It has been a wonderful summer. In spite of my allergy, I've actually managed to have single vacation days. I haven't had a vacation in a number of years because of natural rubber latex allergy. I'm unable to attend my nephew's wedding next month in southern Indiana because of progression of my allergy. This just tears me up.
To compensate, I planned a few trips within an hour of home. But it all started with a 3 day fishing tournament between my neighbor & me on July 4th weekend. We did have family members included in this, and a separate youth tournament. Well, we got creamed; didn't even want to count the number of fish they caught. It was a great 3 days of fishing on & off. Yes, I would do it again.
Next was a trip to Chimney Bluffs State Park by way of Fairhaven. The country is beautiful with many farms, a lot of apple trees. I found several books on the Erie in a gift shop. I'm really serious about soaking up as much history about the canal as I can.
The bluffs were just awesome. It was an overcast day, and we did have some rain while we were there. The bluffs are spires in the sandy cliff that are sculpted by Mother Nature's wind and water. They are always changing. I have seen them from the water, and they are truely magnificent. We didn't take the path that goes above them because of the weather. We created the senior path, straight to the picnic tables with our carry in lunch. The wind from the lake felt so good. All of this was created by the glaciers. It gives me goose bumps.
Next on my schedule of planned exposures was touring the Lois McClure while she was docked in Palmyra. I was on her 3 years ago. She returned for the World Canals Convention in Rochester, NY. It was a beautiful day, and being a weekday, the crowd was small. The Lois is a canal schooner with the ability to navigate lakes and the canal. She is a replica of the canal schooners used in the 1800's to transport produce and goods across the state. The Erie was a boon for shipping, decreasing time and cost. The crew volunteers to navigate, and have to be quite adept doing so. They share all kinds of information about her so they need to be very knowledgable as well. I love this ship and all they tell me about her. Now, she navigates the canal with a tugboat. Back in time, mules or horses would have pulled her.
I just can't get enough or learn enough about the canal. Living here has certainly urged that need. I do feel like I had an Irish ancestor who helped to dig. I haven't yet visited the small cemetary up the road with Irish workers who died from smallpox and malaria.
Next trip is to a cruise in Lockport going through the locks. I believe now there are 2 locks. Originally there were 5. They are still there; called the "flight of 5". It goes through the lowest point of the escarpment to reach the Niagara River which is fed by Lake Erie. Rte. 104 goes below the escarpment. There is a highway that follows along the river at the top of the escarpment to Niagara Falls. There is also escarpment on the Canadian side of the river. We won't be cruising far beyond the beginning rocks of the escarpement. I just had to add what I've seen up there from living in Tonawanda and visiting all those sites way back then.
So far, I have been able to do these short trips, something new for me. I think I am learning how to schedule my exposures so that i fall short of reactions. We are entering fall with closed buildings which may change my situation. The best I can do is avoid.
Sal
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Loss
A very dear friend, soul sister, lost her husband Memorial Day morning. What happened with him medically wasn't something resolved with her CPR. So many losses with patients never prepares me for my own losses of loved ones. It's the Lord's choice when He takes us, not ours, but sometimes it just seems so unfair.
Sal
Sal
Saturday, May 29, 2010
2010 Memorial Day Weekend
Gee, what do I say? This is a holiday weekend. After 25 years of working holidays at least half the time, I still had no feeling for holidays, all of them. Now I finally do. But I spend my time alone because natural rubber latex allergy is so limiting. At least I do have Casey to keep me company, and she really does.
A good thing is that I've been on a new, to me, antidepressant that seems to have started working already. It hasn't stopped the down times in late afternoon and evening yet, but I know it will get better.
I had a lovely campfire last night, first for summer. Casey doesn't like fire so she went into the house. It was very noisy here thru the afternoon and evening til just before dusk. The Frey farm across the canal looked like Watkin's Glen with all the RVs and tents. It sounded like it too with all the dirt bikes and 4 wheelers racing around the field. It's been quiet today. Someone must have complained. I don't blame them. All the noise took away from the beauty of the canal and the peaceful time that many were here to enjoy. I'm so glad that all can enjoy the serenity down here.
