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4th Quarter of 2016: Ending the Year with a Loss~~We Can Do This!!
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Jean - for some reason I always enjoyed p/t. Of course I had the world's best physical therapist. And often being the youngest one there I ended up helping everyone else which was sort of cool! I hope you feel better today but sorry you have to wait to talk to the doctor's office!
DH says everyone at his work is sick and now I think I'm getting it. Drat! One of the advantages of telecommuting is how much healthier I've been. But nothing I can do about germs coming from DH's work!
Yesterday I fed the colonies and then went to the vet, picked up Indy, took her to the eye doctor where they put a contact lens in her eye to help healing. Dropped her back at the vet. They called shortly thereafter to tell me the contact was on the floor of the carrier. My heart just sank! They are a little surprised they haven't been able to get in touch with the doctor's office. We had dinner and then I had a conference call.
I have to feed the colonies today and do the grocery shopping. Then I have a 2 pm conference call. I love how this time of year everyone just assumes we're sitting there with nothing to do and can just immediately do any big project they think up.0 -
Jean, I hope the call from Dr. M isn't bad news. I'm saying a prayer that he's calling to say all went as expected. The PT must have been pretty rough. You probably used muscles you hadn't used in ages. How often do you go?
DH was supposed to see the surgeon today but they called to say he was in surgery today. So he's rescheduled for Wednesday. He could have seen someone else but we felt it was better to see the doctor who did the surgery and follow up care in the hospital. Anyone else would have been a stranger. We ended up having to make a quick trip to the cardiologist. DH has a new BP med that they gave him in rehab. It had no refills so he needed an RX from her. She needed to see him since she didn't give him the original RX. I was surprised she was able to see him that day. She thought he looked much healthier than 7 weeks ago. She was having him evaluated for cardio exercise classes and he flunked the stress test back then. That led to the additional testing which discovered the need for bypass surgery. I credit her with realizing something was wrong and sending him to the surgeon before he had another heart attack.
She still wants him to do the exercise classes so we talked about waiting until we come back from FL in the spring. We'd like to go down in December, before any snow storms. She said that was fine as insurance gives him a year to take the classes. He's not currently strong enough anyway so he's be starting just when we want to leave and the classes last 3 months. So it turned into a good visit. She was supposed to have her assitant call in the prescription. It was late in the day and perhaps he'd left for the day. Anyway, CVS didn't get the request so DH is now making a follow up phone call.0 -
Helene - it sounds like that cardiologist is a keeper! I wish there were more that were that thorough and with it.
I really don't feel good but I have SO much work to do that I'm chugging away.
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It's supposed to get warm again here the next few days. Typical Baltimore!
I fed the colonies this morning and then got some work done. I suspect I'll spend the rest of the day in a Benadryl haze! LOL!0 -
Helene--I agree with Maryanne; the cardiologist is a keeper.
Maryanne-I do hope you are feeling better. Benadryl can be helpful.
I go to physical therapy in the city tomorrow; work on Tues, Wed., and Thursday; and then on Friday go to physical therapy again plus I scheduled some "hair therapy" while in the city.
My suspicions were confirmed. The minute tumor the doctor removed on the checkup showed signs of early cancer. It is assumed the removal took care of it during this round. Go back in January for another checkup.
I have been eating off plan big time. I am tired of eating healthy all the time so I've been satisfying some cravings..0 -
Jean..I can understand going off plan. The stress you are under is pretty big. Besides worrying about the cancer coming back, you have those trips to the city for therapy. That's no small trip especially when your back was complaining before you started therapy. The ride home must be uncomfortable. You'll get back to healthy eating when things settle down for you health-wise. This is just a blimp in the road. I was doing the same thing during DH's recovery. I still fall off the wagon but not as much now that he's doing so much better and is at home. he was supposed to see the surgeon Friday but it was postpone to mid-week because the doctor had 2 surgeries that day. The visiting nurse discharged him today. She had a checklist to fill out and he was her patient to get a perfect score. She told him weeks ago he was a model patient so I guess it's true. She quizzed him on things he's supposed to do each day, he's up to date on vaccines and he has all his doctors' visits scheduled into December. He was getting chest pains from the incision when he coughed or sneezed but even that had eased up. If it hurts, it quickly passes. So life is good for us.0
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I just printed off the application for a disabled placard. We'll ask the doctor to fill it out when DH has his follow up tomorrow. He's doing really well but he gets fatigued if he walks more than a short distance. He's working on building up his stamina but the placard will make it easier for him if all the regular parking places are a distance from the shopping center doors. The office we're going to tomorrow has limited parking as well. I've had to drop him off, hunt for a space and hoof it over to catch up with him. Some of his doctors are pretty prompt so I like to be in the waiting room with him before he gets called in. It will certainly make life easier.
