Actually the Ides of March was a good day- it was payday. It was also the fifth anniversary of the death of my friend Barbara's dad. His death was a surprise- I remember how amazed she sounded when she called to tell me. Then three weeks later, I was the amazed one when I called to tell her that my dad died.
So after several weeks of back and forth, Aetna is supposed to be paying for and sending the synvasc to my ortho. At first, they said Caremark, my prescription plan, would pay for it, which sounded reasonable to me, but what do I know. They dithered for a couple of weeks, then send a denial letter to my ortho. I started working my way up the chain of command at Aetna, and got a very nice supervisor named Carl, who contacted their legal department, and personally called me back to say Aetna would approve. Why it took so many weeks is beyond me- widespread incompetence? Apathy? So it should arrive at the ortho in a day or so.
In the meantime, I'm using the cane and the tramadol, and doing my PT exercises. And still, every step hurts. And standing still for more than a few seconds hurts, too.
We are so enjoying the new-to-us bed. It's one of the thicker mattresses with the pillow top, and I can't believe the difference. We had a couple of really nice days, and we had the window open all night a couple of nights, and it was great! Cliffie loved it.
Manda and Ben and Kitten leave Houston the end of the month for Seattle. Ben's job will be in Everett, abut 20 miles away. Boeing gave them several choices of places to stay, and they decided it would be fun to live in downtown Seattle for a month and a half. They will be close to the Pike Place Market and the waterfront. They have almost a week there before Ben starts his job, so they can look for a place to live. They know several people who live in Seattle, who used to work in Houston, and Ben has an aunt and uncle in the area.
The new iPad 3 was just released, and I was curious to see the difference between them and my iPad 2. Not enough to make me want a new one. I love the iPad 2- it lives in my sewing room, so I can check email, play WWF, and look up things while I'm in there.
I signed up for another ABC swap on the HGTV boards. I picked the letter S, because I have some cute star fabric. Each person picks a letter, and sends to the hostess 27 6 1/2 inch squares. The hostess makes sets of them, and you get back one square for each letter- the extra square is for the hostess. It's the only swap I ever do.
I'm reading a series called the Southern Beauty Shop Mysteries, about a Georgia hairdresser and her group of co-workers, who tend to fall over dead bodies. Nice light reads with interesting plots. I'm still crocheting a granny ripple afghan out of blues and whites.
And so it goes!
Holly
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Wow- it's been 2 weeks
I try to post at least once a week- I'm falling down on the job!
Last weekend, Manda and Ben came in for a short (less than 72 hours) visit. They got in Thursday night at midnight, and left Sunday afternoon. We always pack a lot into their visits. We had Amish food waiting for them when they got here, and they brought kolaches for Steph and Dan.
Friday I took a personal day, and met Steph and Manda at Tranquility Spa and had my first ever pedicure! It was so cool, but my feet are ticklish. We all went out to dinner, and then just visited. Saturday was the big party- Julianna turned 5 and my Mom turned 82. The party was at Ed and Heather's, and we had such a good time! Wore out the great grandmothers! Steph and Dan, Manda and Ben left around 7 to go to Tim's 31st birthday party (how are these kids getting so old?).
Sunday Heather came up and we went to brunch.From there, Steph and Dan took them to the airport, and another visit was over. Ben and Manda's big news was that Ben was offered, and accepted, a promotion and a transfer to Everett, Washington (25 miles from Seattle). They're going in the wrong direction! But it's a good career move for him, and the space program is so iffy now, that it's best to bet on a sure thing. He'll still be working for Boeing. Boeing is handling all their relocation expenses! Kitten has been given a clean bill of health, and the vet approved of her flying. She's about 17, but in excellent health.
I saw my primary, and the dermatologist for my hand. I also made appointments with the sleep study people and the cardiologist I want to do the ablation. He operates out of Our Lady of Lourdes in Camden, and comes highly recommended. The symvasc for my knee is somewhere caught up in bureaucracy- I have to check on that tomorrow.
This is moving weekend! Steph and Dan are renting Sam's house, and it's finally ready. The carpet went in on Thursday. The countertop still has to be replaced, and that will happen in two weeks. They were sleeping there last night for the first time. It's been a four month process, clearing out, and re-doing a lot of things. Having 6 dogs and an incontinent cat makes for a stinky house, and it had to be primed, painted, kilz on the floor, new rugs, and even trim and doors. The odor just permeated everything.
In February i read 11 books, six from the library and the rest on the Nook or Kindle. I played a lot of Words with Friends on the iPad, and that silly Angry Birds game. I crocheted some, and sewed none.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Last weekend, Manda and Ben came in for a short (less than 72 hours) visit. They got in Thursday night at midnight, and left Sunday afternoon. We always pack a lot into their visits. We had Amish food waiting for them when they got here, and they brought kolaches for Steph and Dan.
