Is It Summer Already?

 This morning the Youngest and I are up at the butt-crack of dawn to take his car into the dealership. I had :called on the anti-theft package, and they are getting it done today. My drop-off appointment time was 7:15am (I wanted early in hopes of getting the car back today, as well as in case the Son had plans he needed it for). I am sure I was a sight this morning. Fat guy wearing PJ bottoms, bedroom slippers (you can tell) and fleece-type zip-up hoodie, ball cap and gloves. Yep, I said gloves. I got them before Christmas because my hands were just feeling like ice all the time. I am sure to do with my meds and all that. I didn't care. I only slept about 2 hours last night, so was planning on going back to bed once back home. No. Wide awake from the cold.

Typical plans are to head up to the Post this afternoon. At some point the car will be ready, and I'll have to get the Son and get the car. I'll probably be ready to leave the Post by then anyways. Tomorrow we are doing a Motorcycle Rodeo there, and I plan on being there pretty much all day. I'll jump in and help where I can, and otherwise just enjoy myself.

Have my Paracentesis appointments all set for February. I did find out that my standing doctor orders for this procedure state that I am to receive a treatment of Albumin after each paracentesis. They only time I got the med, was if I went through the ER. At my scheduled appointments, they are not giving it to me. So I will be making some noise this week. I know I saw my last lab work-up and my albumin was low. Bad hospital staff!! Not following doctor's orders!! What if I had gotten worse? Or even died? Losers.

Still dealing with the encephalopathy I notice. Frequently I may be sharing an anecdote to lead into something and forget where I was going with it. We all do that time to time. I also get where my mind just kinda, stops thinking and pauses for a minute. This happened the other day while I was driving and things were fine. I could function, it was just as if I couldn't form a thought though. Well, I got those two new meds to fight this, right?

Yeah... One of them I have been out of (sound familiar?) since Sunday. I did get a call from the Liver Dr's office about them trying to get the authorization for this med, but my insurance wouldn't speak to them at all? Weird. I called and was told to submit the script to Walgreens, then the pharmacy will contact the insurance, who will them do whatever about the drug. This was a "special order" they had to get from some separate facility according to the doctor, so the insurance is approving prior to them getting an auth? And now a regular pharmacy can get the drug? I'm confused. And I still don't know the cost.

Confirmation from SSA yesterday, confirming that I did a phone interview on 1/21 (just now getting the confirmation latter) and the answers I gave them. They state 200-265 days to process my claim to start disability. That over three months. And it could be longer depending n records they want and the time frame to get them, etc. I hope my friend truly knows a way to speed up the process. I'll talk to her this weekend, I think.

Okay, well, I think I have reached my share level this morning.

PeacE

I'm Messed Up

 I know many would agree to that statement, just because you know me, and have seen me do some weird stuff. Honestly, I think my body is just off-balance with all the changes in the dosage amounts, add this, stop that - I'll get there - then add in my body changing due to health, weight loss, and the meds. All I know is that last night, I realized I was a "Chatty Cathy" and just did not seem able to be quiet without blurting stuff (thoughts in my head) out loud to myself even. By the time I laid down, I felt somewhat like my body was on meth again. It's hard to explain, but just believe me. Had many, many cramps last night, but still managed around three hours. Cramps and bladder woke me at 3:30am, and I am just not tired enough to lay back down.