Many boats have been going back and forth today enjoying the weekend and wonderful weather. Sometimes the boaters point to my house while passing by. I have a hard time keeping it all up and I'm still behind, but I love those compliments. I almost expected to see jaws coming out of the water, but he can't because he's already in my little pop up pool. :) Ken, my pool boy, sits on the top step of the ladder. Can't have a pool without a pool boy.
Because of a dear friend suggesting it, Casey now has the run of the backyard while I'm out with her. She loves it. I guess after almost 9 years I can trust her to leave the "sneak out spots" alone. I am so very lucky to have such a character for a companion.
I continue to workout at Curves Macedon even when I can't always go d/t reactions elsewhere. It's fun, there's great networking, I meet new woman who may become friends, and my energy level has improved a lot while I'm thinning down. This place has been a blessing for me.
Time to go fishing in my backyard. :) :) :)
Sal
A good thing is that I've been on a new, to me, antidepressant that seems to have started working already. It hasn't stopped the down times in late afternoon and evening yet, but I know it will get better.
I had a lovely campfire last night, first for summer. Casey doesn't like fire so she went into the house. It was very noisy here thru the afternoon and evening til just before dusk. The Frey farm across the canal looked like Watkin's Glen with all the RVs and tents. It sounded like it too with all the dirt bikes and 4 wheelers racing around the field. It's been quiet today. Someone must have complained. I don't blame them. All the noise took away from the beauty of the canal and the peaceful time that many were here to enjoy. I'm so glad that all can enjoy the serenity down here.
Many boats have been going back and forth today enjoying the weekend and wonderful weather. Sometimes the boaters point to my house while passing by. I have a hard time keeping it all up and I'm still behind, but I love those compliments. I almost expected to see jaws coming out of the water, but he can't because he's already in my little pop up pool. :) Ken, my pool boy, sits on the top step of the ladder. Can't have a pool without a pool boy.
Because of a dear friend suggesting it, Casey now has the run of the backyard while I'm out with her. She loves it. I guess after almost 9 years I can trust her to leave the "sneak out spots" alone. I am so very lucky to have such a character for a companion.
I continue to workout at Curves Macedon even when I can't always go d/t reactions elsewhere. It's fun, there's great networking, I meet new woman who may become friends, and my energy level has improved a lot while I'm thinning down. This place has been a blessing for me.
Time to go fishing in my backyard. :) :) :)
Sal
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Holidays
It's a lovely Easter Sunday here, as I sit homebound for the 3rd day. The last 2 were loaded with benadryl from a reaction beginning on Fri., right after I finished with my prednisone taper from a reaction that I couldn't get out of for a week. I know I have progressed with the disease of natural rubber latex allergy.
Because of this, I have missed 2 social functions this weekend. I rarely have social functions to go to, and, it never fails. I can't make it to them.
Holidays have never really meant a lot to me because as a nurse I worked half of them for 25 years. No one ever made their holiday plans around my work schedule. That includes 2 ex-husbands and their families. I pretty much became immune to holidays. I do have several that were my big favorites that I could participate in somewhere after I finished at work. I think I'll just list all that I can because I'm in a fowl mood, maybe withdrawal from the prednisone.
New Year's Eve-balloons are always part of the decor anywhere. Then in restaurant/bars, latex gloves are used for food service. Well, I usually sleep thru midnite anyway.
Valentine's Day-It does help to have a valentine, but I find I gift myself better than they ever did. I can't eat chocolate. :( I know from contacting Hershey's that they use latex gloves in the manufacturing plant. I'm learning from others that most chocolate makers use latex gloves.
