Milton Steps Up Again!

On Friday, about 6 p.m., I received a call from a neighbor who reported that she was quite ill and wondered if I might be able to take her to Urgent Care the next day (Saturday).

After asking her a few questions, I told her I would research UC hours and call her with a time.

As an aside, I have known this most interesting woman most of my Milton life. She is highly educated, extremely intelligent, served in the Peace Corps, served on the Milton Common Council, was well-travelled, and loved camping, canoeing, hiking, and x-country skiing. She is definitely an individual and a “character” in my neighborhood. She has lived alone in her house for many years. Her adult children live considerable distance away in other parts of the country. Essentially, by circumstance and by choice she has become quite reclusive. This is not meant to be judgmental in any manner. Rather, it is meant to “set the stage” as it were.

So, returning to her phone call – I immediately called Mercy North Urgent Care and determined they were open until 9 p.m. that night. I felt it far better for my friend to obtain medical attention sooner rather than later. I called her back and strongly suggested that I take her immediately rather than waiting until the next day. She agreed and said she could be ready in 15 minutes. I picked her up and we were off.

She was checked-in and taken to an exam room nearly immediately which gave me a chance to notify her family. It was about 9 p.m. when she was released having been diagnosed with Covid. No surprise here based on her recent trip to the twin cities where she attended several public sporting events in support of her grandsons. An Rx for Paxlovid had been called-in to the Walmart Pharmacy – literally next door to Mercy North.

I was hopeful that we could pick up the Rx on the way home to Milton, but it was after Walmart’s 9 p.m. closing time. So, no meds until morning.

I took her home and got her settled. I gave her the phone number of the Walmart Pharmacy and told her that she needed to call them when they opened at 9 a.m. Saturday morning to give me permission to pick up the Rx for her. She understood and replied that she would do thatOn Saturday morning she called me soon after 9 and told me that Walmart would not have any Paxlovid available for several days. I replied that she needed to start this med ASAP so we would need to seek another option. I told her I would take care of this.

I assumed it would mean going to Mercy North (I find it more effective to do these types of things in person rather than by phone) to speak with the prescribing doctor to have him call the Rx to another pharmacy.

Here’s where Milton Magic begins. Before traveling to Mercy North, I thought I thought it wise to see if the Mercy Milton Pharmacy had Paxlovid available. Many of you know Sr. Pharmacist there, Rick Mullen. He is a long-term, well-respected friend and pharmacist. Many of you know him in that respect and for his service to our phenomenal school district as a member of the Board of Education. I called Rick to explain this dilemma and asked if he knew if Mercy Milton had Paxlovid available. He replied that he wasn’t sure but thought it likely that they did. He suggested I call the pharmacy, explain the situation, and they would take care of the Rx transfer and the entire shebang. Who knew?

I drove immediately to the pharmacy and explained the “whole bit.”  Pharm Tech, Marcia replied that, yes, they had Paxlovid, and they would begin the process of the transfer immediately. I sat down to wait and listened as Marcia and Pharmacist Karen made their necessary calls and computer connections. It was amazing! In a very efficient time frame the entire issue was resolved and they proceeded to fill the Rx. One phone call on my part to Rick!

However, it wasn’t quite done. Marcia and Karen need to ask some questions about my friend’s insurance. Of course, I knew little about it but with some demographic info from me they were able to pull what they needed from the existing computer records. Again, this was an investment of time and energy on their part.

The next result was both good and bad. The Rx was filled but because it was early in the year the co-pay/deductible was going to be $700. I took a deep breath and immediately called my friend’s son. He provided his credit card number so the process could move forward.

While I was doing that, I heard Marcia and Karen discussing the possibility of some sort of coupon for Paxlovid. They weren’t sure but were both actively researching the possibility. Their first effort produced nothing, but they wouldn’t give up. After more calls and computer work Marcia exclaimed, “I’ve got it!” - a coupon eliminating the $700 co-pay/deductible. I was absolutely amazed at this near miracle.

