Did You Get Your Tally In?

 Yesterday was mid-term elections, and I will be honest - I really detest having to research and pick the better of two evils for every position. Sure, I could not vote. I could skew the numbers a micro-fraction and do write-ins like Mickey Mouse. But I have always been a firm believer, even before I could vote, that one must voice one's opinion in matters such as these, in the way the government wants done. Also, If you don't vote, you cannot gripe/complain, or cheer, at who actually wins. No vote - no whining. I did drop into our local spot to vote, and dropped off the Wife's and mine mail-in ballot. Yeah, we never seem to get them back in the mail on time, so I do the little run. They had something new this year, and I do not know if it was in limited locations or what, but they could tabulate my mail-in right there if I wished them to do so. I show my (Gov't) ID, and open my envelope, they have the machine that tabulates it, and you go on. I said no, I didn't want to waste time (I was on a time constraint to get to Walgreens before their lunch break).

So, I went to Walgreens to find out what sort of problem we are having between our insurance and the GLP-1 my doctor prescribed. I need to back up a bit. I started receiving disability checks a few months ago. They have been a God send for helping us. I have managed to pay down all the medical from last year and this year to around $1500 to go. In theory, that should leave me some open monies for future medical, etc., which I consider this prescription to be. Why? It is $500/month after insurance. Out of all my other meds, the most I pay is like $20 on about 3 of them. The rest are covered by insurance completely. Now all of a sudden I have a $500/mo prescription?!? I said read further on the Dr. notes, I thought he listed an alternate as well. Yes, he did. It brought the cost down to $299/mo. Better, but I want more off. I came home and went to the manufacturer site (Eli Lilly) to see if I could qualify for some kind of addition MFG break. Nope. It still calculated me down to the $299. I called my Sister who is on something similar, and though her situation is different than mine, she could think of no loophole or additional resources to try to get the payment lower. So my first expensive drug has started. Or will start here in a couple days. It is a Kwikpen, pre-charged with 4 doses. I read you have to get needles for it for each week, so need to check the cost of those as well.

Still waiting to hear from Mayo that the insurance verification is completed and I am good to go. That will put me ACTIVE on the waiting list. Though I will sit here twiddling my thumbs, at least it is somewhat of a countdown, and I am available. Prior I could not be considered. It should bein the next day or two, as it was just a week ago I was approved for the list.

Had a great time in Tucson Saturday even if it started out rough. I was driving, and ended up having to stop about 45 minutes south of Phoenix. My head was getting all weird feeling. Youngest rode down with us, so he finished the drive there, and drove us back that night. It was to be overcast, with very low chance of rain, but God fooled the weathermen again. I got an extra surprise as well! The Grandson had been dropped off there a couple days prior, so ALL the grandkids were there!! They played in the rain in the back yard, we got some pics. I even got Doc to finally come to me and give me a quick hug - first one! Into Dusk, the kids dressed up and everyone except me went out to hit the neighborhood. It was raining. About 30 minutes later, it was raining harder, and the crew came back, soaked. I ordered Barro's Pizza, a favorite of all of us, and I guess due to location, they needed whomever picking up the order to show the card it was ordered on - cardholder need not be there. So I gave the SIL my card. Had some good pizza: Mega meat, Pepperoni, and I got some mango habanero and medium buffalo wings. It all tasted "off to me, so I didn't eat much. We were home just before midnight, and I was worn out!

Monday was a day of recovery for me. I rested, napped, and played on the computer.

PeacE

Just Leaving It Here ....

 It's Election day. Go Vote.

PeacE

It Happens Sometimes ...

 ... especially as we get older, or in my case, more broken down. We tire easily. It takes longer to 'rest up' than it used to many years ago.

Saturday we did our day trip to Tucson. I found I could only drive about 45 minutes or so, before I had to pull over. For reference, it was at the Sacaton Rest area pull-out. My head was getting all muddled up inside and I was having a hard time focusing on traffic around me. Youngest Son was riding with us, so I had him drive the rest of the way.

We had a nice surprise when we got there! All three grandkids were there!! I guess Middle Son had asked and brought down Doc for a couple/three days. So we had a day of playing with all three (well, me as much as I could). I think this was the first time I have gotten Doc to come to me on his own and give a hug! It might've been fast, but Papaw loved it. Widget is just a love bug, and Doodad, the oldest, was fairly wee-behaved. IT was wet and rainy in Tucson as well, but the kids had a fun time playing in the backyard. They were soaked, but like kids, just didn't care. Yes, I ended up wet.

