how about drinking?
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Looks like I forgot to hit "Post" yesterday ayem.
Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Monday Monkey day! The puppers and I had a nice weekend. The storm on Saturday was not what was anticipated, some snow, a bit of rain, some wind but not as fierce as predicted. I lost internet but nothing else. Lots of snuggle time with the puppers and reading. Just what I needed to recharge.
Karen--Glad you have a bit of a break before surgery as well as after. Work time changes are always hard to adjust to, at least for me. Hopefully it will all work out when that time comes. This cold seems to have hung on an awfully long time, I hope it doesn't create any issues with the surgery. You will be getting some serious wind chills! I suspect I will find some sort of part time work once I get settled in NC to make enough to go on vacations with my cousin every year or two. That, and I'm not sure what I would do with myself without something to structure my life around. I wonder how much Walmart Greeters make per hour? ;) In your pocket for tomorrow.
Morning, Wren!
Jazzy--how disappointing the deadline was delayed. But good for you for the 3 day weekend! 35 days and counting. I'm going back and forth between being really excited to really scared. So many unknowns involved. But having help with Mom is going to be such a huge blessing. You are probably doing the retirement thing the right way--I never believed I would live long enough to retire, so beyond subscribing to a retirement plan with every job I've never actually planned for retirement. I keep reminding myself I have resources and will work it all out, and what I can't work out God will take care of. Still, it makes for some anxiety sometimes. Your Palm Springs trip sounds like it was marvelous.
Sunshine--Good Morning!
Karen--your granddaughter sounds delightful! They change so fast this first year.
Goldie--I've been looking at listings online, getting an idea of what is available at what prices. The thought of buying a $200-300,000 house is terrifying. I am hoping that I can get my current place fixed up enough to put on the market this spring, and find a new place and move before next winter, but I'm going to take my time finding something I know I can live in for the rest of my life. I bought the current house in 1996. I will miss it, probably very much, as I won't be getting a new place with no neighbors near enough to be bothered by the dogs barking or my blaring the music. On the other hand, it's gotten too big for my needs and too much for me to be able to take care of by myself. It must be hard weighing the pros and cons of the Abraxane. It's insane the choices cancer forces us to make.
Karen--I wish I had your ability to get out and walk like you do. I'm planning to start walking again after retiring, just not safe to walk after dark on my road and I don't get home from work before dark most of the year, and the sun is just coming up when I leave for work. Soon I'll be able to walk during the daytime hours. I'm planning to move to the Salisbury, NC area, about an hour north of Charlotte. I don't know how hard it will be to sell my place, I'm looking into going with one of the real estate companies that buys your house from you and then sells it, like my brother and his wife did. That worked really well for them and will make timing the move easier. Great pics!!!
Driven Snow Cocktail
Ingredients
- Finely-crushed candy canes
- 1 1/2 oz. white chocolate liqueur
- 1 oz. blackstrap rum
- 1/2 oz. ginger liqueur
- Ice
- Water
Directions
- Step 1Dip the rim of a glass in water, then in finely crushed candy canes.
- Step 2Combine white chocolate liqueur, blackstrap rum, ginger liqueur, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into prepared glass.
- Step 3Serve garnished with a bite-size gingerbread cookie, if desired.
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Good morning! It's winter in Louisiana. My laptop says 21 degrees F, mostly sunny. We have a trickle of water flowing in the kitchen sink. DH set up lights yesterday in the pump house to keep the well pump from freezing. We heard on the news that all the bridges in our parish/county are closed. Schools are closed. I have a dr.'s appointment at 2 pm. It's a checkup and I won't be upset if the office calls and cancels.
Thinking of Karen and Goldie. Hugs to both.
Everyone stay warm and safe.
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Karen, I'm very fond of my feather pillow, so I always take that with me, but I'm always in more than 1 night. I think my shortest stay was 3. Slippers maybe? I don't like walking on the floors with their socks and then getting into bed, yuck! Otherwise, I can't think of anything else. I wear make up, so I take that. I have my grandmother's wedding band, she had large hands, so I wear it on my thumb, and never take it off either! Glad you and DH made it home safe. I'm doing ok, thank you.
