I get my hair cut and colored once a month after Chuck's Social Security check arrives. For 3 or 4 months, my hair artist, Laura Jenkins Wallis, has commented that skin looks so much better. (I have mild psoriasis). I thought it was because of my new Origins skin cream.
This month I told her my last haircut had been wonderful and easy to work with; she returned that my hair texture has changed from very coarse to soft making it easier to style. We were trying to figure out a reason for changes.
Later in the day I realized for the last 3 to 4 months I have been taking excellent fish oil pills from the veterinarian that are made for dogs. I take 3 day as prescribed for a 100 lb dog. So.. . now I have great skin and shiny coat. If I start barking, please call someone for help.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
It's been a while because. . . .
Thank you, Jesus, that January is over.
Chuck switched to an HMO Medicare plan because it had no premiums. It startedJanuary 1, 2012 . He started rationing some of his medications in December in anticipation of a lower cost January 1. He couldn't get any information on what his copay would be for his RX. Sunday, January 1, we were in Target and spoke to our favorite pharmacist, Chris. He ran Chuck's card, and it showed we would owe 20% on everything, including is $1500.00 medication. Chuck said no way, so we spent Sunday and Monday on the phone with everyone we could contact, and discovered that the HMO is the same as Medicare, and what he had before was a Medicare supplement which paid his copays.
This month has been spent canceling the HMO so that it ended yesterday. Today, supposedly, the supplement will kick in and he can get his meds. He has been severely rationing his Medicare, and surprisingly told me he feels like he's suffocating (surprising because he doesn't usually tell me these things).
I've also had a stressful month at work. All this has combined to diminish my serotonin levels, and I'm starting to have panic attacks again. It's no ones fault: at work and while carpooling, my boss has coughed continually since New Years. (The interior of my car smells like cough drops). I get home, and Chuck is a mess.
These last few days have been tough because I could see today coming, but I didn't think it could get here soon enough. I had a panic attack Monday and have been able to eat very little food this week.
Friends on Facebook prayed for me last night, and this morning I had a chat with one of my cousins which helped me. Talking to her I actually felt hunger pains.
Thank you, everyone for your prayers. This is truly "One step at a time".
Chuck switched to an HMO Medicare plan because it had no premiums. It started
This month has been spent canceling the HMO so that it ended yesterday. Today, supposedly, the supplement will kick in and he can get his meds. He has been severely rationing his Medicare, and surprisingly told me he feels like he's suffocating (surprising because he doesn't usually tell me these things).
I've also had a stressful month at work. All this has combined to diminish my serotonin levels, and I'm starting to have panic attacks again. It's no ones fault: at work and while carpooling, my boss has coughed continually since New Years. (The interior of my car smells like cough drops). I get home, and Chuck is a mess.
These last few days have been tough because I could see today coming, but I didn't think it could get here soon enough. I had a panic attack Monday and have been able to eat very little food this week.
Friends on Facebook prayed for me last night, and this morning I had a chat with one of my cousins which helped me. Talking to her I actually felt hunger pains.
Thank you, everyone for your prayers. This is truly "One step at a time".
Monday, October 24, 2011
And Chuck agrees
Chuck has agreed that he's getting worse by telling me yesterday to remind him about watering the bougainvilleas before 5:00 when he's not good.
Couldn't finish dinner tonight; it wore him out and he's now sleeping at the table.
I realized today that I need to check the time of our flight back to Phoenix. I think it's around 5:00.
The Lord is the Rock of my Salvation, and it's His grace that gets me through each day.
Couldn't finish dinner tonight; it wore him out and he's now sleeping at the table.
I realized today that I need to check the time of our flight back to Phoenix. I think it's around 5:00.
The Lord is the Rock of my Salvation, and it's His grace that gets me through each day.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
I never promised you a rose garden
I just heard something on the tv that reminded me of the song that went: "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden." In this life, we have thorns, but God through Jesus has provided a glorious future in our own rose garden.
Chuck is getting worse. I've noticed it, but I asked Charlie and Sarah today and they agreed.
This week I noticed that I had to answer the same question several times before Chuck understood. He is also tiring more easily and has trouble remembering if he took his medication.
We've tried three times in the last several weeks to eat dinner at the Queen Creek Cafe on Friday nights for all you can eat fish and chips (Chuck's favorite). The first Friday night four or five weeks ago and the last two Friday nights we've had to leave the restaurant quickly as he started to "lose it." Last night people had to help get him out of the cafe and into the car. Last night he made it into the house easier than other times when I had to run in the house, start his house air, and bring it out to him before he get himself out of the van. Last night, he made the comment that the restaurant that he couldn't see. Scary!
