how about drinking?

Hi everyone---ok here's the scoop---I don't have a clue what's going on. Yea Les will be taking that pill to make sure she goes thru menapause now---BUT her Onc. didn't like the way some things looked now with her latest test with her bones nd lungs going into this trial test <since chemo doesn't work on her> but of course u don't know if she's getting the real thing or not, not even the Drs. know and this is how it has to be done.--Her onc is sending her right back to her PS cuz something else doesn't look good--Her Onc. was like I don't mean to scare u BUT so this is a mess.---We all thought she was thru the worst of it, but she's not.They're going to start her on different meds now, then when rads start she'll pause them til rads are done. Jazzy so far the reasoning now about doing her kind of work is her strong movements she needs to have with her arms. I really can't understand most of this, I just repeat, like an old parrot. ^&%&%(__)(*&&^%%##@!!@^&amp;(__+

Cami- so sorry to hear what is going on. Keep us posted and we are hear to listen anytime friend

A good physical therapist can help Leslie when the time comes with her arms. Many women here who have had BMX have commented on how much that has helped them.

Chi- glad to hear you are doing okay. Glad you are the first in the possible database for reactions to the new shot! Thanks for the tip on the chicken soup. Been eating a bit here and there today.

Well, interesting updates on my diabetic stuff. My Xigduo med I been taking on a "free coupon" has gone up to $95 out of pocket per month and with my increase in insurance this year, no way I can absorb that, so I messaged the CNP and we are moving me back to regular old metformin (which I was on before). She said with my A1C at a nice stable 5.8 now, it will work just fine and I will remain on the Trulicity for now (my guess is we will revisit that this summer when I see her next). I am good with all this as the plan was always to move off Xigduo with time and back to a lower dose of metformin.

I also heard from my endocrinologist who left the healthcare practice last fall and she is now set up again with her own practice, but NOT taking insurance. Her office rate is reasonable, but again, with my insurance costs this year, I just cannot see doing this regularly, and not using the expensive plan I am paying so much for. I think I may see her for a consult this spring or summer though as I come off things to be sure she thinks this is all good for a sort of "second opinion". She really helped me to get a lot of things turned around with my insulin issues and weight too. I hope she can make a go of it being a fee for service only as this place does not have much money like a wealthier community does where concierge medicine is common. I hear more of these types of moves from docs I have worked with or seen through time. Physicians are very tired of insurance companies telling them how to treat patients?

It's all a grand adventure these days....

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Nice leisurely start to the day, but have to run some errands and go grocery shopping later. Then meeting up with some friends for wine and dinner. I have a ticket for a Succulent Plant and Sip tomorrow evening, but the weather is sounding awfully iffy. Signed up for it once before and missed it, wasn't feeling well that evening, don't want to miss this one. I'll get to pick out a pot and a couple of succulentsand plant them while sipping various wines and munchies. Then there is an hour or two of discount shopping at the store that's hosting the event. The sell locally made items, mostly from small businesses owned/operated by women. Looks like they have quite the eclectic collection of things. Pricey, though. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Sadie is going nuts, there is a big, fat gray squirrel running around in the trees along the fence line. She wants to go catch it soooo bad! Doubt she'd have any idea what to do with it if she did catch it!

Goldie--Parenting our parents is such a difficult job! At least your Mom didn't just hang up on you. Heaven only knows what was really going on. Maybe the snack cart came around? Who knows.

Cammy--Another hammock hanger, Yeah! I would very much like to be in a nice warm place lying in a hammock reading a good book and sipping on a brightly colored drink with a fancy umbrella in it!I do like the cuddling with Sadie weather, but am ready for winter to be over. I want to be complaining about the heat instead! Poor Joey, hope he heals up fast. At his age, he should bounce back pretty quickly. I hope Leslie isn't taking the docs too seriously and will at least try going back to work. She may have to adapt how she does things a bit, or maybe slow down a bit until she regains mobility, strength and stamina, but she should be able to do her work, I would think.

Jazzy--it sure is sounding more like a late Prolia reaction or allergies than a cold, which is a good thing, cuz they are shorter and easier to manage.

Mema--Happy B-day to the hubby!

Cammy--good grief, so not fair for Leslie!Did Leslie have the reconstruction done that uses the muscle from the back? That can have an effect on the strength of the arms and shoulders, but it shouldn't be enough to interfere with working, I wouldn't think.

Illi--thanks, Love betting B-day wishes early!My b-day is the 20th.