NM, glad the storm was not as anticipated. Losing internet isn't the end of the world. In fact, in some ways, a good thing! I doubt Wal Mart greeters make much more than minimum wage. Altho I know you would be awesome, for some reason I feel you are too good for that. What about substitute nurse for the schools? Moving scares me too. I have to move because I have to, not because I want to!
Carole, when DH did the plumbing in our house, he used that piping that is supposed to expand/contract with weather, Pex? The pipes can freeze, which has only happened in my main bathroom, but they won't crack.
Not much going on here. My neighbor and her DH came over yesterday. She changed the dressings on my nephrostomy tubes, and he brought in 9 bags of pellets for me. I need to get moving on getting the stuff in my house moved. Cheaper if you do it during winter months. And not worrying about things outside in the other buildings, as I really don't need any of that, maybe a few tools is all. Only keeping stuff I absolutely need here, my bed, a few dishes, some clothes, which I can put in my closet, as it has built in shelves and drawers. Get the movers here and then when I'm ready, rent a small U-haul, have one of my brothers fly out, and then drive to MI. when warmer weather gets there!
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karen, thinking of you today…
Waving hi to the rest of the gang.
Carol
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Finally coming up for air—forgive me if I don't respond to every individual post, just that I'm "in your pocket" for anyone needing procedures or surgeries.
Voltaren (diclofenac) gel is a topical NSAID (diclofenac is related to ibuprofen or naproxen), not Tylenol—the latter of which is a different class of pain/fever reliever.
All the way up to 5 above zero right now. (Been as low as -14, with -37 wind chills). We got mostly rain here by the lakefront, but the rest of the city got slammed with snow. Made sure today the car started (hadn't driven since Sat. night). Trickling all faucets, keeping toilet lids open and flushing every couple of hrs to keep toilet pipes & waste stacks from freezing, per my plumber (had very slow flushes yesterday, so I emergency-texted him). Back is not "playing nice;" going through Voltaren & arnica gels, lidocaine roll-ons, patches.
Show went well—both evening performances were sellouts. I didn't mess up. But the costume changes in a short time were a bear.
My friend is being periodically "trial-weaned" off the vent—in & out of consciousness, regained enough function on R side to respond by squeezing nurse's hand & nodding. (Hoping she can do so to make the ultimate decisions). Driving down w/Bob tomorrow to see her & speak to hospice team should I go that route—I'd have to physically sign the order. If they extubate her and she can't breathe on her own, that's it, and someone needs to be there with her. If she stays intubated, she is high-risk for pneumonia and aspiration.
DsoTD—whatever. Mostly water, coffee, tea.
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Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Hump Day! Yesterday's storm turned out to be less problematic than predicted in my area, but the southern part of the state and the immediate coast got hit moderately hard. Not as bad as the last couple of storms, but enough to cause more damage on top of what is already being cleaned up. I've got a few inches of new snow, mostly light fluffy stuff that is going to make driving interesting today if there's any breeze to blow it around, but still much better than I thought it was going to be. Now to deal with the cold that's coming in. So far, this winter, so good with that, so I'm hopeful. The puppers had fun playing in the snow this ayem.
I got my Medicare card in the mail yesterday. It goes into effect Feb 1st. I expected it wouldn't go into effect until March, after my retirement date. Made things very real!
Carole--21 degrees is pretty chilly! Be careful if you do have to go out.
Goldie--Losing internet isn't the end of the world. I love to read and have books and a bunch of downloaded ebooks so I'm usually pretty content. Substitute school nursing is a good idea, and one I will look into once I get moved and settled. It's funny, all of a sudden I'm getting a bunch of calls/texts/emails from recruitment companies for various nursing jobs from all over the country. Glad your neighbor could help you with the dressings and pellets. I'm looking forward to downsizing as I clean up the house. I have so much stuff I never use, no reason to expect I’ll use them again since I very rarely ever used them to begin with! I'm beginning to think about the logistics of moving, too. It's going to be complicated, I'm afraid.
