The "I'm Still Chugging Along and Please Forgive Me When I Hit a FunkyPlace".

iPad shuffled Roy Ayers, "You Send Me". Fantastic arrangement. The vocals kick ass and listen to those violins. Can you tell I like the song?  :)  Sometimes I have my pity parties, or my mad at the world episodes. I'm one of those people who has strong emotions, but they pass.  Got distracted by my original tech...you know...the one is behaved badly toward (a nice way of saying I cussed her out).  I apologized and we're past that. That was over a year ago.  She may teach me to cannulate myself.  It helps for me to talk with the techs and patients about it.  On another note, the other replacement tech is here today.  She was trained by my tech who had to retire. She gets my trust and she nailed my super special (lol) access.  :-)  

I arrive today, I'm third one in. Saggy pants and my partner are here. Big guy comes in about 5 minutes later.  Old guy and sweet old lady's chairs are empty. My partner greets me with sweet old lady has died.  /cry.  She was always asking me for money for her church programs.  I had no problem giving her a couple of dollars.  The Spinners. "I'll Be Around". My favorite song by them.  To be honest. Sweet old lady looked fine. The last day she was here, she had to leave for the hospital, but I guess we have no idea what happens.  We were the 2 ladies in the module. I'll miss her greeting me with a smile when I come in.  And I'll miss her handing me a lollipop every now and then.  This is what kidney disease and dialysis is. 

On yet another dialysis note(well it is adventures in dialysis-lol), the alcohol is killing my skin at the access point. It's dry, itchy and irritated.  I looked for antibacterial lotion at Meijer's, but I couldn't find any.  I did get anti-itch lotion.  I'm going to talk to the nurse today.  It feels like the itch is under my skin. I scratch around the area because I just don't want to touch it. Heatwave, "The a Groove Line". Now that's a funk group!!  

Every 3 months or so, and when I'm visiting centers, the staff goes over us disconnecting ourselves from the machines in case of emergency.  I listened and it went in one ear and out the other. And yeah, I signed the document that said,  "sure I get it". But you know, when your brain isn't ready, you won't learn or understand.  Well, this past week it clicked.  And no, it wasn't review time, it just clicked.  Lol. Each access tube has 2 clamps. (Yeah, if I can explain it, that means I understand it).  I clamp the the clamps closest to my body first. This stops the blood flow from me.  The second set of clamps cuts me of from the machine.  We don't want blood spurting out of the tubes, now do we.  

Lol. Even when I was on a walker, I was told that in case of emergency, not only would I be responsible  for my self, I may be asked assist with older, less mobile people. Harrumph.  Lol.  That meant helping them out of the clinic area and to the escape route. I'd be no help getting them up the stairs, though.  Lol. I'd have pulled myself up with my arms though adrenaline. Lol. The partner next to me told that there had been a few emergencies when they had to evacuate.  So anyway, I understand it now and can get myself off the machine if I need to. :)

Random information. I told you the center installed cable boxes ...on all of the TVs. The modules look like this....

|                         |

|                        X  <--- Me

|___________X__|  <---Partner

I'm on the left end.  My partner is against the wall left of me, perpendicular to me. Our TVs are suspended from the ceiling. Anyway, when my partner changes his channels, mine are changed also. Lol.  I quit fussing and change channels when he's finished surfing.  Yeah I can't take photos because of HIPPA and that's fine. 

Well that's it for day. Hooray for us for breaking the record for the most snow in January, ever. Yay?   Lol you can tell your grand kids how you walk to ______ in 30 inches of snow in -20 degree weather!   Lol and you have the stats to back it up!!!

Signing off with The Delphonics, "Ready or Not". Apparently I like the groups with guys with the really high voices. *cough* Ron Banks, Russell Thompkins, Jr.  *cough*. Have a great weekend. Chicken wings, yes. I'll pass on the jalapeño popper dip. I think I've seen 6 versions pass on Facebook.  Fess up, who's making it?

The "Idle Thoughts and Observations", edition.

iPad set to Average White Band, "A Love of Your Own".  A friend from my UM days, who was the DJ. Back in the day, DJ'ed on Facebook last night. He put out songs I swear I hadn't heard since I was in Ann Arbor.  This is one of them.  Another standout was Stanley Turrenetine. And Gene Page.  I'm playing the songs and Brian whips out his pen and paper to jot down the songs. And I'm downloading the songs. Thanks, Bill. :)

Driving to treatment this morning, we encountered some impressive water main breaks on eastbound Outer Drive.  1st was east of Wyoming.  Cars were stuck and just abandoned. The ice was just that high. The other was just east of Greenfield. A flowing, steaming river. We've already planned our alternate route back home. 

I arrived at the center.  I was the 2nd person to arrive at my module. What happened here?  Where is everybody?  Big guy was hooked up. We know sweet old lady went to the hospital last week, but don't know what's wrong. Old guy, who went to the hospital by ambulance on Monday had a really low heart rate. :(   The odd thing was he walked and talked and joked while waiting for the ambulance. Hope theyre all ok.  The other 2 finally arrived bitching (rightfully so) about their transportation.  We dialysis patients can't be at the whims of these transportation companies. IT'S LIFE  AND DEATH.  And they get paid by Medicare/Medicaid.  >:-(   

I like the new tech assigned to the module, but I don't trust her to stick me. The Dells, "Stay in My Corner".  Some techs are aware of their limitations and stop trying after the first attempt.  Other think they need to start digging and manipulating the needles.  Yeah, I don't think so. The charge nurse and another tech told me theses techs won't learn unless they try. Yeah...not on me. 

Shawn got a cat. Brian and I are cat grand parents. We hope to see the new addition of our family soon. I sent Shawn a photo of a crazy cat lady starter kit. She didn't find it amusing. Lol. Roflmao.  That's ok. I have tendencies toward crazy Westie lady. ;-)

Mom died a year ago today.  I look at it as she was set free. That last year of her was not a dignified was to live.  However she took it on stride. We'll never know how she felt about bring bedridden for a year, but I'm grateful it was just a year.  I miss her, but there are no tears. I always smile when I think of her. :)

On another note, Dad has become old lady bait. Lol. Some are really aggressive!  

I'm thinking about stopping blogging. I don't get much feedback.  On the other hand, it's nice to have a record of my life.  

Signing off with Whitesnake, "Here I Go Again". Stay warm. 

