Typically I listen to podcasts or audio books on my drive to and from work each day. Today I listened to a fantastic podcast episode by Tim Ferriss as he interviewed General Stanley McChrystal and former Navy SEAL Chris Fussell.

General McChrystal has two books that are on my reading list, one a memoir and one about leadership, that I was already looking forward to reading. 

Whether you’re a fan of the military and/or leadership-related content or not, you should take time to listen to this podcast episode - there are so many interesting tidbits. 

When I got into the office I immediately called the home delivery pharmacy to see why I didn’t receive the chemo while we were on vacation.  

What took place next was one of the most frustrating interactions that I have had with any business ever. 

Within the span of 20 minutes I spoke to 4 different people, including a manager, and it went something like this: 

• Person #1: the reason why the chemo wasn’t shipped was because instead of having a credit on our account as we were told last week, we actually had to pay a copay. They claimed they left me a voicemail though I don’t have any voicemails from them. Though frustrated I told them that was fine and to transfer me to the billing department.
   
• Person #2: tells me they don’t understand why Person #1 told me that we had to pay a copay because they show us as not owing anything at all, even though the credit that we were originally told we had last week wasn’t showing on our account. At that point I asked to speak to a manager.
   
• Person #3 (Manager): tells me that she’s not sure why I was told that we didn’t owe anything because we actually had a copay due that was $200 more than what Person #1 told me. I asked if they would authorize a same-day shipment so that I could start my regimen tonight. She said that would be no problem given the situation and that she would transfer me back to take care of everything.
   
• Person #4: says that the manager was wrong and there was no way that they could ship same-day. She tells me that they need a bit of time to process the order and asked to call me back shortly. I agreed and hung up.

After 4 hours went by I still hadn’t heard back from them so with only 1.5 hours left before they closed for the day I called them back. This time I dealt with a really nice representative and then following that, a really nice manager who were helpful. 

However, even during that conversation they couldn’t get their pricing straight. At first I was told that we owed a third copay that was essentially between the first two copays. She then called me back about 30 minutes later saying that actually there was no copay due. 

To say that it was a frustrating day of exchanges with this pharmacy would be a huge understatement. 

When I got home I spoke with one of our neuro-oncology nurses. My blood and liver levels came back within perfect range so I do have the green light to start chemo, now presumably tomorrow evening. 

We talked about finding another pharmacy for August’s treatment and as we get closer we have a number of options to explore. 

I went to the gym to take out my frustrations. As I was walking over there I felt a twinge in my right ankle. I spent time opening up my ankles and going through several mobilizations. 

I started a 10 minute warm-up on the elliptical and a few minutes into it I started to feel pain in my ankle. Not wanting to injure myself or risk participation in the Spartan race, I shut down my cardio after the 10-minute warm-up. I was scheduled to do another 30-minutes. 

I focused my effort on the strength section of my workout: 

• 10 pushups
• 10 bicep curls
• 10 airs squats
• 1-minute rest

• 15 pushups
• 15 bicep curls
• 15 air squats
• 1-minute rest

• 20 pushups
• 20 bicep curls
• 20 air squats

Though I would have preferred to also get in the cardio, I am glad that I didn’t push through the pain.  

I’m hoping that tomorrow is a less frustrating day and that my chemo arrives so that I can start my fifth round tomorrow night after two days of delay.