Thursday, November 6, 2025

118 - down a bit

Somewhat more drama with the neighbor pick-up from the airport yesterday. We arrived just as they were at the office, but the wife was feeling very confused and not sure if she had paid for the flight. I suggested that payment was likely rendered when their SIL arranged it - her husband concurred and said he thought they gave their credit card number. We got to the condo which like ours has 2 locks - one for a deadbolt and one in the handle. Ours use the same key but theirs doesn't. They had one key but both were locked. So they called the property manager who said the housekeepers had both keys and were coming in the afternoon. We took their dog upstairs with us while they went out to lunch at the clubhouse. I checked with the housekeepers while our neighbors were at lunch and they and the property manager were scurrying around getting it all clean. They had been told that our neighbors were arriving today not yesterday which doesn't surprise me as we were originally told the wrong date too. So now I am worried because they said that they were flying from Orlando airport to Nashville at Thanksgiving to visit their son. A big airport to handle when one gets easily confused :(

Last bocce game of the season was late yesterday - we won one and lost the other so we aren't in the playoffs. Fine with me. We had fun playing and that's all I care about.

Today we have errands, maybe the pool for a bit? My golf league which is usually at 9:30 is at 3 for a Nine and Wine. All holes are set up as 3 pars with a wine tasting at holes 3, 6 and 9. Then appetizers at the clubhouse. Should be fun. DH and I have subscription tickets to Little Shop of Horrors which we may or may not go to depending on time. The reviews have not been good. Typically our subscription is for 4 shows and frequently the first one is a bit of a dud. The remainder which are in high season January to March/April are generally excellent.

Have a terrific Thursday!

I would be tempted to call their son and relay your concerns. Just because they want to do something doesn't mean they should.

Agreed. Maybe they can get some assistance from their airline making transfers, and baording?

Today: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ novo-lilly-shares-rise-trump-obesity-drug-deal-nears-2025-11 -06/

"Starter doses of rival weightâ?'loss pills being developed by Lilly and Novo, if approved, will cost $149 per month for all Medicare and Medicaid enrollees and via the White House's new direct-to-consumer site, TrumpRx, senior administration officials said." The news show I watched this morning had even better prices, they said Medicare would be a $50 co pay. For direct to consumers, the $149 price would be for oral medications, the injectables would be $350 (I think that was the quote) and prices would go even lower over time. Wonderful news, particularly adding it to covered medications under Medicare. And if direct to consumer prices go down in pharmacies, maybe compounded prices will go down too to compete. One question: can direct to consumer's only get this price if they use TrumpRx, or are other pharmacies in on the deal? I'm hoping so, because I would want to purchase from the pharmacy I use in Minnesota associated with my health care system.

I looked at the article again. There were so many ads, I didn't realize there was more article to read. It did clarify the pricing shots vs oral drugs, and it did state that medicare copay would be $50. That would be amazing for so many people.

From the article near the bottom:

Lilly said the lowest dose of Zepbound will be available for $299 per month, with additional doses priced at $449 per month for cash-paying patients under the new deal.

I currently pay $299 for the highest dose of compound tirzepatide. So, yes, a reduction for name brand, but seems to me the generic will still be less expensive for cash payers. If one is over 65 and has medicare... YIPPEE!

Maybe if there was wine tasting involved I would be more inclined to try golf! Sounds like fun. Do you think people will play better or worse after some sips?

Very excited about the possible addition of Zepbound and Wegovy to Medicare. Conflicting reports about the cost, $50 copay or $149? I'm sure all will be clarified. DH just used his last dose, because he is on Medicare, and it isn't covered, and $300-400 compounding pharmacy charge is not in the budget. But maybe there is still hope. And if Zepbound gets approved for higher dosages after the current trials, maybe even more hope. And maybe regular insurance plans might consider offering it as a covered medication again if the cost wasn't so high. DD's insurance did cover it for awhile, but now it doesn't. Buying it from a compounding pharmacy is taking a big chunk out of her budget. She will pay what she has to pay since it puts her endometriosis in remission, but it would be much better if she could get some help with coverage, for a very real chronic condition.

Overcast today, and temps will be dropping. No news yet if my Mom is leaving the hospital tomorrow. Some medical equipment I ordered for her when my Dad was having a weak moment has been delivered. My DB is going over to their house to make sure my Dad doesn't get confused and sta**** somewhere we can never find it. Unfortunately, my parents don't qualify for any personal care help. The social worker at the hospital was setting up private pay services. My Dad does not want to spend any money, ever, despite having plenty of money to spend. My DB had to talk him into spending $600 on some car repair, and he said, Are you happy now? That's $300 less for you and your sister to inherit. DB and I were laughing (cause what else are you going to do) about the day we are being evicted from our houses when we're 75 because we were $300 short on the taxes. Then we'll say ruefully, If only Dad didn't get the brakes fixed on the pick up truck, this wouldn't be happening to us. So that's the biggest element of his resistance, and they're both resistant to "having people in the house".

I had a very lazy morning, in that I didn't get dressed and ready to leave the house to work out after my latte and paper reading. I watched some morning news, did some laundry, cleaned up the kitchen. I'm on my way out the door to go work out right now. When I get home, more Brazil trip planning. I spend way too much time searching for the perfect for us hotel. We're planning on a few days in the mountains, and will need two different hotels. (I did get a short beach stay selected, still need to decide on the longer stay). I tell myself that it's only 2 days in each hotel, it's not such a big deal. Plans will be solidified soon : )

It will be interesting to see how the pricing of the meds all shakes out. I won't be eligible for Medicare for another 4 1/2 years but lower prices even if from a compounding company sounds good to be. I'm so thankful I stocked up.

Exciting news about the GLP-1 meds. However, I am not yet celebrating. I am currently able to get my tirzepatide dose for less than the price Lilly is will offer Zepbound. I'll stick with the compound for now.

203.4 today. Weight is really stable in this range. Dagnabit! I have been really quite good about calorie intake, monitoring protein, exercise, etc... I would like the weight to drop a little more quickly. Hoping my body cooperates soon.

Was out of the house by 9:15 today. Had a quickie appointment with the PS for my 11's (Daxxify injection). After a quick chat about my upcoming procedure in January, he agreed to add laser treatment for my under eye area. Yeah! Gonna tighten up that crepey skin!

Visited Dad this morning, too. I gave him back his watch that my brother took to replace the watch band, but never got around to doing. I was so pleased that my dad could read the watch (old fashioned analog clock face) and tell me the time! That was the highlight of my morning.

Oh, I got an exertion headache yesterday at the gym. I don't think I've had one in years and years. Luckily, it was short lived and lasted only a few minutes, but WOW! Talk about acute and intense onset! I decided that I need to work back to the point of being able to do 40 pushups in a row. I knocked out 35 yesterday - the last two were HARD, but doable. When I finished I sat up and my head started to hurt. The pain got really intense for a few seconds and then started to fade away. I read about the phenomenon on line last night. I'm so glad that the pain subsided so quickly. Sometimes these exertion headaches can last hours! However, I'm damn proud that I can do 35 pushups in a row!!!! Not bad for a 61 year old!

Dog show prep today, so off I trot...