Tonight after dinner at home, he said he could feel it starting again, and was asleep almost before he sat down on the sofa.
I don't expect him to do chores around the house while I'm at work, but he does them. The last few weeks I've noticed that dishes he said he would do in the morning are not done, and other other things are slipping. I'm not complaining, its's just concerning. I've started doing more of the chores, like washing the dishes after dinner, and it angers him because he says he can do it because he has all day.
Chuck has seen both of his doctors in the last week, but he won't tell me what was said, and as I think I mentioned in a previous post, he went ballistic when I said I wanted to go with him to see his pulmonary specialist.
Chuck is getting worse. I've noticed it, but I asked Charlie and Sarah today and they agreed.
This week I noticed that I had to answer the same question several times before Chuck understood. He is also tiring more easily and has trouble remembering if he took his medication.
We've tried three times in the last several weeks to eat dinner at the Queen Creek Cafe on Friday nights for all you can eat fish and chips (Chuck's favorite). The first Friday night four or five weeks ago and the last two Friday nights we've had to leave the restaurant quickly as he started to "lose it." Last night people had to help get him out of the cafe and into the car. Last night he made it into the house easier than other times when I had to run in the house, start his house air, and bring it out to him before he get himself out of the van. Last night, he made the comment that the restaurant that he couldn't see. Scary!
Tonight after dinner at home, he said he could feel it starting again, and was asleep almost before he sat down on the sofa.
I don't expect him to do chores around the house while I'm at work, but he does them. The last few weeks I've noticed that dishes he said he would do in the morning are not done, and other other things are slipping. I'm not complaining, its's just concerning. I've started doing more of the chores, like washing the dishes after dinner, and it angers him because he says he can do it because he has all day.
Chuck has seen both of his doctors in the last week, but he won't tell me what was said, and as I think I mentioned in a previous post, he went ballistic when I said I wanted to go with him to see his pulmonary specialist.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Update
Haven't posted in a while because of time constraints and physical issues of my own. Right now I'm waiting for a phone call sometime this week telling me I have ordinary arthritis and mouth infection (this is unlikely, I've been on meds and since Monday my mouth is getting worse again.), or I have an autoimmune disease. Blood was drawn on Friday for all sorts of "lovely" diseases.
Chuck just got up from the dining table after sleeping there for two hours. He doesn't sleep well laying down and is usually up by 3 or 4 in the morning. At night he is so tired that the next day he doesn't remember things we've discussed at dinner.
I really want to go to the lung specialist with him next time, but he obstinately refuses my request. Chuck feels I don't trust him and that's why I want to go with him. I really just want information.
I am trusting the Lord for the outcome of my tests because I need to be healthy to take care of Chuck.
Chuck just got up from the dining table after sleeping there for two hours. He doesn't sleep well laying down and is usually up by 3 or 4 in the morning. At night he is so tired that the next day he doesn't remember things we've discussed at dinner.
I really want to go to the lung specialist with him next time, but he obstinately refuses my request. Chuck feels I don't trust him and that's why I want to go with him. I really just want information.
I am trusting the Lord for the outcome of my tests because I need to be healthy to take care of Chuck.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
My God shall supply all my needs, according to His riches in Glory
In 1987: After the car accident, God provided the job at the preschool.
In 2002, When my back condition no longer allowed me to teach preschool, I found a job at Disneyland.
In fall of 2002: After my heart attack, I was able to take time off and have needed female surgery.
In June of 2003: The Lord brought me to ABC Adult School where I learned all the computer programs necessary for a new job.
In November of 2003: God softened Chuck's heart, and with Charlie's encouraging words at Thanksgiving, we were able to buy the 1999 van instead of the 2001 van. This is the van I am still driving today with over 200,000 miles.
In February 2004: I started as a temp at L-3 Communications in Anaheim.
End of May, 2004: Chuck lost his job.
June 1, 2004: Power Paragon told me I was being hired as a regular employee with health insurance.
In April of 2009: After the horrific experience of Tommy Jennings being my boss, the Lord showed us this new home in Arizona and we signed the purchase agreement.
In July 2009: I prayed that if it was God's will for us to move, our house in Long Beach needed to sell by Friday. It did!
In Spring 2010: I didn't understand why I couldn't find a job when I was telling them I needed a week off in May for Stacy's graduation and wedding. What I later discovered was it took us two weeks in May for Stacy, one week in So Cal help her pack and preparing for shipping of worldly good, and one week in Nor Cal for the graduation and wedding. God knew what I didn't know.