So some updates for you, as if my medical drama that is going on out here truly entertain you.... Yesterday was the weekly paracentesis, and 10.7 liters were drained. Was hoping this was decreasing each week, but not now. I do need to call today and set the appointments for each week in Feb. I met RM for lunch afterwards. We went to Black Bear Diner, and I had a BLT with fries, a side House salad w/Italian, and an iced tea. As usual, I really enjoyed the time with Mom one-on-one, and I know she does as well. Then on the way home, I decided I was going to make dinner using one of the crock pot recipes I had come across and saved. I swung over to Walmart to get the supplies (I didn't have all of them at home). Like most of us, I ended up spending more than I meant too, but they had long-sleeved, moisture-wicking tees marked down from $8 to $2 and wouldn't that look good on me under my Riders vest? Oh, and just some extra foods in general. The Wife needed her nutrition drinks, so that case was a bigger purchase. Looked at PS5 controllers, but at $80/each I'm not getting one for Youngest to use with the computer. Happened to walk through Jewelry walking through the store, and looked at watches. Found a nice one marked down from $23 to $11. Eventually I made the check-out, forgot to tell the clerk I had a watch up at Cust. Svc. on hold while I finished shopping so no watch. Might swing by today and try again - just for the watch. Got home, Son helped unload and I split up the spoils - that's dinner, that's other supplies I think we needed (or I know I did), here's you some soda and tea. Then I started on dinner, since it was nearing5pm or later.

The main ingredients for the dinner were summer sausages, cut  bite-sized, string hashbrowns, red peppers, green peppers, white onion then the mixers: Campbell's Cheddar Cheese, whipping cream, sour cream and shredded cheeses. I did a fiesta blend of the shredded, and also added some seasoning (basil, Italian seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and some ground black pepper. Cooking said 2 hours high, but ended up being about 3 hours, just in time for the Wife to get home. Wife and Son said they enjoyed it, but it isn't a super wonderful food to ask for all the time.

Pickled up some Grill-o's Pickle salsa. Oh so good. I only had a bout 5 chips worth to try it, and I like it. Good - enough leftovers for a couple bowls. Might be lunch today (dinner from last night - and maybe the salsa, too). I do need to call for the weekly para appointments. Need to call Hyundai as I received an anti-theft warranty from them (for Youngest's car). Supposed to be a software update, and an ignition cylinder protector. I just need to find a dealer and time to take it in.

Hmm, seems my mind is drawing some blanks right now - or is that part of my issues with short-term memory loss, or other parts of the encephalopathy. Hopefully will get tired in the next hour and lay back down.

Other good news: PCP called about my bloodwork. Since my Rybelsus is not going to be happening according to my insurance, my PCP decided to stop the Farxiga (diabetes med). Makes sense since I am not taking any diabetic meds now, to get a better true non-medicated status of my A1C in 3 months. She also said my cholesterol was good enough that to stop taking the Atorvastatin. So now I am down to like 7 meds daily now. Talk about chemical body changes - take this, stop that. Sigh.

That's all I got for now. I am sure there was more to share, I just cannot get it to the top of the mind to write.

PeacE

PeacE

Now I Am Too Busy ...

 I thought yesterday might be a decent day. Attended the District 3 meetings that lasted until about 12:30p (counting the lunch of subs/chips. Then I headed home. The Wife had gone into work today to try to get caught up on some of here paperwork, and didn't make it home until about 2pm - with lunch from Wendy's, so yes, I ate a chicken sandwich, gave the fries to the Youngest, and put the coke in the fridge for later. I was going to try to get some more yardwork done, there's so much to do yet. But I just couldn't motivate myself. My arms hurt. One from the shingles vaccine shot, the other from ache from the weed trimmer yesterday. Instead, I lay on the bed, and played crosswords for a couple hours.

Then I decided to get on the computer. The Wife's computer had "died" a few months ago, and we have not even really taken a look at it. Mostly because it is on the Wife's desk. We are talking like, hazard zone stuff. All over the place she has old paid bills, EOBs, investment accounts mails, miscellaneous diestrus that has just gotten piled up there over time. Most of it from her, before it quit working. Rather than suffer through a martyr speech about how she suffers to have to "clean her desk" when she has so much other stuff to get done....Grrr. I just started cleaning. I am not a quarter of the way through, and have done two bags of recycled paper stuff, and a trash bag of miscellaneous debris. The goal is to clear off her desk, and take a better look at the computer. It might be just a bad power supply, and I have another unit that is about the same age, the units maybe compatible for some parts. If not, I'll run it to Data Doctors, as they did me good last time.

