"That doctor pushes pills"

 

I have a friend who struggles to tell the truth, and from what I have learned from her, it's a pretty serious problem. And while she manages to be truthful, the majority of communications have been lies. I am hopeful communication will improve, but to be honest, actions speak louder than words. And I don't mean to sound sanctimonious. I wish her well and send her a 💝 of support from me. I hope she knows it's true.

"That doctor pushes pills" Theresa said to me in a hushed voice. We were waiting for Doctor Gregus in the duty clinic in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Marion, her mother, was sitting in a wheel chair next to her in agreement. "He always has" she said lamentedly. "My God Chris, the moment you stepped into the room his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree." It was true. Suddenly getting medications was easier for the poor woman. 

Her back was fucked. After 4 surgeries, it was amazing she was able to even walk at her age. The crowd of people were stacked back deep. Coughing and children were running down the isle. Theresa shot me an angry glare. "They should put those things on leashes" she said angrily as the children raced back and forth through the clinic. 

Our names were called and I wheeled Marion into the office with Theresa. I kept quiet as she talked to the doctor about nothing in general. Theresa was fidgeting with her rings and anxiously hoping the doctor would fill the Percocet and Morphine pills for her mother. There were a blessing and a curse to us. And the sleeping pills. Oh those things. Immovane, that awful drug, so nice yet seductive. It almost had me too.

Benzos had that seductive feel to them. Unlike Tylenol 3/4 which kept you agitated and alert due to the Codeine and Caffeine. It was a quick visit. I raced to get the car while Theresa gently wheeled her mother out the door. They had a smoke as they waited for me to drive by.

This was my life.

It goes on.

Chris