Monday, December 9, 2019, 1:30 p.m.
There’s a warm, familiar feel about entering the Kaiser building, coming in from the cold weather, walking down carpeted corridors, hearing the digitally-produced voices endlessly announcing numbers in the laboratory. But I stop at the elevators, in line behind those who are waiting. Once on the third floor, I stood in line at the reception desk. I saw that the fall decorations had been replaced with Christmas decorations.
I had plenty of time to take a picture and fill out the form, as Lisa Galan was 10 minutes late. She came rushing in from somewhere outside the office so she didn’t have her white coat on. She took the form and ushered me to her office by going in “the back way.”
“How are you?” she greeted. Why do practitioners always ask that? If I was “fine,” I wouldn’t be here!
She started out by confirming her email that there was a long wait to get into the “sixty plus group” (next summer), so I asked her to definitely keep me on the waiting list. She nodded.
Apparently, my responses on the form indicated (by a smaller number) that I am “improved.” I talked, though, only this time being very aware that I am counseling with an LCSW who uses CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), not a psychiatrist who might be using a different technique. Near the end, she suggested (again) that I go to the Wellness Center and see if I can get into an Anxiety Management class (free, six sessions). And, as expected, the subject of anti-depressant medication came up.
“Are you authorized to prescribe medication,” I asked, “or would you refer me to my PCP?” I already knew the answer.
“I would consult with your PCP,” she said, “who would determine if there would be any drug interactions.”
I didn’t respond.
When it was time to talk about my next appointment, Lisa suggested a telephone appointment. It was then that I realized that sessions with a behavior modification practitioner has a limit, much like the 6-session limit with an individual acupuncturist. Nothing personal. It’s just business. Still, she made a telephone appointment for me in January. I actually hate telephone appointments–unless they are video chats (like my medical cannabis doctors). But apparently the Kaiser mental health practitioners don’t like video appointments and don’t like phone appointments, either. Yep, it’s way past time that I should just suck it up and figure things out for myself.
After I left Lisa’s office, I went downstairs to the pharmacy to pick up the order I sent in online last night. Amazing.
And then I did go to the Wellness Center and asked the woman about the Anxiety group. The soonest one on the San Leandro campus was not until April 2020! She asked me to call back in January to get booked. Oh, the sessions are on Saturdays, noon to two, for 4 weeks, I think she said. She put some information sheets into my hands, and I thanked her and then asked her if I could get a blood pressure check “as long as I’m here.” I waited my turn then sat down with a medical assistant. Blood pressure was 100/85. Good, I’m relaxed now!
Between now and January, I will have to make some decisions. I’ll keep my phone appointment with Lisa Galen, but I’ll try very hard to make it my last one. I’ll also see Francis in January, and my intention (at this moment) is to suggest a 3-month schedule for 2020 as an accountability strategy, unless something new comes up that I need physical therapy for. I’m in with Sophie for acupuncture in January, and if it works out, I’ll be able to see her through June. I will keep my Gratitude Journal going. I will have to learn how to sync my phone with my hearing aids. I will keep fasting for the foreseeable future.
