Last Tuesday I went online to order infusion sets and reservoirs for my insulin pump. On Friday, I still hadn’t received anything so I went back online to check it out…order status: in process. I decided to give Medtronic a call because usually they ship out by the next day, so I wanted to find out what was going on. The rep said that my pump prescription had expired and they couldn’t ship out the supplies until they received a new script. They said they had faxed my endocrinologist’s office twice to have them send it in, and they would send another fax that day…that’s 3 red flags going to the office…someone should see it…right? Wrong.

I had an appointment with my endo on April 15, and I brought up this very issue. I told them I thought my pump script would be expiring soon, and inquired about the procedure used to send in a new one. My CDE said not to worry, they receive a reminder and they simply fax it in to Medtronic…seamless…I wish.

Of course it was Friday, so I was leaving a message on someone’s voicemail who wouldn’t actually listen to it until 3 days later. I explained to the machine that this was an important matter and I needed my supplies. I need insulin to survive so could you please expedite the process. Thank you.

I called again on Monday. This time an actual person took my call, said they would talk to my CDE, and have her call me. No phone call. I called again Tuesday and left another voicemail for my CDE…why do I not have access to her direct line? No phone call. I waited a day and called again this morning. The woman who answered said my CDE can’t do anything until the doctor looks at my chart and signs off on the script, and he’s been out of town. She said they will attempt to get it taken care of today…WTF?

I understand that he’s been away and has a ton of work to catch up on and charts to sign…blah, blah, blah. This is his freaking job. I told them about this two weeks ago, Medtronic sent three reminders, and I’ve called them four times…all for one prescription, for a device that keeps me alive.

This is the final straw. I have endured dealing with an endo who has no idea how to manage diabetes and exercise, who doesn’t call me back when I leave a message saying my sugars have been above 300 for 3 days and I’m feeling like absolute shit, who keeps me waiting so long that every appointment with him takes at least 2 hours (when you have two children with you, that makes for a very fun day), and who obviously doesn’t realize that my insulin pump is an integral part of my every day life.

I’m going shopping, and if anyone in the Cleveland area has some suggestions, I will gladly take them.