I also have to call tomorrow to see if I have to report for jury duty Thursday. I'm hoping they won't need my panel but whatever will be, will be.0 -
Helene - the disabled placard makes a lot of sense. Just be ready to have people yell at you if the disability isn't physically apparent. I got it even when I was on crutches. I just let it roll off my back.
I fed the colonies this morning and since then have been working away. We have a flea market Friday/Saturday this week and a cat show next week Fri/Sat/Sun (I don't go Saturday) so I need to pack as much work as possible into the time I have.
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Helene, I agree about how helpful it is to have the disability placard. I'm still using mine occasionally when I have to do a lot of walking or am very tired. My limp is pretty apparent if I've been doing a lot of walking, but there are many, many conditions such as your DH has that have no outward signs. Like Maryanne says, just be prepared and ignore it if you get any comments or dirty looks. You know he has earned the right to use the handicapped parking and I'm sure neither of you would dream of abusing it.
MY SIL was here since Saturday and went home today. We did some shopping and just hung out here at home. We had talked about going to a movie, but never actually made it there. Overall it was a good visit but she did get on our nerves some, so I was happy that she didn't stay longer.
Jean, I hope you're feeling better by now. The PT will get easier the more you do it. Did they give you exercises that you can do at home between appointments?
I finished my nephew's scarf last week and made a matching hat. Today I started on a scarf for his wife which I hope to have completed when I see her the week before Thanksgiving. I'm not sure if they will be coming back for Christmas, so I'd like to finish them early so I don't have to try to mail them to France. I have no idea what I will get for their toddler. I doubt he'd appreciate a hand knitted scarf, lol!0 -
Pam, so you knit? Cool! Maybe a toddler would like his own little "blankie" (aka small throw).
My hairdresser is always showing off the truly neat stuff she knits. I haven't touched it in years. Requires a little more patience than I tend to have.
DH is now coming down with what I've had the last few days. Such fun. Not. He put a whole bunch of estoeric cough/cold stuff on the weekly grocery list. I was groaning until I realized that there is now a walgreen's on my route. Never paid much attention to it as they were building it but it sure came in handy today.
I'm already giving myself "suck it up" talks. It's going to take a lot of mind over sad sack body to get through the flea market Friday and Saturday.
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the appointment with the surgeon went well. He thought DH looked really good. He asked if he'd driven yet and DH said no. He was waiting for the surgeon to say it was okay. The surgeon said most patients jump the gun and decide they can drive when they feel ready. He was surprised that DH actually followed instructions and waited for the appointment to get permission. He told him to start slow with driving short distances locally to start. He has to protect the sternum for another 6 weeks. After that, it should be healed and will be as strong as it will ever be. It won't be as strong as if it hadn't been cut but it will be pretty good. He had a chest x-ray right before the appointment and the surgeon said it was healing normally. I feel a lot less stressed as I see him improving and getting back to some normal activities.
I just donated blood for the first time in over a year. I had a bone graft for the dental implant and you're not allowed to donate for 12 months after that procedure. I was scheduled for jury duty today but when I called the recorded line last night, all jurors were excused. Yay!
Maryanne..How re you and DH feeling today? Is it a virus going around?
Pam..I second making a little blanket for the toddler gift.0 -
I made him a blanket before he was born, so I don't really want to make him another one. At this age, I doubt he would appreciate a hand made gift anyway, so I'll think of something else for him.
