2021: Think Positively for a Better Year!
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The Cape is officially out of the Covid risk zone. There were 2 confirmed cases in the county. There were no ICU patients and zero deaths. My town had zero new cases. MA has one of the highest vaccinations rates in the country. The governor’s cautious approach to a pandemic paid off.
That is fantastic!!!!!0 -
Helene, I’m mostly staying indoors if possible. We haven’t had any power issues and our air conditioning is working, so we have been comfortable. We’ve always kept our thermostat set at 78 or above in summer and use our ceiling fans, so we really haven’t made any adjustments for the heat other than not running the washer or dryer.
Yesterday I had a doctor’s appointment with my endocrinologist for my semiannual Prolia injection, then I picked up a prescription. Since I was by the nail salon I use and needed a mani/pedi I stopped there as well. Unfortunately, their A/C had gone out the day before and the parts needed to repair it weren’t due until today. I opted to stay and it really wasn’t that bad. They had several fans and offered cold drinks, so I was fairly comfortable. I felt sympathy for the employees though, because they were all still wearing masks and the fans were aimed at the customers more than the employees. The woman doing my pedicure had to pull her mask away a couple of times and fan herself to cool off. I left a very generous tip for them for working so hard under such difficult conditions.
Today I’m staying at home. Tomorrow I have a lunch date with my grad school friends to celebrate a birthday.0 -
Are you seeing results from the Prolia? Is it a shot or infusion?0
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Helene, Prolia is a shot, but Medicare only pays for it when given at an infusion center. Or so I was told anyway. My bone density has improved since I started getting the shots about 2.5 years ago. They are given every 6 months and bloodwork is required prior to each shot to check your blood calcium levels. The infusion center where I get my shots won’t even schedule an appointment until they’ve received the lab results. The injection only takes a few seconds and stings a little while it’s going into your arm, then I have to wait about 15 minutes while my BP is monitored before I can leave. I take my e-reader and sit in their nice comfy recliner while I wait.0
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How interesting that Medicare requires dispensing at an infusion center. Medicare has some strange requirements.0
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It’s quite expensive if insurance doesn’t cover it. My first 2 injections were prescribed before I was on Medicare and my insurance didn’t cover it. As I recall, the cost without insurance was $1200 per injection, but I was able to get into a program that the drug company sponsored that reimbursed me up to $1500 per year for the injections. Luckily for me, they did it on a calendar year basis and my first injection was in December and my next was in June, but since it was a different calendar year both were covered under the program. After that I was on Medicare, so I didn’t have to pay anymore.0
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DH got Reclast infusions a few times years ago. His Celiac causes calcium depletion from his bones. Reclast predated Prolia. His doctor had to get permission for him to take it because it was normally used just for women. He takes calcium pills now. I guess having better control of the celiac helped to stabilize the osteoporosis bone loss.0
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I rejoined Noom again. They offered me 90% off a one year membership. How could I go wrong with that. I liked the program but had trouble using because my phone is too old. They now have an app for IPad so I’m using that. Hopefully, second times the charm.0
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It’s quite expensive if insurance doesn’t cover it. My first 2 injections were prescribed before I was on Medicare and my insurance didn’t cover it. As I recall, the cost without insurance was $1200 per injection, but I was able to get into a program that the drug company sponsored that reimbursed me up to $1500 per year for the injections. Luckily for me, they did it on a calendar year basis and my first injection was in December and my next was in June, but since it was a different calendar year both were covered under the program. After that I was on Medicare, so I didn’t have to pay anymore.
Thanks for reminding me what you had learned about Prolia and Medicare. The doctor wants to start me on that and I hadn't gotten around to looking into it
Now I need to check into speech therapy of all things. I finally saw an ENT and the pictures they did show my voice issues are due to the beginning of my vocal cords atrophying. Oh, joy! Apparently speech therapy is effective 50% of the time so I have to find time for that. Isn't it fun being old (er)?0 -
I rejoined Noom again. They offered me 90% off a one year membership. How could I go wrong with that. I liked the program but had trouble using because my phone is too old. They now have an app for IPad so I’m using that. Hopefully, second times the charm.
Good luck on the second time!!!!0 -
Maryanne, I don’t think I knew you were having any problems with your voice. I used to sing in our church choir but I have completely lost the ability to sing. I hadn’t noticed until a couple of years ago when I was attempting to sing Happy Birthday at a friend’s birthday party and realized that my voice kept cracking every few notes. I never gave it much thought since I didn’t sing very often anyway. I haven’t noticed any changes when speaking, only singing.0
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I don’t think you mentioned your voice to us. Make time for the therapy. Taking care of your health is more important than all the stuff you do for others. I think I mentioned the BIL has developed Parkinson’s. His voice and gait are both affected. His voice was becoming more of a whisper. I mentioned it because he started voice therapy and it’s made a difference. His voice sounds stronger now to me. He’s joined a support group called Loud Crowd. It’s a national group. You would probably benefit from the therapy so make that appointment. They probably won’t have an opening right away anyway.0
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I saw a Fellow first and then the Board certified specialists (liked them both a lot). I mentioned to the Fellow that my singing voice is long gone and sort of regretted it because she had all kinds of questions and really, since college, I've pretty much just been a "sing in the car" type singer. So losing my singing voice doesn't really matter to anyone but me. I'm much more concerned about being able to talk. (Boy, do I have friends who'd go to town with that line. LOL!)