Morning, Sunshine!
Chi--Glad to hear you don't have frozen pipe problems. Those are never fun. Also glad to hear the show went well. Hugs for the situation with your friend. Such a difficult situation.
I hope you are right, Teka!
Jack Frost Cocktail
Ingredients
- Light corn syrup or honey for rimming glasses
- Flaked coconut for rimming glasses
- 8 cups ice (more or less depending on desired consistency)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup blue curacao
- ½ cup vodka or light rum (I used vodka)
- ½ cup cream of coconut
Instructions
- Rim the glasses: Pour a thin layer of corn syrup onto a plate and dip the rims into the corn syrup, then dip in coconut flakes.
- In a blender, blend ice, pineapple juice, blue curacao, vodka and cream of coconut until desired consistency is reached. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
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Sandy, sorry about your back and your friend. I believe you said she was quite elderly. Hoping if she passes, it's peaceful for her. Just what we all want.
Teka, I can't wait. I hate winter, I hate the cold (Sorry WallyCat), I hate all the darkness...did I say I hate winter! Really, we have mild winters for the most part. Spring here comes with high winds, which is better than winter!
NM, I hear ya on the cost of housing, it's crazy. Would you ever consider having mom move in with you? Or would that be a def. NO for each of you? I know she likes to be independent, and then there are the dogs, and you probably like your space as well. I love having Medicare. I haven't had to pay a darn thing, except for a few Rx's. Because my house in MI is half the size of what I currently have, I have no room for a lot of things. I joined a bunch of groups on FB where you can sell stuff, and have been doing that. So far I've sold maybe $400-$500 worth of stuff. And less stuff I have to move. Having a garage sale is out of the question, due to where I live.
Had a bunch of mail and organizing I had to do yesterday. Wanted to make some cookies, but didn't get to it. So, hopefully today, oatmeal choc. chip. High 54 today, but windy. I'll take it, as temps in MI are bitter cold, which I think that is probably what's headed your way NM, and what Sandy is getting.
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It's 19 degrees this morning and we think our water pump out in the pump house is probably frozen. It has happened before in past years. Hopefully, when it warms up—the sun is shining now—and dh uses a hair dryer to apply a blast of hot air, the pump will thaw and function again. Meanwhile, it's warm and comfortable in the house.
We still have a trickle of water in the sink since our deep well is a flow well.
Glad your show was a hit, Sandy. Hugs for the stress of looking out for your friend.
Goldie, you're amazing in what you accomplish with your health challenges.
Saying hi to everyone else.
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I had my knees x-rayed and I have arthritis in both and one is bone on bone. I am going to get shots and talk about knee replacement surgery. I am a little apprehensive about it.
ChiSandy- Glad your shows went well. I used to do some local dinner theater and some of those changes between scenes were rough. I can't imagine the stress you are under with your friend, I hope she is able to make her own decision.
Goldi- I look at all of those beautiful winter pictures and am glad I live in Florida. lol I think my blood has thinned and I could never do one of those upstate NY winters again. I was just a kid in the winters then, so not bad for me. Hopefully your move will be smooth for you. I know you will miss your home, but being around family will be good.
NM - I have family in Statesville NC. I think I would like to live in the Carolina's. You get all the 4 seasons, but winter doesn't last long. I would look for places there but all of my kids are here and I could move away from them, but the grandchildren I would hate to leave. lol I turn 65 this year and have been reading and googling a lot about Medicare and all the different plans out there. I have signed up to take a webinar, but I think they are from insurance people getting business.
I love Teka's posts, always a one liner that says so much.
Carole- I thought you lived in South Caroline? I don't know why I thought that.
Karen - Glad you spent time with granddaughter. Will be thinking of you for your hospital stay.
