Delays Stink!

Delays are a normal part of life, but they still suck regardless. Some are avoidable, others aren't, and some are consequential, while others are not. Naturally, since I chose this topic, I have one in mind which was at least somewhat consequential.

In this case, I'm referring to treatment for my Mom's COVID. As I mentioned the other day, she tested positive after testing negative two times, likely because the initial tests simply did not pick it up yet. Since her symptoms became worse, we decided to retest and she was indeed positive. This prompted us to contact her primary care physician today so we could see whether she should get some type of antiviral (i.e. Paxlovid).

This PCP is excellent with follow-throughs. While he works quickly, and occasionally needs something repeated, he always calls back when a patient calls in, and monitors important conditions, etc. This is the reason that we keep him as our PCP. He's excellent with the most important aspects of our healthcare (the sense of humor doesn't hurt either lol).

Well, today he gave us a call back rather late after his office hours were finished (he closed at 3 p.m. and called back just before 5 p.m.). It was late only because pharmacies close early on Sundays. He decided to send over the Paxlovid to our pharmacy, but alas, it was already closed. Another local pharmacy was also closed.

Now on day 5 of her symptoms, Paxlovid might not incur any further benefits after this point. Once the viral load peaks, the body is already doing enough to destroy the virus completely. Any further symptoms are simply from the body finishing off what's left of the virus along with the inflammatory processes involved. Paxlovid's potential effects of decreasing viral count aren't going to be of much use at this point.

Thus, even though she was seen on day 2 of her symptoms (a good time to start Paxlovid and incur its benefits), with the current situation, she would only be starting on day 6. The potential benefits of this medication are now minimal, even though the risks are also minimal.

Thus, there ended up being a 4 day delay between her seeing the PCP for her initial symptoms and her being able to get the medication, and during the most important window of the virus' progression. Now, I don't blame him at all for not prescribing it the first time (2 negative tests!), but ultimately this turned out crappy for my Mom.

It's also pertinent to mention that the PCP is out on Fridays and Saturdays, so if he were actually in office those days, we may have been able to get a prescription from him as soon as yesterday. However, we can't expect him to be in-office 7 days per week. That's ridiculous. And it just so happens that my Mom's symptoms often begin on Thursday afternoon or evening, after he leaves the office! I've told her as a joke to stop doing timing her symptoms so poorly.

Well, it looks like now we're just treating symptoms. I have a strong feeling that her symptoms are currently at their peak and will start gradually improving from tomorrow. I'm helping out with things where I can, and my Grandfather actually brought us some extra food (including soups), so we're set for now. My Grandfather rocks!

I'm personally about 95% back to normal, and don't even notice anything most of the day. Exercise is improving substantially. I'm expecting I'll be close to 100% by tomorrow. I can only hope that my Mom's recovery will be rapid, but I certainly don't expect, based on prior experience, that it will be this quick. I'm convinced that we're more than likely missing the art show that's in 6 days, but I'm not mentioning this to her because she also wants to go and it's something that she looks forward to attending. I don't want to bring negativity. I'm fighting my own battle to find peace in losing the singular event this year that I thought I'd be able to enjoy. Meditation has helped me remain calm about it.

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