The " Hey Buddy, Can You Spare a Kidney?", edition.

iPod shuffled to Stevie Wonder, "Superstition". Now that takes me back. Feeling a bit maudlin this weekend.  Possibly from cabin fever. Lamenting the fact that the kidney failure upended my life. I was looking forward to retiring and doing stuff. I retired earlier than I'd planned. I was decidedly in the throes of kidney failure in January 2012 (unbeknownst to me ).  Heh. A full on cliche sentence.  Anyway.  It was getting more and difficult to even move. I woke up every morning with nausea worse than any morning sickness I'd experienced when pregnant.  I had no appetite. It was difficult to stay awake at work. I was ready to leave at 2.  I'd get home and fall asleep.  Getting out of chairs was a huge challenge. If the chair had wheels and was set low, it was almost impossible to get up without assistance.  I had to bounce to get momentum to riseup out of a chair. Toilet seats were too low at work. And the handicap stalls were in the basement. It hurt too much to go there from my 5th floor office.  If there were an emergency, I'd get trampled trying to go 5 flights down the stairs.

Chicago, "Saturday in the Park".  This is reminding me of summer...yes, released July 1972. :)   All that to say that by March, 2012 I submitted my retirement paperswork for July 6, 2012.   I initially was going for my last to be June 30, 2012.  The administrative assistant convinced me to go for a date after July 1, 2012,  the fiscal new year. This would allow for the vacation days and sick days would be applied. Great idea. :)   My last day at work was at the end of June 2012. A few weeks later, in mid July, Shawn and I went to Vegas to visit mom. I had hoped seeing Shawn would help mom get better.  Well, it didn't, but she sure was happy to see her only grand child. Heh. Vegas in July is HOT!!!!  

Soul Survivors, "Expressway to Your Heart".  Classic.  After we returned to Detroit, it was getting more and more difficult to move. I went to my doctor.  The pressing symptom was the dibilitating morning nausea.  I got treated for digestive tract issues, ending with a colonoscopy in early October.  (fun times!!). Well, my colon was just fine.  I went back the last week in October. The staff and doctor were surprised and concerned with my appearance and my mobility issues.  He scheduled me for a battery of tests on Friday. I had seen him on Wednesday. Also, my first breathing issue occurred just as I was leaving his office.  In retrospect, I should have gone back in. 

Maxwell, "Acension (Don't Ever Wonder). My youngest employee was a big Maxwell fan. Her cubicle was plastered with his photos...along with the Detroit Lions. Lol.  Oh yeah, I'd registered for a beading class at Wayne County Community College.  Not only could I not get a handicap space, it seemed the closest spaces were 1/2 mile away. I parked and hobbled to class, though. I just got too tired and confused to continue.  Making that bracelet seemed be just too difficult. 

So I was supposed to learning beading, do water aerobics, travel.  Instead I almost died. 4 months after I retired. WTF?  I want some semblance of life back.  I want to travel without planning months in advance. I want to function 7 days a week, not 4. I want a Bloody Mary, banana pudding and red beans and rice.  I want to drink when I'm thirsty, not limited to 40 ounces of fluid a day. Worried if I drink to much, I'll have a heart attack. 

 But Pat, you're doing well!!  Am I?  Really?  I'm always waiting for the side effects of dialysis and kidney failure to happen. I'm wondering what are my limitations of being on Medicare.  What is my new life expectancy?   I'm just being kept alive by being hooked up to a machine. At the mercy of strangers. Strangers with protective clothing in case they get sprayed with our blood. This sucks.  And I'm watching the old dude across from me. Something went wrong and now they're waiting for transport to the hospital.  Will I be next?  Welcome to my life. 

Well, now you know what's in my head behind the smile. Signing off with The Esquires, "Get on Up".  "How can you set yourself down for a rest, when you know I'm trying my best ....to dance with you". 

Be grateful with the life you have and your health. 

The "I'm Not Fooling Myself", edition.

iPad shuffled to Marvin Gaye, "Mercy, Mercy Me".  This is from one of my favorite albums ever.  Just to make sure, I seem to be doing ok, but my status can change at the drop of a dime. Apparently I talked up a low blood pressure episode on Wednesday. ;-(  My blood pressure was trending high...averaging 170/100. Sigh. This not good.  The head nurse was concerned. I was concerned also.  She asked if she could give me something to lower the pressure. I agreed.  The pressure was still high after about 30-45 minutes. The tech had me go from reclining to sitting up....you know gravity and lowering blood pressure.

The next thing I know, a tech is waking me up.  I dunno.  I suspect I look different when my BP drops. The staff calls it immediately. Anyway, as I wake, I feel the telltale symptoms. :-(  I'm lightheaded.  I'm hot and cold and clammy all at the same time. I feel nauseous. I start rambling...with a purpose.  At least I think so.  Lol. I lift  my shirt  cause I'm hot.  And no, I'm not trying to take it off, just trying to expose some skin to the cool air.   The tech shoots my chair all the way back so I'm almost prone.  The nurse administers saline through the dialysis lines.   She's talking to me, telling me not to close my eyes and stay with her.   If you look at the photos of the dialysis machines, you'll see the saline bags hanging on the IV pole.  Sometimes the results are instantaneous. This one took a little longer. The nurse was concerned that so much saline fluid was administered that the effects of dialysis was negated. That would have sucked.  ;-(   And yes, I was frightened.  Very frightened. 

Jerry Butler, "Western Union Man". Now that's a smooth voice.  Not sure if I've heard any of songs while he was with The Impressions. I'll look later.  The good news is about 2 kilograms still came off.  Within ten minutes it was like nothing happened. I was lucid and actually felt good, despite the fact I was dying.  Yes I was dying. When my pressure drops that low, everything is slowing down. Remember, this has happened numerous times...although this one was assisted by taking the pill.  I told the head nurse on the way out and let her know what happened.  She was mortified.  Look, I'm not blaming anyone. I agreed to take the pill.  Lesson learned.  Now the high BP spikes need to be addressed. *sigh*.  