Jazzy - as always I love your pictures. Hope your time off has been productive. I have so much cleaning out to do.
Hi Sunshine, Wallycat, Illimae and everyone I missed.
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Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Thirsty Thursday! Waking up to 7 degrees with temps expected to drop a bit, and the breeze to pick up a bit, resulting in wind chills in the single digits below the donut. Brrr. 21 degrees in Salisbury, NC. Much better there! Even the puppers are making the trips outside very quick this ayem.
Goldie--No way I would have Mom move in with me. I could not stand the constant criticism about how I keep house and having the puppers making a mess and almost never having any privacy. She sleeps in a recliner due to back and shoulder problems, and so would be sleeping in the living room, with the TV going, loudly, from the time she wakes up at 3 ayem. She likes to live in the dark, to save money on electricity by not turning on lights, I need light to see and hate being in the dark all the time, and would rather pay for some electricity and be able to see what I'm doing. I love Mom dearly but I could not live with her. We both need to be in control of our living spaces and it just wouldn't work out. I'm glad to hear Medicare has been good for you. I hope it's as good for me! I hadn't thought about selling stuff on FB, I look into that when I start seriously cleaning and fixing up and getting rid of stuff I don't need, thank you! It does look like some windchill weather is coming in over the next couple of days. Yuck.
Carole--I hope the water pump thawed out quickly! Glad it's warm in the house.
Misty--the CMS.gov site has a lot of good info about Medicare and is straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. I bet the webinars will be helpful, but would be sure and check if it's sponsored by an insurance company and likely to have a spin. I'm already prejudiced against Medicare Advantage plans after seeing what my Mom goes through with them. I don't know if she has trouble with it because she doesn't understand the pre-authorization requirements and uses non-preferred providers, or what. I know a lot of what she thought she would get for free isn't turning out to be free when the bills come in. It looks like Statesville isn't very far from Salisbury!
Wind Chill Cocktail
Warm up on a cold night with our Wind Chill cocktail! We mix together mezcal, orange, chili, cinnamon, and cucumber to bring you a spicy drink that’ll be sure to keep you toasty warm on the rooftop.
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The pump kicked on in less than an hour after I posted. So water is flowing. Yay!
I am biased against the Medicare Advantage plans. They're great for healthy oldies and tempt people with extras like gym membership, some dental and eye care, but the doctors definitely don't like dealing with them. Insurance companies, health and otherwise, are in business to make money. With that said, my brother and his wife are happy with their company and most of the elderly folks I see at the senior exercise class are with Advantage plans.
We have regular Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Basic. We pay considerably more than we would with an Advantage plan but have never run into refusals or long delays for surgery or testing. And we have no copays because BCBS picks up whatever Medicare doesn't pay.
It annoys me that the government pays extra to the Advantage companies, more than the premium we pay to regular Medicare. Oh, well, I wasn't consulted. LOL.
Hi to everyone. Hope you have a good day.
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Hi all,
My surgery was successful. I was at the hospital for just over 24 hours from admission to discharge. I felt pretty lousy after surgery - mostly nauseated. Didn't eat anything till after 9pm and then it was just ice cream - those single serving cups - they brought me chocolate and vanilla - not the best ice cream, I mixed together as the chocolate as too chocolaty - I ate about 1/2 of what they brought. i haven't had too much pain, more discomfort. I limited pain meds to ibuprofen as narcotics make me sick. At home, I'm taking acetaminophen as I'm not supposed to take an NASIDS to due stage 3 CKD. I had a large bandage with the huge piece on "plastic" tape over it - it was pulling at my neck - thought that was what was uncomfortable. I was allowed to take the bandage off this morning - 'm still uncomfortable and not feeling great. I didn't think I would need the Zofran, but I'm taking it at home - I didn't think I would need it as I didn't have any yesterday morning. There are steri strips on the incision. Thankfully, I'm allowed to shower.
