Good News

Every day we touch what is wrong, and, as a result, we are becoming less and less healthy. That is why we have to learn to practice touching what is not wrong—inside us and around us. When we get in touch with our eyes, our heart, our liver, our breathing, and our non-toothache and really enjoy them, we see that the conditions for peace and happiness are already present. 

Thich Nhat Hanh

Today I have a lot of good news. First of all, I am signed up to make a fast $20 today.  Making money is always good.  One of the area hospitals is sending someone in to do a focus study to see how said hospital could improve on its services for seniors.  That's good, too, especially since my new doctor is affiliated with said hospital.  

Yes, changing doctors is an important decision I have decided upon.  Who needs a doctor they cannot reach?  When I need to talk to my present physician,  I either have to make a trip there or, as I have done on one occasion, write her a letter. No one ever picks up the phone or messages at that clinic...that is,  if one is lucky enough to find room on the voice mail to actually leave a message.  And, although she is very nice, all she does is sit at her computer and refer me to other doctors...and it doesn't seem to me that any of these doctors communicate with one another.  Remember how they all had me running back and forth for blood tests?  I became such a regular fixture in the lab that they actually waited for my weekly appointment. That shouldn't have been.

So, when I received an invitation to an open house at a multi-specialty medical office a few blocks from my home, I couldn't turn it down.  I like that everything, including the lab,  is all together under one roof, and I have heard from others that they have a very good reputation. And while we are on the subject, I have some news.

I have finally signed up for a plan to offset my Medicare and I believe, at least I think, I made a good choice. I'll know for sure when I finally put the plan to use.  I signed with Emblem, the plan I had when I was still working. It is a company I feel comfortable with because I have dealt with them for a few years now.  Of course, that was before I retired and they charging over $200 a month,  so who knows how it will be that I am a Medicare client.  Time will tell. 

Oh my.  I feel badly.  I signed up to do some reflective writing, and they are already going to Day 5, and I've not done Day 1 yet. I've just had so many things going on that I haven't been able to sit and think clearly.  Perhaps now that I have decided on a new doctor and medical plan things will ease up some for me.  Of course, I still have to deal with my pension problems, and money is in short supply, but eventually I know this mess will be cleared up, and, if there is anything positive about this, they DO have to pay me retroactively so I am looking at it as an extra savings account. 

I came home from the Center on Monday and completed my Christmas shopping online and found some really great Cyber Monday sales.  I've never done this before, but I can no longer deal with shopping in the stores.  I have panic attacks in crowds, and I cannot carry much of anything anymore. Besides, Christmas shopping has become so dangerous that there is no fun in it anymore. For example, on Saturday I went to the bank to draw out some money to pay my bills, and afterwards stopped at my favorite little bargain store.  The zipper on my purse keeps getting stuck, and it is time for a new one.  I was hoping to find a nice little bag, but the place was such a madhouse with people pushing and shoving that I hightailed it out of there and went straight on home. Times sure have changed. 

"I miss the good old days when Black Friday was actually on Friday." Unknown

 "Because only in America, people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have." 

Unknown