Miki Howard, "Love Under New Management".  Now that's a set of pipes!  We've hired a company to clear the house of "stuff". I counted 4 bikes in the basement in addition to my baby, the Honda CT70. Everything must go!  Fishing poles, wedding gifts we never opened, big ass Christmas tree, lots of luggage. Lots of coolers, wheelchair, crutches, walker.  And that's just a start. The bonus, though is finding the photos.  Photos I hadn't seen in over 30 years. I can't explain why they were squirreled away.  Found one of me when I was maybe 25?  A lot of my mom in her glamorous stage. She was hot!  Lol ..  If you knew her and you see these photos, you'll have a disconnect. Lol.  Unfortunately the scanner is in the basement. And the basement is cold during this polar vortex. When it warms up, I'll be a scanning fool.  :-)  All I can do is tease you with the photo of her and dad right after their wedding ceremony. 

Blackstreet, "No Diggity" while I'm editing. Lol. It's distracting because I want to sing along. "I like the way you work it".  Oh yeah, the remote thief at the clinic is at it again. ;-<  

Signing off with "Poison", Bell Biv Devoe. Admit it, you instantly want to start when you hear this song.  And my trademark...." Never trust a big butt and a smile ". Lollololololol. Roflmao. Have a wonderful weekend!!        :-D

The "Dialysis and ESRD Update", edition.

iPad shuffled to Beyoncé, "Love on Top". I get tickled when the blog app editor puts that doodad at the end of Beyoncé's name.  In the last entry I mentioned my tech had to take an early, emergency retirement.  I didn't start out in her module, mod 6.  I was 3rd shift in mod 2. One day, while in mod 2, I got a call from the center asking if I could come in early. I couldn't answer yes fast enough. I hated coming in at 2:15. That was my scheduled time, but I usually got put on the machine around 2:45. :-/   With a 3.5 hour run time....and run off and removal, I rarely got out before 6PM. I was one of the last people to leave.  Add into that my low blood pressure issues, 6:30 - 7:00PM wasn't unusual. So any earlier time was desirable.

Anyway, after finding out I was willing to come in at any early time, I got called in early almost every day.  I especially liked that first shift!!  I was going into mods 4 and 7. The last time I was called in, I was sent to module 6. I'd never seen this tech. I asked her name and told her not to remove more that 2.5 kilograms of fluid.  If more was removed I'd pass out for her. She assured me I'd be fine. The run was not eventful. I told the tech I liked this early shift. She mentioned the chair was empty and I should ask the head nurse to switch. I asked, head nurse said yes and the very next session, I was in module 6, first shift, Yay!!!   I must make a disclaimer that my 3rd shift tech was not as personable, but she was all business. One day she turned the dialysis machine toward me and schooled me on the machine. <3   Fast forward and now she is one of my preferred stickers. :) I digress

Marvin Gaye, "Please Don't Stay (Once You Go Away)".  The "Lets Get It On", album. My tech went on the fistula journey with me.  She was in communication with the vascular surgeon about when and how to do that first stick.  Like marking arm, prior to my appointment with the vascular surgeon, where she thought were the strongest points for the stick. He wanted her to do button holes, she said the access was strong enough to stick, but not mature enough for the button holes. She was pretty forceful about that. Lol. 

"Groove Is In The Heart", Deee-Lite, featuring Q-Tip and Bootsey Collins. You KNOW this a party song lol. I got distracted.  I looked up the song. Ok. My tech taught me even more about the machine. Like what that jug at the bottom, dialysate. And how much heparin I was getting.  She slowly was able get me up to a maximum of a 3.0 kilogram fluid removal when needed. She applied the cream to my catheter access when my skin decided it didn't like alcohol anymore. (The itching was unbearable...and there was nothing I could do about it until the bandage was changed on treatment days).   When I traveled she sent me with a set of instructions for the techs in the visiting clinics. 

She also created my buttonholes. We started in Mid September. The button holes were pretty well established when she went out sick before Thanksgiving. I know the venous access (the top) is tricky, so I can relay that to other techs.  And I needed to know. She was out from about a 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving and didn't return until after the blizzard in January. She was back for 3 sessions before she had to leave for medical reasons. /cry.   The last thing she did was show me how to remove my needles. 

Yes indeed!!!  I am now removing my needles!!!!!!!!!  I told her that first day back I was ready to start removing my needles. I though we'd start the next session.  No. She had me start that day. The first try, the venous access,  was a bit....messy. Lol. Good thing puddles of blood don't phase me.  The arterial was a bit better    I just needed to hit the accesses spot on.  The holes are small, but they're designed to move a lot of blood in and out of my body.   The next treatment day was better. Except I tried to pill the wrong needle. She slapped my hand away. Lol. No time for her to say stop.  The pulls were less messier.  The third day....Jackpot. :-) So much jackpot that no one even monitored me!!!  I felt accomplished.  (Eh, this is my life....whatever). 

Now I'm going to try explain the process. I'm given the sterile gloves. Remember, my left arm which has the needles, still needs to be relatively immobile. So this pretty much a one handed (right hand) process. I tear open the alcohol swabs. I open the packs of gauze.  I fold the gauze into fourths . I open the band aids. I remove the tape on the top needle, the venous. I place the alcohol pad on the folded gauze. All with the right hand. I grab the plastic tubing for the venous needle with my left  hand.  Now I place the alcohol and gauze over the needle with my right hand and slowly pull out the needle with my left hand. Apply pressure on the access hole. Once the bleeding has stopped I place a single folded piece of gauze on the inside of the band aid and place the band aid on the buttonhole.  Repeat the process for the arterial button hole.  Now I'm ready to go. No waiting for some one to remove my needles!!!  Yay.  Sometimes I had to wait for other patients to be run off, or have their needles removed. Or even have wait for the techs to apply pressure to their access.  Or wait while they set up the folks from the next shift.  All that's left is go weigh myself!!

That being said, I got a tech who wants to teach me how to run off---the disconnection off the machine process.  I'm game.  And soon, I'm gonna learn how cannulate--stick-- myself. Getting there. 

:-)   Oh and random dialysis pet peeve. The Velcro on the blood pressure sticks to my sweater. >:-/

I can think of worse things. Lol.  Now I need to find someone to get the TV working for me.  The TV is on, but not the cable box. I can ask about headaches, needing water, etc , but I have an issue asking about fixing the TV or plugging in the chair for treating feature. Go figure.  Also, I wash my hands and the button hole areas prior to getting stuck. The soap dries the hell out of my hands.  And I can't get to lotion after dialysis.  No pretty Bath and Bodyworks lotion, I need Eucerin.  Lol. 

Logging out with Heatwave, "Always and Forever". Stay warm.  Maybe I'll tell you about the shrimp chowder I made. Kept me warm!!  Photos of dialysis machine and access arm for reference. 

