Got home from my mother's after doing her laundry, and Boots met me at the door, circling around his food tray. That meant he wanted some chicken. So I got it out and sliced off a bit, and then cut it up into small pieces. Then I checked my messages on the phone message machine.
Dr. White had left a message with the triage nurse that I'm to keep wearing compression stockings until my next appointment with him, which is in mid-July. Guess I'll buy another pair at the pharmacy so I have one pair to wash and one to wear.
Tomorrow I'll work on my article on the Shopko remodeling and get it sent in. Sunday, taking my mother out to eat. She wants to do this every Sunday, and it makes a nice break.
She said we'd work out the expense of medications next year. I have to talk to DHS about how the Medicaid for Employed Persons with a Disability will end come December. Not sure I trust Tara to know what she's doing, but that's just the way it goes. Will call in for an appointment so I can finally meet her. Also have to get Medigap insurance when MEPD ends.
The expense of all of this is making me anxious, so I need to calm down about it. Something will work out. The blood thinner - Plavix - costs $138 a month. Plus all the others. Can pay for it myself and not run it through insurance, according to pharmacist. Will get costs of all medications from pharmacy to make sure I'm under the $2,450 that triggers paying for all medications myself until it reaches $5,000. OK for 2007, because of MEPD.
Well, that's enough stewing. Am mainly pissed off about the TIA. I don't like thinking about all the things that are wrong, as I don't like to think of myself as having poor health.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Wednesday night, Joe called me around 8:30 and maybe five minutes after we started talking I was garbling everything I said. When I tried to write down words, I garbled them as well. We talked for awhile and I managed to express my dismay, and we decided I should call the Emergency Room. I asked for the doctor on call from Family Residency and after a brief wait, Dr. Young came on the line. She said I should get to the ER for an evaluation. So I called Joe back and he said he would come get me. Then I called Annie and left a message and then called Jessica at her home phone and talked to Steve. I also called my mother.
When I got to the Mercy Medical Center ER, I had trouble verbalizing, or even thinking of the name, when the nurse held up a piece of paper. When I first went into the emergency room, I had trouble reading some sentences and naming pictures. Eventually, I managed to complete the task flawlessly.
I had an IV shunt put in my right ankle and three tubes of blood withdrawn. I also had a CT scan to look for bleeding in the brain. Joe came back while I was in that ER room. Somewhere along the line the tech said it's a free country and we have the right to make choices. I said something to the effect of that right was being eroded by Republicans. When a nurse asked me who is the President of the United States, I glared at her and didn't name the SOB. She figured by that I knew his name.
I didn't want to be admitted to the hospital, but was told that would mean I would be characterized as AMA (Against Medical Advice). I am familiar with the term. So I went ahead and was admitted, but the process wasn't completed until 1:30 a.m. Joe had talked to Jessica, and she said to call her when I could, but that was too late. Also, Joe had to go out and buy a $5 phone card. I still have the card because I didn't need it. Annie and Jessica both called me the next morning, after getting my hospital phone number from my mother. I was released around 2:30 p.m. My mother and a friend of hers were coming to get me. When Agnes arrived, she suggested having a nurse call in the prescription for a blood thinner (Plavix), and the nurse did that for me. Then, forgetting my nurse had said I had to have a staff member walk out with me, Agnes and I went to the Cancer Center entry way, where my mother was waiting in the car. Annie called me at home that night. And pointed out I wasn't telling her all of the times I had an episode before things finally cleared up. I did finally get a shower and a shampoo early in the afternoon. Should I ever again have to head to the ER, I'm going to make sure I have my makeup with me.
Boots was relieved to see me when I got home around 3:30. (Had to stop for the prescription.)
I hadn't slept at the hospital Wednesday night because I was wide awake when the paper work was finally finished. So I fell asleep Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. and slept until my mother called me at 6:15 this morning.
Got to the grocery store and also to the bank and to the vet for dry food for Boots. His dry food averages out to $12 per month.
It was really fortunate that Joe happened to call me Wednesday night. Otherwise, I might never have figured out something was wrong.
When I got to the Mercy Medical Center ER, I had trouble verbalizing, or even thinking of the name, when the nurse held up a piece of paper. When I first went into the emergency room, I had trouble reading some sentences and naming pictures. Eventually, I managed to complete the task flawlessly.
I had an IV shunt put in my right ankle and three tubes of blood withdrawn. I also had a CT scan to look for bleeding in the brain. Joe came back while I was in that ER room. Somewhere along the line the tech said it's a free country and we have the right to make choices. I said something to the effect of that right was being eroded by Republicans. When a nurse asked me who is the President of the United States, I glared at her and didn't name the SOB. She figured by that I knew his name.