I think it was around 5:30p they all changed inro costumes and everyone went trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, which was not fun. It was raining again by then, and even with an umbrella they came home wet and cold. They had been able to hit quite a few house though, and the 1-yr olds got to be cute and try to say trick or treat. I stayed at the house, where it was nice and dry. Afterwards, I ordered some Barro's Pizza online, and the SIL went to pick it up. I had to send my card with him, as this location verifies it is a valid card. Even if I wasn't with him.

Mmmmm...mega meat and a pepperoni, plus I got some medium wings and some mango habanera wings. Everyone ate well, though I could only get a couple of pieces down, and a few wings. Something was off about the taste of it all, and I was not willing to spend the trip home having to pull over in the rain and puke. I still was not in the mode to drive, so again Youngest drove us home. So glad he was with us. Made it home just prior to midnight I believe. The Wife and I didn't talk long before sleep claiming both of us.

So Sunday was a day of recuperation. I slept in until about 11am. The Wife went about an hour longer. As I caught up on readings and emails, the Wife said she had to go into work. It is EOM and some certain forms needed to be completed prior to Monday. She was there until near 5pm or so. I relaxed playing video games. The rain did come down really bad on the West side, and she had to pull into a parking lot for a bit as she could hardly see. It was a Fry's Food, so some shopping got done. She did make it home safe, though the I-17 was only rolling at about 30 mph.

I think this is the first time in awhile I am able to say, no medical appointments this week (at this time). Due to holidays and scheduling, I won't have my next para until next Monday. Elections are on Tuesday. I have filled out my mail-in ballot (waiting on Wife to finish hers) and will drop them off at the area election place tomorrow. I still need to get over to Walgreens. With the one prescription change, and adding the GLP-1, I already received notice there a re multiple issues. But I am not going today.

Around 9pm last night, I think it was - I was headed to bed, so maybe later, I had a thought. The SIL still had my card. I double checked my wallet, and yep, he has it. Called the Daughter and it was verified he had it. She offered to drive up halfway to meet and drop it off, but I said wait until morning, I might have a plan. I did. Last night I went online and ordered a damaged replacement (it was getting pretty rough around the edges) with the same #, just new CSV and Expiration. Estimate is 3-5 days, and it would take that long to make plans to meet and and get it. I called the Daughter just now, told her to hang on to it until the new one comes in, then can cut it up.

Welp, I guess that's plenty of fodder for you to slog through for today ....

PeacE

Saturday, Splatter Day

 I awoke to rain this morning. The Youngest Son said it had been pouring in the earlier hours of the morning. Maybe it has released enough that the rest of the day the showers will be scattered... One may hope. The drive to Tucson should be fine road-wise, but I cannot speak for the idiot drivers that cannot drive in rain, or wet road conditions. But I would journey through Hell to see my granddaughters!

Not much to write about today. I did a Walmart pick up yesterday, having to go way over to 67th Ave/Peoria. They were the only place that had the Little Debbie's Christmas Cake Coffee Creamer - you know you have to try it! I haven't yet had the chance. Maybe I will get a coffee for the road and bring a bottle to Tucson. I also got a couple small boxed of the Christmas Cakes, the cherry pies, the apple pies and the cookies and cream brownies.

Welp, I need to do some quiet time, then I am going to try to squeeze a meeting in at 8am before we head down.

PeacE

After the Climax

 Excitement and the desire to tell the world about my making the Waiting List has passed, as I knew it would. I did share with my AA group yesterday - many that knew what I was going through cheered. I also shared it at the weekly Transplant Support group meeting Mayo does, and received more resounding cheers. Then I decided I was done. Previously I had shared via email and text to friends/family and had received many positive replies back (like who would send a negative, when it is is easier to just not write back.

So things are dropping back into normal. I was checking my patient portal for Mayo yesterday, and paying a bill, when I noticed that they had snuck in an appointment no one had told me about for today around 10a. It's with Dr. C, whom I have met with before for consults. When I got the call about making the list, it was discussed and I agreed to a doctor meeting for nutrition/diet to keep the weight down (or lose more) and staying healthier with the newer liver. I know that was going to be Dr. C. But I was under the impression it would AFTER the transplant, because doesn't help much prior to (nausea to certain foods, etc.). Where they usually have a brief description of what the appointment is for, there is nothing. So today will be a surprise. I am hoping it is something to do with the timeline, or procedural stuff, etc. regarding the transplant.

I still need to get out and pick up the Vitamin E they said I should start taking. Maybe we will stop by Walgreens today and see if they have what the nurse suggested. AT this point in time, what's one more pill?

