tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post4370935374927114668..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Personal UpdateAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-66183786503710700352016-10-18T22:33:30.502-05:002016-10-18T22:33:30.502-05:00Baysider,
My having to be so proactive has been di...Baysider,<br />My having to be so proactive has been difficult in the extreme -- and exhausting. Doesn't help my pain levels, either. Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-2680696829800958422016-10-18T22:08:32.934-05:002016-10-18T22:08:32.934-05:00Whew! I'm glad you 'won' but the fact...Whew! I'm glad you 'won' but the fact that it takes another doctor's intervention and YOU bringing your own supplies and steamroller is APPALLING. This is like the SOVIET state. Their athletes travelled with a general medical kit to have supplies in case of injury with the poor care available. <br /><br />My brother had a wealthy friend who had serious surgery with several days in the hospital - and this over 20 years ago. She hired a full-time RN to monitor all procedures and medications and generally be there to intimidate the staff into being careful because they were under the observation of a professional who wasn't drugged into oblivion. She did this because she 'knew too much' going in. Florence Nightingale, call your office!Baysiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562129788572031587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-16042698992830825142016-10-18T20:51:41.642-05:002016-10-18T20:51:41.642-05:00My Welsh-German heritage. It stands me in good st...My Welsh-German heritage. It stands me in good stead over and over again.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-73879783193182571272016-10-18T20:20:18.676-05:002016-10-18T20:20:18.676-05:00Jon,
More and more doctors are bailing on ObamaCar...Jon,<br />More and more doctors are bailing on ObamaCare -- or joining larger umbrella groups. <br /><br />But these umbrella groups have restrictions! I ran up against that yesterday when my own primary care physician couldn't get authorization to do a dressing change for my neph tube. The urologist/surgeon has to handle the dressing change -- never mind that his office doesn't do such a thing. Well, until now. I won the battle today. See <a href="http://alwaysonwatch3.blogspot.com/2016/10/personal-update.html?showComment=1476839799877#c1935685486696057705" rel="nofollow">my comment below</a>.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-67159147154920955292016-10-18T20:19:13.398-05:002016-10-18T20:19:13.398-05:00Good for You.Good for You.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-19356854866960577052016-10-18T20:16:39.877-05:002016-10-18T20:16:39.877-05:00AHA!
The problem of the twice-a-week bandage chan...<b>AHA!</b><br /><br />The problem of <a href="http://alwaysonwatch3.blogspot.com/2016/10/personal-update.html?showComment=1476744724973#c3429037616075526924" rel="nofollow">the twice-a-week bandage change</a> has been solved!<br /><br />I threatened litigation -- <b>after</b> making clear that I had a friend to do one bandage change a week but still needed someone to do the other bandage change required in the course of a week. <br /><br />The very doctor's office that told me yesterday: "We don't do dressing changes here" today decided that they would be doing a Friday bandage change after all. <br /><br />The combination of my threat of litigation and my surgeon's intervention brought about a solution.<br /><br />At first, the nurse there today still tried to weasel out of the five-minute bandage change. She said, "I don't have split sponges."<br /><br />I replied cheerily, "I do!"<br /><br />Then she said, "I don't have Medipore tape."<br /><br />I again responded cheerily, "I do! And I carry all those supplies with me in my car everywhere I go."<br /><br />I could hear my surgeon chuckling in the next room as he overheard this exchange.<br /><br />In the medical loop of this 21st Century, the patient needs an advocate or the patient needs to be his own advocate. And a nasty advocate, too, if required. It came down to being nasty today.<br /><br /><b>I WILL NOT LOSE THIS KIDNEY FOR LACK OF A DRESSING CHANGE!</b>Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-16943163027827036492016-10-18T20:05:35.362-05:002016-10-18T20:05:35.362-05:00Waylon,
Were I on Medicare or on Medicaid, I'd...Waylon,<br />Were I on Medicare or on Medicaid, I'd be more likely to receive home care.<br /><br />I <b>did</b> receive a visiting nurse for one month following my August 12 surgery. That's it, apparently, for my policy. I'm ineligible now. **sigh**Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-71266055527134613602016-10-18T19:51:50.958-05:002016-10-18T19:51:50.958-05:00Sorry to hear your problem persists, AOW.
