June 2021 Chit Chat

[Virginia]

Went out to eat yesterday evening with family. I had chicken salad with lots of fruit...strawberries, honey dew, cantaloupe, grapes and pineapple. Enjoyed the fruit more than the chicken salad.
Then went to grocery store, though I did not stay as long as I usually do.

So tired today. Stayed late in bed and then fell asleep reading during afternoon. Just finished the book Perfect that Linda told us about. As she said it is not a light read. I found it to be sad, but I am sure it is part of life for a lot of people. The author is Rachel Joyce. Think I will move on to a mystery now.

Brother in S.C. fell again Wednesday. This time it was due to knees giving out. I am not sure if he was on rollator or not. This time they went to emergency room right away. More x-rays, nothing else broken, but bruised and sore. Doctor said walk and blow, walk and blow. Today's update was "PROGRESS!! yeah! I am walking right behind him." Of course it was from SIL. I am not sure quite what she means by progress - weather he is making progress in his walking or if he is allowing her to walk right behind him. Maybe he had not been. I don't know.

[Lazarus]

Hello everyone,
I am off to market. Hooe you all have a nice day!

[Howie]

Well, ol' Howie is still around.

I haven't done anything to talk about. I just sit on the bed, watch TV all day, and eat a meal at sometime. Oh, and take care of Sam. This is her quiet time. She is napping somewhere, but will show up when I eat, then she spends the rest of the day on the bed with me.

The only activity I have is taking care of her, and watching TV. I try to go to the store once a week, but it's more just to get out than it is because I need something.

I do come here and see what everyone is up to. This is a busy bunch.

Take care, and have a great weekend.

[agate]

Thanks for the update, Howie! We'd like to know just what it is you and Sam are doing even if you're there at home most of the time. Watching something? Eating something? Even what your neighbors seem to be up to can be fascinating if you're ever noticing them.

For instance, yesterday when I came in from the eye doctor with my eyesight very bad because of the eye drops eye doctors love to use, I very nearly stumbled over a large object in the front hall of this building. A neighbor happened to be there and I asked her what in the world this was. It was a very solid-looking cylinder about 6 feet long and was too heavy to move. I was in my wheelchair but she started inspecting it and said, "Well, it says PURPLE on it, and so it's a mattress."

So someone here is getting a new mattress. I asked her if it was inflatable or what. She told me how it worked and now I can't remember except that she said you just roll it out.


Too bad your brother fell again, Virginia, but at least nothing was broken, eh?

I spent much of yesterday on the annual eye doctor appointment. I always get new glasses by taking his rx across the hall to the optician and letting them fill the rx. Today it seems there was no rx for glasses. He agreed that my vision is terrible but the only way to fix it is with cataract surgery. In the past he's said this but been willing to prescribe glasses so I'll at least get the best possible vision even though cataract surgery just isn't in the cards.

He was running behind yesterday. I was "seen" about 40 minutes past my appointment time, and I had a total of about 10 minutes with him plus maybe 15 minutes with an assistant who was supposed to be updating my meds but did a slipshod job of it. The vision exam was a joke. They showed me a couple of charts. I saw nothing on them. I know my vision isn't that bad! I had 3 or 4 types of eye drops put in. He did the eye exam in a couple of minutes.

So he was in a hurry to catch up on his schedule and I was one of the patients who he must have decided didn't need to have a complete refraction done. So he sent me on my way.

That's OK. I'll get new glasses next year and will have saved a lot of money by not getting them this year. My rent will go up as a result but that's the way it goes.

That appointment and trip that ought to have taken a maximum of an hour and a half, including transit, took 5 and a half hours. The driver picked up another passenger on the way home and dropped him off before taking me home. And I had to wait about 2 hours for the return ride because I'd set it up with plenty of time for the optician I thought I'd be seeing about glasses. The transit system always requires a return time if you want them to take you back (and I always do). Sometimes they can change that time on short notice but usually they can't.

I was there without a cellphone and had no means of calling if that van didn't show up. My hope was that there would be someone there at the eye doctor's who would be willing to call them for me if needed. The catch there is that the transit people's phone is so busy that you often wait on hold 10-20 minutes, and the eye doctor's office staff probably doesn't appreciate hanging on the phone that long. On the other hand, I'm not cluttering up their parking lot with a car, am I? A car whose alarm might decide to go off suddenly?

