I wanted to get out and ride my bicycle today ~ but afraid to ~ I am waiting for a call from the dr's office and don't want to miss it.

Just reposting my message from earlier today ~ so it is easier to read

Good morning GG's,

It is a nice sunny day, but a little on the chilly side for Houston.

Had the follow up appointment with the ENT Dr. so she could tell me the results of the parathyroid scan. It did not show the information she needs to do the surgery, so she is sending me to a place downtown for a 4D CT scan ~ so she can know which parathyroid gland is the one causing the problem. After that the surgery. She recommends removing the left thyroid ~ because of the nodules which are on it ~ which are little by little getting bigger. She said this is worrisome. And even though the biopsy said it was benign, she said that isn't always 100% accurate. So, remove the thyroid with the nodules, and the trouble making parathyroid. She said while I am still under anesthesia, a tissue sample would be sent to pathology for a quick check to say rather those nodules are cancerous and rather anything else needs to be removed at that time. She said that even if that one shows no cancer, it is possible that when they do a thorough exam, it might show something not seen on the quick exam and then I would have to have a second surgery. I am hoping and praying that all the testing still shows it to be benign and that a second surgery or other stuff won't be necessary.

Carol Sue ~ I'm glad your Dr's office got the two names straightened out. That kind of mix up isn't good.

Mary ~ has your bread maker come yet? I'm sorry about the heart ache your kids are causing you. I can identify. My two daughters don't get along with my son. The one daughter who is uppity, looks down her nose at him and acts as if he barely exists. They were never close, so he has come to accept that. The other daughter ~ son and her were close and like friends. But she wasn't nice to him a lot of the time and he finally had enough. Like one of those little quotes you see about a person putting up with crap from someone else and when they finally say ~ enough ~ they are considered the bad one instead of the person that treats them badly. They had a falling out once before, but it blew over and they were friends again. This time, I'm not sure (unless God fixes it) that they will ever get along again ~ there was too much hurt. It makes your heart ache.
About your dr ~ why wait? If you are unhappy with him ~ change now. Another dr with a better attitude who is polite to you, would be just as capable of figuring out the blood pressure thing. You guys shouldn't have to put up with being treated that way. I'm sorry to be so bold ~ rude doctors played a big part in not liking my job and being glad to be done with it.

Hello Love2garden and Deelou.

ETA: another thought Mary ~ maybe people in that retirees group you guys go to could suggest a dr, or maybe someone from your church?

It is still cold and has been snowing since noon. Not a lot...couple inches. Next week we are supposed to warm up to 50, but it's not the end of winter for us, not by a long shot!

Gayle, I hope all goes well with your thyroid and parathyroid. Nothing to cause you to need a second surgery or any further treatment. Do you know when this surgery will take place?

I had another issues with a name mix-up when I was in the hospital. My last name starts with an S, and they put me in a room with another woman named Carol whose last name started with an S. They said they don't usually do that but that was the only room they had available. Both of the names above our beds showed Carol S. A nurse came in carrying an IV bag and said "Carol?" I said we are both Carol. Then she said "Carol S?" That was when I asked my nurse to find another room for me as soon as one came open. Who knows what was in that IV. It wasn't for me. That evening a room opened up and they moved me. Now that hospital has changed over to all private rooms.

My brother and I didn't get along. It was hard to believe that we were raised in the same household but had completely different values when we grew up. We didn't fight, but just kept to ourselves.

Good evening GG's,

Wow ~ back again. It was a pretty good day. I had a headache in the morning that kind of slowed me down, but it let up in the afternoon and I got some stuff done.

I have been trying to do better with my eating ~ and part of what I think I need to do is to eat supper somewhere around 5 or 6 pm. I had been trying to wait until Maddie goes home, but Sara's hours when she arrives to get Maddie vary 6:30 to 7:30 or later. By that time I am too hungry and starting to feel irritable and end up grabbing something quick ~ usually not the best choice of things. I have tried to already have in mind what I am gonna eat ~ and prepare or partially prepare it ahead of time, instead of leaving it up to chance. I got to do that tonight ~ I think that is gonna help.

I haven't been doing so well as I did a few days back, with the exercise. It was sunny this morning and I had wanted to get out there in the fresh air and sunshine and ride my bike (after it warmed up a bit) but because of the headache didn't. But when Sara got home early, and I had already eaten, I went out and rode for 15 minutes. It was kind of chilly, but not too bad.