Friday I took a personal day, and met Steph and Manda at Tranquility Spa and had my first ever pedicure! It was so cool, but my feet are ticklish. We all went out to dinner, and then just visited. Saturday was the big party- Julianna turned 5 and my Mom turned 82. The party was at Ed and Heather's, and we had such a good time! Wore out the great grandmothers! Steph and Dan, Manda and Ben left around 7 to go to Tim's 31st birthday party (how are these kids getting so old?).
Sunday Heather came up and we went to brunch.From there, Steph and Dan took them to the airport, and another visit was over. Ben and Manda's big news was that Ben was offered, and accepted, a promotion and a transfer to Everett, Washington (25 miles from Seattle). They're going in the wrong direction! But it's a good career move for him, and the space program is so iffy now, that it's best to bet on a sure thing. He'll still be working for Boeing. Boeing is handling all their relocation expenses! Kitten has been given a clean bill of health, and the vet approved of her flying. She's about 17, but in excellent health.
I saw my primary, and the dermatologist for my hand. I also made appointments with the sleep study people and the cardiologist I want to do the ablation. He operates out of Our Lady of Lourdes in Camden, and comes highly recommended. The symvasc for my knee is somewhere caught up in bureaucracy- I have to check on that tomorrow.
This is moving weekend! Steph and Dan are renting Sam's house, and it's finally ready. The carpet went in on Thursday. The countertop still has to be replaced, and that will happen in two weeks. They were sleeping there last night for the first time. It's been a four month process, clearing out, and re-doing a lot of things. Having 6 dogs and an incontinent cat makes for a stinky house, and it had to be primed, painted, kilz on the floor, new rugs, and even trim and doors. The odor just permeated everything.
In February i read 11 books, six from the library and the rest on the Nook or Kindle. I played a lot of Words with Friends on the iPad, and that silly Angry Birds game. I crocheted some, and sewed none.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The start of a new week
I like Sundays. I like to sleep in, check things on the computer while I eat breakfast, do laundry, and generally relax.
Last week was pretty busy. I had physical therapy, and saw the cardiologist. He is having his secretary get me an appointment with the doc that does the ablations. The doc at Coop is slow to get an appointment with, so if she can't see me in a couple of weeks, I'll be seeing a doc who works out of HUP that my doc is comfortable with.
My primary's office is on my last nerve. I've left 3 messages saying I need an appointment and no reply. I need a referral for a sleep study, also recommended by my cardiologist.
I finished a scrap afghan, and used the leftovers to make Whiskey a new blankie. I started a new afghan, a granny ripple that looks interesting. It'll be in white and blues.
I'm reading the "Booktown" series by Lorna Barrett on the Nook. It's a cozy series about a town in NH that is filled with used and collectible book stores. Tricia Miles owns Haven't Got a Clue mystery book store, and she keeps falling over dead bodies. She has a cute cat named Miss Marple, and a fun set of friends.
Ralph has a terrible cold and sounds like a frog. Today is day 4 of the cold, so I'm hoping he feels better soon, and that he does not share it with me!
Manda and Ben get in Thursday night for a long weekend. Saturday is my Mom's 82nd birthday and Julianna's 5th birthday. This year it's a Strawberry Shortcake party! Friday I'm going with Manda and Steph and getting my first ever pedicure!
I'm still waiting for the synvasc to be approved and arrive at the ortho. Using the cane has gotten real old. The PT helps, and the off days I do the exercises on both legs. Looks like I'll be getting a knee this summer, so I want the cardiac issue resolved by then.
It's almost March! In addition to Mom and Julie, we begin the month with Frank's birthday and end it with Big Mike's. John and Morgan's anniversary is in March also.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Last week was pretty busy. I had physical therapy, and saw the cardiologist. He is having his secretary get me an appointment with the doc that does the ablations. The doc at Coop is slow to get an appointment with, so if she can't see me in a couple of weeks, I'll be seeing a doc who works out of HUP that my doc is comfortable with.
My primary's office is on my last nerve. I've left 3 messages saying I need an appointment and no reply. I need a referral for a sleep study, also recommended by my cardiologist.
I finished a scrap afghan, and used the leftovers to make Whiskey a new blankie. I started a new afghan, a granny ripple that looks interesting. It'll be in white and blues.
I'm reading the "Booktown" series by Lorna Barrett on the Nook. It's a cozy series about a town in NH that is filled with used and collectible book stores. Tricia Miles owns Haven't Got a Clue mystery book store, and she keeps falling over dead bodies. She has a cute cat named Miss Marple, and a fun set of friends.
Ralph has a terrible cold and sounds like a frog. Today is day 4 of the cold, so I'm hoping he feels better soon, and that he does not share it with me!