As I reflected, I was so warmed and gratified. I had a major challenge on my hands. One phone call to Rick, and then a short drive to the Mercy Miton Pharmacy and the entire issue was completely and very satisfactorily resolved. This process did take a couple of hours but what amazing results.

I do have to admit that Rick, Marcia, and Karen DID NOT meet my expectations. THEY FAR EXCEEDED THEM! What caring, what incredible application of their expertise. It is clear they believe in and live the mission and vision of their organization – Mercy Health. 

·         Continually find ways to make life better with the utmost care and professionalism

·         Strive to improve the community good with special concern for those most in need.

·         Healing in the broadest sense.

·         Patients come first.

·         Always seek excellence.

So, what lessons are there here for all of us? A myriad of them I believe. Many of us would agree that our world is in disarray. It seems challenging to know how to address this / to make this better. But look at the absolute power we have to “do good” right here on our own streets, in our own neighborhoods. However you must be intentional as you can’t find that for which you are not looking.

Love your neighbor, embrace your neighborhood. Give someone a call or a text. Send a note or a card. Provide a ride, perhaps run an errand >> simply put your caring into action.

Communities are built like legos, one brick at a time. There is no “hack.”  It’s the layering of contacts, conversations, relationships, and investment in noticing and caring.

Mercy Milton Pharmacy is a classic example of why I believe in doing business locally. I could give you countless other examples, but I have rambled on long enough.

I urge you to be intentional in your caring. Do what you can where you can. It may well be within 50 feet of your house.

Thank you, Rick, Marcia, and Karen, for showing us the way.

After all, WE ARE MILTON

#WAM

 

Catalyst Creates Kerfuffle - Milton, Per Usual, Steps Up!

Back in December, I enjoyed performing in Creative Outlets production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Milton House. This was my fourth year with this troupe and was, by far, the coldest. The early December cold snap landed on all of us with a vengeance. So, you ask, “What’s the big deal? It was December and we live in Wisconsin.” So true, but the temps were particularly bitter. My point?

Just this. As those who have attended this special Milton production of Dickens’ magnificent work know, some of the scenes are staged in the Milton House proper, some in the stable, and some outside. This makes this Milton House show particularly special. However, the incredibly low temps posed significant challenges for audience and actors’ comfort in the stable and outside scenes.

We stave off the cold in the stable – a totally unheated historic building – with several patio heaters. A responsibility I have assumed is to ensure that we have enough propane supply to keep the heaters going during rehearsals and performances. In prior years this was relatively easy but not so this year.

During the day on December 12 as I was stocking shelves (feeding Milton as I like to call it) at “The Pig”. I realized that, with the brutal temps, we did not have enough propane tanks to keep ahead of our need for the evening performance. Certainly, a problem to be solved but, in my mind, I turned it into a major kerfuffle. Oh, what to do?

As soon as my shift was completed, I checked in at Hometown Ace and sought advice from supremely customer service-oriented Paul. As always, he provided great information (as do my other go-to people there clearly making Ace the “Place” for my hardware challenged orientation). However, there was not a solution quickly at hand there. I let this greatly exacerbate my already established kerfuffle. Paul, true to form, but almost in passing, did provide the solution. He asked, “What about trying to borrow some tanks? Duh! I had myself all worked up (I was under a tight deadline) and totally forgot the very heart and nature of this community I love so dearly.

The solution > three texts, three quickly returned phone calls, and I had eight propane tanks at my disposal which I was able to gather within thirty minutes. My self-manufactured kerfuffle was solved.

Why should I have not realized right from the start that Milton could and would serve me? Many thanks to Paul – demonstrating once again that Ace is the Place whether for product or advice. Many thanks also to neighbor Jim Lyke and to sons-in-law Tom Murphy and Leif Sykora.

Kindness abounds in our community and certainly showered me that day. After all WE ARE MILTON!