Hope you all have had a good day.

Gayle, 15 minutes is OK. At least you got some bike time in. That's what's important, and I also think your plan about dinner is good too. If you plan ahead what you are going to eat and even get some of it started you will choose a healthier meal. Good luck with that. I think it's good to try to switch things around and find out what will work best for us.

Today and tomorrow are going to be very, very cold. Right now it's 8. All the schools are closed. That makes it hard for parents who have to scramble for child care. It's supposed to warm up over the weekend. I doubt if I will be going out anywhere. There isn't anything I need.

Last try to see if anything I've tried has helped....I've spent more time on this than I have at church this week...so this is it, thanks for all who tried to help, nothing has so far😥

Hi gals...I have been busy trying to understand our new health insurance benefits and also choosing a new doctor. It feels like a big step as we've been with our current doctor for several years and I have never changed doctors before unless I had to r/t moves, new jobs, or going from Kaiser (HMO) to Tricare. Any tips on how to go about it? What I've done so far is go through the insurance directory and looked up the ones closest to me online and read reviews when available. The trouble is when you go in for a visit, they will probably want to get my history from our current doctor..and what if I don't decide to stay with them? I'm thinking about printing out a summary from our current doctors portal website and hoping that will be enough for the first visit. Trouble is, I do need treatment...trying to decide, should I stay with my current doctor until current issues are resolved or should I go ahead and change I'm still feeling mildly dizzy - most of the time now. I have heart beat sound in my right ear sometimes too and when I take my BP it is high, but without that sound in my ear it is usually normal. I wanted someone in their 50s with 25-30 years experience but then I got to thinking we've had some excellent specialists/even surgeons who are very young, so I'm more willing to adjust my thinking on that now.

Was sure not happy with Humana's phone system! Could not get into what I wanted and when I took a chance and selected one, thinking I could just tell them what I want and they could direct me, no, ended up having the automated line issue me a new ID card! Not what I need right now. I got out of it without giving all my info so hopefully it won't be generated. By the time I finally got a real person, I was tired! I told her my issues and she told me a way to get to the customer service dept faster, thank goodnesss, so next time maybe easier! Then I tried to set up the OTC supplies account at their pharmacy ...we each get $30 worth of OTC products each month, however I can't get past the agreement...I scroll through (even very slowly) and it keeps saying I need to read it. Grrr...just not my day with insurance I guess! I'll try again. After all this I was so fed up and tired I couldn't think of calling a doctor, but plan to still do that. I also need to compare their dental plan with my discount card.

Got a new glucose testing meter and had to program it...the buttons are on the side, very small and too close together. My hands are small but even my fingers keep touching the wrong butter if I'm not VERY careful. Finally got it done but went a bit crazy doing it. Not my day with gadgets either I guess!

So as you can see I've been busy with all these piddly yet time consuming things..I now have my bread maker. Watched the DVD, but that's all I 've done so far. Will try baking bread if I can work it in today. Oh and we went to the gym and walked a mile but were only gone about 30 min. Because of the dizziness, I just walked with dh (slowly). Even coming up the stairs to the track area, I began to hear the beat in my ear, but it went away when I got up there. So feel this definitely needs attention. The past few weeks I have been snacking on a lot of sunflower seeds as this is an old favorite of mine...I go off them for years at a time but then someone will bring them home and I start again.:dizzy! I have stopped this recently as thought it might be the sodium causing my elevated BP. Has never happened in the past but I'm older, have diabetes, things are different now, so maybe. Plus there are other issues that probably aren't quite so urgent but do need attention too.

Well that pretty much fills you in on what I've been up to. Will post personals asap.

Deelou, I know someone else mentioned this, but did you ask one of the monitors to help you? The should know what to do. That is a really nice picture of your family. I'm sorry it's giving you so much trouble.

Mary, If I had to look for a new doctor right now I wouldn't know what to do, so I can't give you any advice. Maybe you can ask some friends to recommend someone. I wouldn't cut off ties wit the old doctor until you're sure you are going to switch, and are sure you have found the one.

I definitely think you need to be seen with the issues you have been having. Maybe you should go to the old doctor and see what he says before you start with someone new who doesn't know your medical history.

I love sunflower seeds, but I buy the ones that are shelled, with no salt. They are sold in Walmart and packaged by George J Howe Co.