I did finally get through to make an appointment and they seemed so confused. The whole process was SO not like Hopkins. But I have a telemedicine appointment in mid July. Apparently like with physical therapy eventually you can do it on your own at home.
Looking back over my 70+ years I'd say I have few regrets but letting music slip out of my life is a big one. I wish I'd known Henry (my now retired boss) sooner. He is such a shining example of the fact that you can work as a professional AND keep music in your life. I actually took the time to mention that to our young associate in case he doesn't realize what a gift it is for him to be so into music and have the opportunity to know Henry so well and have him as an example.0 -
Once you start therapy, ask if singing around the house is okay. Only you will hear yourself and it will be exercise for you vocal chords. Look up the website for the Loud Crowd. Maybe they’ll have some good suggestions. I suspect that it’s not just Parkinson’s patients that have voice problems.0
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Once you start therapy, ask if singing around the house is okay. Only you will hear yourself and it will be exercise for you vocal chords. Look up the website for the Loud Crowd. Maybe they’ll have some good suggestions. I suspect that it’s not just Parkinson’s patients that have voice problems.
Don't tell DH but I sort of miss the days when there was no one around the house during the day to hear me. His retirement isn't such fun. LOL!0 -
Went to the grocery store this morning. I'm loving my new system. I kept one delivery service for the boring stuff and just get the produce and items the shoppers did poorly on. I ran into a young man in the produce section who was obviously shopping, putting stuff in bags to fill orders. I did NOT have good luck with home deliveries of stuff like produce where choice is important.
Made the appointment for the voice therapy. When I asked about speech therapy they corrected me. It's voice therapy. The two sound like the same thing to me. I don't have to go downtown; they will do a phone call. YEAH! I really didn't want to go downtown. I could have looked for someone local but I really really liked the ENT doc and I don't say that about too many male doctors.
I've watched a little of the Olympic trials the last couple days. I'm not as big a fan of the summer games but I'll watch some. Last evening I saw Ryan Lochte try and fail to make another team. I wish they showed more of the "minor" for lack of a better word sports. The more unusual ones.0 -
Maryanne, I haven’t watched any of the trials yet, but I will probably do so this weekend. I enjoy the gymnastics and diving events and the trials for gymnastics will be on this weekend.
I need to make an appointment to see an orthopedic doc again. My left foot started hurting a few days ago and it’s the one where I had the bad ankle break 5+ years ago. I would like to see the same doc that put it back together, but his practice group screens the appointments and sets you up with whoever specializes in the joint or body part at issue. My doctor doesn’t list ankles as one of his specialties so I think they will make me see someone else. I’m also having plantar fasciitis in the other foot. I’ve been wearing my orthopedic boot for the past few days but I’m still in pain.0 -
Pam, that’s terrible that you’re having problems with both feet. Perhaps you could send the practice an email explaining why you’d like to see the doctor who treated you before. It doesn’t sound like a big deal for them to honor that request. It wouldn’t hurt to ask. Doing it in writing gives you a chance to fully explain your reasons. I can see why they’d assign their doctor of choice for new patients but prior relationships should count.0
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I did call and was able to get an appointment for next Tuesday morning with my orthopedic doc’s PA who also helped in my treatment 5 years ago. I would have had to wait 2 more weeks to get in to see the doctor. I actually liked the PA as much as I did the doctor, so I’m happy with this appointment. In the meantime, I’ll keep wearing the boot and stretching the other foot to help with the plantar fasciitis. I’d limp when walking but since both feet hurt, it’s hard to figure out how to limp effectively, lol!0
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I did call and was able to get an appointment for next Tuesday morning with my orthopedic doc’s PA who also helped in my treatment 5 years ago. I would have had to wait 2 more weeks to get in to see the doctor. I actually liked the PA as much as I did the doctor, so I’m happy with this appointment. In the meantime, I’ll keep wearing the boot and stretching the other foot to help with the plantar fasciitis. I’d limp when walking but since both feet hurt, it’s hard to figure out how to limp effectively, lol!