Chi--Glad to hear the Shingrix reaction is resolving. Sounds like it was a royal PIA (pain in the arm). Sharpie marks sometimes come off with alcohol or fingernail polish remover--the kind of with acetone. Soap and water doesn't take them off, that's why we like to use them to mark things like you had. Nice of the FDA to call you back and check in! The weather guessers are talking about 6 to 10 inches of snow tomorrow in a "fast moving" storm that's supposed to start Wednesday morning and peak around the "evening commute." Enough already!

Jazzy--There is a growing movement by physician practices away from participating in insurance,and going fee for service. Most office that do that find they can significantly decrease the cost of services. It can be surprising how much it costs an office to participate in an insurance program. Andyes, it does cost them!In order to bill Medicare an agency/hospital/office/whatever must use a specific billing software program dictated by Medicare, and it ain't cheap software. Same goes for billing Medicaid. Commercial insurances have specific software billing requirements, but don't dictate a specific software package, so there is some choice there, but those are pretty costly, too, and have to be updated if not replaced every few years due to changes in the billing requirements. Offices, hospitals and agencies often have to pay insurance companies to have the insurance company come and do an evaluation to determine if they qualify to participate or to continue to participate. Many offices, hospitals and agencies have entire departments dedicated just to keep up with the insurance companies billing requirements and the reports that have to be sent in regularly.In some doctor's offices the billing department hires more people than caregivers (doctors, nurses, techs, receptionists, etc).It's a crazy, crazy system.To continue to participate with an insurance company that company can require each doctor see a certain number of patients per day and limit the number of expensive tests that can be ordered per month as well as meet patient satisfaction levels as reported by surveys the insurance company sends out. It's getting more impossible every year.

Ok, getting off that soap box now. The whole insurance industry thing drives me nutso.

Jumping Floozy Foots DOTD:

NM, I guess I misread it on your profile, so expect more birthday withes later, lol.

Mine is the 18th & 19th (born in Korea, army dad and there’s about a one day time change, the 19th there is the 18th here). I’ve always celebrated both birthdays but I usually celebrate the whole month and I recently added 1/2 birthdays too (8/18 & 8/19)

Cami, hugs to Joey and hoping his back injury heals--he's too young to have a bad back. Also hope Les can ease back into work soon.

And hoo-boy, did we get snow! Out $55 in shoveling fees over three days, but heck, it beats a sprained back or an asthma attack. Two years ago, our neighbor across the street lost his wife to a heart attack after she shoveled (she never showed any prior clue of heart disease). She was only 72. Bob has a failing knee, and two repaired hernias; Gordy's asthma's worse than mine. So we hired our new landscaping guy to do our snow--he's really good and even shovels out the "apron" behind our garage so Bob can get into & out of the alley. Worth every penny.

Gordy & Leslie are still very much in love (knock wood). Her teaching schedule doesn't start till noon, so when he stays over Gordy gets to sleep in.

I got a bombshell dropped on me this morning. My housekeeper is in the early stages of putting her house on the market and moving back to Birmingham. Maintenance, mortgage and taxes are taking their toll; and her husband--a brittle diabetic, prostate cancer survivor, and in the early-middle stage of CHF--can't pitch in to do even some of the housework, much less physical stuff like snow removal. And winter is quickly becoming unbearable for her (can't argue with that). I asked if a raise would help, but she said it can't change the weather or make her slowly-gentrifying neighborhood safer. Right now, because of rising interest rates, home sales are on the slow side, but we're looking at a time frame of six months or less.

So my own de-cluttering process is going to have to accelerate, in order to keep her prospective successor(s) from fleeing in terror. I'm a pack rat, not a hoarder--but it's time to get rid of all my old "skinny" clothes, all my old pre-bunion shoes, exercise equipment, inexpensive purses, laser discs (nobody converts those to DVD or Blu-Ray any more), accessories for old cell phones, obsolete 1MP digital camera, unused blank videotapes & CD-Rs, books & software for computers I no longer have, duplicate small appliances and cookware Gordy wouldn't want to take when he moves and nobody'd buy at a yard sale, yada yada... Gordy says that no way does he want the house if Bob & I were to downsize (maybe inherit & then perhaps sell it) to a condo or townhouse. Besides, I estimate that it'll still need up to $50K of repairs to even make it stageable: new interior stairs & plain repainting, repairing at least two ceilings, adding an outlet or two, replacing most windows & frames...I get reflux just thinking about it.

I keep things neat--especially kitchen & baths--on weekends, especially since only Bob makes a mess when Gordy's away and vice versa. I can do laundry so long as I can lower & haul the laundry basket with a rope. But for major cleaning, I'm going to need a service; and after 33 years with us, my housekeeper knows where in the house to find anything I own.

Illona, I don't think I want that many birthdays!

Sandy, glad you have someone to do all the shoveling for you. Looks like it's time to shop for a house maid. Wow, 33 years is a long time!