I got my flu shot today. What a circus that has been. I started trying 3 or 4 weeks ago but was told I would have a $15 copay. In years past there was no copay, so I questioned it but got the same answer. I declined the shot at that time and came home and called my insurance company. After a lengthy wait I got to a customer service agent who researched it and was just about to give me an answer when we were disconnected. I waited a few minutes to see if she would call me back but she didn't, so I called back and waited again for at least 10 minutes before my phone went dead. At that point I called it a day. A few days later I called again and got through to a very helpful agent who researched the issue and informed me that the pharmacy where I had gone must be using the wrong code and she gave me the code they should use, along with her name and a call reference number so that the pharmacy could access the record of our conversation. I went back to the pharmacy and was again told that I would have a $15 copay. I asked the clerk to call my insurance and he did. I gave him the information I had been given and he was told that they had no idea what that call reference number was and they had no ability to look up the call and I had a copay because the flu shot was coming out of my pharmacy benefit instead of my medical benefit. So once again, I left without my flu shot. My doctor's office in years past has told me that they don't stock flu shot vaccine because it is readily available through all of the local pharmacies, so that wasn't an option, plus, even if they had it, my copay for a visit there is $25. So today I went to a local urgent care facility, assuming that services there would come out of my medical benefits. After a fairly lengthy wait, I got the shot -- and was charged $18. They did say they would courtesy file my insurance and if they get reimbursed for the shot I will get a refund, but I'm not holding my breath. I just wanted to get it done at that point. I've never had a problem in the past and I haven't changed my insurance coverage, so I really don't understand why this year it was such a problem. DH hasn't gotten his yet because he was waiting to see if I could get it figured out.0 -
Helene - I'm glad to hear your DH got really good news and that he's being such a good patient - I can see why your stress is letting up a little!
Pam - what a circus you went through. But after getting my flu shot early, and then reading all the articles about how that isn't a good idea - maybe you accidentally did yourself some good by the delay but what a PITA! My doctor's office does stock the flu vaccine (at least I think they still do) but going there would mean hours and hours. CVS I'm in and out.
I have no clue what toddlers are into these days but I'm sure you'll come up with something.
DH and I are doing better. I'm living on aleve, robitussin cough gels and - at night only - benadryl. I can't take decongestants any more (send my heart into overdrive, scary) and I do miss it. We have flea market set up today and the flea market tomorrow and I'd rather be relaxing but it's not to be. LOL!0 -
Maryanne..Have your tried Coricidin HBP? DH has high blood pressure and uses that with good results. I think CVS also has a generic version that they compare with the brand name. Pam.Are you old enough for Medicare? CVS and I thin Walgreen do free flu shots for medicare patients. I got my this year at my primary care while I was there for a physical. I don't have a co-pay there so I didn't have to pay for the flu shot. DH was given one while he was in the hospital.
DH drive for the first time yesterday. A friend who lives 10 minutes away needed a little help so he drove himself over. I've been doing all the chauffeuring so having a break was nice.0 -
Helene, I'm still 2 years away from Medicare eligibility. The thing that I find so annoying is that I initially went to the same place where I got my shot for free last year. My insurance has not changed, to the best of my knowledge, so I don't understand why this year they insisted that I had a copay for the shot. My understanding of the Affordable Care Act was that vaccinations are covered at 100% under all plans, so adding that in to my situation has me thoroughly confused. If the coverage of my plan has changed, isn't the company required to notify me before the change becomes effective? I haven't received any notices about changes to my plan. I really don't get it, but I don't know how much time I want to spend on getting my $18 refunded.0
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Pam, Go to your insurance plan's website and see if you can submit a dispute over having to do a co-pay for the flu shot. This will be better than hanging on the phone. You have the information from the agent you spoke to plus a confirmation number. Give them those and see what happens. Mention that immunizations have been covered in the past and you received no information about a change in your plan. Maybe they'll reimburse you. You have nothing to lose but a little time writing the email. Good luck. I'd be annoyed in your place too.0
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Pam - there are three possibilities (1) they are wrong (2) you are out of network (the network could have changed) or (3) you are being charged for something other than the actual vaccination (such as the time of the provider).
My understanding is that under the ACA the vaccination has to be free in network but only the vaccination. Any "other services" can be subject to cost sharing. Some insurers can be quite creative in coming up with fees.
Helene - I'll give that Coricidin HBP a try!
After two days of hard physical labor (aka flea market ) I'm tired but glad to be home! We did about $700.0 -
Insurance is a pain; you really have to keep on top of the changes. What was in network last year can be out of network this year; what drug was covered last year might not be covered this year, etc.
I have been MIA simply because I've been so tired from working and going to the city for physical therapy that I just didn't want to do anything in the evening.
I do know that my PT coverage ends this month unless Humana approves another month. I'll know more at the end of the month.
