Ice and other things

Today there’s a fair chance the ice will leave the lake. It’s broken up into pencil ice with areas of open water. Had it been windy on Monday the lake would probably have completely opened up. This will be a few days earlier than the old average ice out date. 

Trout season doesn’t start until the fourth Saturday in April. Hopefully I’ll have the boat in the water by then. My lovely wife is really looking forward to fishing this year. It’ll be nice to do that together. 

I’m still not fully recovered from my week in the hospital. Later in the week I’m meeting with my doctor. We are in the process of putting together a plan to prevent further leg infections. For those who know me it won’t come as a surprise that weight loss will be part of that. 

Treatment is a lot different in the US if you have health insurance. Five years ago a doctor wanted to schedule cardiac tests. However, having no insurance at the time the hospital wanted $20,000 up front. That didn’t happen. This time around I have insurance.  The doctor just went ahead and had tests done while I was in the hospital. The good news is that my heart is in good shape. Also thanks to having insurance the weight loss clinic will accept me. 

I’ll have to pace myself until my leg is fully healed up, but at least I’m now chipping away at my projects. That feels good. 

-Sixbears

Health Progress

I’m still making headway with my recovery from the leg infection. The leg looks better all the time. Still paying attention to the doctor’s orders. He has me going for short walks three times a day. When not walking, he wants my feet to be elevated. Leg swelling is still an issue, but progress is being made.

Today I’m going back to the hospital for more x-rays. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with my leg infection. This time is for a recurring problem with ingrown toenails. Sometimes it’s painful to walk. The x-rays are to check to see if there are bone spur issues. Since I plan on doing more and more walking, taking good care of my feet is essential.

Might as well get all my doctoring done before the bills come in. Currently none of them have been defaulted on, but that might change. The big bill for my hospital stay hasn’t come in yet. Let’s see if they are able to cut me a deal or not.

-Sixears

Trip into town

The plan is to accompany my lovely wife into town today. We are going to run a few errands.

My leg is much improved. The wounds have closed up and the scabs fallen off. I can even take regular showers again. That’s a good thing for everyone.

I’ve a ways to go before I’m back in condition, but this is a start. My next scheduled doctor’s appointment isn’t until April. Hopefully I’ll be much improved by then.

There’s a lot of things that need my attention, but getting and staying healthy takes precedence.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. It’s made a difference.

-Sixbears

I'm not old, I'm injured

One of the weirdest things that happened to me when meeting up with friends is that we became our grandparents. You know how when you are a kid you hear your grandparents talking with their friends about illnesses and injuries? You thought you'd never become those people.

We hadn't seen each other for months. What do we end up talking about? Illnesses and injuries. What that heck? When did we become those people? The funny thing is that we all came to the realization at about the same time. It was kinda depressing.

Yes, I've been dealing with a gimpy leg the last few months. It's an injury, not old age. Then again, the fact that it's been taking months to heal might have something to do with the gray in my thinning hair. At 20 I'd probably have shaken off the injury. Back then my immune system was strong enough to kill squirrels in the driveway.

Both of my friends have the regular assortment of maintenance medications. One just had a cancerous tumor successfully removed and the prognosis is excellent. His cancer was caught because of regular blood tests he has done for another chronic condition. He's had the most serious illness of our group, but looks much healthier than we do. Go figure.

This injury of mine had made me feel old, but I've been injured and felt old before. I've gotten over it in the past and will get over this now. Before long I'll be feeling well enough to do something crazy and foolish. Looking forward to it.

-Sixbears

Dealing with stuff

Well, I finally got hold of an oral surgeon, and it's the close one -50 miles away. It will be almost a month before they can get me in for a consultation. That doesn't sound like they are too keen to do the job that day. However, they were quick to point out that it was going to cost me $150 for that meeting.
Yippee.

Good thing I got in before the college students are let go for the summer. They keep the dentists going full blast through their summer vacation. Those young people want to take full advantage of mommy and daddy's dental insurance while they still qualify. Can't really blame them for that.

The bills for my hospital visit started to come in. The first bill was from the lab. They give me a discount for paying out of pocket. Between that discount and credit for on-time payment, the cost is cut almost in half. Here's there weird thing. If I had insurance they would have charged me 100%. Since my insurance had a $6000 deductible, it might be cheaper for me this way. Our National sick system makes no sense.

The bum leg is really starting to get to me. When I spend too much time on my feet, the leg swells up and gets uncomfortable. Then it's time to lie down with my foot in the air again. Can't get anything done.

At least the weather is nice. My lovely wife and I got to sit in the sun with our coffees this afternoon. The osprey are back at the lake and I heard a loon the other night. Things could be worse.

-Sixbears