Back again, I did get an appt with a new doctor but it isn't until May! They said it is just this way with new patients. If I had been a current patient they could have gotten me on Tues. I made an appt for dh in May too. He wanted me to check out the doctor first but I don't want him to wait so long. I can always cancel it. So I made an appt with my current doc to get things checked meantime. Tried to make bread but found out I forgot to buy one ingredient and also bought one wrong ingredient for the low carb bread I want to try. Will go out tomorrow for this stuff and try again. Decluttered my pantry this afternoon as lots of things had long expired. What a waste! This is pantry night and I'm trying to figure out what I want to eat...nothing sounds very good.

Deelou - Wish I knew how to help you with the picture. I agree that the monitors should be able to help you.

Wannabe - The trouble is once they get your history your old doc already knows what you have done. But perhaps they will just work with my print-out for a while. With things like BP and diabetes they will likely want one's history though. I can eat the seeds without salt but I do not really like them, just as soon do without. They've never caused me BP problems before so if it is them, its probably just that I've overeaten them. When I really really like something I seems like I have little control if they are around me. The names a like thing is not good...esp in the hospital..a potential for error.

Glynne - Glad you are getting the biking in...15 min is ok, and when the pressure of off to do more I think sometimes it even makes it easier to even want to do more. I hate feeling like I HAVE to do something, or CAN'T do something, rules...I have to have to be motivated in someway to do it so it is out of desire, love etc. Does your dh prepare his own meals? Dh does a lot right now due to having to have his soft foods, but usually he only cooks once or twice a week for dinner. He does his own breakfast and lunch though.

Mary, I don't understand the reasoning behind the delay for new patients. You would think they would want to get you in there as soon as possible to get new patients! When I was looking for a gynecologist I called around and took the one who could get me in the soonest! I think you have to sign something for the new doctor to request your records. You should be able to get a feel for what the doctor is like at the first visit for you and DH.

But I'm glad you are going to see your current doctor. It's best to find out what's going on.

DH goes through the pantry and reads expiration dates on things. He gets so mad at me for keeping things that are expired, but sometimes I just don't pay attention.

Last night I watched a show on Public Television about The Dash Diet. It is geared toward lowering blood pressure. It is pretty much the way I eat now, but I have quit drinking milk and eating yogurt and they said dairy is imperative for lowering blood pressure, so I think I am going to add it back in. My blood pressure isn't extremely high but it's higher than the cardiologist wants it and he said if I can't lower it by my appointment in May he is going to make changes. I don't want additional meds, so I really want to lower it to a level he will accept.

I don't eat many salted things. Chips and pretzels with salt taste too salty to me. So I guess that's why I like these sunflower seeds without salt. I tried other brands, but the only ones I like are from George Howe.

Wannabe - I don't understand the new patient thing either, but seems to be the same with all the docs. So now I'd probably suspect one that didn't do it.

BTW, dh's abdominal incision has finally healed...well almost...it has a tiny scab over it but basically is healed assuming the scab doesn't get infected or something but don't think it will. It has taken way too long so glad to see it closed and dry, no dressing needed. Also his finger is healing nicely. So I don't have to play nurse anymore.

I've never heard of that brand of sunflower seeds...might be at New Seasons though as they have more brands than the conventional stores. In the past when I have bought the unsalted kind I ended up adding it!

What a day, I was getting putting all the ingredients in the bread maker and realized I didn't have enough of one...since I'm making low-carb bread the ingredients are a little unusual for me...the one I didn't have enough of was rice protein. Dh was out and about and I thought he had the good car and I didn't want to drive the old car as we had some trouble with it recently, so I called him and he has so far gone to 4 stores looking for this stuff. Finally went to New Seasons where I bought it and should be home soon. But the rest of the ingredients have been setting for about an hour now. Hope it won't mess up the bread. Bread and bread makers can be so tricky. Realized too late the newer car is in the garage...wish I'd known, could have just driven to New Seasons and probably would have the bread started baking by now. Oh well, I'm just thankful for a sweet patient dh!

Glynne - How you doing today?

Love2 - What's happening in your life? Come back when you can.

Good evening GG's,

I started to make a post this evening ~ I usually open a word processor document and do it there ~ copy and paste it here. I learned the hard way to do that after losing long posts. But the program won't open to start a new document. And neither will any of my existing documents open. Grrrrr. I told DH. He just shook his head and said he didn't know ~ will look at it tomorrow. He usually can figure out and fix things, but occasionally he can't figure it out either. I sure hope he can.

