Thursday, October 30, 2008

Here today and gone tomorrow

I'm home today after spending Tuesday and Wednesday in Tyler with my Aunt Alice. She had knee replacement surgery and asked if I'd take her to the hospital and stay overnight. I was happy to do it and I learned a lot while like I there.



For example:


*knee replacement surgery, replacing the ends of your bones with heavy metal and all the grinding and reattaching that goes with that only takes 1 hour.


*they get you up 6 hours later to begin walking on that same leg that they just whittled on and sewed on.


*The day after surgery, you are awakened at 6am and you are moving, exercising, walking or getting poked and prodded until about 4pm.


*Hip replacement is actually an easier surgery than knee replacement.



Don't you feel smarter now too?



I'm taking the Beast with me when I go back to help Aunt Alice tomorrow for the weekend. So I decided it was time to have Beast look like a real frou-frou poodle. She's going to have to grow into this cut because she's still got real fine puppy hair. But it's so funny to see this itty bitty poodle running around. I think she'll be a hit this weekend.

Monday, October 20, 2008

That's what family does


All 3 of my girls told me that when I had to ask them to help me arrange to take care of my aunt. How wonderful is that?


My aunt is having knee replacement surgery next week. She's asked me to stay with her the day of and the day after surgery in the hospital and then to be with her for 3 days when she's released from the hospital.


In her eyes, she's asking a big favor. In my eyes, it's a chance to be a daughter for a mom that needs her. Not having that in my family of origin, I'm honored that she asked me.


But I couldn't have done it without my girls being willing to all rearrange their schedules to help me. And all 3 of them were more than willing to help me and my aunt.


I'm just so thankful for them. And for my aunt. And for Kevin for telling me, "Whatever Aunt Alice needs, we'll do."


That's what family does. Very cool.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Suck up points

I am not above earning suck up points for my grandkids. I am really liking this Beast and I am really liking that the grandkids like her too! I think I've given Josh great incentive to come see me every day.


The beast has won over Kevin. He's always been sweet, ummm nice, ummmm tolerant of other pets through the years, but this one has really won him over.


I'm officially one of those old ladies who carries a puppy in her purse and I'm ok with that. Especially 'cuz mine is the cutest.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

The Beast has arrived

Yesterday I took Josh and we drove to Terrell to pick up my new puppy, Beast.  Josh and I talked and talked and he talked and talked and talked.  He was very impressed at the breeder's house because he had lots of dogs, a cat and a chicken with baby chicks.


The Beast weighs a whopping 1 lb 4 oz!  She is so tiny that we put a bell on her collar so that we can tell where she is so we hopefully won't step on her.  


I am most pleased with her personality.  We have had amazing success with our pets' personalities.  And this one is no exception.  She is well socialized and lets anyone hold her and is afraid of nothing.  Ranger and Shadow are way more intimidated by her than she is by them!



I got this puppy purse and put the Beast in it today for a trip to a craft show with Christy and Julia. The Beast did great! No one even knew she was in there unless I showed them. When Julia got restless, I'd let her hold the Beast:



Right now I have company as I type this:




I have a very sweet and understanding hubby to get me this birthday gift.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Or Not

Well, insurance said they won't cover my surgery because it's not medically necessary.  So we just wait until infection or cancer sets in.  Kevin says our insurance is battle pay because we have to battle to have it actually pay.

...argh...

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Certifiable

Pre-registration at the hospital.  Nice and easy.  Or not.

The good news is that we made our deductible on my gallbladder surgery so this surgery shouldn't cost us anything.  The bad news is that insurance hasn't given the go ahead for surgery.

I am supposed to show up for surgery and hope it's been approved.  If it hasn't been approved, I'll just go home.  We know that my time doesn't count, or the folks who have to rearrange their schedules, like Kevin and the girls...

I'm thankful for insurance, really I am.  I just get so tired of having to jump through hoops in order to get things done.

I remember when we had insurance when I was expecting Kylene.  We paid $40/month extra to get the 100% coverage.  And I only had to pay that amount for 3 months before delivery!  I had Kylene and had my tubes tied and it truly was paid in full 100%.  No extra phone calls, no incorrect billing, no messed up coding.  I actually kept the 'paid in full' notice from the hospital for years.  

Okay, I'm officially old since I am posting about remembering 'when' and the 'good old days'.  Of course, those were the same days when our mortgage was at 17% interest too.  

I'm done rambling and ranting.  

Friday, October 03, 2008

TMI warning

 
I went to a new surgeon today.  She specializes in breast cancer and surgery.  So I go to see her because I have this weird birthmark that is actucally a 3rd nipple and also a smaller 4th nipple down below my left side.

It's not common but it's not unheard of either.  It's a weird thing to have.  It's kinda awkward to talk about it.  "So, how's your extra boob?'  or "Wow, you could wear double-breasted suits!"  

To answer questions, I've always had them, but thought the smaller one was a mole.  It isn't and will be removed, as well as the one that actually looks like an honest to goodness nipple, 'cuz it is!  I guess my procedure can be called and Itty Bitty Titty removal......

Still scared 'cuz I just don't like going to sleep and waking up with parts missing... I'm weird about that.

ok, that's all I can handle tonight.  Lots of material to use to play the Glad Game.  Probably tomorrow.


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Longview, Texas
In the autumn of my life, I am very content.

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