This is a story of turning sadness into triumph.
Okay, it might not be THAT dramatic, but stay with me on this!
I recently ordered a pill case online from Ikigai Cases. This is no ordinary pill case. It is designed with the patient in mind. If you have to take multiple medications several times daily, or have arthritis and/or tactile issues that make fine motor movements a challenge (think tying a shoelace or unlocking a door), then this one is for you.
They had me at how smooth the pill case opened, and how it magically “stopped” at each daily slot with a satisfying click—like the haptic touch of my Apple watch.
But then the sad part.
I received a notification from the USPS that it had been delivered. Yippee! I went out to my front porch to claim my prize. Nope. No package in sight. I waited an hour (okay, 30 minutes) and still no package. I emailed the company and let them know it had not been delivered.
They sent a very polite reply back that there could be three reasons: (1) it was marked as delivered ahead of time, so please be patient and wait for delivery, (2) it may have been delivered to my neighbors, and (3) it could have been stolen.
I had already checked with my neighbors—no package. We have a porch camera and no package was stolen.
I felt very sad that I finally had purchased a nice gift for myself and it was nowhere to be found.
I went to bed, since many problems are solved by sleeping on them. And, indeed, the next day my package arrived!
Opening the box was akin to opening an Apple product box—Apple lovers know what I mean! There it was, in bright “Pink Panther” splendor. Picking it up for the first time and opening it was like no other time I had ever opened a pill case.
I quickly posted online to about 127,000 physician colleagues and my social media notifications blew up. I’m getting messages about how they’ve been considering ordering this product but now have just gone online and placed their order.
I’m so happy to share my story and that my excitement is making such a splash. I have zero connection with this company and zero financial ties. This is just a “feel good” story.
Having a chronic autoimmune disease for the past 24 years plus recent treatment for cancer, I know the value of finding an easy way to take medications. Now I also have a bougie pill case that is beautiful, practical, easy to open, and in some strange way makes me feel better.
: : :
Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD is an internal medicine physician who provides telemedicine medical consultation and advocacy support for patients in WA state. Find out more at myMDadvocate.
Her new book, The Menopause Menu, is an all-in-one giftbook, medical guide and recipe book for navigating menopause.