Monarch chrysalis...
On the door of the old shed-
Seems late in the season, but the young butterfly will make his upcoming 2000+ mile journey strong and safe.
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Good Morning!
Once again, to thank you for your notes... I really am alright. hehehe
I did get the pain shots in my back early Tuesday morning.
The shots were not bad; and if they were, I don't remember, having been given versed (sp), before being shot.
I asked the doctor what he was giving me, and he answered.
I then asked if he was sure it was OK; because I did not feel like winding up like Michael Jackson.
He smiled and said yes, it was fine, and not to worry because HE didn't care to be winding up like Michael Jacksons doctor.
We both laughed. This exchange, just before I warned him that I have a mouth like a longshoreman when I am in pain.
(I noted there were 4 nurses in that OR, in addition to himself)...
Hmmm?
Yes, my lower back is feeling better- MUCH better. (Barely even a twitch)!
But that relief has left the door wide open to be feeling my middle and upper back, and my neck.
Add to that the fact that either the versed (sp) -or the pain shots themselves have left me with an abominable migraine that keeps coming and going. I will be going back to bed shortly. The preceding auras have been really bad lately.
Casey said she will be coming out this afternoon! YAY! I love that she calls me in-between her classes at UWGB also. Very reminiscent of her days at UW~River Falls; (all those years ago before she got sick).
Sick.
You knew it was coming...
I stand very proud of President Obama for his effort to dispel all the lies we have been inundated with of late, with respect to our HealthCare.
Hopefully those truths will finally begin to sink in to peoples hearts. (Hopefully too that pervasive "shout out town hall" mentality will be dealt with too).
To do without Healthcare for any longer is not an option. We need passage for our many friends and relatives who still do not have any coverage. (For those especially, who are already medically challenged and have no insurance to even afford to go in).
For them, and for all the rest, pray that it happens.
My love to all.
XOXO
Anne
Glad the back is a little better.. the rest will come around I hope!
ReplyDeleteSee and yet again I disagree that he dispelled anything. Hes just as bad as some of these talk show hosts.. only telling a part of the real story. He is just as bad as anyone else in DC calling others names and liars because they disagree with him.
I do agree however that we need reform.. I do agree that many in this country need to have access to healthcare.. I am one of those people. I do agree that a person should not be tied to a job because of healthcare. I agree that insurance companies need to be held more responsible.
As I have said before.. maybe Im being overly cynical.. but I dont believe that this particular plan is as wonderful as some seem to think. I believe that if you look at the repercussions of some of these policies in this bill.. those repercussions are far worse.
I want health care reform.. I dont want anyone coming between me and my doctor, I dont want healthcare taken from the elderly in order to give health care to others.
the one thing that scares the beegeebers out of me.. that is still in the bill.
A mandated provision that says an elderly person past a certain age must be counciled on end of life provisions semiannually. How are you gonna feel when you are seemingly healthly but have a doctor discussing your death?
Mandated no less! Not optional mind you.. but Mandated!
Sweet Beep!
ReplyDeleteMy back really is a bit better. Its my weird head that is raunchy now...
I believe that if our president dispelled anything, (even if only to stop one st00pid lie or fear), then he did say something very right.
For all the hoopla surrounding ”death panels” being implemented in health care legislation, it’s worth noting United Healthcare offers end-of-life planning coverage that is similar to that being put forth by House Democrats. Well…Tea Baggers? Will I here you yelling that “privatized” “for-profit” healthcare is trying to “take out” Grandma.
(Gratis to Thom Hartman for that interesting fact).
UHC is located about 9 miles from here...
I know that you need health care too. The meds you take are not cheap.
I wish you were not as cynical about it.
In my own opinion, like yours, 3200 is not perfect.
It is however, better than nothing.
(And that "nothing" is what is killing too many of our friends and relatives).
In the meantime they have nothing, and yet can lose everything.
XOXO
me
Blue Cross Blue Shield Execs Profited From Bogus Bonuses
ReplyDeleteBISMARCK, N.D. -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota used premium payments to fund $15 million in employee bonuses, cover $35,000 for a retirement party and pay for other questionable expenses, according to a state audit released Tuesday.
Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm said he ordered the company to make changes after insurance examiners found inappropriate or excessive expenses paid with policyholders' dollars. He said the nearly inch-thick report raised questions about compensation, travel policies, investments and severance packages.
Hamm said the report showed "a lack of judgment" by board members and senior management. It was the first audit of the nonprofit company since 2004.
"I expect and demand that those things won't happen again," Hamm said.
Company officials said Tuesday that changes were already being made when Hamm ordered the audit in March, following criticism of a sales managers' trip to the Grand Cayman Islands that cost $238,000. The company's chief executive at the time, Mike Unhjem, was fired later that month.
"The culture of this organization is very different than it was a few months ago," said board chairman Dennis Elbert.
The company provides health care coverage to more than 375,000 North Dakota residents and 75,000 nonresidents.
Hamm said that of the $418 million in the company's administrative expenses over the past five years, the audit found "millions and millions of dollars in excessive expenses."
Story continues below
The report said that premium payments funded nearly $15 million in employee bonuses that were almost assured regardless of performance, a $3.5 million investment in a hotel in Fargo and sales reward trips to resorts totaling $1.2 million.
In one case, the audit found that $34,814 was spent for a party for a retiring vice president.
"Health care premiums are for health care, they are not for expensive retirement parties, corporate jets, risky hotel investments or a compensation structure that rewards senior management regardless financial performance," Hamm said.
"The bottom line is there are changes that need to be made by the company," he said.
Elbert promised that the company board would better scrutinize the company's operation and spending. He said Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, which is the dominant insurer in the state, has among the lowest premiums and administration costs in nation. He also said it ranks among the highest for insurers in customer service.
The company's new president and chief executive, Paul von Ebers, took over in July.
"We appreciate the feedback," he said of the audit. "We certainly do find some room for improvement in certain areas.
Von Ebers said the company already has cut incentive trips for employees and reduced out-of-state travel and reimbursement expenses for executives. He said the company will compare executive compensation with similar positions in North Dakota instead of nationwide, as was done in the past.
He said charitable donations also will be reduced and investments in local economic development projects -- such as the hotel in Fargo -- likely won't be done in the future.
"We will correct areas that need to be corrected," von Ebers said.
The company has 30 days to officially respond to the audit and present a plan outlining changes the company will take, Hamm said.
So happy that your lower back is better, I hope that each set of shots help even more. Have you asked if the shots should be causing migraines? Makes me sick to think you have to suffer to get pain relief.
ReplyDeleteSweet Oka;
ReplyDeleteI have that appointment next Monday with the spine guy. I believe that is the next bridge with this godforsaken back of mine anyway. But yes, I do go in for more shots too. Not sure when, Casey put it in her calendar because she brings me. (Guess versed isn't good for being on the road... hehehe
Well unless you really want to literally BE on the road...
I didn't call in. I figured if it was still there when I wake from my nap I will call then and just ask anyway.
XOXO
Me
So happy that your back is a little better but so sorry that your head is making up for it. I do hope that the Dr can figure out what is causing the migranes.
ReplyDeleteOXOX,
Snotball
ReplyDeleteSweetie;
For the doctor who actually does figure out what causes my migraines, I will give them my firstborn. Happily.
It might rain this afternoon- And Casey was coming out so we could finally bring Miss Millys ashes down to the river.
Not going if I am going to be slipping and sliding...
XOXO
me
Time for my nap now.
Glad to that your getting some relief in your back and SORRY you got this migraine .. You cannot seem to win .. I hope the more needles the better you feel .. I hope the spine doc can solve what is going on with you and you will be pain free .. Hugs to you and take care .
ReplyDeleteglad to know you feel better and hope the migraine clears soon!
ReplyDeleteI too believed our President was able to squelch some of the propaganda about medical insurance, I have high hopes,.......I hope your headache goes away soon hon, I hate migraines ouchie. Glad to hear the back is feeling better though, rest and dont over do.
ReplyDeleteSO glad to hear that your back is feeling somewhat better! Sorry that you had to trade the back pain for a nasty migraine but really which would you rather have? I know, neither! hehehe
ReplyDeleteHopefully the spine man will be able to fix the rest of your problems and you will be all fixed by the new year! :D
Love Ya!