Cami, how is Joey's back? My mom is now agreeing to go to the nursing home. She is afraid to stay by herself now. I wish she would go home, at least until March. She will be released Feb. 20^th, if she goes right to their long term, they will take her Feb. SS check. As it is now, they are waiving her charges. Medicare will only pay when you have been home for 60 days, then you can get 3 weeks there at their rehab facility, which is where she is now. So that would mean someone would have to go in her house and get everything she will need there. She has also gotten very forgetful, all of a sudden. Repeating things up to 6 times! Not sure what that is about at all!

Mary, in your pocket today girl!

Hi friends- checking in on this wonky Wednesday. My throat issues are mostly gone now, going back to the pool today. Busy with worky thing, tax things, etc. I got some yard clean up done Sun to yesterday with the warmer weather. The northern part of the state got some snow yesterday, but not us here in the happy valley......

Trying to decide if I may go to Vegas for a conference in mid March that would be a good thing to do, but extra money I don't really want to spend right now (especially after both an unexpected furnace and car repair in Jan). Both my collaboration partners on the two different things I am working on are now going and asking if I am too? Thinking I should, and figured out a way to go for either a day (fly in and out) or do an over-nighter relatively cheap with some airfare points and good deal at a nearby Hilton. The day fee is where I am struggling and going to see if I can slide in under either firms attendance with a day badge if any of them paid for a week but won't be there the whole time? I have done some gratis work to bring in some contracts for both firms as part of my marketing work, and perhaps time to see if they cannot help me out? I will decide by Friday, I have a regular call with one of them but the other I am actively working on the new gig with too. We shall see if Jazzy can pull this off and do it affordably too.

MemaSue- thinking of you today. In your pocket, as Goldie says.

Goldie- oh that yummy lettuce. I like the darker green stuff myself. How did it taste? I would have put that in a big old salad. My big food fetish right now is purple potatoes!

Cami- I agree there could be some good resources here for Leslie, but not everyone will use this site. My sister is not a computer oriented/social media type and never came here, my BFF in CT is not either and won't use this site as well. There are so many good threads here for women in treatment to help one another, and after too. We are a goofy bunch here on the drinking thread, not sure we could help Leslie but we could try? I hope the news from the docs is not as bad as you are all worried about?

Chi- I had looked for a good housekeeper here for a few years before I was forced in to getting some services with my health issues in 2012. I have friends who have a singular cleaner for a long time, but most were booked with regulars for years (if not decades) like you and never could find anyone to help me. My sister has someone she has been using for decades too, the woman has also been a personal assistant at times too (drove her to chemo, etc.) Anyways, if you are open to a service instead of an individual, I have been using Molly Maids for over five years now and like them. They only come once a month these days, I keep up with the rest just fine. My teams have changed through time, but am fortunate to have the best team ever (two sisters from Las Vegas). I know I will loose them with time as one has told me she plans to go to nursing school soon. What I do like about the service is not being dependent on one person. I make sure I am always here when they come though, my guess is you do as well but perhaps have trusted your cleaner to do things even if you are not? Trust is a big issue with having people in your home regularly.

NM- I have heard of more docs here opting out of the healthcare system and doing concierge medicine. I wonder if we won't end up with more of this through time as docs are tired of having insurers dictate their treatment based on what they will and won't cover? Plenty of stories in the cancer world of people who need life saving treatments that insurance won't cover, right? My endocrin commented to me she was done with corporate medicine and so no surprise she is doing fee for service going forward. Our docs here are retiring in droves and/or leaving the state.

Ill- I consider the whole month of my birthday "birthday month" and it is coming up here in March. So you go girl and love that you celebrate the two days based on where you were born. When is your first 5K again?

Got to get to more things here today and will check in again soon!

Your Good!

Thanks Dara...I'm really having a hard time...much harder than I ever imagined. Mom had a neuro degenerative disease for over 4 years but the past year she really declined. I miss her so much. When I'm busy and working I do better...still lots to do to settle her estate...it is so overwhelming.

Will continue to check in every few days.

Hi everyone, didn't want you to think I totally checked out again, this bug really kicked my butt, went the PCP Monday who said I wasn't contagious so I've been working but it sure didn't help, felt really bad yesterday, my voice is finally coming back, instead of croaking like a frog, I now sound like a 13 year old boy. Knee surgery in 6 days so I need to be tip top by then. Had the breast MRI yesterday afternoon, hoping to have some answers today then I go to BS tomorrow at 8ayem, then to work...off the weekend then last day of work on Tuesday, I am trying to be firm and refuse any more customers but I am such a sucker! Anywho, basically I've been working, walking dogs, and sleeping. I'll get caught up this weekend with you all. DH traveling so I have to be out with the pups at sunrise and then pack up Harvey's stuff to take him to work with me. Love to all, I'll let you know more when I hear something. 

