October 16, 2004

I dialed the number, punched in my numbers, and waited for the axe to fall. I have done this many times since June and always had the same disappointing recording. My stomach churning, I listened. “Your current balance is “ZERO.” Oh my goodness. Could it be true that finally my Fleet credit card problem has been alleviated? I hope it’s true. I think it is!

I cannot believe what Fleet Credit Card Company and Bank of America (who purchased Fleet) put me through. After using my Fleet card to charge $41 and accidentally doing an electronic payment to my old credit card number, I spiraled into 5 months of unbelievable incompetence.

Apparently my transaction got lost in cyberspace instead of getting forwarded to my new number. I faxed them proof of payment from my bank 9 times and mailed it 3 times (in June and July) before they finally said (in August) they had received it ONCE. I called several times, as well.

Every time I called, finance charges and late charges were removed, but no one ever would take off the initial amount that kept more charges from being added. Every month I was sent a letter requesting payment. Every month I would mail back, in the envelope provided, the proof of payment, along with a letter, stapled to the request. Each new month brought the same request from Fleet, with them NEVER acknowledging receipt of my replies.

To add fuel to my burning rage, I was notified that because of my deliquency my card was being canceled and would I please cut it up. In fact, I canceled my account with Fleet after the first month of going 'round and 'round with them over this. I also noticed they had raised my interest rate to 28%. It's like no one there heard anything I said, read anything I faxed, or opened anything I mailed. The interdepartmental communications there are seriously lacking. I want to write one last letter of complaint, but I don't think anyone would even read it. Even now no one has called to notify me that my problem was finally resolved (and I was told I would be called).

Two service reps and two supervisors told me they would take care of it. Last week the nice supervisor told me the steps she would take to eliminate my problem. “That is the exact same thing the supervisor I spoke with in September told me.” I told her.

“Do you know who you spoke with?”

“Yes, her name was Christina, her extension is 4453, and she works in your building.” I had my notes in front of me.

“Well, I will take care of this for you. If it’s not done, please call me back at this number. I am sorry it has not been accomplished.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Just to hear an apology from someone about this ordeal made me feel better. I have written them three letters of complaint with none of them acknowledged much less an apology.

This has been a much bigger mess than anything I have seen happen to a customer at The Secret Place.

I’m just so glad it is corrected. I hope my excellent credit rating has not been marred. I have read if you default on one credit card, all your other credit card companies can raise your interest rates.

I realize that this issue is just small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, but I think the fact that I am always very prompt paying my bills magnified its importance to me. I just hope it’s really over now. I will never do business with Fleet or Bank of America again.

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Facility can’t get flu shots this year. I can’t imagine why a facility full of frail, sick people can’t get them, but I felt compelled to see about getting Mom a shot. I called her doctor’s office and found out they were giving them to high risk people (like Mom) from 1:30 til 4:00 P.M. on weekdays until they run out. Unfortunately this conflicts with my work schedule.

I picked up the phone to call my sister, dialed the number, let it ring once and hung up. “She won’t do it.” I think to myself. “Why ask? I’ll just be mad when she refuses.”

I sat there a couple of minutes and decided to try. The only way I can do it would be to go in late and that is frowned upon at The Secret Place.

So I dialed the number again. She answered.

“Hi!” I said. “I hate to bother you, but I wonder if you could do me a big favor.” [Funny how getting OUR mother a flu shot is a favor for me, but go figure.]

So I explain the hours and the days and how our best chance would be today and blah blah blah.

She replies, “Well, I’d have to call a taxi.”

“You can’t drive?”

“I can drive to Facility, but I’m scared my car will break down with Mom, so I would have to call a taxi from there.”

“Okay, go ahead and take a cab. Let me know how much it costs and I’ll pay you back.”

“I wish I had someone to help me.” she says. [Oh my goodness! How many times have I thought that same thing over the last 7 years.] I’m really not feeling well. I don’t think I’ll be able to do it.”

*sigh*

“Okay let me know if you get it done.”

She didn’t, so if they have any shots left on Monday, I’ll have to call in late and take her myself.

This is the sister who told me to place Mom in a facility here and for me to go ahead and move back to the beach. She said she would look after her. She has refused to take her to the doctor every single time I needed her to do it. She was very insulted when I said I wouldn’t leave Mom in her care. She really isn’t healthy, that’s true. But she does manage to go all the places she wants to go. I think she is just scared of Mom. If she had helped me all along, she would feel confident in caring for her.

It sure is frustrating.

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I was supposed to pick up Mom today, but I was up in the middle of the night with flu-like symptoms, so I bailed out. I won’t see her til Monday when I (hopefully) pick her up for her Flu shot. She has been doing really well.

She had an appointment earlier this week with her geriatric psych. He added Memantine to her current does of Aricept to see if we can improve her condition at all. I had asked him about this drug over two years ago; when some of the people on my Alzheimer’s List had mentioned that this combination was doing well with their loved ones. It wasn’t for sale in the US at the time and he didn’t seem very interested. I dismissed the idea, too, and hadn’t given it much more thought. Now I’m very excited and hopeful that Mom may be a little more alert, maybe talk more with real words, and be more aware of her world. That would be fantastic.

The nurse at Facility sneered when I gave her the starter package. “Oh. The drug of the month. Everyone’s on that now and it doesn’t do a darn thing.” She went on to tell me of several people in Facility who took it and it didn’t help a single one of them. Oh well, I still have the testimony of people it has helped and I’m not giving up hope that easily! If it didn’t help anyone, there wouldn’t be all this hype, so maybe Mom will be one of the lucky ones.

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I’m working for someone tomorrow, so I only had one day off this weekend. I did manage to wax my car, make lasagne, and repot my house plants. Next weekend, I’ll have three days off. Oh yeah!

Proverbs 9:13 ¶ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.