Manda and Ben get in Thursday night for a long weekend. Saturday is my Mom's 82nd birthday and Julianna's 5th birthday. This year it's a Strawberry Shortcake party! Friday I'm going with Manda and Steph and getting my first ever pedicure!
I'm still waiting for the synvasc to be approved and arrive at the ortho. Using the cane has gotten real old. The PT helps, and the off days I do the exercises on both legs. Looks like I'll be getting a knee this summer, so I want the cardiac issue resolved by then.
It's almost March! In addition to Mom and Julie, we begin the month with Frank's birthday and end it with Big Mike's. John and Morgan's anniversary is in March also.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Sunday, February 19, 2012
So this is getting old.
Thursday morning I got up, started eating breakfast, and went into afib. Trekked off to the ER, same old thing. Cardizem IV and by mouth, didn't break. At least the rate slowed, so I wasn't so uncomfortable. I was admitted, and cardioversion scheduled for Friday.
Thankfully, I converted back to sinus at 6 pm, so no cardioversion, and I was released Friday morning.
I discussed ablation with the doc. My usual doc was on duty at the other hospital, so I saw his partner. He said the handwriting is on the wall, and the younger you are when you have ablation, the higher the chance of success.
So I have an appointment with my regular cardiologist for Wednesday to discuss when and where. I have to get it done, I can't live like this. The afib comes on with no warning, and is so dramatic. It turns me into a crying lunatic.
Ralph teased me that I need to take a power cord to the hospital with me, to plug in the Nook, the iPad and the cell phone. The things that I need to keep my sanity! I had a very nice 88 year old roomie, but she put the TV on the instant she woke up, and only turned it off when she went to sleep.
Friday night we went to dinner with Ed and Heather and the kids, then to Sharon's for Zac's party. We haven't figured out how that kid got to be 11 already.! Last night Steph and Dan took us to dinner at Brio for my birthday.
I'm still crocheting the scrap afghan. It's almost long enough, maybe another night or two's work. I just picked up 15 books from the library, so they'll keep me busy- not like I don't have anything around here to read!
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Thankfully, I converted back to sinus at 6 pm, so no cardioversion, and I was released Friday morning.
I discussed ablation with the doc. My usual doc was on duty at the other hospital, so I saw his partner. He said the handwriting is on the wall, and the younger you are when you have ablation, the higher the chance of success.
So I have an appointment with my regular cardiologist for Wednesday to discuss when and where. I have to get it done, I can't live like this. The afib comes on with no warning, and is so dramatic. It turns me into a crying lunatic.
Ralph teased me that I need to take a power cord to the hospital with me, to plug in the Nook, the iPad and the cell phone. The things that I need to keep my sanity! I had a very nice 88 year old roomie, but she put the TV on the instant she woke up, and only turned it off when she went to sleep.
Friday night we went to dinner with Ed and Heather and the kids, then to Sharon's for Zac's party. We haven't figured out how that kid got to be 11 already.! Last night Steph and Dan took us to dinner at Brio for my birthday.
I'm still crocheting the scrap afghan. It's almost long enough, maybe another night or two's work. I just picked up 15 books from the library, so they'll keep me busy- not like I don't have anything around here to read!
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Ortho Visit
So I saw the ortho on Friday afternoon. He showed me the xray of my left knee. It's bone on bone on the medial side. It's obviously been that way for a while, and since the pain had a sudden onset, it could be an arthritis flareup. Flareups can last up to ten weeks! Jeez!
The MRI does show a tear, but he can't guarantee that having the knee scoped would stop the pain, because of the bone on bone situation. The ultimate solution is a replacement. To put off the replacement, synvasc can be tried. It can take weeks for the synvasc to be approved by my insurance!
Aetna has always been pretty good at approving things, so I'm hoping for just a week or so. It's a series of 3 injections into the knee joint, but provide a synthetic padding. The ortho doc said to continue PT if I feel like it's helping, which I do. The object of the PT is to strengthen the muscles that support the knee. I'm looking ahead to postop recovery, and I think PT is good.
Tomorrow I see Dr. Lamorte for a cardiology followup visit, then I go to PT. Tuesday we have parent teacher conferences from 2-6 at work. Wednesday is work, dinner with the nurses, then PT. Thursday work and PT. Friday is work then Zachary's birthday party.
We got a couple of inches of snow last night, and the driveway looks icy, so I'm staying in. I have laundry going.
The thing I liked best about the ortho, was he said that I'm way to young to need a cane, so we have to get me fixed. Yay for him!
And another week starts!
Holly
The MRI does show a tear, but he can't guarantee that having the knee scoped would stop the pain, because of the bone on bone situation. The ultimate solution is a replacement. To put off the replacement, synvasc can be tried. It can take weeks for the synvasc to be approved by my insurance!