We have that Apache Open office, because this computer came with that Windows 8 and did not come with Microsoft Works on it ~ which is what we had been using for a long time.

It is always something it seems. These computers ~ you can't live with them, can't live without them.

I had all kinds of lists of things saved and don't know if I could remember all the stuff on them to recreate them. Again ~ Grrrrrrr.

Otherwise, I am doing ok Mary. Ran some errands this morning ~ got some stuff for Mom for her birthday and Mother's Day. Just have to do a little altering to them before sending. Got another little project finished and so tomorrow, I can start working on one of those no sew blankets for my littlest grandson for his birthday.

Mary ~ I had the same doctor problem when I was trying to get into an endocrinologist. That was in August 2013 and the one I called couldn't give me an appointment until December 2013. I found another one thankfully that had an appointment in September of that year. Same thing with the Rheumatologist ~ which was really upsetting ~ because I was in so much pain ~ I was trying to make an appointment in May, and they had no appointments until July. I plead my case ~ thinking that surely they would not want me to go all that time in pain ~ made no difference.

I'm glad Joe's places are healing up or almost healed. Now if the dr's can get you guys dizziness issues straightened out.

Hope your bread turned out good. I have wanted to make some low carb muffins and found some recipes that don't use the regular flour, but use (I can't remember what now) almond flour or something like that instead. The darn stuff was so expensive ~ I ended up not doing it.

Carol Sue ~ I hope you get your blood pressure down so it is good at your dr's appointment. How are you doing with the crazy weather?

Hello Love2garden and Deelou.

Hope you all are having a good weekend.

We had a scare here that could have been a catastrophe. We came home from the store yestereday and DH noticed water on the basement floor. First thing he thought of was a broken water pipe. He looked around and finally found it. It is a small pipe that goes to the water faucet in the garage. In the past, he has always drained the faucet and covered it with something to insulate it over winter, but he has gotten into the habit of washing the car in the garage so he didn't drain it this year. It was OK because our garage is integral and gets heat from the house. But then we had those sub-zero temps overnight and it froze. He noticed it on Saturday because the hose had frozen and split and he said he needed to get a new hose, but he never thought about the pipe freezing. If it had been a bigger pipe we would have had to get the water company involved and possibly a plumber. $$$$$ There is a shut off valve for it so he shut it off so no more water can come through, and he thinks he can fix it himself once it gets a little warmer. Maybe now he has learned his lesson for next year. He is always telling everyone else to make sure their pipes don't freeze! LOL I would be a terrible home-owner if he wasn't around, because I don't know anything about these things.

Mary, George J Howe Co makes/sells a lot of different bagged snacks and candy. Around here, they are in Walmart and Kmart, but in a separate display all by themselves, up by the registers. They are also sold on Amazon. I have never seen them in the grocery stores, but then I never look for them there. It's possible that they are not sold in your part of the country since you and I are many miles apart. I guess if you are accustomed to the taste of the salt you wouldn't like the no salt, but I even buy no salt pretzels sometimes. No one will eat them but me. LOL

EDIT: I just googled George J Howe Co and they are located in PA and their products are only in stores east of the Mississippi.

Gayle, maybe the answer is for more people to become doctors, especially specialists, but I guess it's really expensive to go for all that education then have the expense of opening a practice. One time I was having a heart problem and I made an appointment with my cardiologist, about 6 weeks out. When I got there, he told me I should have come in right away. I told him I called right away but this is the only appointment they had open. Then he said if I had told them I was having a problem they would have got me in sooner. So they DID have earlier appointments, but you have to know how to get them. One time they still couldn't get me in so they told me to go to the ER. The hospital admitted me and kept me there for 5 days doing tests, and it ended up that it wasn't my heart, but just my blood pressure was up. All they did was increase my BP meds. 5 DAYS, and I wasn't allowed out of bed.

I guess since we grew up here we are used to the cold and snow. I think snow is so beautiful and I love to walk in it and hear it crunch under my feet. I just don't want to fall and break a hip or wreck my car. We have hardly had any snow this year...it all went to New England. I stay in the house mostly. Even in the summer, I stay in with the air conditioning, and also because once things start growing outside my allergies act up.