Cleaning her desk lead into other things. With my Wife being somewhat of a hoarder, things tend to accumulate in all areas, and pile up. The Office is one such place, though she doesn't come back here much since her computer is down. But, started in on some of the beside the desks stuff, sorting. Two boxes for Goodwill, another 2 bags of trash and recycle, and over all, a little more space. What is bad is you have to organize as you go, and have no where to put anything, until you get through everything. I worked on that until midnight.

Slept good last night. Up to the cats making noise scratching at something that sounded like paper over on the Wife's side of the room. Went ahead and got up for my meds. BP 106/62 and Glucose 113. Think today will be spent at the Post. There are playoff football games, and I don't feel like working right now. I am sure this evening I will work on it some more.

PeacE

Welp, Something Got Done ... Sorta

" I woke this morning, probably around 9:30am, and thought to myself, 'Self, what are you going to actually get done today?' and self answered, 'I got some ideas." And so it started. Came into the office and got through the emails, the FB updates, my book searches and watchlists. Then I decided to do something. I went ahead and went to Walgreens, to get the shingles shot. I knew my PCP had okayed it for me, as it won't interfere with any medications, and I found out a few days ago, it is $0.00 payment to do it (preventative). I did not know, it was a two-part vaccine. I went ahead and did the first one, and the second can be done anytime after 3/20, according to the paperwork they gave me on it. Then I am done for life with it.

I figured, well, heck. All I have this morning is my handful of pills, and a gulp of juice. Might as well run on up the freeway five miles to my PCP and go get the blood drawn she wants to do. So I did. And a urine cup. By now I am a bit hangry, and thirsty, and sore! I know they said the vaccine shot could cause some arm soreness, but this is almost all my shoulder. I wave the arm around a bit, and kind of massage where I got the shot, and it backs off for awhile. Hopefully only a couple days of it.

Seeing how now we are heading towards the 11 o'clock hour, I determined it was time to eat, and plan my afternoon. Most Fridays I go up to the Post. Today I decided to do the regular, and on the way, stop at the gyro place I did for lunch yesterday. I didn't opt for the lamb or chicken (though I still want to try those) but went for the beef shwarma again. Then off to the Post. Sat out back and ate while watching a couple members spread that garage paint/epoxy over the patio area that they had not finished yesterday. The smoking area is looking nice now! Painted tables matching each branch of service, new looking floor paint. And they have plans to have a mural done on the back wall, but I do not know what design/image they want to do.

After a couple hours, and pretty much just a bit over one tea, I decided I was done there. Barely after 2pm. I just wasn't in the mood to sit there today and listen to the talk. Nothing bad, just wasn't feeling it. So home I went. What will I do next, I wonder....

Well, I have several things in the works. I did get the trimmer line, so I went ahead and loaded up the spool on the trimmer. Went out front, and geez, my yard is crap. Wife has flowers/bushes/whatever planted up near the house (which I don't like) and the grass around them, and about 3 feet out, is like a foot high plus in areas. Rest of the yard had been last mowed maybe a month or so ago? But it needs it again. Much of the Bermuda grass that grows here, acts like that crab grass, grows out, plants again, moves on. Had quite a bit coming off the yard around the edges of the driveway, as well as the crap growing up from the cracks in the drive. I did the front walkway (trimmed the edges of the walk to the driveway) and knocked out a section of the driveway that didn't have a vehicle on it currently. Then I put on the knee pads and got down to cut/pull/scrape the grass roots from the cracks to help prevent them coming back so fast. After awhile, I got fatigued. Didn't even get a fifth of the yard done, but tomorrow afternoon maybe I can get another hour or so out there, with help from the Youngest.