So, going into surgery we knew there was an adenoma on one of the right side parathroid glands as it showed up on the scans. Well, surprise, surprise. When the surgeon took the first one out, the one behind it was 4 times as large to both right parathyroid glands were removed. The two left one look healthy. I was in the OR about 2 hours as they have to send labs to determine what the Calcium an PTH level were. After the second gland was removed, all labs were good - calcium and PTH. Surgeon has me on calcium so it doesn't drop to low - just tums - 100mg 3 times a day. Post op is in 2 weeks. My husband kept the kids updated on the surgery, but my youngest it the one who expresses her worry the most. She wouldn't go to sleep till she talked to me - which was close to 2:00am her time. I brought to the hospital the little beanie at with a t-shirt that says #1 Mom. I sent her a picture of the cat and she was happy.
I have Medicare Advantage and my DH has regular Medicare I brought the little beanie cat with "#1 mom" on the t-shirt. supplements. Mine is with the state retirement system so it is a great policy as there are so many people on it. The choice was Kaiser or two different Advantage plans with United Health Care. My cost is minimal (beyond part B) and based on how many years service you get a discount. I think only pay $32/month for the Advantage plan. No co-pay for doctor and specialty doctors, labs, scans etc and no need for a referral. No donut hole on Rx. 2000 max out of pocket/year and $300 per hospital admission. After 3 hospitalizations no more costs. Last year they covered everything other than co-pay for Rx. Only was was really expensive but I paid very little. I definitely don't fall in the category as being healthy.
Now I got to be a good patient and let my DH take care of me. We are going for walks as I need to get out of the house. I'm sure as I feel better I'm going to go stir crazy. I have books to read and an adult coloring book.
Weather has warmed up to the 30s and low 40s - snow in the mountains but not Denver. I think I mentioned on Monday that it took us 4+ hours to get home. People who left later in the it was up to 8 hours!
Well, I think I'm rambling. This has taken me a long time to write.
Have a great Thursday. Thanks again to everyone for your well wishes. It means a lot to me.
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karen, thank you for the update! I'm glad you're recovering at home.
Waving hi to all in the lounge area!
Carol 😀
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Great news, Karen! So glad everything went well. Hope the recovery is just as smooth.
Your Advantage insurance sounds much better than the average policy.
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Karen, I have a United advantage plan through my state retirement system too and I love it. I’ve never been denied anything and have no copays. I did owe MDA $8.53 in 2020 but haven’t paid a penny since.
I enjoyed some Reisling at a neighbors last week but it’s too cold for iced cocktails lately. Even with heat in the bar, I’m just not in the mood.
hello to everyone 😁
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Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy TGIF Day! This weekend is going to be tax filing weekend, and Medigap Insurance finding weekend. Tax filing is not my favorite thing to do, and I have to be careful not to put it off too long, hence the "appointment" to do it this weekend. Wind chills today and this weekend will be hovering around zero. Brrr. But things will warm up next week, which is good.
Carole--Glad to heart the pump kicked in so quickly! I suspect the Medicare Advantage plans are good for healthier elders. Not so much for people like Mom with ongoing health issues and difficulty understanding complicated rules and processes. I hope I can find as good a plan as your BCBS plan! I have a friend who works in the insurance industry who is going to help me with this part this weekend.
Karen--so happy to hear the surgery was successful! I'm glad the nausea has cleared up and stays under control. I'm praying the discomfort passes quickly. It sounds like your insurance plans are giving you great coverage! That is a very good thing. I hope I can find something as good.
Morning, Sunshine!
Illi--I'm wishing I had access to a state retirement plan now!
Income Tax Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce dry vermouth
- 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice from 1 orange
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: orange wheel (optional)
Directions
- Add gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and bitters to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange wheel and serve.
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NM haha, I kind of figured as much (living with mom)! Happy to hear you have some warmer temps coming your way. At least our days are getting longer!
Carole, yay for running water. Glad you weren't without for long. Our system in the US is def. not the best.