I was certainly glad that I'd made one last trip to the restroom at the eye doctor's before the van was scheduled to arrive. I made a total of 3 trips there while I was waiting around, and that rest room is a pain with a wheelchair because the door isn't automatic, and the handicapped stall is so tiny that with a wheelchair in there, there's really no room to use the toilet. It was quite a project each time. Always is. At least I know this place so well that I was prepared for its problems. (Been going there for nearly 12 years.)

However, it was beautiful weather, and I was able to see the spring flowers.

And I was so impressed by the way the doctor's office and the people there were conducting themselves, even with the pandemic lingering so long. A year ago I was there and had to wait outside for temperature checks, etc., and everything was changed around inside. This time there weren't any temperature checks but I still had to wait around in the outer vestibule until I was allowed in. Later I was allowed to wait inside in the spot they directed me to. Staff members were guarding the door and checking everyone who came in. They came in handy when I needed to open the bathroom door out there.

It seemed to be chaos, with many people thronging in, most with appointments, one just wanting to discuss a bill. In the midst of a pandemic he makes a trip in to discuss a bill--I fail to understand why it couldn't have been discussed over the phone but you never know.

There were people who didn't speak much English. There were small children trying to race around. There were very old people who were quite slow. And then there were the many people who wandered in while chattering on their phones, not paying attention to where they were going.

I don't know how everyone kept their cool. Many people were like me in having to wait for long stretches of time. Probably with the better weather and the relaxed COVID rules, people were catching up on appointments they'd postponing.

But everyone was cheerful and upbeat all the while. It was as if a gigantic cloud was lifting at last and people were just so glad to be out and about--and still alive--that nothing else mattered much.

[Virginia]

Hi Howie, so glad to see you. I was sure beginning to wonder about you and Sam. Well, at least the two of you have been eating. I bet Sam is, by now, one fat cat. We actually got rain here last week and are due some more tomorrow and Monday. I hope you have not been in a drought where you are. Glad you are still getting out to the store at least. I guess you also make your bank and dump run. I think it is the summer that bothers you. If so, I hope you have some low humidity this year. That helps a lot. When I was out Thursday it was a beautiful day. It would have been hot, but the humidity was low and it made it enjoyable. My neighbor and I were recently talking about how high everything cost here now and she made the remark that, well she could go back to Danville. She was kidding, but I immediately thought of you.

Agate, you had quite a day of it yesterday. That was a long stretch. I have to make an appointment to get my eyes examined. I am thinking he is probably going to tell me that now I need to get cataract surgery. He is very conservative when it comes to any kind of surgery so he will only tell me to do it when he thinks I really do need it. It was two years in April when I saw him last. I always go once a year, but due to pandemic did not go last year. I dread it because I dread even thinking about getting the surgery done. However, I do want new glasses.

I am glad you had beautiful weather for your outing. I kind of panic if I forget my cell phone and leave it at home. I try not to do that. You didn't say that is the reason you were not carrying one, but I just thought maybe it might be.

Your telling about your experience reminded me that when I am able to get an appointment I must remember to wear a mask. I think they are still wearing them here in medical settings. You also reminded me that I should have made my appointment quite awhile ago because I bet my Doctor's other patients are catching up on their appointments also.

I have been going to the same office since 1973. It has always been a one Doctor office. The first Doctor was very nice, but retired early due to health reasons. I later read that he had died. When he retired I just stayed right there with the new Doctor who bought his practice. That was probably about 30 years ago.

Well, Monday I'll get right on it and make that appointment and then after I go to that one I will make a Dental appointment. That is the one I hate the most. In July I have an appointment with my PCP to check thyroid and B/P and other things. I just hate all these Doctor appointments.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

I'm sorry that your brother fell again but thankful that he didn't break any more bones. "Walk and blow" sounds like his doctor doesn't want to be bothered with why his knees gave out on him. Is he taking pain meds, which might cause weakness or a balance problem?