Tomorrow morning I will be up for District 3 meetings at the Post. Start at 9am (instruction and audit) then meeting from 10-12, followed by a lunch my Aux puts on for the District meetings as they are held at our Post. Last quarter it was pizza - maybe do some kind of sandwiches or pinwheels this time. I don't know what was decided.

I read over at RM's blog that she took today and Monday off from work. I didn't get a chance to reach out to her today to possibly meet for lunch, but it sort of sounded like she had things she was working on getting done while off today. I should reach out and see about Monday for lunch. Gotta figure out where though. Sunday is clear for me. Monday is another paracentesis in the morning. The rest of the week has no doctor appointments, bloodwork, VFW meetings, or anything else I know of. First week since September I think, that has been that clear.

Had to go back and read a couple posts put up recently. My Rybelsus (diabetic medicine) issue with the insurance and doctor. Well, Monday we did an A1C and it was at 5.3, plus the prior one I had (think September?) it was also 5.<something>. Seems the insurance no longer wanted to cover the medication as my A1C numbers had dropped so well into the good range. My PCP wanted to keep me on it until my next appointment (3 months) and re-evaluate, possibly remove it. Well, PCP emailed me, since insurance won't pay for it, and I have been off it already for two weeks, we will just see how my numbers are at the next appointment. So one less med already....

So this insurance coverage for facility for transplant... I know what Banner called and said. I tried looking online, but could not confirm through Mayo or BCBS if they were in network. It has to a "Blue Distinction Specialty" facility, and I tried looking again just now. I see some of those types of facilities here in the Valley, but none specifically saying for liver. I guess something to talk about with my liver doc next month - maybe I could get the prelims done at St Joe's instead. I don't know. I wish you could walk into the insurance and talk to someone face to face with questions about coverage for who and where and what. Same with the SSA. Or any Government place, heck, for many places.

And that is about all I have today....

PeacE

There Has Been An Unexpected Change ....

 ... to everything I do, it seems. The biggest one being the time at which I set out to do said 'thing'. With some of the bad sleeping nights, I may not get up from bed before 11am. Other days I am up earlier, but the getting motivated thing to do something... well, another story.

Yesterday I was at a decent morning hour. I had wanted to be up, gone to the Dr.'s (bloodwork in office), stopped by Walgreens for the shingles shot, and back home before 10:30am, the scheduled time for my phone interview assistance with SSA for disability. Well, I didn't make it out of the house in the morning.

Near 10:30am I got a call from Banner Transplant. This is the referral the Liver Dr. made for me, to have them schedule an appointment to see about getting preliminary tests, paperwork, etc. out of the way, in the event I need a transplant. I set an appointment (March was the earliest) and had to go as another call (SSA?) was coming in. 

Missed the second call, I think I hung up as I was trying to end one and get to the other. Call log shows it was Banner calling at the same time as I was on scheduling. So I called back, left a message in case they need more info from me.

Finally the SSA call came in (on time). As I sat here at my desk, I have medical reports, discharges, procedures and results, W-2s, birth certificate, my medical notes journal - I'm prepared to load them up with info, and to scan/send anything they need. Nope. Thirty minutes later I was off the phone, shaking my head at the time frame to be approved (six months). Six months? Hmmmm... I have a friend at the Post that works in a similar field. She does interviews to offer suggestions/decisions for continuing coverage for some other Government welfare-type program. She said once I got the app process started to let her know, and she knows of a way I could speed up the decision, due to my medical issue. I'll have to get with her this weekend.

Later on, I get another call from Banner, this one the hospital scheduling for my paracentesis scheduled on Monday. Registration and Admitting do not communicate, and their computer system that is there to link and share patient information is non-existent. So had to give her the insurance information (again). She couldn't check my current benefits, so asked to call me back. Sure. A short while, she's back telling me my insurance still says I have my full deductible to pay (true) so my patient responsibility for Monday is $1710. Just like the past three Mondays. I told them I would make a minimal payment ($500 like last week). That's settled for now.