Karen, so happy you posted, and it sounds like things went as good as could be. No surgery is fun, no matter what it is. I am happy to have discomfort vs. pain! DD2 is just a worry wart, that won't ever change, it's who she is and she loves you.
Woke up last night with intermittent stomach pains, got up around 2am and noticed my ostomy bag was starting to "breech"! It had just started, so no big mess to deal with. I quickly emptied it and then spent the next 20-30 minutes changing it. Still having pain this morning, with practically clear liquid in my ostomy bag. Worried I may have a blockage or obstruction. Hoping I see a change later. It says to not eat, lots of liquids, walking, warm compress and tummy massage. If that doesn't work, I will most likely end up back in hospital, yet again! So, I will get a suitcase ready, just in case. Made it almost a month with no hospital visits! I have 2 doctor appts. and chemo next week Tues. and Wed., ER visit would surely mess these up! If there is a blockage, I will need more surgery.
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Goldie, Fingers crossed that it resolves itself. My friend had a hospital bag that had snacks, a water bottle, crossword puzzles and an easy to read mystery.
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Karen, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that picture of the snow. Maybe Colorado is in my future.
Sending healing thoughts to all going through medical stuff.
Warm up here and rain, rain, rain.
Trying a few different reds from my big purchase in December…a Madiran tannat-cab blend (LOVE!), barbera d' asti, etc….
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Oh, goldie, I hope you don't end up back in the hospital!
wren, I got a laugh out of your "easy to read mystery" comment. Some days, Agatha Christie is almost too much for my feeble brain…
I do like the "Lady Hardcastle" series by T. E. Kinsey. Some are more fun than others, but I love the relationship between Lady Hardcastle and her maid/friend, Florence Armstrong.
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Lori - hope the pain is not enough to land you in the hospital or more surgery. Yup DD#2 is a worrier - She's been through so much with her dad and me. She had to grow up fast! She was in grade 2 turning 8 when I was diagnosed with BC. Other minor surgeries along the way for me. Then her dad's open heart surgery, my MM among other health issues. Also she is so far away. I know my other kids worry but they express their worry in different ways but they also let me know their concerns.
It's cold but nice out. Just went for a walk and it felt good to get out of the house. I'm not used to doing nothing! DD#2 knows me well and she asked her dad this morning if I was being a good patient!!
Been doing retail therapy for my granddaughter. Children's Place has 70% off so it makes the clothes more in my price range to spend when they wear the clothes for such a short period of time. Also toys from Amazon. I ordered 2 toys from Amazon Canada so they would go to their house.
They did do pathology on the 2 glands that were removed and all was normal. I wasn't worried as typically the adenomas as not cancerous.
My SIL told me that I need to sleep in. I told him I was - to 5:45 or so - normally I'm up before 5:00. I'd rather get up and then nap. I've been going to sleep on the sofa and then crawling into bed when I wake up. For some reason I fall asleep better on the sofa - or maybe it's that I don't like being in bed and have trouble falling asleep.
Carole - glad you have water.
Wren - I don't read mysteries - never liked them.
Wally - come to CO
Kim - I think the reason so many medicare plans aren't that great is because they are individual plans. My medicare advantage is through my state retirement system so I'm sure there are thousands on people on it. Now if we were ever to leave CO, I'm sure I would have to find something else. Good think I have no plans to leave CO.
Illimae - it might just be time for hot buttered rum, or hot toddy - not that I drink either!! I stick to dry red wine, sometimes beer and single malt scotch. I have to be in the mood to drink.
Well, I know I've left people off, but I'm going to go lay down. Have a great rest of Friday and Saturday.
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My friend passed away yesterday. We went down to the hospital Wednesday, signed the hospice contract and waited till after the vent was removed, then about an hour before we said goodbye. She was still breathing on her own and snoring peacefully when we left. Yesterday early afternoon she began the dying process—breathing labored and slower, O2 sats down into the 70s, showing signs of distress. The pain meds to ease that may have helped her over the line, at which time they put a magnet over her pacemaker. Her best longtime friend met with the funeral home and probate attorney today. There will be no funeral or wake—per her wishes, her urn will be placed in her beloved Dodge Super Bee. She would have been 78 in March.
