Update on Medicare and seeing medical personnel

[rurallib]

You guys asked for an update, so here I go. So far as I know Medicare and the Plan F supplement are picking up the tab.

Last week I had some ultra sounds, xrays and blood tests. First time in probably 20 years or so. Today I went in to get the results. What I hadn't mentioned in my previous post was that Mrs. Lib and I have been on a vegetarian diet for 3 months now (Forks Over Knives if anyone is curious - just google it).

So I was quite nervous. My weight had ballooned to - well really high. My only medical care has been to get some BP pills and to give blood. So---------

I had been to see them for @ 6months and they kept me in BP pills. We started the diet in the middle of June and the BP has been coming steadily down. Today I checked in at 110/70. I have asked not to know my weight, but the Nurse Practitioner (NP) said I was down 35 pounds from their high. Their high was probably not my highest so I am figuring @ 40 - 45 down.

Remember 3 months vegetarian - all my numbers except 2 were well within range. The two that were out were only slightly out and the NP was not concerned. She simply said that the numbers in total were so good she was sure they would be in range soon.

But the bad news. I had a hernia pop out on my belly button 3 years ago. So for 3 years I worried about whether it was serious or not. The ultra scan showed nothing serious, but I will see a surgeon about repair probably next week.

My really bad news is my back. It has gotten successively more painful as time has gone on. This past month in particular has been extremely painful. Well I have severe arthritis in my lower back. On a scale of 1 - 10 the NP gave me a 10. Once we get the small stuff out of the way, then we can focus on the back. My brother has had back trouble for a long time and medicine has done a number on him.

What is sad is that I had to suffer through some of the stuff I did. What is great is that so far Medicare is living up to its billing. But I will really find that out next month when I see (or hopefully don't see) a bill.

Thank you all for asking. I really think of you all as good friends, so I had some good news to share.

[840high]

1. Best wishes.

[rurallib]

2. Thanks - at least I can get some help now

which is a wonderful feeling.
We simply can't let up on health care reform until every citizen has access that won't bankrupt them.

[RebelOne]

3. Medicare rocks.

I had cataract surgery in March on both eyes. Without Medicare I could never have afforded the cost. Since I do not have Plan D prescription, the highest cost was for the eye drops I had to have prior to surgery. But I will be signing up for Plan D in October when there is open enrollment.

[rurallib]

4. Yes - I am beginning to find out it is what it claims

and Republicans want to take it away? Are there any humans in that party?