I'm...Sorry to hear your problem persists, AOW.<br /><br />I'm surprised that you don't have home care available down there as part of ones health care coverage. I had no idea that medical care was that bad, since health care in America is always touted as the best.Waylonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08533895509055020394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-11267443322121897552016-10-18T11:32:36.917-05:002016-10-18T11:32:36.917-05:00My Doc no longer accepts ObamaCare patients. He t...My Doc no longer accepts ObamaCare patients. He told me that the bureaucratic BS, paper work etc. was taking up 2 hours, per day, of his time. People who supported electing B.O. and ObamaCare should be forced to spend the rest of their lives on it; even after it has been repealed for all of the rest of us! JonBerghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01718776762194333398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-52103115939049769522016-10-18T05:20:04.710-05:002016-10-18T05:20:04.710-05:00Trevor,
Apology accepted.
But know that this kind...Trevor,<br />Apology accepted.<br /><br />But know that this kind of deep organ pain is grinding me down. <br /><br />The pain is even worse now that I've had yesterday's neph tube exchange. Back to the doctors I go today.<br /><br />So worn out with this.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-77999673809531632422016-10-18T04:38:40.122-05:002016-10-18T04:38:40.122-05:00I'm very sorry. I only meant to suggest that ...I'm very sorry. I only meant to suggest that you might feel better if you took the focus off the pain and concentrated on something else. That has worked for me when I've been unwell. Years ago I had to put up with irregular heart beats accompanied by chest pain and numbness in my left arm. Classic symptoms of heart attack. This scared the hell out of me. I was alone in the house when these attacks came, usually in the middle of the night. Even so, I always took a good book with me to the ER. I found it helped to get my mind off the feelings of panic, and get a better sense of perspective. That really helped.<br /><br />I must have expressed myself very badly. I certainly didn't mean to be tactless. I hope you will forgive me? We all make blunders often without realizing it. Trevor Armbusterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04324410535752599810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-65152821515097786802016-10-17T19:34:40.145-05:002016-10-17T19:34:40.145-05:00obamacare - everything I read tells me it is faili...obamacare - everything I read tells me it is failing spectacularly everywhere. My personal doc works mostly with medicare folks, and the last time I was there, a new sign as posted at the checking listing 4 medicare suppliers that they no longer take.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-67338544079156436322016-10-17T19:31:55.602-05:002016-10-17T19:31:55.602-05:00Kid,
I'm sure that Trevor meant well. But rig...Kid,<br />I'm sure that Trevor meant well. But right now, I'm unable to blog as often as I wish.<br /><br />It has taken me several days to get my Wednesday post ready. It's comprehensive! Just in case I don't get to post again before the election. Everything in my life right now revolves around my pain levels and this medical loop in which I'm trapped.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-77807493998785583242016-10-17T19:24:31.888-05:002016-10-17T19:24:31.888-05:00Trevor, yea, really ignorant comment. Like anyone...Trevor, yea, really ignorant comment. Like anyone can affect the election results. btw - Most of us can chew gum and walk at the same time too.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-15373167931969838832016-10-17T19:23:39.967-05:002016-10-17T19:23:39.967-05:00Kid,
It might be because of ObamaCare. The regula...Kid,<br />It might be because of ObamaCare. The regulations are surreal. I keep hearing, "You don't qualify" for this or that.<br /><br />I'm having to be proactive when I'm really <b>TOO SICK</b> to be this proactive. **sigh**Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-65153476984060600982016-10-17T19:16:00.749-05:002016-10-17T19:16:00.749-05:00AOW, do you think this is because of obamacare? I...AOW, do you think this is because of obamacare? If yes, then let me post in advance - Thanks for nothing libtards.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-60126119264798187592016-10-17T18:36:25.675-05:002016-10-17T18:36:25.675-05:00Bob,
Thank you.
I'm like a cat: good at hidin...Bob,<br />Thank you.<br /><br />I'm like a cat: good at hiding it when I'm really ill.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-37323432575059311202016-10-17T18:31:05.182-05:002016-10-17T18:31:05.182-05:00I had no idea you were suffering so. You are in my...I had no idea you were suffering so. You are in my prayers, as is Mr AOW. Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17665311979954859271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-34290376160755269242016-10-17T17:52:04.973-05:002016-10-17T17:52:04.973-05:00My frustration mounts!
