Back to the Routine

It’s a normal pay weekend.  I’ve gotten up, paid bills, talked to one daughter, and am about to head out to run errands.

Once the errands are done, I’m going to be sitting at the computer to work on several projects.  I’m avoiding my phone which is telling me the two games I’ve been playing are ready for me to play again – my lives are full now.

It’s funny how I have to have a game tell me my life is full.  Yes – it is.  From my work, to my hobbies, to my family – I’m busy.  I have a lot going on and some days I’m lacking in energy and ambition.

Motivation is key today and tomorrow.  I have a lot I want to clear off my to do list in the hopes of feeling like I’m moving forward with these projects.

Went to the rheumatologist yesterday – Ken came with me which was nice.  She wants me on a drug so I get to try a new drug to see if I break out, have other nasty side effects, or if my body can tolerate it.  If I can take it, I get to wait weeks (up to three months) before we know if it’s helping.  I’m not optimistic but at the same time I know something has to change.

For the first time in over a month, I’m going to sort through coupons, make a grocery list, and send Ken off to the store with a detail list rather than “get what we need” comment.  We’ve only been picking up the bare necessities while we’ve been helping Vicki move.

Lots to do today so I better get off the computer and head out for the errands.  Hopefully they don’t take long and I can be home soon to work on publishing, couponing, and the other tasks I have on my todo list.

Five Vials of Blood

Five vials of blood – my rheumatology appointment got moved up to this week.  Of course she ordered blood tests and x-rays.  After seeing her, I went to have all this extra work done.  They took five vials of blood from me.  I asked the woman if she was leaving any which made her laugh.

I also got an Explanation of Benefits for the last set of blood tests (cholesterol, uric acid, sed rate) my regular doctor ordered.  Now my insurance premium went down this year – I knew it was going to be bad.  The insurance paid for $88 of labs.  I have to pay $130.  I can just imagine what the rheumatology screening is going to cost me.

I also had x-rays of my hands.  I’m sure these are going to be costly too.  The “savings” in premiums is not going to be a savings.  I had to pay a co-pay at the regular doctor and was supposed to pay one at the rheumatology doctor but their machine wasn’t working.  I’ll end up being billed for it.  Ken’s annual stuff is coming up and I’m sure we will have more expenses with his stuff.

I have good insurance through my work.  We pay through the nose for it.  Up until it was messed with last year by the Governor, it was worth the premium I was paying.  Now I’m not so sure.  All these added costs are going to be difficult.

I know I have it good with my insurance.  It could be so much worse.  However, I’ve not had a raise in at least three years and I keep losing benefits.  It’s frustrating when I’m doing everything possible to reduce costs.

Instead I’m racking up the costs because the doctors want to check for all sorts of things.  The fact is – I have arthritis which is painful.  They don’t know how or can’t treat it to make it less painful.  More money spent to tell me what I’ve known all my life.  I have arthritis and it is painful.