Friday, April 12, 2013
Open Letter
I have a love-hate relationship with technology and social media. Privacy is not respected. Sharing is overrated and oftentimes TMI. Yet it is damn near impossible to live without online interaction. Le sigh deeply.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Happy Half-Birthday to Me
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Going Somewhere Nowhere Fast
What was a normal day turned into a brain splitting, nerve wracking day. This happened a few weeks ago and I'm just now calm enough to blog it out.
It started with a routine visit to my migraine specialist. I researched how botox was now FDA-approved and used for treatment of migraines. I also read an article about how dogs could be trained to alert the owner of an oncoming headache attack. I have established a good relationship with my doctor and trusted he would advise whether these new methods were worth trying. Welp, it turns out I don't qualify. Botox and alert dogs are only for those with chronic migraine.
The denial was a gift and a curse. On one hand, I should be thankful that I am not suffering or bedridden 15 days out of every month. That's half of every month spent in pain. On the other hand, I am only a few days shy, so that means I am still spending a good deal of my time in pain but not enough to allow stronger relief methods. Oh woe is fucking me.
The next stop was to my regular pharmacy to refill my prescriptions. I waved hello to the pharmacist that knows me better than some of my own acquaintances. A worried look appeared on the pharmacist's face. The friendly smile was not there. Not even the usual, "How are you?" greeting was spoken. Instead I received a tentative hello and asked if I'd heard from my insurance company yet. "Umm, no. Should I have?" And so follows the dreadful news that my medical insurance provider will no longer cover my migraine meds. But I'm more than welcome to purchase them at retail value of $1,000 or more. (,,-__-,,)
This news alone brought a migraine ON-SITE. I was directed to a chair so that I could sit down and get my bearings. But at that point, I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and lay in the darkness until I was well enough to call the insurance company in the morning. Surely there has been a mistake.
Another day and couple phone calls later and it was proven to be true. The insurance company needed proof that I've exhausted all other types of treatment before they continue paying for the costly cocktail that I'm now taking. Le sigh. I am not new at this migraine thing. I've been diagnosed for 26 years. I have tried any and everything by now. But to the insurance company, I'm just a name on a manila file with expensive coverage needs.
Fast forward to the present and my doctor and pharmacy worked out an alternative; although, it's not as effective. So I literally cannot afford to get a migraine. It will cost me thousands! I've been told to take it easy so it won't trigger one. This was a serious wake-up call for me to stop multi-tasking so much and slow down. Sit still. Turn my chill meter to the max. I cannot let anything worry or stress me—as if I wasn't already nonchalant enough.
"Taking it easy" is not simple for me. It's as if I'm on cruise control, afraid to accelerate because I will crash. I'm going somewhere nowhere fast. I'll just keep sailing my lil red boat, praying to God he will keep me afloat.
The denial was a gift and a curse. On one hand, I should be thankful that I am not suffering or bedridden 15 days out of every month. That's half of every month spent in pain. On the other hand, I am only a few days shy, so that means I am still spending a good deal of my time in pain but not enough to allow stronger relief methods. Oh woe is fucking me.
The next stop was to my regular pharmacy to refill my prescriptions. I waved hello to the pharmacist that knows me better than some of my own acquaintances. A worried look appeared on the pharmacist's face. The friendly smile was not there. Not even the usual, "How are you?" greeting was spoken. Instead I received a tentative hello and asked if I'd heard from my insurance company yet. "Umm, no. Should I have?" And so follows the dreadful news that my medical insurance provider will no longer cover my migraine meds. But I'm more than welcome to purchase them at retail value of $1,000 or more. (,,-__-,,)
This news alone brought a migraine ON-SITE. I was directed to a chair so that I could sit down and get my bearings. But at that point, I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and lay in the darkness until I was well enough to call the insurance company in the morning. Surely there has been a mistake.
Another day and couple phone calls later and it was proven to be true. The insurance company needed proof that I've exhausted all other types of treatment before they continue paying for the costly cocktail that I'm now taking. Le sigh. I am not new at this migraine thing. I've been diagnosed for 26 years. I have tried any and everything by now. But to the insurance company, I'm just a name on a manila file with expensive coverage needs.
Fast forward to the present and my doctor and pharmacy worked out an alternative; although, it's not as effective. So I literally cannot afford to get a migraine. It will cost me thousands! I've been told to take it easy so it won't trigger one. This was a serious wake-up call for me to stop multi-tasking so much and slow down. Sit still. Turn my chill meter to the max. I cannot let anything worry or stress me—as if I wasn't already nonchalant enough.
"Taking it easy" is not simple for me. It's as if I'm on cruise control, afraid to accelerate because I will crash. I'm going somewhere nowhere fast. I'll just keep sailing my lil red boat, praying to God he will keep me afloat.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
First Anniversary of my 30th Born Day
Thirty-odd years ago on September 16, a star was born. That star would be yours truly. This is the first birthday that I felt like it was just another day. Does this mean I'm officially old?
My original plan was to chill. Well that plan was nixed quickly. Thanks to family and friends I spent it out. It was a weekend full of laughs, good food, delish drinks and new activities. Cheers to another year of life.
My original plan was to chill. Well that plan was nixed quickly. Thanks to family and friends I spent it out. It was a weekend full of laughs, good food, delish drinks and new activities. Cheers to another year of life.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Life Is But a Beach Chair
My goodness. I haven't blogmoired in some months of Sundays. I was too busy gettingmylife.com
I just returned from vacation in the Bahamas. It is such a beautiful, relaxing place. I feel a sense of calm whenever I am around ocean blue water. There is not a care in the world. No stress. Everyday responsibilities forgotten. That's what you call good living.
Now that I am back in the States, I am rejuvenated and can hear my angels sing.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
All Gadget Everything
It really hit me when I was taking a survey. Are we addicted to gadgets? Do you even remember life before smartphones, DVR's and streaming technology? The question was:
Which of the following devices do you own or have within your household? Please select all that apply.
- desktop computer
- laptop
- eReader
- tablet
- smartphone (BlackBerry, iPhone, Android)
- none of these
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