The "Come on Down!!!!", edition.

iPad set to The System, "Don't Disturb This Groove".  There I go diggin' the minor chords. :)  As promised, I'll detail our adventure on "The Price Is Right".  There are some things I remember with great clarity and others...not so much.

In 1986, I was an Emergency Services Operator (911) working on the afternoon shift....low seniority. I decided I wanted to visit my brother and sister in law in Los Angeles.  I'd never been to California.  I asked my boyfriend, Brian, if he wanted to go. He said yes. He'd never been to LA, either. My brother, David and his wife, Sharon, said sure we could visit and stay with them. We made the reservations on American Airlines.  

Since I worked afternoons, I watched The a Price Is Right in the morning while drinking coffee.  I heard the announcer say , if you're in the Los Angeles area want  to attend TPIR, send a self addressed stamped envelope the TPIR. I say hey, I'm going to LA, I'll do that.  And I did. I was expecting tickets.  I received  an open ended ticket for a year and instructions. Fair enough. I packed the ticket and off we went. 

I must say, David and Sharon , were great hosts. They took us to Venice Beach, Six Flags and Disneyland, among other places. Anyway, I tell Sharon I've got these tickets to TPIR. She graciously volunteers to take us to the CBS studio.  She chuckled at me and Brian for being tourists.  Lol hey. It was our first time to California.  Oh yeah, Carmen wanted me to get her a Cali-fucking-Formica tshirt. I did. Lol.  (Random memory). So the TPIR info said to get at the studio at some ungodly hours. There are 2 tapings a day. I think  the times to get to the studio were 6AM or 9AM.  We got there for the  9AM line.  "So In Love With You", Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton. They go well together. 

We thought we'd get there early. The 6AM people were moving along. We just barely got there in time for the 9AM line...and we were early!!!!  They accept 300 people per taping. You show your "good for a year ticket", which is good for up to 4 people.  They check your "Year Ticket". They send you to a line and give you a ticket with a number.   Remember only 300 people are allowed per taping. They wanted us there at 9AM. I'm thinking we got there just after 8AM. Our numbers were 287, 288 and 289!!!  Heh, if we made it around 9AM, we'd be out of luck. 

Oh yeah, they were also taping for Press Your Luck.  Whammies!!!  They gave us another set of tickets, good for that day and told us to return to the studio at 1PM and line up on the other side of the building. C'ya!!! Wha???? It's just past 10AM.  What are we supposed to do until then??  Lol. Sharon knows.  She takes us to an open air market, a farmers market?  not to far from the studio. Maybe my Cali friends know what I'm talking about. The Dramatics, "Fall in Love, Lady Love". /swoon.  I may go deaf cranking up the volume on The Dramatics.  The market was pretty nice.  We had lunch and head back to the studio before 1PM.  Of course the afternoon line has already formed. Lol. Except we're lined up according to our assigned numbers.  And they line us up in groups of four. And NOW they tell us we need something with our social security numbers. I had a stray check stub in my purse. Lol. Don't be so quick to clean out your purse. Lol lol. Not sure what Brian and Sharon had , but they had it. :).  We also get those iconic name tags that we fill out. I may still have it somewhere.  But if I don't, don't hate. That was 28 years ago. Lol. 

We're at the end of the line, but it moves ok. We end up with a group of producers. They interview our group of four. They ask to see proof of social security number, our names, what city we're from and our occupation.  They dwelled on Brian. They weren't impressed with me and Sharon. :(  But they questioned Brian some more about being a Police Officer in Detroit.  We're thinking that's a good omen. We move on and enter the building.  

We go into the TPIR studio. Huey Lewis and the News is blaring.  People are signing along at the top of their lungs.  It's loud in this small space.  The studio is no larger than an elementary school auditorium!!!! And it's hot as hell with all those lights. We are sitting in the back on the left side because of our numbers. A guy comes out to rev the audience up. It works. The energy level is off the charts. Some one explains the taping process. Rod Roddy introduces Bob Barker and the audience goes nuts.  The show is taped exactly as you see it on TV.  For 1 hour. They took commercial breaks.  During those breaks, they did giveaways.  Lol. If your name got called you got something like a rice cooker.  I don't recall the other prizes.  

I don't recall the games. I do recall the big wheel. And it seemed to me that the props and games looked ....used. Nothing was no and shiny. Lol

Well, we were pretty sure Brian would be called to "Come On Down" since the producers spent so much time on him.  But no, he wasn't. :(   Once the show was over we were ushered out.  That's it. I'm thinking we gout out around 6PM. It was a full day for a one hour show.  Lol. And yes, I'm glad I went!   However, I don't need to go to another game show.  :-)   Oh yeah, we're told the date the show would be televised. It was 3 months later, in September. Well guess what.  The show was preempted by breaking news. Of course. What had occurred?  I don't remember. Lol lol. Never saw that episode. 

:-/

On a dialysis note, my tech had been ill since before Thanksgiving. She was back after the new year.  She still wasn't doing well. She was told by her doctor she needs to retire now. I'll miss her very much. She taught me a lot about dialysis and how to really advocate for myself. She prepared me for if/when she was not available. I'll miss her. 

Signing off with much understanding. Signing off chuckling that I remembered that much about going to "The Price Is Right" in 1986. Signing off with Vanessa Williams, "Dreamin'".  :)

The "This Insurance Thing Almost Made Me Cry", edition.

iPad shuffled to "Ventura Highway", America.  I'd hoped that my insurance issue would be solved by now.  It almost is. The good news my experience exposed a problem with the benefits application. The bad news is that even when the problem is addressed it still won't help me. *sigh*. I'll start first with thanking my friends who helped me. While looking on the City directory online for a number to call, I saw that a person I'd worked with on several projects is now an executive in HR. However there was no direct contact number and no answered the general contact number. ;-/  *huff*. I sent email describing the issue  to 2 of my friends to see if they could get the number. They did one better. They both forwarded my email to the executive. She responded promptly with her phone number and an offer of assistance.

Christopher Williams,  "Dreamin'". Like the song, his voice. Is he "New Jack"?  My kid can tell me. :) Plus he's eye candy. I have a nephew with that name. He's quite handsome too. :)   The executive explained the status "terminated" is the default stratus for early retirement, but the explanation is early retirement.  That is a bug in the benefits application used to enroll the employees in the plans.  Since I was in the 1st group on the 1st day of the enrollments, I was the 1st person to catch it. Yay me.  :-/  It will be addressed. I am not the only person to retire early. 

