I managed to get through the past few days without the antihistamines that keep my sinuses somewhat in check.

The first few days were not too bad. Happily, they were unseasonably warm days and I had the AC on and stayed inside most of the time. 

It wasn’t until the weather cooled off and I opened up the windows on Saturday that I really noticed the difference. Or maybe it took that long for the medication to work its way out of my system. Who knows?

Still, as I’ve said all along, the more serious problem has always been in the winter time.

I’ve been using the Breathe Right nasal strips at night, as they work to instantly open your nose for Instant Nasal Congestion Relief you can feel right away. These nose breathing strips alleviate your nasal congestion, whether you are cold sufferers or allergy sufferers needing relief from colds, allergies, a deviated septum, or cold season stuffiness, by widening your nostrils for nasal dilation and helping you take air in more easily for improved nasal breathing and improved nasal airflow.

Or so say its marketing materials… 

The main problem I’ve had at night is frequently waking up, not because of nasal problems, but more likely because I’ve been worried that I would have nasal problems. Weird.

Still, the nasal congestion has grown a bit more noticeable each day, but it has remained mostly manageable.

Monday morning I set off bright and early for the 9:00 AM appointment, though of course, it was an 8:00 AM appointment for me as I steadfastly remain on Standard time. So I left the house at about quarter of seven, my time, not having had breakfast or even a single cup of coffee. The Septa app told me that I could take the 47 bus to Market and then the Market-Frankford subway to get to 3737 Market Street. As it wasn’t too cold (40° F, 4° C) and there was no wind to speak of, I decided to walk the 20 minutes to Market Street. I was in a good mood when I arrived, but as it had been years since the last time I took the subway, I was momentarily confused as to where the entrance was. Oh, yes, there it was, at Eighth Street.

This was the morning rush hour, which meant the trains ran often, but it also meant they were packed like sardines. Still, it didn’t take long for a train to show up, and everyone on the platform packed themselves into the already packed subway cars. My stop was 34th Street, which came quickly, but I was thrown for a loop when the automated voice kept announcing the wrong stops. Spring Garden? Huh? Someone must have loaded the wrong tape.

When I got to the surface at 34th Street and started walking, I realized it had been quite some time since I had been to this section of Philly. This area has Drexel University and a bunch of medical facilities such as Penn Presbyterian, which is where I had my open heart surgery a decade ago.

The walk wasn’t quite as pleasant here, as the wind had picked up and the blocks seemed to be longer, whether they actually were or not. It was an uphill trek. When I got to 37th Street, the building I was looking for was actually at the opposite end at 38th. Hmm, it would have made more sense to go to the 40th Street stop and walk back two blocks. There is a 40th Street stop, isn’t there?

Once inside the building, it was like a maze to find the right elevator that would take me to the third floor, but find it I did with the help of a Moslem woman who was headed for the fourth floor. When I got to the third floor, there was a sign for the Allergy Center, so I went there and gave one of the receptionists my name, saying I had a 9:00 o’clock appointment.

After searching on her computer, she replied, “Hmm. Could spell that? I can’t seem to find you in here.” 

I spelled it.

Again she searched, to no avail. “What’s your phone number?” 

I gave her my number.

“Oh, here it is. Yes, you have an appointment for April 20, 2027. Next year.” 

I was going to end this with a To Be Continued, but— 

I have no idea how that mixup occurred. When I made the appointment, I was surprised to get one so soon, and I commented to the woman on the phone to that effect. Did she think I was being sarcastic? I swear she did not say April 20, 2027—just April 20. But whatever. That does explain why I didn’t receive the usual nagging reminder text or phone call to confirm my appointment, I guess.

Anyway, the receptionist was very gracious, and she explained that usually new patients do a telehealth appointment. I said that I thought that there would have to be some tests, and she said that could be done via blood tests initially and if they need to do skin tests, then I could come in and a nurse would administer those. I asked why wasn’t this explained to me on the phone, but she didn’t have an answer.

So now I have a telehealth appointment for April 30.

Of this year.

In ten days.

It’s a different doctor than the one I had originally been scheduled for, but I don’t care about that.

And oh, yeah, I can get back on my meds now!