prescriptions (yes, my Lantus is running out and expired now). I was told that since I was a new patient, the new doctor couldn't fill the prescription but they would speak to my old doctor (Dr. R) to get the new one sent out to me.

I honestly didn't think this would be a problem considering I saw him in January and insulin is kind of vital to my existence. But the nurse (from the new doctor) called back to say that Dr. R's office would not fill the prescription unless I scheduled an appointment with the Certified Diabetes Educator. I was livid. Why do I need to see a CDE when insulin is a necessary prescription for my well-being (for my life!)? I had an appointment scheduled and it was not my fault that it had to be moved and their schedule didn't match with mine (meaning it was obvious that I was a decent patient trying to take care of my disease).

I knew that I didn't want to see the CDE just to get a prescription filled. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I figured I'd just see about the availability for the CDE. The appointment line said there was an available appointment on Friday, May 29 or next available at June 10th, none of which I can do!

I'm so frustrated with the whole endo system, with their inconveniences and denials of basic rights. I'm about ready to storm into the office and start demanding my prescriptions. I can't believe that a doctor wouldn't send a prescription for Lantus, an insulin that I have filled numerous previous prescriptions for. I can't believe that they expect me to alter my entire life to accommodate their schedules and their ridiculous demands. I'm just wondering if they've truly forgotten that I'm the PATIENT!

I plan to call the nurses back in the morning and speak with the new doctor's nurse to tell her what's going on (maybe she will send the prescription). If that doesn't work, I'm calling the CDE (who I've known since I was 4 years old) to ask her to send the prescription personally. I really have no idea why it's so hard to send a prescription for a vital part of my life...other than the fact that they want the money. And if money is so important to them, then I'd like to say a thing or two to them.

On top of all that, my previous appointment had been set with my dad's appointment so we could go together and save gas money and enjoy father-daughter time. If only they knew what I was thinking about them tonight...