Vague Wisdom

I have cellulitus again. On antibiotics, but this has been a rough one, Seems like all I can do is read, watch TV, and drool. The fan on my computer died. fortunately I was given a new iPad (more on how how I came to be given one, later). I love this iPad as an ereader. I can access the Internet on it too, but its not so good at posting for me. I am enjoying reading old SF (all the stuff I can get for free.) I also downloaded a new Heinlein biography Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue with His Century Volume 1 (1907-1948): Learning Curve by William H. Patterson, Jr. Which I'm enjoying reading, but wouldn't recommend to anyone unless they were pretty hardcore RAH fan.

I finally tried the therapy group for people with disabilities that I wrote about earlier. They are perfectly fine folk, but I don't really think it will work for me. It's basically a support group which is fine but I'm really motivated to work on some recent crap and some continuing stuff that I've been working on most of my life I think.

The facilitators of the group suggested I might get individual counseling from the Berkeley Therapy Institute which is where they work. BTI takes Medi-Cal, so it wouldn't be a huge financial burden. So on their advice I called BTI today. Turns out that they only take straight Medi-Cal. I happen to get both Medi-Cal (the state run program, called Medicaid in most other states in the US). I also get Medicare the federal program. Because I get both, BTI can't accept me as a patient.

I haven't run into this problem too often. When I first came to California I was only covered under Medi-Cal and had absolutely no trouble at all getting the care I needed and the durable medical equipment I depend on to live my life. Quite a few years ago now, my father retired. Because he retired I was required to apply for Medicare. I fought this requirement because at the time (and actually even now, unless the durable medical supplier is pretty savvy about the system) it was almost impossible to get durable medical equipment (things like wheelchairs) or have that equipment repaired when one received both Medi-Cal and Medicare. Both programs have this nifty little requirement that all other insurance must be billed for any services before Medi-Cal or Medicare will cover medical services. This results in Medi-Cal and Medicare bouncing bills from one to the other in a Chip and Dale routine. "I'll pay the bill after you." "No, no I'll pay after you!"

Since I get my wheelchair repaired at Wheelchairs of Berkeley, I haven't had much trouble with this routine, but apparently I will have trouble getting any counseling services. Very discouraging.

Its not been my best 10(?) days. Caught a head cold that moved to my chest. I thought I was doing ok. I was managing to keep the panic of possibly choking to death at a not too frenetic level until last Thursday's visit to Alta Bates ER. After determining I didn't have pneumonia, was keeping my O2 levels in the 96, 98 range, but had low potassium. Which was treated by drinking about the nastiest fluid I've ever voluntarily consumed. I ended up back home. I have been getting ever so slowly better, but I haven't enjoyed the night spent coughing. Nor the mornings trying to get all this gunk out of my lungs.

I'm still a little sick and want this cold *over with* already.

dbubley's sister has been really great at helping me get my breathing treatments.

Good news: I have a new 500 GB Hard drive!

Bad news: I'm not sure when I'll get it hooked up.

Good news: I have a good new morning attendant! I'd say great, but its early (one week) and it feels a little direspectful to Stacy to say great yet.

Bad news: I have Cellulitis again.

Good news: Anti-biotics in the house!

What a day. Lived through a very long panic attack. I called loracs in the midst of it. She stayed with me over the phone. Then serenejournal IM'ed me. She dropped everything to come be with me. They are such wonderful women and I am very lucky to have them in my life.

I wish I was feeling healthier. The cold is definitely going away, but I can't work up much enthusiasm for my birthday. dbubley is back at the rehab center, but she's still feeling nauseous and has just an awful roommate. She's not having fun. loracs is exhausted. serenejournal is dealing with so much. *sigh*

How the last few days have gone. I'm feeling better today.

For those who don't already know. serenejournal went into surgery about 9:30 this morning Pacific Time. She got out of recovery at about 2:30pm. Her surgeon said that the surgery was very successful. The tumor was large, but upon visual inspection everything looked fine. It will be a couple of days before we're absolutely certain but things look good. By the time I left the hospital at 5. She was mostly recovered from the anesthesia. Her voice sounds completely normal although it's difficult for her to speak. She was drinking water, eating some sherbet like frozen desert, and replying to a bunch of text messages. They're keeping her in the hospital tonight, but she is expected to be home tomorrow. By then I'm sure she will be replying to all your good wishes on her own. It's been a long day. Thank you all.