What's New Thursday!

Karen, I'm sure you're on the road by now, but have a safe trip!  Give Cheryl big hugs for us!  I can picture you all stressed over that poor little misguided bird!  We had a sparrow fly in through the open front door and head straight upstairs to the computer room.  George grabbed the fish net - the holes were too big.  He finally was able to throw a towel over the scared creature and take him outside to freedom.

Good Morning, Debbie and Everyone! Good to see you starting today, Debbie.  I love the suprise each morning -- sort of "Who's On First?" You're right about the East Coast being up first but it's fun to check just the same. My tests yesterday morning came and went.  Only trouble I had was the fizzy part of the Upper GI.  For some reason that didn't sit too well in my system and left me feeling yukky the balance of the day.  It was trainee day at the facility so the ultrasounds took longer and then the Upper GI was a complete circus.  Let's just say glad it's over. Called the surgeon's office, as instructed to do, and was finally told that their own people had not yet even submitted the request for the colonoscopy.  Here I had been led to believe it was my insurance company delay and it's not.  I think I finally convinced them that I've waited patiently long enough.  We'll see by Friday.  If it is required for surgery then let's get on with it already. I'm back in the office today and facing a small mountain of e-mails and phone call messages and some work to get done.  My counterpart at another facility had a breakdown and is on extended leave.  I've been tasked with trying to assist them in addition to my own responsibilities.  It's always something.  We've all been wondering who would "crack" first in this job that we do.  Guess it wasn't me! Have a good Thursday. Kathi

Kathi, it goes to show you MUST keep on top of things when it comes to health care, whether it's the insurance company or your own doctor's office.  Sorry your procedure left you feeling yukky.  Remind me what you do for a living that would cause someone to go out on extended leave.  If I didn't have my sweet hubby to complain to, I'd have been a basket case a long time ago!  My boss is like a time bomb TICK, TICK, TICK...

Oh Debbie, I work in at the VA Medical Center and am the Credentialing Coordinator for the facility.  I have 535 practitioners that involves lots and lots........ and lots...... of paperwork and such to do.  As you know, doctors have a "special" personality and I have 535 different ones! There are 182 VA facilities nationwide and every facility has to have someone doing this task.  We are subject to many audit systems as well...... IG, GAO, and being a teaching facility we are Joint Commission accredited and they audit as well.  The job requires that we live and die by the calendar since almost everything has a time limit with it and there can be nothing in expired status.    I always say I don't get "vacation" days but only "borrowed" weekend days!  The job requires you to be organized and have the ability to do more than one thing at a time. I, too, have my hubby who is terrific.  I explain some of the problem things to him.  He doesn't know a thing about how to go about doing what I do but he's a great listener and a good sounding board!  I don't know what I'd do without him! Kathi 

Good morning Debbie and everyone!! I had a busy crazy day yesterday. I was on the road yesterday with clients and business for work. Thank goodness for my laptop so I could check in once in awhile. First of all I waant to thank all of you that have responded so wonderfully to my last two posts...especially about Nic. You are all just awesome and I love you very much! I can't imagine getting through all this without all of you!! All the prayers and good wishes were just overwhelming. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. OFF is #1!!!! My cleaning fairy is here...bless her heart! She is just awesome. I appreciate her more everyday. I have plenty of office work to keep me busy so I best get at it. Hugs and love to all......connie d

Connie, isn't OFF the most wonderful place in the world.  We are truly FAMILY, often better than one's own family the way we rally around each other in time of crisis, share our concerns, and celebrate our triumphs! I need a cleaning fairy!  Often I wish I were like Bewitched - just blink or twitch my nose and POOF, everything clean and in its place! I've got a desk full of work too, so I'd better get busy.