OUCH!!! I'm glad you were able to get in to see the PA. Hopefully he/she an get you started toward relief without you having to wait for a doctor's appointment.0 -
Getting into the schedule was probably the hardest part of the process. Good thing you don’t have to wait to long to get in.0
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We had a minor earthquake yesterday. DH felt it. I didn't. Nothing like the one we had a couple years ago where DH ran to the kitchen to try to hold down the gas stove to keep it from coming loose. Of course, given where we are, our first thought was "someone finally dropped a bomb on DC".0
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We’ve started with the dental practice at our health center. No more drives to CT since our dentist returned during Covid. DH’s evaluation was great. I got referrals to 2 specialists. Some older crowns look iffy and the dentist had concerns about my lower front teeth. They were booking cleanings in November. We made appointments but asked to be on a cancellation list. I got a call yesterday that they had two cancellations for Monday. I took one but DH has a cardiology appointment Monday. So he’ll stay on the cancellation list. I was surprised to hear from them so soon. I guess some people really don’t like going to the dentist. I haven’t had a cleaning in 10 months so I’m glad to get in early.0
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We had a few minor earthquakes a few years ago. I think the largest was a 3.6. I don’t remember if that was the one I felt or not, but it was a weird feeling. DH didn’t feel a thing, which is unusual. Usually he hears, sees, and feels everything, while I’m usually oblivious.
Helene, it’s nice that you guys won’t have to drive so far for your dental needs. Hopefully your appointment on Monday will go well and DH will snag a cancellation soon.
I just got back from a few errands. I’m hosting a birthday party on Wednesday for one of my friends, so I went out to pick up some of the things I’ll need for that. I went to 3 different stores and was tired by the time I was done. Walking in this boot is tiring!0 -
Will you be making one of your fabulous cakes?0
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I decided to do cupcakes this time. That way we can put a candle in hers and not have her blowing on everyone’s cake. I think we’ve all gotten more conscious of potential germ spreading events like that. Also, this way I don’t have to cut and serve the cake. I’ve always disliked doing that but I always end up being asked to do it when I bring the cake. I’m trying to keep things as simple as I can this time since I’m somewhat less mobile than normal. Several people are bringing appetizers and I’m going to make turkey and Swiss and ham and Swiss sliders and deviled eggs. For drinks, I’ll have several types of wine and beer, and I’m making a lemonade/orange vodka slush drink. Typically, most of the couples will bring a bottle of wine as well, so I think we will have plenty of food and drinks. I’m using paper plates and napkins, so the only dishes that will need to be washed afterward will be the glasses and serving platters, so it should be pretty easy. I can make everything in advance, and then bake the sliders just before everyone is due to arrive. I plan to do most of the preparations on Tuesday after my doctor’s appointment, then on Wednesday all I’ll have to do is spiff up the house a bit and ice down the beer and wines. That is, if everything goes according to plan. What could go wrong, lol!0
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Sounds like a great plan. How many guest do you expect? Good luck with the doctor’s appointment.0
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I think we will have around 11 or 12 people, if everyone comes that said they would. Doing it as a happy hour instead of a seated dinner helps since neither of my dining tables will comfortably seat more than 6 or 8 if we squeeze together. Typically, most of the men stand around in the kitchen (no matter how many times I try to shoo them out of there — what’s up with that?) and the women typically sit in the den, so it works out better. Plus, I don’t mind using paper plates and napkins but for a dinner party I would use my dishes and cloth napkins. I hope we all go to a more casual form of entertaining going forward. I think all but one of the couples will be on board with that, but one couple still enjoys doing seated dinner parties. They are always very nice, but their dining room is a little tight when we have that large of a group. Houses today just aren’t designed for that style of entertaining.0
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Particularly when trying to space people out in the Covid era.0
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We’ve started with the dental practice at our health center. No more drives to CT since our dentist returned during Covid. DH’s evaluation was great. I got referrals to 2 specialists. Some older crowns look iffy and the dentist had concerns about my lower front teeth. They were booking cleanings in November. We made appointments but asked to be on a cancellation list. I got a call yesterday that they had two cancellations for Monday. I took one but DH has a cardiology appointment Monday. So he’ll stay on the cancellation list. I was surprised to hear from them so soon. I guess some people really don’t like going to the dentist. I haven’t had a cleaning in 10 months so I’m glad to get in early.
Dentists have been in trouble for awhile (we've got some as clients), mostly because many people don't have dental insurance. The pandemic has been disastrous for many of them. Mine actually remarked to me one day that he realizes how ironic it is that he got into dentistry for job security. (I'm sure it didn't hurt that his dad and uncle had a going practice waiting for him and his cousin to step into.)
I've been with the same dentist since the early 80's. Started in the basement of the local mall. Then they moved to nice offices around the corner. The minute "dad" died, they up and moved the practice to Reisterstown (very Jewish, may well be where they live). I grumble about the drive but it's probably only 20 or 25 minutes BUT the only reasonable way to get there is to get on the Baltimore Beltway so it feels like a bigger deal than it is.0