St. Patrick's Day- a super day for an Irish lass. I always went out to celebrate! I'd dress in funky green clothes & take along my green food coloring for my beer. One year, I even went to South Hadley, Mass. They paint the center line green. The parade is 4 miles long. There is more everything in that parade than Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade. Every once in a while you go into the bar to refresh your drink, & warm up if need be. The whole parade route is a party, long after the parade has finished. The 2 very Irish bars that I would go to use latex gloves. The one right around the corner always has balloons. Now I just stay home & cook corned beef & cabbage. This is a huge dissappointment for me. Last year, my big few minutes out was to Wal*Mart with my Irish cap.
Easter-no chocolate says quite a bit right there. I've heard from 2 friends who already know I'm stuck at home. No one else has called, not even my out of state family.
All summer holidays I'm better off here. I would be reacting to the rubber from all the road traffic & road construction. Besides which, many people are out on the canal & the pathway. My friends tend to migrate here as well.
Halloween-another big fave is now a nightmare for me with rubber in masks, grease paint, the decorations. I use to dress up when I lived in the trailer park, not wise. I worked out a costume with sheets to be a ghost, but it still didn't filter out the latex protiens. No children come by where I live now. I don't even decorate, too much rubber exposure.
Thanksgiving-everyone is going somewhere. I do cook a nice turkey.
Christmas-I am allergic to my artificial tree, but I still put it up. The day is a family day: that's where everyone else is.
After 13 1/2 years with this, the dissappointments seem to get worse instead of better. I just can't let it roll off my back.
Sal
Because of this, I have missed 2 social functions this weekend. I rarely have social functions to go to, and, it never fails. I can't make it to them.
Holidays have never really meant a lot to me because as a nurse I worked half of them for 25 years. No one ever made their holiday plans around my work schedule. That includes 2 ex-husbands and their families. I pretty much became immune to holidays. I do have several that were my big favorites that I could participate in somewhere after I finished at work. I think I'll just list all that I can because I'm in a fowl mood, maybe withdrawal from the prednisone.
New Year's Eve-balloons are always part of the decor anywhere. Then in restaurant/bars, latex gloves are used for food service. Well, I usually sleep thru midnite anyway.
Valentine's Day-It does help to have a valentine, but I find I gift myself better than they ever did. I can't eat chocolate. :( I know from contacting Hershey's that they use latex gloves in the manufacturing plant. I'm learning from others that most chocolate makers use latex gloves.
St. Patrick's Day- a super day for an Irish lass. I always went out to celebrate! I'd dress in funky green clothes & take along my green food coloring for my beer. One year, I even went to South Hadley, Mass. They paint the center line green. The parade is 4 miles long. There is more everything in that parade than Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade. Every once in a while you go into the bar to refresh your drink, & warm up if need be. The whole parade route is a party, long after the parade has finished. The 2 very Irish bars that I would go to use latex gloves. The one right around the corner always has balloons. Now I just stay home & cook corned beef & cabbage. This is a huge dissappointment for me. Last year, my big few minutes out was to Wal*Mart with my Irish cap.
Easter-no chocolate says quite a bit right there. I've heard from 2 friends who already know I'm stuck at home. No one else has called, not even my out of state family.
All summer holidays I'm better off here. I would be reacting to the rubber from all the road traffic & road construction. Besides which, many people are out on the canal & the pathway. My friends tend to migrate here as well.
Halloween-another big fave is now a nightmare for me with rubber in masks, grease paint, the decorations. I use to dress up when I lived in the trailer park, not wise. I worked out a costume with sheets to be a ghost, but it still didn't filter out the latex protiens. No children come by where I live now. I don't even decorate, too much rubber exposure.
Thanksgiving-everyone is going somewhere. I do cook a nice turkey.
Christmas-I am allergic to my artificial tree, but I still put it up. The day is a family day: that's where everyone else is.
After 13 1/2 years with this, the dissappointments seem to get worse instead of better. I just can't let it roll off my back.
Sal
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Falling of the Plateau
Last week, I had the pleasure of taking my vehicle to the dealership, if you can call it that. The pleasure, I mean. The engine light was on. I couldn't fix it with oil, antifreeze, or transmission fluid. They plug your vehicle into the computer to find out what's wrong. That is an immediate charge of $89. Why? They don't have to spent 2 hours looking for the problem. Then they don't have the part, but they can get it. Also, along with the fee for the sensor, there is a list of things my vehicle needs that will total $2,000. I decide to just do the air sensor. It won't take too long, so I decide not to have them shuttle me home.