Lori, also adding to the wishes you can avoid the hospital. Karen, glad your surgery went well and hope your recovery is as smooth.
I don't trust Advantage plans (I realize that in some locales they may be your only option). I keep reading horror stories on my Ocular Melanoma FB group about people's cancer centers or ocular oncologists becoming "out of network"—one patient's Advantage insurer sent her to a "local oncologist" (presumably a general MO) who actually suggested she should have her imaging done at a discount imaging center. No, thank you. My friend had an Advantage plan (United AARP). It did well for her, as all her providers were in-network. For a long time she didn't even pay for meds and her premiums were low. But eventually so many of her prescribed heart & diabetes meds were not covered that she dropped some of them and started resorting to a local food bank to be able to pay for others. I can't help but think that may have contributed to her atherosclerosis & diabetes worsening to the point where she needed a double bypass because stenting was no longer an option; and may also have led to the clot or plaque breaking loose and going to her brain, causing the stroke that took her life. I have vowed to not let that happen to me, not if I can help it.
To that end, I started Zepbound (aka Mounjaro) today. I already feel full. If it turns off the "food noise" and lets me comply with both low-carb/Mediterranean and intermittent fasting, it may keep my a1c out of the prediabetic range. (My friend's a1c was 10). I don't know what I'll do about exercise, as those painful foot problems are making wearing socks and closed shoes excruciating (and though I had done well in UGGs, I developed a friction burn from the shearling & the seam on the side of my "good" foot. Will have to use the treadmill & exercise bike while wearing OOFOS).
Zepbound, even with the $150 GoodRx Gold coupon discount, is quite costly (and not covered by Part D—likely wouldn't be covered on an Advantage plan either). But I read an article in the NYTimes about how pharma companies are hiking prices on all those drugs you see in commercials—especially the biologics (for autoimmune conditions, MBC, etc.). Some are >$6-10K/month, and co-pay cards are not available to anyone on Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare or other Federally-funded insurance plans, not even the Medigap supplements for Part B. Insurers—especially Medicare—are considering that any diabetes drugs that also cause weight loss as "vanity" drugs. My endocrinologist said my a1c & glucose are too "normal" to be even prediabetes…and even prediabetes is not considered grounds for anything stronger (or pricier) than metformin. At any rate, I'm glad I don't have psoriasis, Crohn's, severe eczema, RA, MG, TD or eosinophilic asthma—drugs for those are orders of magnitude costlier than Zepbound. Something's gotta pay for all those drug ads and the deep discounts given to those who are fully-privately insured and under 65. And as demand grows and evidence emerges that they're quite effective, the pharma companies are using that, too, as justification for the price hikes…"because they can." (Maybe I need to write an extra verse for the song by that title I wrote). Whatever the market may bear….
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DoTD last night was a little bubbly I had open in the fridge, in my friend's honor & memory. Bob had a shot of Remy Martin cognac, as even though she didn't drink, it had been her late DH's fave—which he introduced us to. I follow Mme. Cliquot's philosophy: she drank champagne to celebrate but also when sad. Right now I don't want anything but water—or maybe flat ginger ale or ginger tea if I get queasy.
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Karen - I'm glad you are on the other side of the surgery. Rest well this weekend as you recover.
Goldie - praying things ease here so no trip to the hospital is needed.
Chi - sending condolences on the passing of your friend.
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Wren, I could only wish that was all I had to pack in my suitcase. Unfortunately, I pack enough stuff for 3 days. If I land in the hospital, I won't need the clothes until I get out. Then there's the issue of having mishaps, and needing to change. Home is too far away to run and get something!
WallyCat, have you always liked cold weather, or is something new as you grew older? Where did you grow up at?
