I had one helluva a day. Some gratifying things, some pain-in-the-asker things and a bit of worry.
I went back to work today. I had yesterday off because I worked on Saturday. My boss and I talked about the thing we had for our clients with the Mexican consul. He agreed that it went very well and said that the Consul said we ran the most organized and professional "matricula" they'd seen. He also thanked me for my contribution and complimented me on how far I've come and says I've been doing a great job. Good stuff! All the intense preparation we've done for the last six weeks paid off big time! It was a winning situation for everyone. Ain't it grand when a plan comes together?
I had a doctor's appointment today. What was supposed to be a routine follow-up visit turned out to be a two hour visit with my new doctor. I go to the Internal Medicine clinic at a local teaching hospital because I haven't real insurance. I have only very basic care provided by the state of Ohio. I like my new doctor -- she was very young, thorough and nice. She is from India. Are there any doctors who were born in the U.S. anymore? I have a problem with doctors. I have residual effects from a medical problem I had a couple decades ago and everyone gets all hung up about it but me. I look at it as an isolated incident at this point and while I note it and live with it every day, I don't worry about it happening again but the damn doctors do. (I will talk about it here some day when I'm ready.)
Sheesh! She wants me to take some more medication that I don't need or want and certainly can't afford. I guess I shouldn't have told her I had stopped taking it over a year ago but didn't anyone notice that I hadn't asked for a refill on my scrip? Guess not.
Next month I see the endocrinologist to see how my thyroid stuff is. I'm still tiring easily a lot so I might need my meds changed. I might need surgery cause nodules don't go away by themselves. Sigh. I guess I need another specialist, too and they're trying to get me in a program it cause the state of Ohio isn't into women's health issues which I figured out a while back. To be fair, they probably aren't into men's health issues either. Obviously, I wouldn't know that.
I really enjoyed all the nice responses to my groaner, mystery and weird words posts. I laughed a lot and got a line on some new authors to try. Thanks to all of you! I didn't get around to visit much today and I apologize. I collapsed when I got home from the doc and slept instead of doing my rounds of the Blogosphere. I'll be around tomorrow though -- I promise.
I gotta go hit the sack! I have a new project tomorrow at work that I'm working on and I want to get it right.
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Hope all the medical stuff turns out in your favor.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't really care where the doctors come from, but it really bites my butt when they can't speak any flavor of English I can understand. If there is one thing in life we need to be able to communicate clearly and understandably, it's our health issues.
I agree. Doctor Rama (she has us call her by her first name 'cause her last name is difficult for Americans) speaks excellent English, My last Doc was Egyptian and her English was perfect. I've had others though who I made repeat themselves so I could understand them. Fortunately, my endocrinologist is Dr. Smith! lol
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Michael Moore's movie 'Sicko' yet?
ReplyDeleteBTW: Doug Alder (http://www.thealders.net/blogs/index.php) is trying to outgroan you today ;-)
Stu
A lot of our doctors in the hospitals are from abroad. I don't mind as long as they understand me and I understand them.
ReplyDeleteWe all bitch and moan about the NHS but I thank who ever is up there that I don't have to worry about paying for the 15 different meds I take. I odn't even mind the waiting lists because if it loooks serious you do get a stat appointment.
Heh at least the two years I have to wait for the procedure on my back gives me time to think if I really want it done. Of couse it's not life threatening that's why the wait is so long.
I'm fortunate to have the best GP in existence. Really. I've been through a LOT of doctors and it took me 52 years to find her. She's American, my age, an old hippie, brilliant, and about as down-to-earth as they come. I told her that when we move to Vienna she'll have to come with us.
ReplyDeletePeople without ongoing health issues have no concept of how vital a good doctor is, not only to physical health, but emotional, mental and spiritual health as well. Unfortunately, neither do many physicians.
I have been blessed with great medical benefits. At a price though, since I am not only the widow of a Marine, but now the wife of Navy Commander retired and come by Tri Care for Life because of these gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the luck with your medical problems. . . I would love to see all Americans have suitable medical protection and a good prescription plan. No one should have to worry about whether they can afford medication or not. Shame on us, as a nation.
Maria: Yes, you are blessed. When I was married we had great insurance until he got "downsized." Then when I left him I had decent insurance until I lost my job in 2003. Part-time work doesn't provide health insurance and no one wants to hire anyone over 55 full-time.
ReplyDeleteSteph: Our family doctor we had for 25 years was like that. He retired and I miss him but I couldn't afford him anyway. Sigh
Vanda: I hope they're doing the kind of back surgery I had over there. It was wonderful -- I went from barely able to walk to being on my feet the same day I had surgery. It was a miracle how it worked!
Stu: No I haven't seen "Sicko" -- I don't want to be more outraged than I already am and I really doubt it would surprise me much.
As to out-groaning me, I looked and it's good -- I've got one in my archives that is a nonpareil amongst groaners. It's my all-time favorite! I'm saving it for when I think y'all are ready!
Kay,
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your medical woe's. I'll be thinking of you.
Thanks for the nice comments you have left on my blog.
Have a great big positive week!
Hope all is well. If not maybe you just need to move to a more rural lifestyle and slow down a bit. you know maybe move to Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteWhere Hillbilly Willy is living The Rural Life which is a Great Life yes it is a great lifeEspecially in Arkansas
Kay, I know how scary it must be to go without health insurance. I'm thinking of you. I know it's a stretch for me to have to pay for my myriad of meds in the Medicare donut hole since March--but, I do have excellent coverage with Medicare and the Blue Cross supplement that I carry. I agree with everyone who writes how important it is to have a great primary care doc you trust, American or not. And good specialists, too.
ReplyDeleteMatty: No problem -- you deserve the comments. You and you grandson are very much in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWilly: I need a week on the beach like you just had! lol
Fran: It's scary indeed. The good news is that my Golden Buckeye card for over 60s has prescription assistance attached to it and it saves a a lot! I just hate having to deal with bureaucracy. There's a rebel in my soul. lol
I've seen Sicko, and no, you don't want to see it if you don't want to get really angry. The health insurance business is a scam.
ReplyDeleteConcerning your meds, you might check into the Wal Mart, (I know, I know, the evil empire), $4.00 medication program and see if any of your medications are on their list. Both of the medications I take routinely are. I get my meds for $8.00 a month. Unfortunately Steph's aren't on the list, but thus far, hers aren't too expensive.
kay, thinking of you and hoping you get the care you need.
ReplyDeletei hope that those of us privileged to have better coverage will actively support you by getting angry (when watching "sicko") and being active in groups demanding big changes NOW in health care delivery. yours, naomi
Thanks, Naomi! I got a call this morning from the hospital and I guess I qualify for a program called Pink Ribbon that helps low-income women with no insurance. Whew! I guess clicking the breast cancer site thingy every day is a good thing! I've been doing it for years and will, for sure, continue to do so! Hope y'all male and female will do the same!
ReplyDelete