Alas, the trip starts going downhill fast. They are inflating gigantic balloons near the waiting room. I try to wait outside, as I have done before, but the temperature is 32o. It won't hit 50o for a couple of hours. I spend my time in the service area next to the pile of tires, no chair to sit on, but I can lean against the wall a lot while I read. also, for my enjoyment, it's all windowed so I get "free" entertainment watching all the mechanics working in their bays. I can't figure out whose working on my van, but the guy in the next bay is snapping his latex gloves on & off . My hood is open. The airborn rubber protiens have become hitchhikers on my engine. I end up spending 4 hours there because the part was only available at the furthest dealership.
The hives are popping up in my mouth, and my driving is poorly focused as i drive home. I'm having a reaction. Of course. I can't stay much longer than 15 minutes in any public place. i'm usually homebound for 2 days with a reaction and stoned on benadryl, even tho' I know it can take 3 days to recover. Well the 3rd day, I was still in the reaction. The 4th day I had to cancel an important fun day for me. (Latex Allergy allows me about 3 of those a year and not necessarily the ones most important to me.) The 6th day I get some groceries. I'm still reactive or I'm rebounding. After 7 days stoned on benadryl, not getting out of the reaction, I am frustrated with my whole life and what I can't do. On the 8th day I hold the benadryl and get into the doctor's office for a script for prednisone.
I haven't mentioned all the anger, frustration, feeling like crap, and the revelations about what I can no longer do that have gone through my mind this past week. I do know in my heart that this disease is progressive. There is no textbook about NRLA, just those of us who have it.
Sal
Alas, the trip starts going downhill fast. They are inflating gigantic balloons near the waiting room. I try to wait outside, as I have done before, but the temperature is 32o. It won't hit 50o for a couple of hours. I spend my time in the service area next to the pile of tires, no chair to sit on, but I can lean against the wall a lot while I read. also, for my enjoyment, it's all windowed so I get "free" entertainment watching all the mechanics working in their bays. I can't figure out whose working on my van, but the guy in the next bay is snapping his latex gloves on & off . My hood is open. The airborn rubber protiens have become hitchhikers on my engine. I end up spending 4 hours there because the part was only available at the furthest dealership.
The hives are popping up in my mouth, and my driving is poorly focused as i drive home. I'm having a reaction. Of course. I can't stay much longer than 15 minutes in any public place. i'm usually homebound for 2 days with a reaction and stoned on benadryl, even tho' I know it can take 3 days to recover. Well the 3rd day, I was still in the reaction. The 4th day I had to cancel an important fun day for me. (Latex Allergy allows me about 3 of those a year and not necessarily the ones most important to me.) The 6th day I get some groceries. I'm still reactive or I'm rebounding. After 7 days stoned on benadryl, not getting out of the reaction, I am frustrated with my whole life and what I can't do. On the 8th day I hold the benadryl and get into the doctor's office for a script for prednisone.
I haven't mentioned all the anger, frustration, feeling like crap, and the revelations about what I can no longer do that have gone through my mind this past week. I do know in my heart that this disease is progressive. There is no textbook about NRLA, just those of us who have it.
Sal
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Long and Short Strides
I have actually done a bit of turnaround from last post. i made more changes than I thought I would. I'm up to 6 glasses of water a day. I'm eating some green salads. i found dressing that's spritzed on to salad to decrease the amount used. It is good. I would soak my salad before in a pool of dressing.
I started drinking shakes for breakfast. I haven't been a breakfast eater for years. The Curves shake is very good. I'm also using the Special K high protein. It has a little more fat, carbs, & calories than The Curves, but it's convenient when on the run in the morning. I'm beginning to shop for different foods. I'm reading the nutritional labels. Before, I was looking at the extra ingredients, checking for what I need to avoid.