Slurkie :-)
It could be that the migraines were caused by all the stress of going to have the shots. I hope it wasn't the shots because if they help you so much it's like having to endure one pain to relieve another. And if the shot did cause the migraines maybe in time your body will get used to the shots and you won't get a migraine from them anymore. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this all works out for you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you got a chance to scatter Miss Milly's ashes.
Glad the back feels better but I totally understand how that pain tends to migrate elsewhere. It's almost as if our body insists that we WILL feel pain.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about you....but I'm ready for a trade in!
Actually.. I think that if these folks would get up off their ass and do some work.. a new bill that is better than this one.. Could be passed
ReplyDeleteI realize no bill will be perfect.. no bill will have everyone saying yes this is it.. too much partisan politics for that..
But how bout starting with Tort reform, then a competition among insurance companies where states are not limited to the number of insurance companies that can be in the state.
Just those two things added to any of the bills they put out.. would help the small business people.. and possibly help them to provide insurance to their employees.
Insurance reform and regulations.. that prevent them from screwing the American people.
Give the public option but dont make it mandatory..and Dont take money from medicare or medicaid to pay for it!
The public option could be in the form of vouchers.. or how ever.. we definitely dont need another bureaucratic program that Congress can bankrupt and then try to redo it later and make it worse for all.
the difference in the insurance company providing counciling and the government providing counciling.. is the mandatory part.. thats the part I dont like.
Can you tell I really dont like being told.. you must do it this way! There is always another way to skin a cat rather than starting at the tail.
Sweet Carolyn;
ReplyDeleteHaving just had an awful day, I believe that I will fore-go any more of those stinkin' needles.
I just finally brought my dumpsters back up to the shed. Nice outside though... Dark and quiet.
I sure hope you are right about that spine doctor.
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteLove you, Pea
Sweet Pamela;
ReplyDeleteI have that same "hope" that you feel. And after living my life, sometimes having insurance, sometimes not, it is a good feeling to have.
I rested.
My head is ok. My back is back.
Nope. Not doing this again.
XOXO
Me
Sweet SlurkieBaby!
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap, but January seems like it should be a long ways off...
Kaylee will be 1/2way through the school year, and it will be 2010.
Arghhhhhhhhhhhh! (I would rather it all be gone in 2009). Selfish, aren't I?
XOXO
Me
Sweet RT;
ReplyDeleteAnd there you are, hunting down a reason for my firstborn... hehehe
Not sure about that.
I know I have been told, repeatedly, by my doctors that true migraines are not caused by stress.
(I have also been told repeatedly, by lay people, that they are).
Am beginning to think these darn doctors do not know it all... Oh wait. HAHAHA
We didn't get back to the woods today- Casey had a rough day, painwise, and has her longest day on Fridays at school. We just watched a bit of TV, and she went home to nap and study.
XOXO
Me
Alive! Sweet PeachieBaby!
ReplyDeleteI just keep trying to remember that you told me a long time ago that if I am "feeling", then I am alive.
You cracked me up with your trade in!
Methinks you are right!
hehehe
XOXO
me
Start with...
ReplyDeleteThen...
Add this...
Take away that...
Help these people.
Do not help those people.
Do this.
Do that.
We need this.
We need that.
We don't need...
Could be...
Should be...
Give this...
Take away that...
And in the meanwhile, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DYING?
And how can that be ok with any of us?
Oh for pity sake.
ReplyDeleteIf you are skinning the cat, he's dead already.
Get it?
ReplyDeleteAnd in the meantime, you are killing people. And NOT just Mexicans and deadbeats, as have already been noted.
(I can almost promise that your friends and family and neighbors WILL be on that list shortly).
You have been fortunate, even though you may have some medical problems. We all do Sweetie.
Yet for all of my whining and complaining, I can always attest and stand for those who are less fortunate, and are in DIRE NEED OF anything.
XOXO
Me
Now about "bills", (and with special thanks to my ex husband).
ReplyDeleteIsn't that what ducks pick their asses with?
Love you too....
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXOOX
Tired and lacking in words, but those I can say even in my sleep.
Ahhhhh....the shots are working...thank God!!!
ReplyDelete