DME visit today

So, the other day (June 24th) I got a call I didn't recognize at work (316 areacode)....it was my RT calling to see how I was doing, etc. That's only the second time I've gotten a call (not including the one time she called me while I was out of town, because the nasal pillow I wanted to get before I left town was now in....) First time was the day after my first night....

So, I made plans to stop in this morning after I popped in to the doctor's office for a blood test....before my next appointment on Monday at 9. In the back of my mind, I had intended to stop off on the DME on the way to the appointment that day to get my card read. So, I'd be able to take fresh report with me to appointment.

But, today is good...because its time to replace filter on my machine, and I typically do the thorough cleanings on Sundays.... Last month's white filter change wasn't quite as grey as the month before...though it was still noticeably darkened.

So, I had card read, and she asked what kind of report I wanted to see....I didn't really care, since I had already downloaded my data into EncoreViewer (because card is probably blank now). She explained that normally she just sends a summary report of the last month to the doctor, unless he asks for more detail. She commented about how good my report looks.

Oh yeah...she also commented how she saw my posts on cpaptalk....

Anyways...I'm up for new mask (though not new tubing until June 30th). So, I asked about FitLife. Still too new....she'll call me when they get demos from Respironics. Hmmm, wonder when the next AWAKE meeting is going to be....forgot to ask.

Meanwhile...while I was in waiting room of the doctor's office for the blood test...they doctor's office called me to remind me of my appointment on Monday....only they had changed it to 1:45. But, it was scheduled 3 months ago....why the last second change of time. I had cleared my Monday morning and had commitments for Monday afternoon.... Well, they can't fix it...so the appointment has been rescheduled to 9:30 on Thursday. Now I have to change to adjust for that.

Of course, my boss gives me hard time because I (usually) schedule my time off so far in advance.... a couple months ago, I put in the time off requests for trips I'm planning to take in September, November...and April/May 2010.

Didn't get a new pillow this visit, even though she had new pillow out and complete new comfortlite ii mask depending on what I wanted to do. I still haven't used that new pillow I picked up from DME after trip. Still using the pillow I got on CPAP auction...not sure if I'm using the mask I got from there or the demo from DME, because I've used parts interchanged between the two. Some weekends I don't get around to washing my headgear, so I use the headgear from the other. And, then wash both the next weekend. I've been using the handwash cycle on my washing machine to do the headgear.

I was actually thinking that it might be time to replace my current pillow...though last night's leak graph was pretty straight across, and no leak of duration noted. I think running in through the ultrasonic cleaner is what's making it turn white.....

Since I started CPAP on December 29th....June 29th will my 6 month anniversary, so I'll probably run reports to publish then. Wonder if some night between now and my doctor appointment I'll get around to trying my pulse oximeter again....

The Dreamer.

TheDreamer wrote: Oh yeah...she also commented how she saw my posts on cpaptalk....
The Dreamer.

Wow, I think that is incredible that she comes here and reads posts. Anyone who does that should be able to understand how you could know so much (rather than the real life folks I've met that assume the patient knows nothing and isn't capable of knowing anything).
mar

Its good that she does. Maybe she will begin to realize and understand how OFFENSIVE it is for the sleep profession to treat us as mindless boobs to stupid to understand the data from our xPAPs or an explanation of the data from our PSGs or ....

At least your dme called you back ,I don't even bother to leave messages for mine because she never calls me back ,I usually call until I get her on the phone.I'm due to send in my smart card ,but I'm not going to send it until she calls me Sorry for ranting!

Right on, Viper! I'd do the same. Turn about is fair play!

robertmarilyn wrote:

TheDreamer wrote: Oh yeah...she also commented how she saw my posts on cpaptalk....
The Dreamer.

Wow, I think that is incredible that she comes here and reads posts. Anyone who does that should be able to understand how you could know so much (rather than the real life folks I've met that assume the patient knows nothing and isn't capable of knowing anything).
mar

She also commented about how hard we are on some other DMEs ....

The Dreamer.

TheDreamer wrote:

robertmarilyn wrote:

TheDreamer wrote: Oh yeah...she also commented how she saw my posts on cpaptalk....
The Dreamer.

Wow, I think that is incredible that she comes here and reads posts. Anyone who does that should be able to understand how you could know so much (rather than the real life folks I've met that assume the patient knows nothing and isn't capable of knowing anything).
mar

She also commented about how hard we are on some other DMEs ....

The Dreamer.

They wouldn't get roughed up if we didn't have a reason to!
I'm still new to all this and my patient coordinator is supposed to answer any questions I have ,fine ,I understand she has other patients as well as other duties and can't always answer the phone,but when I leave a message and I don't get a call back after a week ,thats just not right ,so in order to get things taken care of I have to call until she answers the phone.When i do get her on the phone she is very helpful ,I will give her that!

vipertec wrote:

TheDreamer wrote:

robertmarilyn wrote:

TheDreamer wrote: Oh yeah...she also commented how she saw my posts on cpaptalk....
The Dreamer.

Wow, I think that is incredible that she comes here and reads posts. Anyone who does that should be able to understand how you could know so much (rather than the real life folks I've met that assume the patient knows nothing and isn't capable of knowing anything).
mar

She also commented about how hard we are on some other DMEs ....

The Dreamer.

They wouldn't get roughed up if we didn't have a reason to!

Guess that's what makes it good that mine visits here....she doesn't want there to be a reason....

The Dreamer.