I read the introduction to my neighbors program for ThinWithin. It looks like a gentler way for me to manage my meals and manage some weight loss. I'll be using that program as well.
they rate meals on a scale: 0 is really, really hungery, 5 is full, and 10 is compared to Thanksgiving dinner. I've already figured out that my qt. square containers have 2 servings. Before, I was finishing off the whole container in one meal. I've had less midnight snacks this week.
The visit to the allergist was good. My PFT's (pulmonary function tests) have improved. He is just as pleased as I am that I'm exercising 3 days a week. I haven't done walking on days between yet. I did know I had pushed too far. A bad reaction on tuesday that I'm still having trouble recovering from has kept me on benadryl for 5 days now, even with homebound days.
I have started my Curves journal, even tho' I haven't really begun phase 1. It helps to affirm positive changes I've already made. I'm also following theskinnyonline blog for extra support. Lisa has gone thru far more than me in weight management. Her words are loving and forgiving, very soothing for me.
Because I'm so reactive right now, I've only been to Curves on Monday this week. I did know when I began that I would run into limits, albeit scheduling my trips out of the house to limit rubber exposures, just having an allergic reaction and remaining homebound, or beginning to react in Curves. I don't want to give up Curves if I can manage it. The socialization and positive atmosphere help me so much. Right now is a super busy month for me with lots of doctor appointments scheduled in with the places I need to go.
Sal
I started drinking shakes for breakfast. I haven't been a breakfast eater for years. The Curves shake is very good. I'm also using the Special K high protein. It has a little more fat, carbs, & calories than The Curves, but it's convenient when on the run in the morning. I'm beginning to shop for different foods. I'm reading the nutritional labels. Before, I was looking at the extra ingredients, checking for what I need to avoid.
I read the introduction to my neighbors program for ThinWithin. It looks like a gentler way for me to manage my meals and manage some weight loss. I'll be using that program as well.
they rate meals on a scale: 0 is really, really hungery, 5 is full, and 10 is compared to Thanksgiving dinner. I've already figured out that my qt. square containers have 2 servings. Before, I was finishing off the whole container in one meal. I've had less midnight snacks this week.
The visit to the allergist was good. My PFT's (pulmonary function tests) have improved. He is just as pleased as I am that I'm exercising 3 days a week. I haven't done walking on days between yet. I did know I had pushed too far. A bad reaction on tuesday that I'm still having trouble recovering from has kept me on benadryl for 5 days now, even with homebound days.
I have started my Curves journal, even tho' I haven't really begun phase 1. It helps to affirm positive changes I've already made. I'm also following theskinnyonline blog for extra support. Lisa has gone thru far more than me in weight management. Her words are loving and forgiving, very soothing for me.
Because I'm so reactive right now, I've only been to Curves on Monday this week. I did know when I began that I would run into limits, albeit scheduling my trips out of the house to limit rubber exposures, just having an allergic reaction and remaining homebound, or beginning to react in Curves. I don't want to give up Curves if I can manage it. The socialization and positive atmosphere help me so much. Right now is a super busy month for me with lots of doctor appointments scheduled in with the places I need to go.
Sal
Sunday, March 7, 2010
More Than I Can Chew
The last several weeks have been very busy for me. I've been helping very good friends(3) thru serious health issues along with support group moderating, a couple of medical appts. each week, and scheduling in my curves workout 3 times a week, along with grocery shopping, and trips to the drug store without overdoing my rubber exposures each day.
This past week, I've been learning more about organic foods and checking them out in the stores. i've begun learning about the hazards of PBA in our canned foods since the 50's, and also found in some plastic storage containers. This is worse than food handled with latex gloves, and it's also approved by the FDA. I joined Weston A. Price Foundation, my local chapter, and began learning more about nutritionally dense foods(not found in the grocery store). This is what organic foods are, pasture raised, no hormones or antibiotics; essentially safe and very nutritious food that all of us should be eating.