Hello all my fellow OFFer's. I hope that the day is getting better for some of you.  Aime, I was shocked to hear about what N did. She is in no shape to take care of LP. I don't blame you and P from going down and trying to get custody of him. I know that I would do the same thing if I was in your predicament. You are the best thing in LP's life right now. He is thriving with you taking care of him. Anyone would see that.  Annette, I would make sure something happens with that nurse too. I have a lot of allergies too and when i am in the doctor's or the hospital I always ask what it is they are giving me because I am not going to take any chances. I don't want a repeat of what happens when I found the allergy to begin with. Since I went through that fiasco with the one doctor I ask questions of all the medical staff no matter who they are. You have to be your own advocate for sure. I learned that one the hard way. We got about 8" of snow yesterday total. It came mostly in the afternoon and night. I am glad though because we didn't get as much as some of Porter County. In Chesterton where most of my family lives got about 10 or more inches.  Today Bill and I are going to the grocery store. I have been saying that my cupboards are looking like Mother Hubbard's and now today it comes to an end. HooRay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I better get going. I have to start getting ready to go shopping. Stay safe all of my dear friends. I pray for God's blessings to be on each and every one of you. I send you all love and big hugs. I have to add that Oprah has on some of the stars from Dancing With The Stars. There was one who was in this skimpy gold outfit and I told Bill I would look good in that. He said yes, poor boy!!!  I told him between all the skin hanging on my legs and arms I would knock my partner out. I said that he would be laying unconsous (sp). Bill just smiled and nodded his head. I had to share our funny moment with all of you. See ya later on. I am outta here for sure now.

Good morning to all, Aime, hang in there. Hopefully the courts will have leveler heads than N and her mother and see that you and P are who LP needs to be with. What an ordeal, indeed!!  Certainly can't say life is dull around your house. Here's hoping it calms down soon. Annette, get onto that nurse!!! Good heavens...you might not be the only one this has happened to, or worse, what if someone does die by her carelessness? Everyone else seems to be doing well. Snow and ice for some, nice warm weather for others. Me?  I'm off for the dreaded colonoscopy this morning. Believe me, the second I'm out of there I'm finding something to eat!!!!  Got on the scale this morning and it read 119. OMG....I have to put some of this back on. Now, two years ago there wouldn't be a question as to how to do it, but now?  I hope to do it in a healthy way.....any suggestions???????? God love all your hearts.

Susan, In your WILDEST dreams did you ever imagine being scared to see 119 on the scale? Good grief, I didn't know those numbers existed.  The colonoscopy prep probably took a whole bunch out of you too. Perhaps a tiny bit dehydrated too? Drink lots!! See if that helps at all. Try upping your intake if only by one or two tablespoons at a time. (I used to spill more than I now eat) You won't be able to stuff tons of food in that 4" pouch, but maybe more frequent feedings will do the trick. When selecting the good carbs, go for the higher counts. This is all by guess and by gosh on my part. Today I have no idea what the hell I am talking about. Maintaining is harder than losing. Then it is a fine line between gaining too much and not gaining enough.  Please, tell me again how much we love  WLS. I'm needing a reminder too. Many hugs Annette 

Hi all....I just thought I would give a note for the nurse.....we all...yes everyone of us make mistakes in our jobs.....that nurse is probably so stressed by being short staffed and having to do three times the amount of work she should be doing......she also is not alone......I think most of all we must be our own patient advocates......real life is not a movie or a TV show....nurses don't have the time to be a TV nurse and would most of the time give ANYTHING to be able to do her work like she was taught in school. Doctors make mistakes all the time also...we just don't hear about it much. It is so much more dramatic for nurses and doctors when they make a mistake with medication esp......no one sues a hairdresser for a bad haircut....by the way....I forgive my hairdresser when she is having an off day and I don't get a great haircut....I try hard to put myself in her place and know that everyday that I work...it is not a perfect day....we all struggle to do the right thing....we just screw up sometimes....and never mean to.....I know that nurse will be written up and will never forget it.....but most of all for ourselves we need to forgive people for our own souls. ...and don't forget to be your own patient advocae and IF you ae not able make sure you hae someone to fill in for you. Believe me medical personnel is much more careful when they believe that the patient has some knowledge or is going to question what is done....you always have the right to ask questions and refuse care and meds. Hugs, Marti