Aetna has always been pretty good at approving things, so I'm hoping for just a week or so. It's a series of 3 injections into the knee joint, but provide a synthetic padding. The ortho doc said to continue PT if I feel like it's helping, which I do. The object of the PT is to strengthen the muscles that support the knee. I'm looking ahead to postop recovery, and I think PT is good.
Tomorrow I see Dr. Lamorte for a cardiology followup visit, then I go to PT. Tuesday we have parent teacher conferences from 2-6 at work. Wednesday is work, dinner with the nurses, then PT. Thursday work and PT. Friday is work then Zachary's birthday party.
We got a couple of inches of snow last night, and the driveway looks icy, so I'm staying in. I have laundry going.
The thing I liked best about the ortho, was he said that I'm way to young to need a cane, so we have to get me fixed. Yay for him!
And another week starts!
Holly
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday
We had a little snow last night, very little- under a half inch, which is fine!
PT three times a week, and my right knee is showing no improvement. I had the MRI, and I see ortho tomorrow. I strongly suspect a tear somewhere. Then on Monday, I see my cardiologist- what a way to spend my birthday!
Amazon is still having hundreds of free books every day, and I'm averaging about 15 a day that I download. Anything that looks like Mom or I would like, I download.
With working, PT, and my knee hurting so that I'm still using the cane, I haven't done any quilting. I've been crocheting, but not a lot. I've been playing Words With Friends on my iPad, but that only takes up a few minutes each day.
Poor little Whiskey had a sore leg and visiting the vet. He doesn't have Lyme's, and he's not diabetic, two good things. He's on an antibiotic, and seems much better since he saw the vet.
Cliffie has only been out once in the last two days, so she's a real house cat now.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
PT three times a week, and my right knee is showing no improvement. I had the MRI, and I see ortho tomorrow. I strongly suspect a tear somewhere. Then on Monday, I see my cardiologist- what a way to spend my birthday!
Amazon is still having hundreds of free books every day, and I'm averaging about 15 a day that I download. Anything that looks like Mom or I would like, I download.
With working, PT, and my knee hurting so that I'm still using the cane, I haven't done any quilting. I've been crocheting, but not a lot. I've been playing Words With Friends on my iPad, but that only takes up a few minutes each day.
Poor little Whiskey had a sore leg and visiting the vet. He doesn't have Lyme's, and he's not diabetic, two good things. He's on an antibiotic, and seems much better since he saw the vet.
Cliffie has only been out once in the last two days, so she's a real house cat now.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Sunday, February 5, 2012
It's February!
We made it thru January with no snow. We've had maybe 1/2 inch this whole winter so far, and it's been as high as 62 degrees!
I got the MRI of my knee done yesterday. I think there must be a tear, because it still hurts too much too often. Tomorrow I'll make the ortho appointment. And the big side effect of the new cardiac med is fatigue, and it sure is. I'm sleeping entirely too much.
We stayed with the kids yesterday so Heather and Ed could go to the AC Boat Show. I took the iPad and the Fire. I bought 3 Dora apps for the iPad, which Julianna had a great time with. Eddie was playing with all the apps on the Fire. One is called Where's My Water, and you have to send the water to the alligator's pipes so he can take a shower. It's a problem solving app pretending to be a game, and he did great with it.
In January I read 16 books, 15 from the library. I worked on another scrap afghan, and sewed the tops for 3 tablerunners for Christmas gifts.
February is my birthday! Wow, I'll be 59- how did that happen? Better than the alternative, as my Dad used to say. Doris Doone's birthday is also in February.
Cliffie is laying beside me on the ottoman. She's taken it over as her favorite spot.
And so it goes!
Holly
I got the MRI of my knee done yesterday. I think there must be a tear, because it still hurts too much too often. Tomorrow I'll make the ortho appointment. And the big side effect of the new cardiac med is fatigue, and it sure is. I'm sleeping entirely too much.
We stayed with the kids yesterday so Heather and Ed could go to the AC Boat Show. I took the iPad and the Fire. I bought 3 Dora apps for the iPad, which Julianna had a great time with. Eddie was playing with all the apps on the Fire. One is called Where's My Water, and you have to send the water to the alligator's pipes so he can take a shower. It's a problem solving app pretending to be a game, and he did great with it.
In January I read 16 books, 15 from the library. I worked on another scrap afghan, and sewed the tops for 3 tablerunners for Christmas gifts.
February is my birthday! Wow, I'll be 59- how did that happen? Better than the alternative, as my Dad used to say. Doris Doone's birthday is also in February.
Cliffie is laying beside me on the ottoman. She's taken it over as her favorite spot.
And so it goes!
Holly
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