I came across a website while googling for locations of accessable spring water. Well, I drove around town to check out one that had been pointed out to me a number of years ago. I couldn't find it. I think the access was closed. The other may be a possibility. It's 200 years old and overgrown with brush. It may not produce all the time. Then I wonder, how do I learn how to safely access or get the spring active again? It just came into my head. Maybe the DEC can help me with this one.
On Thursday, I spend to long picking up extra groceries to donate to my food pantry. The lines at the checkouts are too long, so I use my rescue inhaler while in line and take my benadryl before i leave the parking lot. This is safer because I'm only a few minutes from home. The rest of the day is strung out on benadryl every 4 hours.
On Friday, I should be homebound and on benadryl, but first I go to get measured and work out at curves. I had signed up for Saturday class for weight management. Then I go home and continue with benadryl every 4 hours for another strung out day. I began having hives in my mouth. This isn't cool, it's really a systemic reaction, but doesn't go any further. Whew, no need for an epi-pen and call to the allergist. By my exposure rules, I should stay homebound on Saturday.
I went to the class anyway. I was ok in there for 1 1/2 hrs. Yippee! But as I read what I need to be eating for weight loss, after I've gotten home, to figure out a new grocery list, I start slowly going into the meltdown that almost became major. I was still having trouble on Sunday when I went to check out organics in a different grocery. I had decided that I was going to chunk down my approach to this diet, but I was still getting anxious. I got the organic butter I wanted to make my own ghee and a few other things. One bag and an immersion mixer was $80. Yikes. On the way home, I prayed for help and guidance.
The answer came. Chunk it down. My activity level has increased with working out. I'm forgetting that I'm disabled. I'm forgetting that I'm scheduling everything so I can just fit my workouts in with buying groceries, picking up prescriptions, doctor appts., tests, and trying to manage my home(which I'm way behind with). I'm also forgetting how old I am. I'm not ancient, but I'm not 20, or 30, or 40 either. I'm not giving up, I just need to watch my times outside home more carefully. I need to stop testing to see how many exposures to rubber I can have and then end up calling 911 and ending up in intensive care on a respirator for a few days.
Sal
This past week, I've been learning more about organic foods and checking them out in the stores. i've begun learning about the hazards of PBA in our canned foods since the 50's, and also found in some plastic storage containers. This is worse than food handled with latex gloves, and it's also approved by the FDA. I joined Weston A. Price Foundation, my local chapter, and began learning more about nutritionally dense foods(not found in the grocery store). This is what organic foods are, pasture raised, no hormones or antibiotics; essentially safe and very nutritious food that all of us should be eating.
I came across a website while googling for locations of accessable spring water. Well, I drove around town to check out one that had been pointed out to me a number of years ago. I couldn't find it. I think the access was closed. The other may be a possibility. It's 200 years old and overgrown with brush. It may not produce all the time. Then I wonder, how do I learn how to safely access or get the spring active again? It just came into my head. Maybe the DEC can help me with this one.
On Thursday, I spend to long picking up extra groceries to donate to my food pantry. The lines at the checkouts are too long, so I use my rescue inhaler while in line and take my benadryl before i leave the parking lot. This is safer because I'm only a few minutes from home. The rest of the day is strung out on benadryl every 4 hours.
On Friday, I should be homebound and on benadryl, but first I go to get measured and work out at curves. I had signed up for Saturday class for weight management. Then I go home and continue with benadryl every 4 hours for another strung out day. I began having hives in my mouth. This isn't cool, it's really a systemic reaction, but doesn't go any further. Whew, no need for an epi-pen and call to the allergist. By my exposure rules, I should stay homebound on Saturday.
I went to the class anyway. I was ok in there for 1 1/2 hrs. Yippee! But as I read what I need to be eating for weight loss, after I've gotten home, to figure out a new grocery list, I start slowly going into the meltdown that almost became major. I was still having trouble on Sunday when I went to check out organics in a different grocery. I had decided that I was going to chunk down my approach to this diet, but I was still getting anxious. I got the organic butter I wanted to make my own ghee and a few other things. One bag and an immersion mixer was $80. Yikes. On the way home, I prayed for help and guidance.