So the other question was why wouldn't I be able to enroll until June?  Because I am not eligible for City medical coverage until I hit the 30 year mark. I knew about that prior to retirement, but I didn't care. I was covered by Brian's plan. Had been for over 20 years. Well now it's a huge issue. The City is ending health care coverage and everyone had to get plans through the marketplace.  Brian enrolled and got a great family plan which will be covered by the stipend.  BUT.  I am ineligible because I have Medicare because of the ESRD.  Are you following me?  I can't get insurance with the City because I need a few more months. I can't get insurance through the marketplace because I have (mandatory Medicare).  But wait, there's more!!!

I say fine.  I'll just go straight through Blue Cross to get a Medicare Advantage plan.  You know, the plan that covers that 20% of costs that Medicare doesn't pay. I called. The agent tells me I'm eligible for a gap plan if I fit certain criteria. One of the criteria was not getting a stipend from your employer.  Well yeah, we'll be getting a stipend. OMG. No insurance for you. This can't be happening. The Gap Band, "You Dropped A Bomb Me". Roflmao. How timely is this song!!  

I call Medicare. How can this be?  I called was put on hold then was disconnected.  ;(  Called back and eventually got someone.   I explained I needed a Medicare Advantage plan. She looks up my information. Tells me enrollment is closed. I explained to her I am getting kicked off my husband's plan effective Feb 28. She says some gibberish about how I've had Medicare since February 2013.  I try to explain to her that it was retroactively applied.  I didn't go to Social Security until November 2013. SHE WASN'T TRYING TO HEAR THAT.  She was basically saying, "You dumb ---, you should have had it by now, you've had Medicare for almost a year,".  I'm starting to feel helpless and am just about crying.  I have to admit I didn't go buck wild, but that probably because I was feeling absolutly hopeless.  I wanted to go off, but would not have helped. At all. 

But you know what?  I had my acceptance letter with me and read it to her. She stopped in her tracks, apologized and transferred me to an agent. {Deep Breath}.  The agent was so pleasant with her southern accent.  She asked questions, went over several plans, compared plans.  I selected one!!!!   We're almost there. I have 1 more roadblock. I can't enroll until February 1, 2014 in order for coverage to start March 1, 2014. {Cautious Sigh of Relief}.  I am feeling cautiously optimistic. I'm glad I started this early. :)

Beyoncé, "Get Me Bodied". Needed an upbeat song after that. :)  Thanks, Bey.  On another note, Shawn's headed back "home" today. I'm so glad I had her for a month. Classes start on Tuesday. How's that for a winter break.  I don't recall us having a winter break of that length. 

My tech isn't here.  She still hasn't quite recovered.  I hope she's ok. Also, the snow jammed up the clinic again. The staff was lamenting on the number of call ins. Heh, the patients made  it in.  I'm thinking that more staff will show up at 8AM. The first shift staff get here at 5AM, patients start at 5:30AM.  I'm on the last round of first shift with a 6:15 chair time. There's a flurry of activity, relatively quiet until 9:AM when the next shift start to arrive. Patients being taken off, machines and chairs getting cleaned, patients being bandaged and making sure stats are good, and the next patients get put on.  Log jam at the scale. First shift folks hollering to their tech what the end dry weight is after the run. Hopefully took off enough fluid to be at the dry weight of record...especially for the weekend. Second shift folks seeing how much fluid they've retain over 2 days.  

Well I'm back to my empty nest this weekend, although I still have spoiled old dog. Lol. Have a great weekend. Get some young person to shovel the snow. Signing off with Eric Benet, "When You Think of Me". Roy Ayers and his xylophone rocks!!

The "City of Detroit is Really Ticking Me Off", edition.

iPad  shuffled to "Stop, Look, Listen", The Stylistics.  " All of their US hits were ballads, graced by the soaring falsetto of Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the lush productions of Thom Bell, which helped make the Stylistics one of the most successful soul groups of the first half of the 1970s."^[1] During the early 1970s, the group had twelve consecutive U.S. R&B top ten hits, including "Stop, Look, Listen", "You Are Everything", "Betcha by Golly, Wow"... " - Wikipedia.  Yep. Loved them back in the day.  I feel as if I've rediscovered them. :)

Ok, why is my former employer pissing me off?  It has to do with health insurance again. Yesterday Blue Cross was working with retirees to set up insurance plans. They were assisting those who are eligible for Medicare and those who aren't and who need to go through the marketplace. Since I'm on Medicare because of the End Stage Renal Disease, I was going to enroll in the Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan.  Ok   What does that mean?  Medicare covers 80% of the medical care. The other 20% and drugs are out of pocket. Yikes!  I need supplemental insurance. Ergo, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage.   Oh yeah, Brian breezed the marketplace and got his " Affordable Care Act" taken care of ..  At a reasonable cost. :-)

Here's your lesson for the day. Medicare consists of Parts A, B, C, and D.  The Tavares, "Check it Out". Apparently I'm being serenaded by some of the best male groups this morning to calm me down and mellow me out.  It's working.  Lol. Damn I got real distracted by that song.  Medicare Part A is the actual insurance plan. Medicare Part B is a payment I must make because I'm not 65. Medicare Part C is actually the supplemental plans offered by private insurance carriers. Medicare Part D is coverage for drugs.  The supplemental plans of a Medicare Part C offer coverage for drugs. You can also add dental  and vision. 

Now that I know I need supplemental coverage, I need to wade through various plans. Well HMO or PPO. That's a no brainer. HMO is the cheapest, but it's restrictive.  It seemed to me that with the HMO, I'd be chained to most of the state of Michigan. That won't do. I'm traveling way too much. PPO it is. 

So now back to why I'm pissed off. I go to enroll and I'm rejected. The City has me recorded as terminated. WTF ????????????????????????  The termination date is listed as the same date I was officially off the payroll. See, when you retire...well it used to be....you run out your vacation days. I had enough days to keep me on the payroll from July through October. And before you say Wow, I know people who were still on payroll for almost a year.  This caused other issues for the department, but it really wasn't my concern, since I had retired. Bwahahaha.  The expediters on site got the "typo" fixed, but then the City comes back with, well she can't enroll until June.....with no explanation why.    Again......WTF??????????????  