I didn't want to be admitted to the hospital, but was told that would mean I would be characterized as AMA (Against Medical Advice). I am familiar with the term. So I went ahead and was admitted, but the process wasn't completed until 1:30 a.m. Joe had talked to Jessica, and she said to call her when I could, but that was too late. Also, Joe had to go out and buy a $5 phone card. I still have the card because I didn't need it. Annie and Jessica both called me the next morning, after getting my hospital phone number from my mother. I was released around 2:30 p.m. My mother and a friend of hers were coming to get me. When Agnes arrived, she suggested having a nurse call in the prescription for a blood thinner (Plavix), and the nurse did that for me. Then, forgetting my nurse had said I had to have a staff member walk out with me, Agnes and I went to the Cancer Center entry way, where my mother was waiting in the car. Annie called me at home that night. And pointed out I wasn't telling her all of the times I had an episode before things finally cleared up. I did finally get a shower and a shampoo early in the afternoon. Should I ever again have to head to the ER, I'm going to make sure I have my makeup with me.
Boots was relieved to see me when I got home around 3:30. (Had to stop for the prescription.)
I hadn't slept at the hospital Wednesday night because I was wide awake when the paper work was finally finished. So I fell asleep Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. and slept until my mother called me at 6:15 this morning.
Got to the grocery store and also to the bank and to the vet for dry food for Boots. His dry food averages out to $12 per month.
It was really fortunate that Joe happened to call me Wednesday night. Otherwise, I might never have figured out something was wrong.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Wherein Boots Outdoes Himself
Boots really likes Pam and does his best to be the sole center of attention when she's here. Pam and I walked around the court and then watched Casablanca. Boots proceded to check out Pam's giant purse then checked out Pam. He spent most of the time trying to climb all over me, meowing when I quit petting him. He wasn't fond of being combed. Once in awhile, he would lie down on the rug to snooze. Most of the time, though, he was making sure I was paying attention to him and Pam was paying attention to him.
When I went in the bedroom, he started out on the bed, then switched to the floor in front of the blue trunk. Where he is now.
When I went in the bedroom, he started out on the bed, then switched to the floor in front of the blue trunk. Where he is now.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Four treatments
I have four radiation treatments left. I will be through Thursday. I see the medical oncologist, Dr. Bate, on Thursday, June 14, to see about tamoxifen and what signs I have to look for in terms of a reoccurrence of cancer.
Have had a good talk with Annie today. Jessica returned a call last Sunday. I feel good about both of them. \
My granddaughter, Katie, got her driver's license last Thursday. Jessica says she does well on the freeway. Got her a congratulations card and will get it off tomorrow.
Charles called me yesterday. He is good to keep in touch. He was outraged that Berkeley had had a jazz festival with no African-American musicians. He's right.
Nate also called. He was at his folks' house. He seems to be doing ok at the residential facility in New Hampton. Bobbi is still his case manager. She is really good.
Have had three articles published this week - one last Sunday (Sallee's), one Friday (June Home of the Month) and one today (Suzie Q). I should get one or two more this month.
Had lunch with Joe. Dutch. Then went over to my mother's and got her garbage out. I told her she needs to walk outside. I will go along with her. At first, she didn't think she could or would do it, as she won't take her walker outside. Vanity will be her undoing. She is nowhere near as weak as she thinks she is, but she will be if she doesn't get around more.
It has been awhile since I have written in my blog. Must do better, as it is good therapy.
Have had a good talk with Annie today. Jessica returned a call last Sunday. I feel good about both of them. \
My granddaughter, Katie, got her driver's license last Thursday. Jessica says she does well on the freeway. Got her a congratulations card and will get it off tomorrow.
Charles called me yesterday. He is good to keep in touch. He was outraged that Berkeley had had a jazz festival with no African-American musicians. He's right.
Nate also called. He was at his folks' house. He seems to be doing ok at the residential facility in New Hampton. Bobbi is still his case manager. She is really good.
Have had three articles published this week - one last Sunday (Sallee's), one Friday (June Home of the Month) and one today (Suzie Q). I should get one or two more this month.
Had lunch with Joe. Dutch. Then went over to my mother's and got her garbage out. I told her she needs to walk outside. I will go along with her. At first, she didn't think she could or would do it, as she won't take her walker outside. Vanity will be her undoing. She is nowhere near as weak as she thinks she is, but she will be if she doesn't get around more.
It has been awhile since I have written in my blog. Must do better, as it is good therapy.
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