June 25, 2018, 1:30 p.m.
I feel a bit differently now that I know my time with Paul Simon (or any individual acupuncturist) is limited to 10 sessions. Today is session #3. This is the last acupuncture session before our road trip, and presumably #4 will be in August. So if I spread out the appointments to one a month, they should go until February 2019.
The first question Paul asked me when he came into the room was, “Have you been using your acupressure tool?” (referring to the metal “massage tool” that I bought at Daiso). “I’ve actually recommended it to people,” he said. I smiled.
I had been looking at a reflexology chart on his wall, and I mentioned that to him, saying that I needed to learn more. He left the room and came back with printouts of charts showing the acupuncture points in the feet, hands, and ears.
The session was pleasant and relaxing as usual. Refreshing. And I knew it would last several hours, if not all day. We talked as he put the needles in. As an acupuncturist, Paul is very good. He knows exactly where to put the needles and he uses enough pressure putting them in so they don’t fall out. He asked if I wanted the heat lamp on my back and shoulders and I gave him a definite yes. Then he turned on the enchanting Eastern music and left the room. He came in twice to check on me and both times I just murmured yes without moving a muscle.
When he came back to take the needles out, we talked again. I told him about my planned cross-country road trip in July. He asked me again (maybe he forgot or maybe he just wanted to be sure) if I used any topical medication for my pain and I told him, again, yes, medical cannabis salve. And, again, we got into a conversation about bureaucracy in the medical industry. I told him I didn’t expect to see federal legalization of cannabis in my lifetime. And, looking at the 71-year-old woman in front of him, he had to agree.
After my acupuncture session, we drove to Kaiser San Leandro Pharmacy and I was able to get Lyrica ($280 for what I thought would be a two-month supply).
