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Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Denim Chenille Quilts- Even Corners
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Garage sale finds
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Happy Grandparents Day
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Doctor Visit!
I went a couple days ago to finally get established with a new primary care physician after my old one quit, and I didn’t like the new one they put me with.
This guy is really cool, and he’s in “Cy-Fair” which is only 25 to 30 miles away. First I told him why I wanted a new doctor. (Because Dr Lee quit and I didn’t like the next one), and then I told him that one of my biggest anxiety triggers is cancer- and that being middle aged now, I’m trying extremely hard to get all of my routine cancer screenings done. It’s a long story! He asked if cancer ran in my family. I said, it never did until recently. Then I lost two cousins in two years. He immediately said he was sorry, and I briefly explained that Kathy had colon cancer and was too afraid of doctors to always go for routine screenings (I’m trying NOT to be like that, although I’m realizing more and more that I kind of am). And that Sam had a brain tumor, but he had been stationed at Camp LeJune when he was a teenager. I said, “A bunch of those guys got different forms of cancer.” The doc nodded in agreement and said, “Oh man, oh man.”
What I did NOT mention was that a few weeks ago, I wrote down names of all the people in my life I’ve lost to cancer, and it totaled 33 people. This ranged all the way from a classmate in 2nd grade with childhood leukemia, my godmother when I was 12, friends (close and not close), colleagues, friends of parents and parents of friends.
Another reason to fear cancer might have to do with the fact that for the first time in about a decade, I’m in a really good and happy place in life. I always worried that if I found too much happiness, I’d be punished for it by dying prematurely. This is an anxiety symptom. I’m trying not to think that way, but it comes up. Then I have to put it out of my head, like an intrusive thought.
This doctor also “seems” like he doesn’t have a problem with me taking gabapentin for anxiety. For some reason, he thought I was taking Wellbutrin. Maybe the bitchy doctor wanted me to take it, but the pharmacy never filled it, and I already know it does nothing for me anyway. I explained that in ten years’ time, I had psychiatrists try everything for me, and gabapentin is what works. He said ok- I thought maybe he cringed, but maybe the cringe was all in my head. At least he didn’t object in an obvious manner. We made two appointments for routine cancer screenings, and I was on my way. The appointments are on 10/1 and 10/21. I really don’t want to think about all of this until then.
Friday, September 6, 2024
Vision and Dental 🦷 🤓
I have vision and dental insurance now, through work. I have almost never had these. I have always had health insurance, but not V&D. Last couple times I went to the eye doctor or dentist, I paid out of pocket.
Yesterday I went for an eye exam. I can’t remember how much I paid out of pocket for the exam last year. But this time, it was a $10 copay. I “think” it was $54 last year. I’m not sure. I might be thinking about an oil change. It was in that ballpark.
Then today I shopped at the optical for new glasses. I just wanted whatever was covered. My current ones are bent, and I have to squint.
She came up with a total that was several hundred dollars, and explained that my insurance saved me $130. Then she ran the total with all cheaper options, and I got a free pair. I only had to pay $25 for the warranty.
While checking out and paying the $25, I asked her how much would the glasses I got be if I paid out of pocket. She said, $132. So basically, all the insurance covers is $130-ish.
I did the basic math in my head. The vision insurance I have only pays for this once every two years- NOT annually. It also takes $7 out of my paycheck. There are 52 paychecks in two years. That’s a total of $364. And I basically only save $170-ish with the $130 glasses coverage and the $40 I save on the eye exam. Sounds like a rip off.
I explained this to Kevin, and he said, “But it’s still insurance.”
The “it’s still insurance” thing only would apply if it covered emergencies. But what kind of vision emergency would there be? I can’t think of one. If my glasses broke, I’d use the warranty that I paid for. If someone pokes your eye out, that’s a medical emergency and you use your health insurance.
And these glasses are the lowest of low quality. The only benefit is that I finally got clear frames instead of black, and I got a better prescription. I can go back in a month or two and pay out of pocket for a nicer pair. I just feel kind of ripped off, and don’t plan on renewing this coverage next year.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Another Memory
Another memory grazed my mind today. My daughter was born with a deformity on her ear. They told me it might mean she was deaf. The next day, they gave her a newborn hearing screen, which proved she wasn’t deaf. But I always wondered, what if they were wrong?
Then when she was about six months old, she was sitting up with one of those plastic toys that’s a cone with rings over it. I walked up behind her and clapped my hands. I could see her clearly get startled. She started crying loudly. Oh no! I picked her up and bounced her around and kept apologizing. “I’m sorry, Baby!” I kept saying. “Mommy knows now that you aren’t deaf!” 😩
Memory
Today, I was remembering my Uncle Chris. He was married to my mom’s sister and was from the island of Cypress. He owned a restaurant and was an amazing cook. One time when I was about 15, he said he heard I was learning to cook. He wanted to know how I liked cooking. I said I liked it a lot, but I didn’t like cooking meat. He responded, “That’s ok! You can marry vegetarian!”
Immediately, everyone else in the room reprimanded him for suggesting I ever get married. “She doesn’t need to get married at all!” They all seemed to yell. It was very loud and dramatic.
Well I wish I could tell Uncle Chris-
Guess what. I did end up with a vegetarian. He was right. And I still do like not having to cook meat.