Monday Insurance and Movie

Monday started with me rising around 8, having rolled over a few times when I saw it was still dark. I finally rose with the sunrise. Coffee, new liberal coffee (fair trade), was waiting for me as I had remembered to assemble it the night before. Its bitter taste reminds me of how far we have to go to re-establish law for ‘We the people’ with Justice and Compassion. And that ‘due process’ is losing its meaning in my country.

I find myself without my address lists and certain passwords as the documents are on my broken Apple laptop (still not in repair but in requested status) and cannot be read by a Linux-based system. Hmmm. I will revise my copy process and store these documents in iCloud or another accessible location.

I contact my dermatologist and learn I have refills, but soon I learn I cannot fill them because it is too soon, according to my insurance. Moreover, I have learned from past experience that corporate pharmacies will not fill a prescription, even with an offer to pay $59 (this is not expensive). I spent two hours on the phone with Regence; they approved an override, and I can have them (insurance down to about $12). By 6, I manage to refill my prescriptions and discover that QVAR, my twice-daily inhaler (sometimes $120 a dose at UHC, is $0 on Regence). The people on the phone are friendly and helpful, but it takes hours. I spent 15 minutes on the phone getting Walgreens to refresh the Rx and discover that they can refill it.

I spend the morning writing and trying to get some medical paperwork done. I cannot work on my taxes as my Quicken information is on my broken laptop, and Quicken does not run in Linux, and my version is not browser-based. Hmmm. I did not think to take a current backup of it when I copied my files, an oversight. I paid all the bills and have kept a higher checking account balance. US Wealth Management (after fees) has more than 14% return, despite the chaotic mess that is the markets under Trump.

Lunch is a Trader Joe’s frozen entree of Butter Chicken with turmeric rice and naan. I slip on the pan holder and grab the 350°F metal tray required for these. I got a blister for that. It has been a while since I burned myself. I could hear Susie admonishing me. I was much more careful after the reminder. There were no more direct experiences of 350F.

I had a video doctor visit with my primary care doctor, and we went over the results. He agreed with my decision to send the results of my neck scans to an ENT. We were both disturbed by my weight gain (he said, “Check my scale”). I later discovered the scale was misadjusted, and once corrected, I am back to 240, with only 5 extra pounds for Christmas, at worst. Doc has ordered the updates on blood tests. The tumour in my salivary gland is meeting with the ENT surgeon next week.

I finished this season of Pluribus after wishing Deborah a good night. I liked the show and was always surprised by how it unfolded. Dark, but recommended. I look forward to the next season.

I picked up my prescriptions for $12. For all the trouble, it seems a small charge. I applied the cream again later and can see signs that the rash is fading. Better.

I found the fish sticks and potato pancakes and baked them together for a lighter dinner, just one serving. No burns were experienced. I returned to Foundation on Apple+ for the start of the second season and used the stationary bike for 15 minutes while watching the show. I decided to ride for this show, but I need to get back into it. My legs hurt and did all the next day. I liked the second season and the first two episodes.

Instead of cleaning the house, I headed to the movie Dracula, now playing (yes, there is a new version released in January). It stole and rewrote every bad movie, even some makeup and costumes. Even dipping into Anne Rice. It was played seriously, but there were moments that were insane and funny. It moved the story to France (I guess BREXIT includes Dracula) and turned it into a fight movie. I laughed through the whole thing. It was fun. Dracula decides not to kill one person because he made him laugh. I loved it. Perfect with popcorn.

Still laughing and smiling (no fangs), I returned home and soon was sleeping. No bad dreams, and my neck unmarred.

Thanks for reading!