Today turned out kinda busy. Went to church then out to eat at an Indian restaurant. It was ok, but I only liked a few dishes even though I usually like Indian food, but mainly we went there because the food is soft and dh could eat it, so he a really good meal and I was happy for that. I did not like the way my low-carb bread turned out...looked terrible but that may have been because the ingredients sat for about an hour before I could start it, but I could tell by the flavor we wouldn't like it so today after lunch we came home and got it and took it to Bed, Bath & Beyond but they would only give me credit because i used Paypal to buy it. Disappointed about that. They said maybe if I shipped back to the company (free returns) they would be able to refund me so packed it back home again and called company. Couldn't get through r/to short staffed due to storms back east but when I checked website I found that they will not refund cash to Paypal either, so wish I'd checked that first or in the store. I thought I read all the rules but missed that one. SO, now I'm going to take it back to my local store and take credit. I'm sure in time I'll find something I want there or a gift for someone in Christmas or something. I don't shop there a lot but do now and then. There's also those 20% off coupons too. It's $300 (with tax) so quite a large credit and I can take my time spending it. I could use a good set of knives and may need a new blender one of these days as I usually buy cheap and go through them fast. Learned a lesson, use a credit card esp for expensive items in case you return them. So, I will just bake bread by hand when we want something special or buy it at a bakery. I think I can use the more unusual ingredients I purchased at least I'll try. Again I'm thankful for a patient husband!

Wannabe - Glad it was only a small pipe...another reason I'm glad we are in a mild climate. Pipes can/do freeze here occasionally of course but it doesn't happen often as usually even in the winter our temps aren't so low.

About doctors, when I was going to PT, the head of the clinic told me that with the ACA, we were going to need a lot more doctors, therapists, techs etc. She foresaw a big problem in the beginning years of it. Even at the time she was having trouble hiring full-time therapists. Most only wanted to work part time and even with that, they often were having to hire students. I don't understand that completely because this was during the recession when so many were out of work...and complaining about lack of $$$$ so why don't they want to work more. Of course I realize there are other issues that can complicate things like child care. And even if people were going to school for these careers, it takes time til you can work full-time, so perhaps this was the issue, I don't know. Anyway I personally think that altho the ACA has helped some people, the majority I have talked to are paying more not less and I think the quality of care will (and maybe already) be less. It is a big bulking program that is costing a lot as well, there are other things I don't like about it but don't want to go on and on. Just my 2 cents, I'll get off my soap box now.

Glynne - Wow from Aug to Dec is a long time to wait! Yeah I told the receptionist that I had dizzy spells with pounding in my ear and elevated BP. She just said oh, and that she would call if something opened up. So guess if things get too bad, I'll head for ER. The dizziness remains and my BP is still up with I have the pounding. Systolic has come down a little...more like 158 now then in 160s, but diastolic (when hearts at rest so most imp usually) is still 93. But if the pounding in my ear is not present the systolic is like 147-158 and the diastolic is usually in 80s. Pulse ranges from 77-94. The pounding comes on suddenly and goes away just as suddenly. I have an appt with old doc on Tues. I actually used to look forward to seeing him but I don't anymore, however I do remember him fondly from past but when I get there I don't feel that way. I am praying we find a guy we really feel good about.

I'm tired so think I'll rest now..hope you all had a good Sunday. Despite the bread maker fiasco, I did.

Mary, I set up PayPal several years ago, and not long after that my credit card was compromised, and it was the credit card that I set up for use with PayPal. Something else happened that I associated with PayPal, I don't recall what it was now, but I closed PayPal and never went back. Now I have 1 credit card that I use only for online purchases and nothing else. That way, if I have a problem, there's only one credit card number out there in cyberspace. I don't know if that helps, but it eases my mind. I know there are many people who use PayPal without a problem. There was one thing I wanted to buy but PayPal was the only payment they took so I had to find the item elsewhere.


I never thought we would have a frozen pipe the way DH always hounds his kids and other people about watching out for that. I guess he just wasn't thinking, plus the weather was exceptionally cold recently. He is going to get the stuff to fix it today.

I didn't feel well yesterday. I didn't eat much and went to bed early. I wonder if it effected my weight. I can only hope! I feel better today.

Mary, I hope you get a resolution to your problem and I hope it's not anything serious. Maybe just a switch in meds.