I can tell you that the reason some who have the money to hire a physical trainer to lose weight and inches do so because the person cracks the whip on them while there. I know there is no way that I would faithfully do now an hour and 15 minutes of various exercises at home each day. I do enjoy going to PT, however, believe it or not.
The continuing saga of our local and only source of groceries other than the Dollar Store was featured this weekend in our state's largest newspaper. The link below has some pictures which speak louder than the text:
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?category=GZ03&date=20161022&lopenr=1610298200 -
That's about the size of the town I grew up in and we had 2 grocery stores. Times have really changed. That's a really sad excuse for a store.
I actually enjoyed going to PT. Mine had a neat deal. When your insurance stopped paying they signed you up for the wellness program. I forget how much it was but it was cheap. You didn't get the whirlpool or individual attention but if you already had a relationship with one of the physical therapists they'd answer questions or make the occasional suggestion. Because they were licensed as a gym they also had a gym manager who was always happy to answer questions (that and maintain the equipment were what kept him busy). I went 3 days a week for over a year until DH lost his job and I had to start working full time again.
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DH didn't mind PT either. I think that's because he saw they were helping him recover. He's still supposed to do cardiac rehab exercises classes but we talked to his cardiologist about delaying until we get back from FL. Physically, he wouldn't be ready to start for a couple of months. That's just about the time we leave for FL. He still has to work on his stamina. She said he has 1 year to do the classes so waiting is fine. We can work on walking while we're in FL.0
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I don't think there's any question (at least in my mind) that I wouldn't be walking as well as I do without PT. If I'm not too tired I don't even limp.
I have a LOT of work to get done this week. Since I still don't feel so great, it's a little daunting . I sort of with I could get a little rest. Maybe next week.0 -
Maryanne..Hope you feel better with all the work on your plate. I just had to reschedule our dental cleanings. I've mentioned before our dentist is in CT and our appointments were for tomorrow. We've been trying to find out if DH needs an antibiotic before hand because of the new pacemaker. We called Thursday and the call wasn't returned until today. The woman who called back was off Friday and just got the message today. She also didn't know the answer. she thinks he woman who will know is off until Wednesday. She's the PA who tested DH's pacemaker to see if it was working properly so she must be the office expert.
We called the dentist thinking he might know since DH can't be his only patient with a pacemaker. He thought we should reschedule the appointment until DH can talk to the cardiologist's staff. So we made new appointments for next week. This seems like the Peter Principal at work!0 -
We did early voting yesterday. This is the first year MA has tried it. Since our town is relatively small, we normally vote in the school gym. The town had 5 precincts but we all vote in different areas of the same room. In a highly contested election, parking is at a premium. You end up having to wait for someone to finish voting and to leave a space before you can park. I'm sure election day will be a nightmare. We went to Town Hall and voted early. They were so well organized and we were done in 15 minutes with no parking hassles. Voting is taking place over 10 days so you don't have big crowds. That might change the last day or two but this was busy but not crowded Now if I get any political calls, I can tell them I've already voted.
I started logging my food here a couple of days ago. I have problems on my computer with this site so I stopped doing it months ago. But I find myself more in control when I do it. I was down a pound today after 3 days of logging so I know it works. I guess I'll suffer through the aggravation of my computer going to ad sites and keep reloading the site. Eventually I get in to make my entries. It's work but it works. LOL.0 -
I had a doctor's appointment this morning with my PCP and I had planned to go and vote on my way home, but it didn't work out. My appointment was very lengthy because I had not seen her in more than a year. I had self-diagnosed bursitis in my right hip and I was right. That actually only took about 5 minutes of my hour long appointment. The rest was devoted to a thorough review of my history with her and some discussion of my DH's health issues, and much discussion of my ankle and recovery. She had a medical student shadowing her, so I suspect much of this was for her benefit, but I really hadn't expected to be with the doctor for an hour. Usually it's ten minutes or less.
On the way home I went by one of the early voting sites but could not find parking anywhere within a reasonable (for me) walking distance. I drove around for at least ten minutes and finally gave up. I may try again this afternoon at a different location that is next to our library and has plenty of parking. I might drop into the library afterward to say hello to the ladies I used to work with when I volunteered there. Here in Texas, early voting is allowed at any site in the county where you reside, so I have several choices where I can vote.