Well Brian and I have additional errands to run, so I attempted contact folks when I got home.  And I did...or tried.  Called 5 numbers. No one answered a -----------  phone.  /rage. /RAGE.  Lol. Need to make sure my blood pressure doesn't rise.  So I'm going to try and contact the City again today. Here's the deal....the insurance runs out February 28, 2014. We need to be rolled by February 15, 2014. I cannot afford to pay 20% of my health care for 3 months. I have dialysis treatments 3x a week at cost of approximately $2000 a shot. I get shots (drugs) every treatment in addition to my meds. I only take 3 meds, but one has a crazy price..something like $900.  Either I have some bill that rolls us straight into bankruptcy, or I die.  Thanks City of Detroit. >;-(

Heh..that certainly went longer than I anticipated.  Was gonna tell you about when Brian and I went on "The Price is Right". Another day. 

Signing off with The Persuaders, "Thin Line Between Love and Hate". Well that's timely. Not lovin' the City of Detroit at the moment.  Grrrrrrrr. You have a great day, I'm gonna try and get there.  The photos sum it up. Guess what photo represents how I feel and which photo is how I see the City?  

The "I Walked in the Rain With the One I Love (that's so corny-lol),edition.

iPad shuffled to "Georgy Porgy", Eric Benet and Faith Evans.  I'm averaging 4 - 4.5 hours of sleep since my kidneys failed.  This seems to be common among dialysis patients.  I'll go to bed after midnight, read for a while, then fall asleep. I'll wake up around 5AM. Very rarely will I make it to 6AM.  Well I woke up around 5 Saturday morning. I read the paper on my phone....How crazy is that?  I was pissed when the Free Press cut out daily delivery...anyway.   I read an article about a store at Eastern Market. I started thinking a trip there sounds like fun.  Sam and Dave, "I Thank You".  Soul music!  So when Brian finally wakes up, I tell him we should go to Eastern Market..shop and have breakfast there. He's on board.

I liked the idea of walking and maybe picking up some produce.  And maybe a trip to Germack. (Pistachios, Cajun mix...whatever catches our fancy). Plus, after the snow and cold of the week, cabin fever set in.  The outing was great. It was drizzling, but nothing a hat couldn't take care of. We had the shopping bags in the trunk and we were good to go!  Two sheds were open and full.  We got some mushrooms, beef jerky and red popcorn.  We then headed to Farmers Restaurant. Huge portions there. We then headed across the freeway to Gratiot Central Market. 

The beginning and the end of the overpass had vendors selling incense. I hadn't smelled that much incense since college. ;-)  lol.  The Whispers, "Don't Be Late For Love". This is one of those " go look for Brian so I can dance" songs.  After we emerged from the incense smoke, we headed into the market. Meat paradise!!!  I head immediately to the cube steaks. Brian is drawn to the roast cuts. Did I tell you Brian makes a fabulous roast beef?  No?  Well that's a story for another day. I cooked cube steaks and Brian cooked a roast earlier in the week, so we passed the beef. I saw more chittlins ( spell check didn't like that..lol ) than I've seen in a while.  Passed a pigs head , snout and ears intact. The goal was ground turkey. Mission accomplished!!

We headed back through the incense gauntlet, I'm getting tired, but we have to get to Germack. Have to!!  We get some pistachios, Cajun mix and chipotle pumpkin seeds.  Get to the car and head back home. :)

This was one of my longest walks since I lost the cane.  One thing I don't think I mentioned was during the kidney failure, plantar fasciitis set in. That was no fun. I was looking for shoes that made walking less painful...ended up with the ugliest shoes on earth. Bleah. Combined with the arthritis in the knees, walking was a chore.  Anyway, since dialysis, the foot pain is long gone. I can wear attractive shoes...still looking for comfort, but at least the shoes can look stylish. :)   My point is, I was wearing boots.  Not the most comfortable of my shoes, but I had no issues walking. None. Yay!!  The only problem was I got tired, but I just need to walk more. 

Shawn got back from Quebec City last night. I've seen the photos.  It's a beautiful city.  I was looking at the "programme" and asked about some of the symposiums. As she was explaining it, I realized that I was learning from my daughter <3.  She likes archeology, and she knows what she's talking about.  She was the only 1st year PhD candidate from her university that attended the conference, let alone do a presentation.  Anyway, this a story (another one) for another day. 

Signing off with Kool and the Gang, "Open Sesame (Part2)".  Great horns.  "I am the genie of sound.  Everybody get down!  Hah! ". Have a fabulous day!  :).  Oh yeah, check out photos of the pigs heads!!! Lol. Now you know where to get them. Rofl.

The "29 Degrees Feels Absolutely Balmy", edition.

iPad shuffled to Aaron Neville, "Tell It Like It Is". Is that an alto sax?  It compliments his voice.  Temperature has raised. Ready for the melting of the mountains of snow. I've read that certain talking heads accused the media of making up the polar vortex. What's the deal with maligning science?  Anyway...Shawn's train ride from Windsor to Quebec City...train left Windsor at 5:30 AM.  Got a text she was in the condo in Quebec City at 11:15PM.  Long ride, eh? <said in my best Canadian accent???hmm I needed to do that in French>  I've been to Toronto and Montreal, but not Quebec City. Now if I want to go, I need a passport or a fancy drivers license. And advance planning for dialysis < huff >.  And that includes making sure the insurance is good in another country.  Are the dialysis protocols simular?  Well, I'm going to give it shot one day. Maybe I'll have a transplant and won't have to worry about that.

"Andalucia (Suite Espanola):Guadalivir", Ernesto Lecuona. One of the songs I played. Suite Andalucia consisted of 6 compositions...for the piano. The final song of the suite was Malaguena.  That was selected for me by my dad. My piano teacher got me the book of all of the songs. She also made me go to the Detroit Public Library to listen to song. See, you could to the music area and request whatever you wanted.  They gave you headphones and played whatever you requested. I needed that for Bach the elder. His music was crazy as hell to look at with his baroque ass. (and I wasn't trying to make a pun----broke ass.   :-/ ).   Anyway I listened to the entire suite. I learned Malaguena  for my recital piece, but I liked a few other songs from the suite, so learned to play them.  Well, that was a long detour. 