The answer came. Chunk it down. My activity level has increased with working out. I'm forgetting that I'm disabled. I'm forgetting that I'm scheduling everything so I can just fit my workouts in with buying groceries, picking up prescriptions, doctor appts., tests, and trying to manage my home(which I'm way behind with). I'm also forgetting how old I am. I'm not ancient, but I'm not 20, or 30, or 40 either. I'm not giving up, I just need to watch my times outside home more carefully. I need to stop testing to see how many exposures to rubber I can have and then end up calling 911 and ending up in intensive care on a respirator for a few days.
Sal
Thursday, March 4, 2010
health care and the cost
i've been away for a bit. learning about organic foods, spring water, and BPA(nasty stuff).
at the moment, i've just finished a letter to go to numerous government officials. we elected them to take care of our issues. i certainly hope they will earn their paychecks doing the best for us. i have shared an important issue with them that goes right along with health care. it's billing for health care. we pay into health insurance and medicare so that we can receive good(i mean excellent) health care.
excellent health care is debateable. from my career as a nurse, i do know when ill people aren't even receiving adequate care. i'll talk about that another time.
what is really bugging me right now is inappropriate and erroneous billing for health care. maybe the erroneous billing was meant to happen to receive maximum payment; reduce the loss financially. the prices charged for tests, care, and specific monitoring are outrageous. who set those prices? i can lay in a bed in the ER code room for 3 hours d/t a lab error and be charged to medicare & me $13oo. this total doesn't include the ER doctor or the radiologist. i was on a cardiac monitor, with an IV site available, and pulse oximetry(monitoring oxygen level in the blood, a clothespin thing on my finger) with the crash cart right there in case my heart stopped beating, but not a body in site most of the time. yes, medicare & i got to pay for that lab error.
my big beef has to do with improper billing. the hospital wants as close to what they charge for a health care service as they can get. my allergist is supposed to be paid thru the hospital for his services. the hospital does the billing for this office because this office is a part of the hospital's business. my bills for this are supposed to be covered by worker's comp., but the hospital has billed & received payment from medicare & comp. they also repeatedly bill me for the slack. they haven't corrected this problem in a year. i am in the process of pursuing a solution further.
what really concerns me are the people, not in health care, who are billed improperly and have no idea that they should question the bill.
sal
at the moment, i've just finished a letter to go to numerous government officials. we elected them to take care of our issues. i certainly hope they will earn their paychecks doing the best for us. i have shared an important issue with them that goes right along with health care. it's billing for health care. we pay into health insurance and medicare so that we can receive good(i mean excellent) health care.
excellent health care is debateable. from my career as a nurse, i do know when ill people aren't even receiving adequate care. i'll talk about that another time.
what is really bugging me right now is inappropriate and erroneous billing for health care. maybe the erroneous billing was meant to happen to receive maximum payment; reduce the loss financially. the prices charged for tests, care, and specific monitoring are outrageous. who set those prices? i can lay in a bed in the ER code room for 3 hours d/t a lab error and be charged to medicare & me $13oo. this total doesn't include the ER doctor or the radiologist. i was on a cardiac monitor, with an IV site available, and pulse oximetry(monitoring oxygen level in the blood, a clothespin thing on my finger) with the crash cart right there in case my heart stopped beating, but not a body in site most of the time. yes, medicare & i got to pay for that lab error.
my big beef has to do with improper billing. the hospital wants as close to what they charge for a health care service as they can get. my allergist is supposed to be paid thru the hospital for his services. the hospital does the billing for this office because this office is a part of the hospital's business. my bills for this are supposed to be covered by worker's comp., but the hospital has billed & received payment from medicare & comp. they also repeatedly bill me for the slack. they haven't corrected this problem in a year. i am in the process of pursuing a solution further.
what really concerns me are the people, not in health care, who are billed improperly and have no idea that they should question the bill.
sal
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