Fighting the healthcare maze

I'm having to make an executive decision today concerning Mike's care.  It all started when his doctor changed at the Indian Health Clinic.  His former doctor resigned and his new doctor is uncomfortable signing a physician's order for the home health nurse to come every week.  The order is required for Medicare to pay for the service.  His new doctor believes his psychiatrist should sign the order.  That's all good except the psychiatrist that sees him through Community Mental Health will not call me back.  It's a state run agency and they are pretty bad if you ask me.  But when you are desperate for help you take what you can get.

Well, the Indian Health Clinic also has a psychiatrist who can see Mike.  This would allow his care to be more comprehensive.  The down side is they are an hours drive away.  It will be disruptive for Mike initially but I think it would be better in the long run.  Right now it appears to be my only option.  Mike is OK with the idea right now but that can change in a flash.  Anything that disrupts his routine really shakes him up.  I will have to dispense his medications until we can get the psych. nurse back.  It always scares me to death because I'm afraid of making a mistake but I just have to do the best I can.  Ron usually double checks me and we somehow get it done together.

So, I'm trying to arrange all this from work and thank goodness our administrator is very understanding about my situation.  I probably wouldn't get the support I do if I worked anywhere but here.

I'm really taking a leap of faith switching Mike to a new psychiatrist. They are a strange breed of doctors and you just never know what their philosophy will be.  His present doctor never really talks to Mike.  He just rambles on about himself and says "I'll see you again in 6 weeks."  I hope the new doctor will at least spend some time with Mike.   

Turkey Leftovers? Not at my house!

Well, once more I have tested the limits of my sweet husband's patience.  I volunteered us to animal sit all through the Thanksgiving holidays.  First we had my daughter Julie's dogs from Wednesday to Friday.  Now that's not too bad since they can come to our house and they are getting up in years and just lay around anyway.  But, Friday until this morning we have had to stay at my other daughter's house to take care of Bella La Grossy, Sophie, Olivia (AKA Stupid) and the scraggly no tail cat.  They are all sweet animals but they are a house full.  We haven't had any sleep because the entire zoo sleeps in bed with my daughter & son-in-law and we couldn't get them to stay anywhere else.  Ohhhhhhhhhh I'm tired!  Then you throw my brother on the mix and you really have a menagerie.


I couldn't help myself this time because my son-in-law found his biological father this year and they made a spur of the moment trip to meet him.  The reunion went well and I'm happy for my son-in-law.  He lost his mother on Thanksgiving day last year so this was a very big deal for him.

Ron gets the results of his CT scan this Wednesday.  He actually told me that I don't need to come with him "because everything is going to be OK anyway".  Like I would NOT go.  I may be scared senseless but I'll be there.  I really haven't had time to think about it until now and I don't know why I get so nervous because it's not like worrying will make a difference.  So, I'll just say my prayers and God will do the rest.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

 

What Am I Thankful For This Year?

1.    I am grateful for my husband who makes me feel special each and every day.

2.    I am grateful that each new day is filled with promise.

3.    I am grateful for my friends, the ones that I see each day and the ones that I have never met.

4.     I am grateful for all the experiences that have made me into the kind of person I am today.

5.     I am grateful for the joy and peace in my heart.

6.     I am grateful for the people who are journeying with me.

7.     I am grateful for knowing that I am where I need to be.

8.     I am grateful for opportunities to grow and learn.

9.     I am grateful for all of life and what it brings.

10.   I am grateful to the Divine who have given us all these and more.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Happy Thanksgiving

It was a great weekend!  Ron and I spent the entire weekend together just enjoying each others company.  Saturday Mike called Ron and said "Ronnie, I got hit in the head."  
Ron a little puzzled asked, "By what."  
Mike responded, "The trash can".
Now Ron is really tickled imagining Mike falling head first into his kitchen trashcan.  
Mike continued saying, "My glasses are all messed up, you gotta take me to get my glasses adjusted."
Well, I didn't want to miss out on this so we both drove over to get Mike and he met us at the door with a big ole goose egg on his head and a cut.  His glasses were all wopper jogged and he had a dazed look on his face.  Not from the bump, just his usual dazed look.
We asked him to explain again what had happened and it seems he was taking his trash outside and the city trash can lid blew up and hit him in the head.  It probably wasn't as funny as it struck us but he really did look a sight!  
Ron couldn't stop giggling as we drove him to the optical place to get his glasses adjusted.  Mike finally told Ron he was going to have to get even..........