I had a neph tube replacem...My frustration mounts!<br /><br />I had a neph tube replacement today. Despite the aching pain I have following today's procedure and residual anesthesia on board, I have to scramble this evening to get the proper bandaging material -- never mind that I have an order from the neph tube interventional radiologist (M.D.) that I should be getting more-frequent bandage changes.<br /><br />No medical facility I've contacted will do this bandage change! I'll be relying on my dear friends in the homeschool group to tend to this medically necessary matter.<br /><br /><b>I will not lose this kidney because of a lack of bandage change!</b><br /><br />I'm livid! I've paid health insurance premiums all of my adult life. Now I need the services for which I have paid and can't get them from the health care industry.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-68172740006666338442016-10-17T09:45:41.117-05:002016-10-17T09:45:41.117-05:00Sorry to hear this.
The past two years have been ...Sorry to hear this.<br /><br />The past two years have been a medical nightmare for me, with much pain involved, so sympathising comes easy.<br /><br />Wishing you all the best. Gerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07752117708821629614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-41643622946898300632016-10-17T07:52:26.167-05:002016-10-17T07:52:26.167-05:00Trevor,
You are over the line with your comment.
...Trevor,<br />You are over the line with your comment.<br /><br />My blog, my property, my focus.<br /><br />You are going to have to eat your words early Wednesday morning.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-69830253305983766212016-10-17T06:56:05.751-05:002016-10-17T06:56:05.751-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Trevor Armbusterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04324410535752599810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-79753967901710708092016-10-17T02:23:44.950-05:002016-10-17T02:23:44.950-05:00Baysider,
As one who has never been sick before --...Baysider,<br />As one who has never been sick before -- other than the usual maladies which teachers catch -- I'm having a difficult time psychologically as this kidney trouble drags on and on and on. <br /><br />I've been suffering since March! But back then, I thought the troubles were a combination of normal aging and a stomach virus (including a reaction to the chickenpox vaccine as we've discussed previously).<br /><br />This agony may still be attributed to vaccine reaction, but now it's not a matter of merely letting the reaction run its course. Permanent damage has been done to my left ureter and, of course, to the left kidney itself as a result of what amounts to a blockage.<br /><br />I'm going to try not to work TMW too hard. But who knows? I don't yet have a complete picture as to what to expect post-op.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-46201048270459926642016-10-16T22:55:29.387-05:002016-10-16T22:55:29.387-05:00I am so sorry to hear this continues, and continue...I am so sorry to hear this continues, and continued prayers for your pain, serenity and wisdom of the medicine men. I'm glad to hear your friend is coming. What a blessing. Baysiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562129788572031587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-21498265237409953362016-10-16T19:37:14.935-05:002016-10-16T19:37:14.935-05:00If I had the right –– or the temerity –– to give t...If I had the right –– or the temerity –– to give this poem a name, I would call it “To Those Left Behind.” Emily never gave titles to her poems, they are always identified by simply the first line.<br /><br />We think always of the brave men horribly killed in battle, but too little attention has been paid –– I feel –– to the widows and orphans, mothers, fathers, younger siblings and close friends forced to suffer the pain of losing a loved one, a helpmate, a guide, and a companion.<br /><br />After all, for the dead it is over –– their suffering, one would hope, is at an end. Those left behind, however, must somehow carry on and find find new purpose in living. This poem, I feel, addresses their situation eloquently. I see i too –– not as an antidote –– but as an anodyne to pain all of us must inevitably experience –– part of the price we must pay for ever havng lived at all.<br /><br /><br /><b><i>We grow accustomed to the Dark ––<br />When Light is put away ––<br />As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp<br />To witness her Good bye ––<br /> <br />A Moment –– We uncertain step<br />For newness of the night ––<br />Then –– fit our Vision to the Dark –– <br />And meet the Road –– erect –– <br /> <br />And so of larger –– Darknesses ––<br />Those Evenings of the Brain ––<br />When not a Moon disclose a sign ––<br />Or Star –– come out –– within ––<br /> <br />The Bravest –– grope a little ––<br />And sometimes hit a Tree<br />Directly in the Forehead ––<br />But as they learn to see ––<br /> <br />Either the Darkness alters ––<br />Or something in the sight<br />Adjusts itself to Midnight ––<br />And Life steps almost straight.</i></b><br /><br />~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)<br />FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.com