We went to Montreal in 1998. Took the train. Brian and I had done the train to Toronto several times. The ride to Montreal was new. We chuckled as the train approached the Montreal station. The signage and stores were in French. I remember seeing Tim Hortons and KFC in French. We went to McDonalds. They had to find someone who could ( barely)  speak English. Lol.  Oh yeah, the menu was different.  Poutine!!!  We had a great time. Why did we go?  Well my parents were also on the trip. I actually convinced them to take the train. Back to why we went. My godfather, Walter G. Sellers, was completing his term as the first Black president of Kiwanis International. We were his family (groupies) during his term. His presidential suite in the hotel had a piano(!!!!). Lol. We got pegged as his family no matter where went. ( I wonder why? - roflmao ).  I'll tell you about following him to Nashville for his inauguration to president another day. :-)

 Anyway. Saying that because Shawn did have the experience of being in a French speaking city.  And she's an adult now and will be  able to navigate her way around Quebec City.  Plus she's with team members from Wayne State and some classmates and her advisor from UIUC ...and her professor from Wayne. I know she's an adult. Mom is still always concerned. "You're such a mom". Lol.  I mentioned to her she has associations with Howard, Wayne State and UIUC. The presentation is for a project she did for Wayne State. She informed me she did it as an alumnus. She informed me that her  affiliation is with UIUC!  I stand corrected.

SOS Band, "Tell Me If You Still Care". Real blast from the past. Catch the video if you can. It always cracks me up ...I don't think it's supposed to, though.  Lol. Shawn's presentation is today. Finally, we have no idea where archeology came from. But she enjoys it...a lot. And that's what matters. :)  We told her we didn't care what she wanted to do, as long she did it to the best of her ability. Even if she wanted to be video dancer. That went over like a lead balloon. Lol lol.

Signing off with George Benson, "Turn Your Love Around". Makes your head bop. Enjoy the warmer weather, but the boots around. Sounds like slush is in our future.  :). Oh yeah, all my module peeps are back. Yay!!! :-D

Walter G Seller

Walter G Sellers

The "I Woke Up Earlier Than Usual This Morning....By Choice", edition.

I set the iPad to "Here We Go Again", Whitesnake.  Brian likes the other song...but I forget the name. Lol. So on Monday, the blizzard caused some issues at the clinic.  Like the staff getting there and like the transport services for the patients refusing to pick them up because of the unplowed side streets.  Today one of my guys came in. His last session was Friday. He is feeling really awful. 6 days without treatment. Because of no transportation. That pisses me off. The transport companies refusal to transport can kill you. And old guy and large guy STILL aren't here. :-(   Old guy just came in.  He was placed in another module. Glad to see him. :)

On a much happier note, my tech is back today. She fell sick a few weeks before Thanksgiving.  So so glad she's  back!!!  And on yet another note, we pulled up the building this morning and it's kind of dark. A transformer went out. Sigh. We're running on generator. Times are being cut. I'm losing 30 minutes. I'll still get the fluid off, just quicker...not optimal, but it happens. I was short 15 minutes Monday because of the weather related issues. Sigh. Looking for Friday to be normal.  Oh yeah, no TV today or WiFi because of the, you know, running on a generator. Lol. Even the lighting is limited, no phones, and no computers for the staff. They've gone to plan B for recording data...pen and paper forms. Welcome back to My Tech!!!  <sarcasm>.  Oh yeah,  this will be published when I get home. No network here today.  Well now that's an untrue statement.....

So on to my planned topic. Oaktown 357. "Juicy a Gotcha Krazy". We thought of this song when we heard the news of a certain. top cop. ;-)  Shawn had a train to catch at 5:30 this morning. She's on the way to Quebec City.  Why?  She's attending the international conference of the Society of Historical Archeologists. Why?  She's presenting the findings of her project from last summer. She was the lead on a dig and research in Detroit for a suspect speakeasy for the Purple Gang.  She mentioned it was, in fact, confirmed as a speakeasy, but hasn't been determined if it involved the Purple Gang.  Also while in Vegas we visited The Mob Museum. It was pretty cool to see details and artifacts about The Purple Gang there. Artifacts like Tommy Guns and photos and documents. She had gone to the archives for the State of Micigan last summer and got the  arrest records for several members of The Purple Gang, so we'd seen some of the faces.  As an aside, The Mob Museum was just plain good and quite informative. Even mention of Jimmy Hoffa.  I recommend it. 

"What I Say", Ray Charles.  Hey the power is back on and I've got WiFi now!!!  Her trip has her stopping over in Toronto and Montreal. We've been as far as Montreal, and of course that is a story for another day.  We discovered the distance from Montreal to Quebec City is further than Windsor to Montreal and Quebec City is near Vermont and Maine (!). Long train ride. She's going to take lots of photos. We got her the Monopoly (Canadian) money yesterday.  Yes I call it monopoly  money. Lol. It's blue and purple and red.  And now it has many textures and a plastic strip running through it. No making that money on your printer. :)

I'm looking forward to seeing the photos. Signing off.  The roads are still pretty bad. ICY. Maybe it will get warm enough to use the salt soon.  Signing off with Whodini, "Five Minutes of Funk". Yes, I preferred then over Run DMC. Sacrilege!!!!! Yeah, so what. Lol.

The "Some of Us Made It to Dialysis, And by Some I Mean Some Staff andPatients", edition.

I don't have the music going yet because I'm still sitting the reception area.  10 inches of snow seemed to have caused a problem for the staff. What a surprise...lol. Just got on...just before 7 AM.  As we pulled up to the building, I noticed there were considerably fewer cars in the parking lot.  Oh yeah, "I'm Still In Love With You", Al Green. I'm swooning. Lol. My first real music crush. You just can't beat a plaid suit!  Seriously, I love his voice. :)  Anyway, I get to the reception area and there are patients there.   This is not a normal occurrence for first shift. I'm greeted with, "You have to sign in". I sign in myself and the gentleman using the walker who came in with me.  I see my buddy who sits in the chair next to me and we chat..