Later in the day I get another call from Banner Transplant. Seems they are not covered through my insurance (yet Banner hospital is?) and it would all be out of pocket expenses (fat no). She mentioned that the Mayo Clinic is the only one in the Valley that is under my insurance. Okay, so I did leave a message to the Liver Doc about this, and also the prescriptions my PCP wants him to be in charge of the refills, dosages, etc. as it is his specialty. I did some looking online, and I cannot find through my insurance or the Mayo clinic, where they are participating with my insurance. This may be a fun one if I have to do a transplant, which no doctor has said I NEED or HAVE to have ... it's a 'just in case'. March would make my 6-months sober, and eligible for the list.

This morning, I was going to try to do the lab thing and the shot, but ended up sleeping until 10:30am almost. Got up, checked my emails, and was thinking what do I need to get done. Decided I was going to the Post to work on the Riders meeting minutes, and maybe the agenda for the House in a week or so. Made it to the carwash when my buddy J asked about doing lunch, with another of our friends, D. So we three met up. Tried out this gyro place over at 35th Ave and Greenway, NW corner, that had been there for years, like 15+ years. It never looks busy. J had gone there back earlier in the year and mentioned it, I just never made it there. Oh my! I got a Beef shwarma pita, with fries and a drink, for $16, and it was awesome! I was worried that there would be some weird Greek cheese or sauce that would permeate the food and I wouldn't like it ... I was wrong. I want to go back and try the lamb and chicken as well.

It was good to catch up between the three of us. Then I was off to the Post. Finished the minutes, emailed them out. Decided the agenda could wait until next week, in case new business comes up. I headed home about 4pm, and here is where you find me. Today's mail: SSA contact of my scheduled phone appointment for 1/21 at 10:30am. Right on time to remind me (snort).

Tomorrow I don't have anything on my calendar. I should get out front and work on the yard. I did get weed eater line for trim work, and an action rake to work on removing the grass/weeds in the section between the neighbor and our drives. Physical work. I see many breaks in my future (if I actually motivate myself to do it).

PeacE

I Don't Like ...

 ... so many things, but today I have that in particular is on my mind, or rather, my stomach. Waking this morning after a night of up and down due to leg cramps, I found myself just wiped physically. I had plans ... but that didn't happen.

Saw the PCP yesterday, and we played catch-up on stuff I have had done since late November. We discussed which doctor(s) are in charge of dosages/renewals of which medications. She okayed me to take the Shingles shot. She also wanted some blood. Seems every doctor I see wants bloodwork done. Sigh. She is having the staff look into the Rybelsus issue (still don't have and it has been two weeks). I asked if I could quit taking, as my A1C yesterday was 5.3, and it was under 6 last time as well. For two weeks of not taking it, my glucose numbers have stayed consistent. She wants to wait until our next appointment, and re-evaluate. Maybe one less med soon...

Rushed over to the hospital for the paracentesis. Drained another 9.5L and sent me on my way. As always after these procedures, I hurt for a couple days. The organs just feel like they are hanging in there without all the fluid pushing them wherever. Takes awhile for them to adjust back to normal. Also brings on some nausea at times.

Then it was off to the pharmacy. I picked the non-special order medication the Liver Doc prescribed. It is a liquid, that once it gets to the colon, helps as a laxative to help push out the bacteria causing the ammonia causing my encephalopathy. It says it takes 24-48 hours to begin working, but just in the last hour, I released a convoy of RVs sump tanks, and I think half my internal organs. 

Ran to the grocery store to get a select few items (yeah right). I joined a website that you sign up to try certain products, buy them at the retailer you choose, and enter the receipt online. They supposedly pay you back a rebate portion. So, I found 2 of the 4 items I was looking for, and a cartload of other stuff. I admit, I goofed. I went to the store hungry (fasted for possible bloodwork, which I didn't have time for). Anyways, went home and unloaded, then shortly headed back out to get my hair cut and head to the Post.