The Vespers service went well last night.  I spoke and didn't even get too nervous.  It was well received and I can now scratch (public speaking) off my bucket list.


The Thanksgiving meal was absolute delicious.  So many dishes to try and we tried them all.  I had made a new recipe to take and if I must say...........it was sooooooooo good.  I've shared this easy recipe below.  Great to make ahead!  Ron asked for it again at Christmas.


So.  the world is good.  Life continues and I'm just so happy!


Layered Cranberry Jello Salad
Serves 12-18


1 - 6 serving size cherry jello
and 1 - 4 serving size cherry jello
3 c. boiling water
2 cans whole berry cranberry sauce
1 large can crushed pineapple - do not drain


1 cup chopped apples
1 cup diced cerely
and 1 cup chopped walnuts


Mix both packages cherry jello and boiling water together until dissolved.  Whisk in cranberry sauce and pineapple; stir in celery, apple and walnuts.  Pout into a 13x9 glass dish.  Chill until set.


Top Layer:


1 - 4 serving size lemon Jello
1 cup boiling water, or apple juice (I used apple juice)
1 cup sour cream
2 pkgs cream cheese, softened (really softened)
1 cup sugar


Dissolve lemon Jello in hot water (or juice) whisk in sugar, and stir until dissolved.  Stir in cream cheese and sour cream; whisk until smooth.  Pour over chilled cranberry layer and chill until set.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Good!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Whipped Butter Nut Squash

• 2 butternut squash, halved and seeded
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup light sour cream
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place squash halves cut side down in a medium baking dish with enough water to cover. Cover, and bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until tender.
3. Scoop squash from skin into a medium bowl, and mix with margarine and light sour cream. Whip until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

                                                  Slow cooker sweet potatoes with applesauce

6          medium (2 pounds) sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 1/2    cups applesauce

2/3       cup packed brown sugar

3          tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1          teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2      cup chopped nuts, toasted

Place sweet potatoes in 2- to 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients except nuts; spoon over potatoes.

Cover and cook on low heat setting 6 to 8 hours or until potatoes are very tender.   Sprinkle with nuts.

These are a couple of recipes I plan to fix for Thanksgiving this year.  I especially love recipes I can cook in the crock pot, it frees my ovens for other dishes.  If you have any favorite recipes please share.  I love to try new things.

I have a pain in the @#$% literally!

Well, my conservative husband joined my liberal church last night.  I tried to tell him that this had to be his own decision and he said it was.  He's just such a black and white thinker that it really rocks his boat when everyone expresses their different views on religion.  He wants a definitive answer to everything and hey, I'm not sure there are any definitive answers.  Each person has to find their own path.  It's the difference between wanting others to think for you and wanting to think for yourself!

I'm having sciatic nerve pain in my left leg.  This is a first for me and all I can say is OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This hurts!  Anyone have any remedies they could pass on?  I can hardly walk.

I wrote a letter to a neuro psychologist in Oklahoma City about Mike.  I was seeking some guidance about his medications and what impact they are having on his cognitive ability.  I'm wondering if some of the psychotropic drugs could be reduced and still control his schizophrenia.  Now I have to wait to see if he answers my letter.  

Ron and I are going to go see "J. Edgar" this weekend.  We haven't been to a movie for some time.  This is going to be a busy weekend.

Texting Seniors

Since more and more Seniors are texting and tweeting there appears to be a need for a STC (Senior Texting Code). If you qualify for Senior Discounts this is the code for you.
Please pass this on to your children and grandchildren so they can understand your texts.
ATD:	At The Doctor's
BFF:	Best Friend Fainted
BTW:	Bring The Wheelchair
BYOT:	Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM:	Covered By Medicare
CGU:	Can't get up
CUATSC:	See You At The Senior Center
DWI:	Driving While Incontinent
FWB:	Friend With Beta Blockers
FWIW:	Forgot Where I Was
FYI:	Found Your Insulin
GGPBL:	Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low!
GHA:	Got Heartburn Again
HGBM:	Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO:	Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO:	Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL:	Living On Lipitor
LWO:	Lawrence Welk's On
OMMR:	On My Massage Recliner
OMSG:	Oh My! Sorry Gas.
ROFL... CGU:	Rolling On The Floor Laughing... And Can't Get Up
TTYL:	Talk To You Louder
WAITT:	Who Am I Talking To?
WTFA:	Wet The Furniture Again
WTP:	Where's The Prunes?
WWNO:	Walker Wheels Need Oil
GGLKI:	(Gotta Go Laxative Kicking In)