A Slap in the Face of Reality

WTF Wednesday is a semi-regular feature of this blog. It documents the things that have made me pause, slap my forehead and say, "What the f**k!"  Well, that and I just like saying WTF. I'm retired. I don't have to watch what I say anymore. I'm not any one's role model.

After being gone from home for two months, there was a lot of yard work to catch up on.  The day after cleaning up the flower beds in the front of the house I woke up with an aching shoulder.  The spouse was also groaning about various aches and pains.  We laughed about being old people and laughed again that there is little we can do now that doesn't create some sort of soreness.


A week later I was still experiencing pain that seemed to move around my shoulder and up and down my right arm.  My sleep was broken by pain.  I was cranky and worn down.  I finally called the doctor.  I couldn't get in to see my regular doctor, but they squeezed me in to see the Physician's Assistant.  She determined that I has strained my trapezius muscle and gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant.  She warned me not to drive or exceed the dosage.  I headed right to the pharmacy.

The pharmacist tells me that the medication isn't covered by medicare.  I was in pain.

"I don't care," I told him, "I want it anyway!"

"They've determined that this medication is dangerous for the elderly." he tells me.

What the f**k????  Elderly?  Me????  I was stunned.

"This medication can contribute to falls." he says.  "Be careful."

Great, next thing you know I'll be ordering one of those "I've fallen and can't get up panic buttons."

Earlier in the week I had to go to Walmart and I notice that they have special parking places for senior citizens.  I haven't parked there, but now that I'm officially elderly, maybe I will.