Doctor Visit @ MindSay

@@ has been going to the doctor every Friday for his hand. The doctor says the hand bones are very fragile so he wants to keep tabs on the healing. His hand is healing really nicely.

I had a couple of friends visit today. They stayed all day and although it was nice to see them I, sort of, couldn’t wait for them to leave.

I shouldn’t say ‘them’ because there was one I wanted to stay.

Glasses also came for a visit, he even sat with the watcher and Paulie for a bit.

My arm feels so much better but when I use the pinky to type I get a pain in my forearm so I’m going to chillax more and not type so much. I really want to ride tomorrow and do some other stuff that will require the full use of left hand.

The-Bert took me for a short ride on his bike earlier today and as soon as I got off the bike my arm throbbed a little.

Savios’ black shirt and pants arrived yesterday that I’d ordered…he’s the only one in the house that lets me dress him up.

He used to say things like: “I’m-ah not-ah your fag hag but I like the clothes you peek.” I always had to tell him he had it backward and that I wasn’t trying to turn him gay either.

We're back from Maria's 15 month check-up.  She's looking good.  Weighing in at 22lbs 13oz and she's 31 inches tall.  She has gained 2lbs 3oz but hasn't gotten any taller since her 12 month visit.  That was surprising to us, we all think she looks taller and thinner.  Ah well, looks can be deceiving I guess.  She's right on par developmentally, "coloring" with a crayon, walking, saying 3-5 words. 

 

When he said 3-5 words I laughed and said "yeah, certainly" and asked "3-5 huh?  That's what they need?"  "3-5 is all they need" came the reply.  I laughed and told Maria that since she doesn't need so many word quite yet that I thought she should take "no, no way, and mine" out of her repitoire.  Her doc giggled over that one, too.

 

3 shots today...chicken pox, the last of a 3 part series, and the last of a 4 part series.  I declined the flu shot, we'll take our chances.  Not one single tear, no yelling, no crying, no screaming, no nothing.  She did make a face like "what the hell is wrong with you people?" after the 3rd shot, but not a peep.  What a big girl!  She was more interested in the band-aids on her chubby thighs than anything.  Silly little peanut! 

I had to go to the doctor last week.  When I was there my doc noticed I was reading Uninsured in America.  He flipped through the pages and looked at me inquisitively.  "Pleasure reading?"  No, it's for a research paper.  "What class?"  English.  "Odd choice for English.  Is everyone doing this topic or --"  I chose it, actually.  It's a topic that's interested me for some time.

Some background info:

In May of 2005 I had to have an emergency appendectomy.  (This is a story for another time.)  When I received the bill a few months later, there was a glitch with my insurance company and the hospital billed me for the full amount:  $20,000.  I nearly fainted before I realized it hadn't gone through my insurance company yet.  Many phone calls and red tape later, my bill was reduced to $4,000.  You do the math for the reduction percentage.  Suffice to say it was a huge difference.

It got me thinking...  If I had been unemployed or without insurance, what would I have done?  What options would I have?  What makes me more important than a person without insurance that I get a break in cost?

Back to present (sort of):

The doctor I see runs a clinic that does not take insurance.  I choose to see him for several reasons:

1.  He's an excellent physician.  He's the one who sent me to the hospital when I presented subtle signs.

2.  Cost.  My deductible has risen considerably over the years and it isn't worth paying 150 dollars to see a physician that will likely tell me the same thing as the other doctor.  The last time I visited I got the visit plus a filled prescription for 40 dollars.

3.  I appreciate the convenience and attention to detail.  It's a walk-in "urgent care" type facility.  He's the only doctor, so there have been wait times when I've visited.  However, when I do get to talk with him, he treats me like a patient should be treated.  He takes his time to talk with me - makes me feel like a real person and not another person on his schedule of to-sees.

When he finished perusing my book, he wrote the title down and mentioned how he hadn't seen it before.  We discussed it some, and I told him how I was taking a pro-stance for universal healthcare in this paper.  (I wrote against it last term, so I'm playing devil's advocate.)  He told me that he'd have to give me some info to support the other side then.  He went into his library and returned with a couple books (complete with highlighted notes, I might add).  I asked him why he hadn't written a book.  (He's had a write-up in The Wall Street Journal.)  He asked me when I thought he had time.  Fair enough.

I told him I'd like to talk with him more about the topic.  I have yet to email him to set up a time - this week has been a little hectic, but I sincerely do.  I have a rough draft of my paper due next week, but I'll still have time to add more material.

As I was leaving he suggested that maybe I should write the book.  Hmmmm, even if he said it just to say it, I have to say it made me feel damn good to hear the suggestion.  I will probably blog more about this topic at another time as my thoughts become clearer and more concrete.

Currently listening to Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah"

This morning at about 1am we went out to an awesome spot to go drifting, the boys are practicing for the road course in Hastings, it'll be so fun :D

I also have come to love the bands Celldweller and INXS, an oldie but a goodie :D

I am also making myself comfort food, macaroni and cheese with sharp cheddar mixed in, mm

 

I went to the doctor, and had a fruitful visit :D

I got in and the doctor (whom I usually don't go to) palps around my stomach area to find out where the pain was, he said it was most painful right over my ovary, which could mean that I have a small ovarian cyst, (my friend Suzy has one, shes never had a big problem with it), or maybe preggers! :O  They had blood drawn while I was there to make sure it wasn't appendicitis though, and Cal saw first hand my fear of needles, the second the nurse walked in, my teeth started to chatter, and I asked her directly, "Are you good at this."

"Yes." She said.  She me to lay down because I'm not a fan of needles much at all, and I squeezed Cal's hand with the other arm and was glad the nurse was so quick and less painful than usual.  I was all shakey afterwards, and Cal felt really bad, he'll never make fun of my needle-o-phobia again :D

 

My pains haven't been as bad, but they switch sides now, but only very faint on the other ovary *shrugs* we shall see in a week :O

Back from Dr.'s visit.

Guess what?

I'm depressed.

I have med's.  One's I'm not thrilled about.  But the only thing my poor man's insurance would pay for.  Prozac.

Side effect:  Suicidal thoughts .... why do you prescribe something like this to a depressed individual?

I was hoping for maybe a short hospital stay .... mainly to get away from here in a controlled environment.  And people to talk to  - unbiased.  Regroup my coping skills.  But I was not willing to say that I was going to hurt myself or someone else.  Because I'm not quite that far down. As I told the doctor....I'd be lying if I said thoughts hadn't occured, but my acting on them is not an issue at this point in time. 

So I'm home .... tomorrow I will start my own intensive therapy.  Lot's of reading - mostly self - help books.  Lots of exercise.  Lots of meditating.  I've been through this before .....

The one good side effect is weight loss as opposed to weight gain.  My last med's made me gain 30 pounds.  Major OUCH!

I am also vowing to try and get back to more positive posts.  And not posting at all on bad days.  I feel better knowing that I may really feel better soon.

Thanks for putting up with me.

Peace.  J.