I made it up to the Post yesterday, but there was hardly anyone there, so after a tea, I came back home. I had been hoping to see some people I knew better, but maybe it was just too early on a Thursday - it was around 3p. No idea when I will make it up there again. I did hear (rumor vine) that someone had been talking about finding and getting someone to do my job while I was out. For which Committee    or group I do not know.

Saturday we are planning the trip to Tucson for Halloween. The Wife wants to go trick or treating with the granddaughters around the neighborhood. I just want to see them as it has been awhile. Youngest Son said he would ride with us as well. We will come back home afterwards later in the night.

I can't think of anything else right now, so shall let you go do whatever.

PeacE

The List

 We all have lists: to-do list, grocery list, just to name a couple. We may not write it down, but we know we use one. We experience being on others' lists: shit list, patient list, order list. I never considered a list to be a big thing until just a few short months ago. The one called a Waiting List. Now there are several different kinds of WL. There's the one that you are one waiting to see your PCP in the afternoon. Waiting for you car to be fixed at the garage. Being in line at the store to check-out. My big one lately has been the one for a transplant for a liver.

I started with Mayo back early this year. There was quite a bit of testing to see basically how my whole body is doing. I was deferred from the wait list until I completed some requirements for their program: an IOP (8-weeks long) and start attending AA meetings (ongoing). Only because the liver damage was alcohol related, though I had not had urges to drink at all since September. They wanted me to have vaccinations up to date. That had me quit taking the THC gummies (to help me sleep) back in February on their first call to me. Completed, I waited them to review my case. I was deferred again as they wanted a cardiologist to look at the status of my veins for calcium build-up that could complicate surgery. A month later, I was deferred again and told I had to quit smoking. I quit within days (though I still have urges at times). Then it was a lab result figure that kept me from the list for a couple months.

Tuesday I had another set of labs done (been monthly since day one). Tuesday afternoon I got the call, the result they had been not liking was good now, and I was going to the Selection Comm. on Wednesday to decide if I made the list. The next 24 hours, I was mentally going bonkers. Anxiety, hope, disappointment, fear - all flashed through my mind. What if I make it? What if I don't? Late afternoon on Wednesday I got a call. I had made the List!! I would not be considered Active, so would not be considered for a liver though until they were able to verify with the insurance of coverage for the transplant, and authorizations. That generally takes about a week, plus/minus. Once that is approved, I am officially on the Waiting List and literally, waiting for a liver that meets the criteria for me. I had been told an estimate back in the beginning that with my blood type and body size, it could be as little as 3-5 months waiting. In my transplant support zoom group though, there has been several transplants completed (by/at Mayo Phx) for guys that have been on the list only a couple weeks. So ... who knows? Well, aside from God.

So, I sit and wait for the insurance verification process. I'll sit and wait while on the Waiting List. At this time there is nothing more I can do but try to keep my health from worsening (if possible) until the transplant. And that does not bother me, because at least now, the Wait time is towards a goal.

God and I spent quite a bit of time last night off and on, talking. Well, I talked, he listened. I praised and thanked Him over and over for getting me to and on the Wait List. I asked to calm my emotions, at least until I am officially Active. Earlier in the evening I spent time sending updates to friends and family of the great news, the next step, etc. I asked for prayers that I make it this far be re-directed to finding a liver for me and that the transplant goes well.

And that brings me to this morning. I think you could understand why I am tired and wanting a nap.

PeacE

Banker's Hours

 In this 'online era' we don't hear this phrase as much. Everything has gone to 24/7 access with the internet. But it was phrase I heard a bit when I was young. I always thought it mean having easy hours, 9a-5p versus having a job that was earlier or later starting/ending. Also for when it came to holidays, as the bank kept Federal holidays as well, so more days off.

I'm starting to feel, with it being that time of year, the the doctors get the same 'banker's hours'. I was on the phone yesterday trying to schedule my paracentesis appointments for November. Two weeks in the middle of the month I couldn't get my Wednesday (huh?) and actually had to use an earlier or later day. I did one each direction. The last week was fine, as was the first week. Thanksgiving and time off for the tech and u/s people...sigh. Not saying they don't deserve it, and I understand not working full staff, unless it comes to my care. Sigh. Even Mayo wants me to schedule a Zoom meeting with the psychologist for Dec. 22, which is not going to happen. I'll be lucky to get anything scheduled before mid-January.

An hour after my labs were drawn, I'm getting notes that some results are ready. I looked. Not the ones that matter. I will be watching this all day.

So now you know how boring today will be for me ....

PeacE