Jim had cataract surgery, a couple of years before his cancer diagnosis. The surgery itself only takes a couple of minutes and is painless (I think he was given Versed by IV prior to the surgery). However, it was an involved process with pre-surgery appointments, including a physical, and post-surgery appointments. For a month, I put 3 different kinds of drops in his eyes several times a day. He had to have the surgery, because he had failed his driver's license eye test.

Like you, and many others, I have waited to make medical appointments during the pandemic. I have also been waiting to see how the vaccinations panned out, before I got a vaccination. I think I'll get my first dose next week. John is anxious for me to have it, because he is worried about me. In March, he lost a close friend to COVID.

I've been cloistered in my home since last November, with limited contact (John, his friend, Instacart shoppers), most of it brief and outside with 6 ft distancing. That was my choice and my safest option. And, of course, I am absolutely used to it, having been isolated for years with Jon and then Jim.

Even after I am vaccinated, I intend to wear a mask in public for the rest of my life. While the number of cases and deaths from COVID are decreasing, it doesn't mean that we are safe. It's still possible to get COVID after full vaccination, albeit purportedly a less severe case. Now, we are being warned about the Delta strain.

There are plenty of other germs out there too, like "colds and flu." And I still maintain that we are "opening up" too soon. Vaccination doesn't make us invulnerable. How many mutations will COVID have? We don't know, but new ones crop up frequently.

We should wear our masks, wear gloves or keep a hand sanitizer in our pocket, and give this virus more time to play itself out.

I wish you the best in making your appointments and success in all of them.

Howie ~

It's always great to see you here. You are missed.

What are you and Sam eating and what are you watching on TV these days?

Did you get your Neurontin situation worked out?

Be well and stay safe.

Agate ~

What an ordeal you endured! You are so calm about it all. Why aren't the bathrooms accessible? Why is the doctor overbooked, so that he can't give any of his patients the attention they need? Why don't you have better, more reliable transportation? I felt frustrated reading your experience. But, you take it in stride. I'm just so sorry that you have to contend with all of this. It shouldn't be this way in 2021.

How are you feeling today? That must have been exhausting.

To All ~

Many prayers and healing, positive energy during these strenuous times and challenges ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[agate]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Agate ~

What an ordeal you endured! You are so calm about it all. Why aren't the bathrooms accessible? Why is the doctor overbooked, so that he can't give any of his patients the attention they need? Why don't you have better, more reliable transportation? I felt frustrated reading your experience. But, you take it in stride. I'm just so sorry that you have to contend with all of this. It shouldn't be this way in 2021.

How are you feeling today? That must have been exhausting.

To All ~

Many prayers and healing, positive energy during these strenuous times and challenges ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

Rose, I wanted to spend today recovering from yesterday but I needed to get this phone problem settled--a phone problem that was the reason why I had no cellphone with me yesterday.

Assurance Wireless notified me of an upgrade, meaning that everyone had to get a new phone. My new phone arrived some time ago but wouldn't work even after a couple of hours on the phone with tech support. They said they'd send a new battery within 72 hours. After about 5 days (not the promised 72 hours) I got a whole new phone. I couldn't get it to work either but it arrived at 9:30 PM just before the day I had to go to the eye doctor. I had to be out of here by 9 AM. No time left for tinkering with the phone other than to find that it didn't work.

Today I finally got it to work. Who knew that a little label they had inserted under the battery but sticking out of the phone could cause so much trouble? When I carefully removed the label, including the tiny sliver sticking to the battery, the phone worked. Getting somewhat better people at tech support yesterday after I got home helped too.

I spent most of this morning with the new phone problems too. A big issue has been what to do with the first phone they sent me. I'm supposed to return it by FedEx Ground. The packaging and label were included and I have it all wrapped up to send. But I had to get on the phone with several different people at Fed Ex and give several long strings of numbers each time before I could arrange to have it picked up. Their tracking number for this item was 35 digits long. Good exercise for the eyes.

As for the bathrooms at the eye doctor's, there's just one, and I don't know why it isn't accessible because the main doors to the building are. They have supplied a wheelchair-access stall in the bathroom, and maybe that's their idea of "accessible," though it isn't very.

About being calm. I've been putting up with these ride issues since the early 1980s. I've been forgotten about, lost, mistaken for somebody else, and ridden all over the local scene for hours. It's the way paratransit systems seem to operate. At least it was true in Tacoma and it's true here. You don't always get lucky with rides. I've found it just hurts me if I get irritated.

