Family is Everything

Family is everything to me, but I don’t do well when there are conflicts or disagreements. In many ways, I keep a lot inside to avoid chaos or arguments, although I have gotten pretty vocal in my older years. 

I guess I learned this early on, coming from a household that was constantly in turmoil. My parents were not the best examples, for lack of a better word. Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents dearly, my father died in 1992, and my mom lives with me; she is 89 years young. They did the best with what they had. I promised myself I would not allow that type of environment I grew up in to be in mine. I was determined to break the cycle of dysfunction. 

This brings me to today, and it is funny that an argument with a loved one can take you back to years ago growing up. I was not too fond of this feeling, and I lashed out in anger. I am not proud of it. It just goes to show that I am a work in progress. When you think you have moved forward and have it under control, it regurgitates whenever you least expect it, such as a mindless argument. 

I worked hard to achieve a peaceful home environment, but a silly argument over something not worth arguing about can take you back to a dark place. I had it in my heart to share this due to not being the only one who experienced these things. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Leave me a comment and God Bless.

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Living with Osteoarthritis Sucks!

Living with Osteoarthritis sucks! I am 62 years of age and let me tell you, and I have been finding out about my aches and pains for a bit. It began with discomfort in my right hip. Then, my left knee began acting up, and then the other. Ironically, when the knees began to ache, my hip stopped giving me trouble. At first, the Ortho doctor informed me that it might be due to how I distribute my weight as I walk. 

As time progressed, I experienced a knee sprain; the pain to describe it best was like seeing the whole galaxy, the stars in a single millisecond. I was doing testing with a potential applicant when it occurred. I was totally mortified and a bit embarrassed. My co-worker at the time was totally supportive and assisted me as I completed testing with the applicant.

I saw the doctor, x-rays showed I have Osteoarthritis all around the whole left knee with no tares. I was prescribed Ibuprofen, and the doctor offered a steroid pack which I did not accept at that moment, but he did say I can call his office if I needed it. 

My personal experience? I must fight through the pain, and I do not want to give in to this pain when it flares up or shows its ugly head to torment. If you are living with Osteoarthritis, I would love to hear your story. 

Please leave a comment. God bless! 

My Health Insurance Blues

Why can’t having insurance be stress-free? You see it every day with different people trying to have proper coverage for themselves or their families. 

Looking for a doctor who will accept or be in your insurance network can be challenging and frustrating. I have been searching for a specialist for a week, and every doctor’s office I have called doesn’t take my insurance. 

I have EmblemHealth, formerly known as GHI(General Health Insurance). We had this insurance for years, but we also had primary insurance Florida Blue which we no longer have. I don’t want to go out of network, which would cost, to say the least. 

I have called the EmblemHealth line to find a doctor; based on my location, they gave me three doctors. Can you believe the doctors given are no longer in the network with Emblemhealth? And the website is not much better. 

The last resort I am calling doctors, as I mentioned before, to inquire with no luck. I invite you all to leave a comment or suggestion. 

Thank you!

Mami’s Vaccine Day

It looks like we as a nation may be turning a new corner and hopefully reach the other side. I accompanied my almost 90-year-old mother to get her first Pfizer vaccine this afternoon. I was very impressed with the process from start to finish, but first, I would like to tell you all from the beginning. 

Over a week ago, my sister got her vaccine, and she advised me to sign our mother up to get hers. My sister sends me the link to sign my mother up to get in line, and in almost two weeks. I am contacted, my mother sits by me, and she listens diligently while the representative asks pertinent questions about exposure and travel. She registers us and informs me that I will be receiving an email with my mom’s appointment and an additional link to complete the registration. I did, and all was set. 

Fast forward to today, my mom was a little anxious. She hates needles in general. I kept telling her that I will be with her every step of the way. When the time came, she was brave and looked the other way while the vaccine was being administered. The nurse even said loudly, “all done!”

As part of the protocol after getting the vaccine, they make the recipient wait in the car for 15 minutes to ensure no side effects such as headache and nausea develop. My mom did not experience any of the effects. 

Long story short, both of us had a positive experience, my mom did well, and for myself as her caregiver, the process was expedient. It took about 1 hour and a half, give or take, but it did not seem that long, and we were very happy! I guess we were talking up a storm; the time passed so quickly that we did not notice. 

I am excited that the vaccine will be offered to those 60 years and older. I look forward to it!