Good Morning, Loungettes!Well, the big snow dump turned into a bit of a disappointment, from the storm watching point of view. Did get 5 inches, but most of it was overnight and so no fun to watch. Schools and businesses closed early all over the place. Got about 5 inches here, more in other places. Back and neck are kind of stiff, probably from the falls. Nothing really big, just noticeable when I move a certain way. It felt really good to have Sadie lying against my back last night! Miss Sadie has gone back to bed.I peeked around the corner when I went to the bathroom a minute ago, she's made a nest of the pillows and is curled up sound asleep. I'm going to try to get a pic, but she usually hears me and gets up before I get to the bedroom.

Jazzy--I hope someone has a conference pass they will let you have. Only seems reasonable to let you use one if they have one going wasting. Lots of things can be done pretty inexpensively with a little research! I think more and more docs are going to opt out of health insurance participation as time goes by and the health insurance companies' requirements and control get more and more burdensome. Most hospitals and treatment centers will negotiate a payment plan with people without insurance that is much less than the listed charges due to the hospital able to keep more of the money by not going through insurance.

Dara--I'm sure your work load will gradually work its way up, you are good at what you do and it will just take a little time for them to see that. Glad to see you pooping in!

Karen--{{{hugs}}}

Illi--the Do-Nut Dash looks like a lot of fun!

Genny--keeping busy is a good thing. I'm sure you will be fine by surgery day.

Goldie--Ok, your DH is officially a very picky eater. Only eats the outer leaves? Oh well. I do like the crunch of iceberg lettuce in sandwiches, but for that the inner leaves are the best! Oh Good Lord, your Mom finally agrees to long term care and she doesn't qualify? The Imp of the Perverse is just working overtime. Did the social worker say if your Mom qualified for any level of assisted living care? At least the discharge/placement issue is the Rehab facility's and not yours this time around. Calling Adult Protective is a good idea, they can determine if the house is livable and what your Mom's options are. Of course, they can't force her to choose a good option, but there will be some more eyes on the situation. Sorry your DH has hurt his back, hope it's a temporary thing that will clear up quickly.

Jumping Floozy Foots DOTD:

Morning DahLinks!!

Mary, glad to hear you r feeling a widdle better. My surg not til next month so I'll b in da docs pockets on ur knee re-do. HugZ!!

Lowee - don't b jelly, I'm CDO too but I can't do the floors (mop) and my crew does a good job on the floors. And a pretty good job on the bathrooms. Only thing I do after they leave is dust again…easypeesy.

Dang…that pisses me that the home has to send ur mom home. What else arre they for except helping the elderly. Just not right. I think u're on the right track to call adult services. Keeping you both in my prayers.

NM - I bet the cold n snow don't help the pains from the falls. I love it when my pooches splay out next to my back, feels so homey.

Praying for all..whether ya need it or not.

LUBSLUBSLUBS

Well, RCN is still a bunch of raving incompetents. 6 hours ago, they told me that "everything is all set, we took the voicemail off your fax line and kept it on your phone line," and that it could take "up to an hour or two" to take effect. Well, I just dialed the fax machine--and it STILL goes to voicemail! I am on the phone with yet another clueless millennial tech (who probably wonders why anyone would even use a fax machine or a landline these days). She's "looking it up," and will probably turf me over to yet another tech person who will keep me on hold for an hour, reassure me, and I'd be willing to bet they still won't get it done ("you have an older package," the last guy said, "so we have to figure out how to do this" before putting me on hold, then making me hang up and wait for his clueless underling to phone me back to give me "the good news"). And because of the snowstorm, they can't send a live human being out here. The tech with whom I'm currently speaking swears up & down that there is no voice mail on the fax line. I'm tempted to pick up my cell and dial the machine on speaker phone so she can hear the voicemail greeting and know I'm not talking out my butt.

Does anyone here have the kind of telecom IT expertise that could provide an answer?

Chi- I am an IT person, but not a telecom expert. I also have a fax line in my home for my business. My fax line is a basic phone line, and it goes to my all in one printer/copier/fax line. It sounds to me like you do have VM set up on the fax line. Unless your fax device has some other type of answering capability? I am not sure what they mean by having an "older package".

Usually what I do with this stuff is bring in my home office computer folks to rule out my own equipment issues first. Not sure if you have one of those, but they are good to have if you have any sort of home business set up. There have been many times I thought the problem was with my lines in the house and it turned out to be my stuff instead. About all I can offer for advice on your problem. Frustrating.....