The Riders meeting went well. Interim Director had some great ideas, and the Chapter cleared up some unfinished business. Overall, I think we will be okay.

Today, I was going to get the bloodwork done, followed y a trip to the pharmacy to get the shingles shot, and a last stop at Lowes. Seems our bathroom toilet flapper wore out and isn't seating properly. Three minutes if that to fix, but need the flapper. After waking this morning, I pretty much knew I was not going anywhere today, even though I want to. My buddy J says there trivia night up at the pub he is going to now. Maybe later I will head up there. I don't know. I don't much care for sitting at the bar drinking soda, watching everyone else get drunk.

Tomorrow morning I have my phone interview with SSA for my disability application. Hopefully it won't take long, and I can get today's stuff done tomorrow, maybe.

And now you are caught up.

PeacE

Getting Into the Week

 Figured I might write this one up a little early. I have an appointment with my PCP at 9am, and I am planning on going earlier to see if she is able to get me in sooner. We will be playing 'catch-up' together as we talk about what has gone on since my last visit in late November. Also, updating insurance, medications I am on now, procedure results I have  (endoscopy results including the biopsy they took) plus any that are planned coming up. Which, at this time I do not have any excluding the paracentesis when I do them. I think I mentioned that after this week, I may try going to two weeks at a time, versus this one week. I don't think there will be much else for her to really address, aside from wanting to refer me to a cardiologist. Which I will do, once I got this under control. Actually, I should start now, since I am nearing the deductible limit, that way more of the year is not out of my pocket.

Anyways, so I have the PCP in the morning. No idea if she will want any bloodwork (they do it in office) so will be fasting. From there I have to head over to the hospital. Thankfully it is only about 15 minutes from the PCP. I have an 11am paracentesis (need to be there early for valet parking, as well as check-in). Heh, so here's one... At one point towards later November I think it was, I had a paracentesis scheduled. The hospital called me up to verify my information, insurance, blah, blah, which they should have already had on file like a trillion times by now... back to the point. Hospital called, and after verifying info, stated that my patient portion for the procedure is $380 (I think that was the figure). I said okay, as I was willing to pay it. But when I went to the appointment, no one collected it. Moving forward, this past week the hospital calls about my paracentesis coming up Monday, and tells me my patient responsibility is $1710 (haven't quite reached my deductible that I know of, but am so close that I am not paying this). I told her I couldn't afford that. They want to do a payment plan, and have me sign a contractual agreement for it. Again I said no. I am willing to do up to half the amount, as I want the insurance to catch up on the submitted bills, so when these hospitals and doctors log-in to see what my patient responsibility would be for a procedure, it is up to date. We will see what happens tomorrow.

After that, I have the afternoon free. I am debating heading over to RM's, but I know she will be working, and I don't want to sit with PT all afternoon. I joined a new website called Social Nature, and it is one of them shopping for items at the store sites. I told it what stores I shop at, and it brings up deals for products at those stores. I saw tonight it was updated, and had some salsas, and sauces in there, so I added them. Smaller product size - I think the largest is up to 16oz. Maybe I'll run by the store, grab these items, go to RM's, share one or two. I dunno.

Post opens at 4pm, so I will be heading there by that time. I do have a Riders meeting at 6:30pm there, that I am really not feeling like wanting to attend. Our Director has stepped down from the position (and his Trustee one with the Post) due to personal reasons, which I really understand. But I feel it leaves our chapter in a bit of a lurch. Still so new, we barely have members, let alone one that meets the requirements to be the Director (voting comes up in May). Our Vice Dir. will step up and fill the position for now, though he said he has no idea what he is doing. I told him I would help guide him. Our Post commander is supposed to be there at the meeting as well (he is our Treasurer for the chapter, too). That will help explain what is going on, and hopefully, give us some leadership guidance as to what we need to focus and get done right now regarding this situation. It will be interesting, but I still don't want to go.

Alright, enough from me....

PeacE