May 28, 2010: While in So Cal we had installed a new battery in the van but in Nor Cal driving back to Suisun City from Sacramento during Friday night rush hour, the alternator went out. Laura, Katherine, and I made it back to the hotel a little warm from lack of air conditioning, but okay.
May 29, 2010: While all the ladies were having a bridal breakfast, Chuck was able to get a free alternator because we had a lifetime guarantee on the old one. He brought enough tools with him, and he installed the new alternator. God was very busy.
May 30, 2010: On the drive home to AZ, I left my sunglasses in a restaurant in So Cal. Laura was able to go get the glasses the next day and mailed them to me in a Post Office express mail box.
June 21, 2010: I started working as a temp at Bro Retail
Aug 2, 2010: I started my first day at Bro Retail as a regular employee with benefits.
July, 2011: Chuck's battle to get his medication turned out in our favor after prayer with people at my church.
August 2011: Waiting to see what the Lord will do in the current situation.
In 2002, When my back condition no longer allowed me to teach preschool, I found a job at Disneyland.
In fall of 2002: After my heart attack, I was able to take time off and have needed female surgery.
In June of 2003: The Lord brought me to ABC Adult School where I learned all the computer programs necessary for a new job.
In November of 2003: God softened Chuck's heart, and with Charlie's encouraging words at Thanksgiving, we were able to buy the 1999 van instead of the 2001 van. This is the van I am still driving today with over 200,000 miles.
In February 2004: I started as a temp at L-3 Communications in Anaheim.
End of May, 2004: Chuck lost his job.
June 1, 2004: Power Paragon told me I was being hired as a regular employee with health insurance.
In April of 2009: After the horrific experience of Tommy Jennings being my boss, the Lord showed us this new home in Arizona and we signed the purchase agreement.
In July 2009: I prayed that if it was God's will for us to move, our house in Long Beach needed to sell by Friday. It did!
In Spring 2010: I didn't understand why I couldn't find a job when I was telling them I needed a week off in May for Stacy's graduation and wedding. What I later discovered was it took us two weeks in May for Stacy, one week in So Cal help her pack and preparing for shipping of worldly good, and one week in Nor Cal for the graduation and wedding. God knew what I didn't know.
May 28, 2010: While in So Cal we had installed a new battery in the van but in Nor Cal driving back to Suisun City from Sacramento during Friday night rush hour, the alternator went out. Laura, Katherine, and I made it back to the hotel a little warm from lack of air conditioning, but okay.
May 29, 2010: While all the ladies were having a bridal breakfast, Chuck was able to get a free alternator because we had a lifetime guarantee on the old one. He brought enough tools with him, and he installed the new alternator. God was very busy.
May 30, 2010: On the drive home to AZ, I left my sunglasses in a restaurant in So Cal. Laura was able to go get the glasses the next day and mailed them to me in a Post Office express mail box.
June 21, 2010: I started working as a temp at Bro Retail
Aug 2, 2010: I started my first day at Bro Retail as a regular employee with benefits.
July, 2011: Chuck's battle to get his medication turned out in our favor after prayer with people at my church.
August 2011: Waiting to see what the Lord will do in the current situation.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Love the Fresh Cherries
My SuperTarget has had the most wonderful fresh dark cherries the past few weeks, yum. I bought one bag last week and took it to work. It lasted me the entire week, so today, I bought two bags, one for home and one for work. As I am blogging about Chuck and his health, I'm eating myself sick with the cherries.
Chuck's been on the nebulizer for a few weeks now. At first, he was happy with his mental clarity and the fact the his chest pain ended. Now, however, it seems like we're back to where we were. He's getting tired way too quickly, and pain is back. Just eating a meal tires him.
However, nothing slows him down long. He's out cleaning the pool long after he's said that he's tired. We've had two strong dust storms during July, and Chuck's been out in both of them despite warning from me and his doctor. It's very frustrating for me to see him continually do things he shouldn't be doing without a care for his health.
To quote the title of one of Erma Bombeck's books, "If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?"
Chuck's been on the nebulizer for a few weeks now. At first, he was happy with his mental clarity and the fact the his chest pain ended. Now, however, it seems like we're back to where we were. He's getting tired way too quickly, and pain is back. Just eating a meal tires him.
However, nothing slows him down long. He's out cleaning the pool long after he's said that he's tired. We've had two strong dust storms during July, and Chuck's been out in both of them despite warning from me and his doctor. It's very frustrating for me to see him continually do things he shouldn't be doing without a care for his health.
To quote the title of one of Erma Bombeck's books, "If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)