I can’t remember which part of the journey it was that the thought occurred to me.
You know that nagging thought that you’ve left the iron on, the stove on high, the cat inside without food those hundred and one thoughts that rush through your mind half way to your destination. Then you think I don’t want to think about it, I couldn’t be so stupid could I? Denial is a fine state to be in at such times.
Well here I was driving down the freeway, my focus on my destination, a weekend away after a particularly difficult time at work, the pressures had been building and I needed this weekend off, away from the hassles of the office, the demands of bosses, consumed by deadlines and outcomes, not I needed me time and I was so looking forward to it.
But I had this thought in the back of my mind, had I packed my meds?
I remembered getting them out and having them on the bed in preparation for the trip. I remembered counting to make sure I had enough for the weekend. But I couldn’t remember packing them.
So now my thought is what will happen if I go two days with out taking them? Nothing probably?
But I stopped them once before with possible dire consequences and that was not pleasant nor was it comfortable at the hospital explaining to the staff that I had not taken my meds for about a week. At that moment my BP was through the roof, I was lucky not to stroke they said. I have never missed since.
So now I have the irritating thought of missing my meds when I had prided myself on being so disciplined as to not miss them again.
Its too much, I have to stop and look. If they are not here I will decide if I go home or risk it. But if they are not here then I will worry all weekend and that is no way to spend a relaxing time.
I pull into a rest stop and get out thinking I will go home if they are not there. I open the boot and drag out my overnight bag.
In the pocket of my toiletry bag is the small container I carry with me on trips, my meds I see in there, I feel a great sense of relief. I have them with me. I feel relieved.
Back in the car, I head south, the weekend looking better already. I phone JL telling her I’ll be an hour.
Written for: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-2414/
Morpethroad 
Wow, you’re right on the prompt this week, Michael! Great story, full of suspense. 🙂 Thanks very much for joining in early! 😀
My pleasure Linda. Great prompt this week.
Oh, I just hate it when I think I’ve forgotten something important and it bugs me till I check. Good story, captured those troubling thoughts well.
Thank you Jackie your thoughts are appreciated.
The OCD’ers like myself will appreciate this one, Michael!. I rarely leave the house without soon wondering what I forgot (pull over: cell phone, check. Grocery list, check.). Very stressful. But, when it comes to meds, I can certainly appreciate the worry. I know one person who I’m sure would hijack a plane mid-flight to make them land and check her bag for her dental retainer. Thanks for a great story!
Thanks Mandy glad to know so many share this fear. Have a good day.
I shouldn’t use the term OCD so loosely, since it is a real disorder that some struggle with. For myself, I’m a chronic worrier. But to worry about a possible forgotten med? Definitely a justified worry 🙂
Very well depicted Michael – the constant ever battle of memory and how our minds go blank. I never thought I had OCD but I see strains of it now, I know I put the folder in my carry bag for the Service, yet I check that bloody bag at least 3 times just to make sure! Glad he for d them in the end and was able to relax with JL 🙂
Thank you Jenny, we all have those doubts I find. Drives me nuts at times.
Yes, me too…ah well put it down to age 😦
Speak for yourself…lol
I was lol
Oh yeah! I understand the feeling “did I pack my meds or not?” It must be a case of old-timer’s disease 😀
Hmm thanks Lyn…lol…..I hope it’s not that if it is I’ve had for the past twenty years.
Oh gee, I was with you…wondering, fretting, imagining…great post, Michael!! I get the same feeling when I go away for more than 24 hours.
Thanks Oliana it seems so many of us have the same anxieties.
Up until a few years ago I was fine then my thyroid got real slow. I hate having to depend on any meds though.
I know what you mean but it’s a fact of life for me.
Checking for life-saving meds seems perfectly normal and not OCD. It seems smart and adaptive. Excessive hand-washing, until your hands are raw, because you believe you can’t get germs off of them is not adaptive. True OCD seems to be more a matter of degree of disfunction and maladaptive behavior. We all have OCD traits, the question is when do they interfere with our ability to function?
Thank you Larry, our ability to function is relative to the situation we find ourselves in. Lots of factors come in to play.
I can so relate 🙂 thanks for sharing
Hi Bee, thanks for the comment. Have a good day.
you too. Am having a lazy Sunday not writing anything but enjoy reading great blog posts like yours :-).
Oh you flatter me too much. But thank you, happy to have you visit.
🙂
Next time I shall boil the kettle and cook a cake.
oh please 🙂 I make sure to bring my mug 😉
Good idea mine are a tad old and crazed like me…lol
didn’t mean to be rude just a hint at today’s blog post on Just fooling around with Bee 😉 I love mugs can’t help it
All is good Bee. I shall go look.
🙂
Oh I hate the feeling that I’ve forgotten something! Especially something important like that!
Oh boy – I hate that feeling of thinking that I’ve forgotten something when I’m going on a trip – especially meds. Not so bad when it’s within the same country. The pharmacy chains all share the same info within their computer systems & the doc is only a phone call away. But – not so easy to get refills for the same stuff when outside the country.
Definitely WITH meds!
Yes that’s true RoSy, I’m already planning my meds for my trip, I’m forever counting to make sure I have enough even if I go away for a a weekend.