I went back to the gym yesterday for the first time since my accident. I walked on the treadmill for twenty minutes then did some light hand weights. I plan to start very slowly and build up my stamina and endurance. I'd really like to lose twenty pounds and be in much better shape by next spring. I'm hoping to take a trip to France in late March, and then my niece is getting married in early May. So I need stamina and endurance to be able to enjoy sightseeing, and I want to look good for the wedding. It's good to have goals, right?0 -
My second attempt to vote was a success. Easy parking, waited five minutes or less, and done. I then went next door to the library but the two ladies I had hoped to see were both out for the afternoon, so I'll try again another day.0
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Pam - yes it's great to have goals. I'm glad you were able to get back to the gym.
Helene/Pam - glad both of you were able to vote. Yeah on the logging; boo on the difficulties. Shouldn't be that way!
I don't know why I ever did anything but absentee ballot. So easy. I have to remember that!
I'm so swamped with work right now it's not even funny. I've been jokingly telling people my bosses are trying to get me to cry "uncle" after I commented that my billable time was at an all time low which led to my own personal conference call. Been swamped ever since. Hmm...
Had to load Bonnie today for this weekend's cat show. Plus I finished the holiday newsletter so I can get it to the printer on Monday. Once I make it through this weekend maybe I can breathe.0 -
Any new fall TV shows getting your attention? DH sent me an article on the ratings on the new shows. Notorious has already been cancelled. DH doesn't watch much tv except the news and things like american pickers but he is insisting I tape Timeless. I'm not a fan. I am enjoying This is Us and Designated Survivor.
- This Is Us (NBC): 3.6 rating; 12 million viewers
– Designated Survivor (ABC): 3.4 rating; 13.7 million
– Kevin Can Wait (CBS): 2.8 rating; 11.1 million
– Speechless (ABC): 2.4 rating; 8.1 million
– Lethal Weapon (Fox): 2.4 rating; 8.7 million
– Bull (CBS): 2.3 rating; 16 million
– Timeless (NBC): 2.0 rating; 8.1 million
– The Good Place (NBC): 1.8 rating; 5.8 million
– American Housewife (ABC): 1.8 rating; 6.2 million
– MacGyver (CBS): 1.7 rating; 10.4 million
– Man with a Plan (CBS): 1.6 rating; 7.3 million (just premiered)
– Son of Zorn (Fox): 1.5 rating; 3.4 million
– Notorious (ABC): 1.4 rating; 5.8 million
– Pitch (Fox): 1.4 rating; 5.1 million
– Exorcist (Fox): 1.1 rating; 3 million
– Conviction (ABC): 1.0 rating; 5.6 million
– Frequency (The CW): 0.4 rating; 1.4 million
– No Tomorrow (The CW): 0.4 rating; 1.1 million0 -
Good morning, everyone I am actually at home but I feel as if I should be getting ready to go somewhere. With the mention of early voting, I had considered doing it yesterday but got home late from the hair and PT appointments
I haven't seen any of the new shows except for a few minutes of MacGyver.
I tried McDonalds Pumpkin Spice Latte in the medium size yesterday. It was acceptable but not worth the almost $4 price tag. Arby's has a pumpkin cheesecake milkshake that is fabulous. I rarely get milkshakes but I got one of these on the run for lunch. It is far, far better than the latte, and has more for the lower price tag. If I am going to indulge in something holiday-related, it would be the shake.0 -
I've been watching This Is Us and Designated Survivor, too and like them a lot. DH likes The Good Place, too. I've seen a couple of the others on the list, but none that I liked enough to watch more than once.
I must be one of about ten people on the planet who do not care for pumpkin. It doesn't smell good to me at all and for that reason, I can't even try to taste it. I'm the same way with liver -- it might taste amazing, but the smell is so awful to me that I start to gag before I can get it close to my mouth. My poor mother tried to disguise it in a thousand different ways when I was a kid, but she could never fool me into eating it because of the smell.0 -
I bought some "limited edition" pumpkin spice oatmeal. I love pumpkin but for some reason I don't like this oatmeal. I miss the NS boards sometimes. I'm thinking about all the different pumpkin options people would have started putting up this time of year. I probably have some of them printed out and copied. Somewhere.
(I like liver too LOL!!!)
I thought I'd like Bull but it's a slog. I think Michael Weatherly should have stayed on NCIS!!!
I've watched the first couple episodes of Conviction. I like it better than Timeless so if DH gives up on Timeless I'll be able to DVR that. At least until they cancel it. The ratings are pretty low.0
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