I'm not sure what the doctor's problem was though this has happened before. He's a very popular doctor with very high ratings. He's part of a local chain of ophthalmologists and opticians, and this particular branch involves about 5 doctors. There are a total of over 20 of them, located at several branches. I'm keen on him in general but if I had a serious eye problem or needed surgery, I think I'd go somewhere else. This one is OK for glasses rx's and the annual diabetes and glaucoma checkups. I've looked at my medical record as they have it on their "patient portal," and it's so disastrously wrong that it's a joke.

He's probably overloaded with people coming back after the pandemic kept them away. That's my guess.

[agate]

I borrowed this from another board but it's not against any rules as far as I know.

[Virginia]

Rose, my brother is on high doses of oxycodone or oxycontin. I am not sure which. That could have been the cause. I expect the Doctors feel that it is. He usually gets pretty good care where he is. His wife is also good about taking notes. I only know what I find out when she has time to send out an update. I am sure she is very busy taking care of him, since she says she now walks behind him step by step.

Agate, I had also thought how calm you were, but then you usually are. You just seem to take things as they come. I might would have been alright if I had my cellphone, but without it I would have felt uncomfortable.

Thanks for bringing us some humor. The ones I like the best are the 1st, 3rd, 6th and the last one. I thought that was funny. They all were good.

Do you all ever watch HGTV?. I have been watching it a lot this afternoon. They have had episodes of "Love it or List it" I have enjoyed it. And of all things one came up that was in Raleigh and this couple kept talking about wanting to stay inside the beltline. The real estate man couldn't figure out that to young couples in Raleigh living inside the beltline is their ultimate. He asked them why. He said don't people live outside the beltline in Raleigh? They laughed and said well if they stayed inside the beltline they could walk to eat and do so many things. The only thing nice I can think of would be that it is true that if I could walk I could get to a zillion different restaurants, but I would not want to pay the price for the houses verses what they can get out just a little ways for the same money. He made the mistake of showing them a house that was 20 minutes from where they are living now. I think after it was remodeled they decided to love the house they had and stay there since it was inside the beltline. To me it is so funny.

[agate]

Virginia, I've often heard that real estate is all about 3 things: location, location, and location. I think it's true.

Yes, being without a cellphone is scary. Often people at the front desk are willing to make a call but they get the information wrong and I can't always hear just what they are saying when they do the calling.

And there are the places that shut down for lunchtime. I never know just when the lunchtime is (each place seems to have a different lunch hour) or if they'll be kind enough to keep somebody around in case I need to have a call made. With dental appointments this can be a real concern because if you've had a tooth extraction or some other work where you're left with a lot of anesthetic still in your jaw and maybe lots of absorbent cotton in your mouth, you're really not able to make a call. (One more reason to go to Howie for tooth extractions!)

Yesterday that was a big concern. I was pretty sure they didn't shut down completely for lunch because I've been there many times before but all of a sudden the lights went down in the optical department, which is half of the building. I was going into panic mode at that point and found someone to ask if they were shutting down for lunch. Well, they were but there would still be people there. And there were.

With so many patients coming and going, I had hopes that they wouldn't just disappear.

[Virginia]

Agate. I am glad you got your phone situation straightened out. Now, at least that will be one less thing you have to worry about when you go for all your appointments.

Guess your son enjoys his Father's Day now that he has William.

[agate]

Yes, it is a huge relief to have a phone for calls when I'm out somewhere. I'm still learning about this phone but hope to take a couple of photos with it before long. It's not so very different from the other one but I never did learn the other one very well.

It's my son's birthday today as well as Father's Day--this year is the big 5-0 for him. I'm hoping that William will be observing Father's Day by next year. He watched his dad open his birthday present from me yesterday on FaceTime but I think he was hoping that the present was for him.

[Virginia]

I am sure William at his age would like to get all the gifts. They are so cute at that age. Hope your son had a good 50 yr b'day.

Hope Linda had a big turn out for the market this week-end and made lots of money!

[agate]

I took a couple of photos of my current patio plants:

[Virginia]

Agate, where are they? I don't see them posted.