Sunshine thank you, still home!
Karen, sounds like you are doing so good, but please don't over do it! How often do we tell one another that??? Good on you for the retail shopping. Shopping for little girls is soooo fun. I think I would go broke. But like you said, they don't wear it long, especially in that first year.
Sandy, so nice that you were able to be with your friend at the end.
Well, as I mentioned, I'm still home. Having better output in Bubba, but still having the intermittent cramping. I think I took myself to the hospital before for that, the first time it happened. But all they found was UTI. So now that I know, it's probably nothing, I'm fine with staying home. I have to head down there on Tuesday anyways.
DOTD: Pink Mystery
30ml Vodka30ml Amaretto30ml Peach Liqueur30ml fresh Orange Juice30ml Cranberry Juice.
Also to get the cool mist/smoke look simply add some dry ice to achieve this effect. Be sure not to drink until dry ice is removed or dissolved.
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Goldie, glad to hear you are still home and feeling better.
I've never liked hot weather (for as long as I can remember). I was 1-1/2 when we moved from Poland to Israel; 4-1/2 when we came to the US, Wisconsin. I remember hating the summers, the bright sun…as a kid, I wished school was during the ugly, hot summer days so I could play and be outside in the fall and winter. I realize I'm in the minority.
I opened Evodia Garnacha (2020) last night, to go with our lamb chops. Lovely combo.
Had to contact the sheriff to get an anti harassment order against my stupid neighbors. UGH…you'd think they had nothing better to do.
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wallycat, I'm sorry you're having to deal with stinky neighbors! What is wrong with people???
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Lori - glad that you are still at home. The retail therapy for granddaughter has all been online. Children's Place offers 20% if you pick up in store but it's not worth it to make the trip. Defeats the purpose of online shopping. The Amazon Canada package arrived today. The rest of the goodies will have to wait till next month when we are there. I much prefer online shopping to stepping into a retail store.
Wally - didn't realize that you lived in Israel. Have you been back since you were a little girl? You aren't still in WI are you?
I don't like extreme heat, but I do like the 4 distinct seasons.
Other than a couple walks today, I have slept most of the day. Tonight, I'm tired of being tired. I know it will take time. I go for a walk and come home and go to sleeep.
Sandy - condolences on the loss of your friend.
Jazzy - thanks
Kim - how are you doing? How is your weather?
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I had to call 911 this afternoon as the jerk-neighbor trespassed and rang our doorbell…what part of no trespassing does he not understand. UGH. He is beyond angry that I am complaining about his huge German Shepherd being off leash in un-allowed areas…scary for many, never mind the lovely poo I find in my yard and driveway.
I lived in WI for 33+ years; DH wanted to retire to a place with a milder summer (for me) and a milder winter (for him)…compromise. We are now in Port Townsend, WA. In my perfect world, I'd have 3 distinct seasons, with spring being the shortest, winter the longest and fall…except for fresh produce, summer can say bye-bye, LOL. I've not been back to either of the countries…and DH is so ill now that I am not planning any trips.
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Lori, glad you're still home.
Wally, can't imagine what a nightmare it must be being harassed by the Neighbors From Hell. Seems police these days feel they have better things to do—like sitting around playing with their phones and quiet-quitting—than actually enforcing the law. When I lived in Seattle I had only two wardrobes—year-round and X-C skiing. For the past 46 years now it's back to four seasons…in a plethora of sizes. So sorry about your DH's illnesses—this is not how retirement was supposed to go.
I wish I could have been by our friend's bedside when she died—she hung on through the night, after we left; but her downhill slide was so swift that we'd never have been able to make it there even if we'd taken a hotel room near the hospital.
DoTD—water, water and more water. For the first time in a couple of years I was able to knock down 72 oz. For tomorrow, will try the Lakanto Keto Drinking Chocolate that came today—it even has probiotics in it. Zepbound is stopping me up slightly (not the medical definition of constipated but certainly not the robust regularity I'm used to).
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