Ok I need to stop for a moment. Over the weekend I downloaded some new songs. Al Green was one. I also did some Barry White. Right now "I'm Gonna Love You a Just Little More" is playing.  When I played the preview, I squealed and immediately hit the "Buy" button. Lol. I was taken aback by my reaction. Brian laughed and remarked that Barry always caused that reaction with the women. Lol. I stand accused and unashamed :-)  

Back to my buddy... We talked about not skipping treatment in spite of the weather.  (Hmmm, I was mentoring!).  And doing our full times.  The charge nurse comes out and calls 6 people in..you know, 6 chairs per module. She mentions that she picked up 3 staff on the way to work. No one is upset and we wait patiently.  We just let people know they have to sign in when they come in. My group of six is called back around 6:40 AM.  Beyoncé, "Love On Top". I guess I need to check out her new music. I'm not tired of her after all these years. As I walk past the other module, 2 of the folks from my module call me over.  The funny thing is, we are creatures of habit. The patients are cranky because they're in different chairs in different modules. This phenomena is limited to us first shift patients. My chair, my module. Shifts after first, the patients get the first available chair....in their assigned module. Oh by the way, I'm in my chair in my module. Lololololol. That was clearly the luck of the draw!!  The downside is I'm looking at different people.  Who are theses folks???  Where is my buddy who is next to me?  Where is the only other lady in my module...who keeps tring to get me to go to her church?  Where is saggy pants guy?  He's still cool even with the saggy pants. :)  Where is my buddy who we race each other to stop bleeding (yeah, life is...unusual in dialysis. Lol). Where is the new guy?  I'm still not sure if those three made it...

I get to the treatment area and much to my surprise the technology guy is going to hook me up. (!). Wait. He's the computer guy (!). I'm ok with him setting up the machine and hooking me up to blood pressure cuff, but stick needles in me????!!!?!  He said, yeah. Lol. Well, I let him know the venous access was tricky and let him hook me up...as I looked longingly at the tech on the other side of the module who I knew could deal with my "what think is my very special" access. Heh computer guy nailed it, easier than a lot, with no..none..pain. (!!!). I told him his secret was now out!!  Roflmao. 

"California Dreamin'", Bobby Womack. Well I'll take California, Florida or Vegas right about now. {rim shot}. Love love Bobby Womack. So now it's 7:30 and staff is trickling in. Hooray for Northwest Detroit Dialysis Center. Charge nurse, head nurse and admin nurse are all here. I've also seen 2 more RNs come in and more techs. Hug a nurse today...and a dialysis tech. 10 inches of snow.  They're here for us!!  Just saw the lead social worker.  The center is normalizing. :)

The Doors, "Baby Light My Fire". Didn't see that song coming, did you? I also downloaded Whitesnake. ;-). Well I'm signing off. To my DPS folks, I'm tickled the announced schools closing the day before. That's a really rare occurrence.  Signing off with ...Johnny Kemp, "Just Got Paid". Can you say party starter?  At least for us " mature" adults!!!  Get someone else to shovel the snow. Drink some hot chocolate and have a hibernating day!!!

The "What's the Plan For The New Year?", edition.

iPod shuffled to "Going in Circles", The Friends of Distinction. I remember this from jr. high, now called middle school.  I liked jr high because it was almost HIGH school.  Lol. Our trip to Las Vegas seems so long ago now.  We were there from December 19 through December 28. The temperature  was around 65 degrees every day, except that day it got up to 70. { reminiscent sigh }. Dad was waiting for us at the luggage area. As we were leaving the airport, all 3 of  the automated gates to let you out of the parking lot weren't  working.  Caused a bit of a jam. Yay technology?  Lol. Anyway, Dad takes us straight to Boulder Station for late lunch/early dinner. He uses his comps.

"Love Song", Ramsey Lewis. You should go and play this song. It's ....soothing. :). I've learned how to juggle travel with dialysis. I've experimented how to minimize treatments away from my center.  I've come to realize that I just need to plan the trip and let dialysis fall where it may. I initially would schedule travel the day of dialysis. The piano is jammin' on this song...and then come the strings. .then that '70's "chicka" sound. Well, I got distracted. Lol. Traveling the day of has several issues.  For road trips, we get a late start, and I'm pretty useless. As in I'm crashing in the back seat of the vehicle.  Going to Champaign, I didn't come up for air until we were close to Chicago. :(   For flying, I'm restricted to flight times, in addition, I'm not comfortable on the plane after treatment...I can't lay down if I need to.  I did that going to Florida. The flight was at 3PM dialysis day. Once we landed I had to walk to the Disney bus, which was waaaay on the far end of the airport. Any further, we'd be back to Detroit. :-/  - lol.  No, I don't know why or remember why a wheelchair wasn't  waiting. Once we got to Disney, we had a dinner appointment.  It was go, go, go....on a dialysis day. Bleah.  And I scheduled my return treatment the same day we returned home.  Literally from the airport to the dialysis center. Well, I've seen the light. 

I now travel on off days. Duh. If I need extra days at the transient center, so be it. I think, though I needed to learn to be comfortable at those centers. Vegas for sure, we know each other.  I've had the same techs and nurses.  My 2nd home.  They were with me with the catheter, the new button holes and the mature button holes and they know the needle needs to go down and the up for the venous.  Ha!  I just put a skull cap on my head with one hand. You try that.  Let me know how it goes.  Lol. Keep one hand extended like you have to needles in it and if you move that arm, you may dislodge a needle....where the least of you worries is the needle coming out, but if it does the blood will flow freely and copiously. (Nothing like a tortured sentence-lol). 

So I had treatment in Detroit  December 18 at 6:15 AM, leaving around 10:15 AM.  The next treatment was December 20 in Las Vegas at 2:15PM Vegas time --5:15PM Detroit time...leaving around 6:00 PM PST -- 9:00 PM EST. Sigh. The good news is they called me in early on Christmas Eve.  Yes, every single dialysis center I've ever been to has my cell number. I told you before, that phone is my lifeline. I'm also waiting for that call to tell me a kidney is available, but that's a story for another day. "You're Still a Young Man", Tower of Power.  One of my favorites. I like the horns, the vocals, the piano the arrangement. 

So the plan?  More travel, of course.  We're planning a train trip to Champaign in a few months using Amtrak.  I'm looking forward to that. Brian and I are tired of of the drive. Crossing Michigan is tedious.  Lol. Then you have that little jaunt through Indiana and the traffic through Chicago is just damn impressive. Lol.  And you finally end up in cornfields for 2 hours. :-x  lol

Stay warm. It was -2 this morning. WTH - lol. Signing off with Fleetwood Mac, "Go Your Own Way".  Photos of the Vegas dialysis center and Boulder Station.  Oh..the dialysis center is near a mall, using the same roads.  The mall Christmas  traffic was quite impressive :-(