Saturday, September 22, 2012

Stitching & Birding & Medical/Dental Stuff

I can't believe I haven't posted since Monday but this should give you a bit of an idea of what this week has been like for me.  Not that I really have much to complain about compared to some, but oy!

First off, I have yet to be able to find a prosthodontist who will give me their opinion of my bridge & whistling problems.  I contact an office, state that I need a second opinion as to why I'm having these problems, & I never get a call back.  I've tried prosthodontists in both Lexington & Louisville. I'm wondering if I'm going to have to start searching in surrounding states next! Monday is another day ... I will try again.

On Tuesday I had my appointment with my doctor who as you may recall had me get almost a page full of blood tests last month. They revealed a few puzzles.  These puzzles, along with the symptoms I've been putting up with for what seems like forever, can all be linked to one positive finding.  Lupus.  And here's where things "go Kentucky."  My doctor wants me to see a rheumatologist for further testing & diagnosing of the lupus.  She states that it is very important I see someone as soon as possible.  She also states that she can't provide me with a referral but I should be able to just call & make an appointment with someone myself.  I spent 2 days calling rheumatology offices in Lexington & Louisville.  None of them will see me without a referral.  I explained to one of them that my doctor says she cannot give referrals ... something about insurance issues (she does not accept insurance).   The receptionist I spoke with said that's silly ... insurance has nothing to do with it.  They just need her to fax them a referral form in order to see me.  I made note of this & went on with my phone calls.  I found another office & when I explained that my doctor does not give referrals the receptionist (Barb) told me they don't need a doctor to do a referral, a nurse would suffice.  This sweet person even gave me her direct line for someone at my doctor's office to call her to request the form.  Don't you just love it when someone goes out of their way like that to help you?  There's a special place prepared for that women in heaven. Anyway, I informed my doctor's office of this & you know what they said?  They told me that this receptionist was wrong, what she said wasn't true, that it has to be a doctor.  It boggles the mind, doesn't it?  Needless to say, I am not very happy with my doctor. She is supposed to be "the best."  When I told my cardiologist that I was seeing her, he talked about her as if she walked on water.  I really like her determination to find out what's causing the problems a patient is having ... not just hand them a prescription to take away the symptoms & leave it at that ... but she also totally ignores me at times when I ask her about symptoms I'm having, there's this insurance thing, & her office charges have gone through the roof recently.  Once again she doesn't accept insurance so I have to pay out of pocket & then try to get reimbursed from my insurance companies & that's a whole other trip to hell.  This year she instituted a new policy.  You have to pay an "office administrative fee" at the beginning of each year ... $250.  This fee is supposed to cover letters she may need to write, copies of records when they are requested,  & give you the privilege of her answering questions over the phone (with the nurse as the go-between).  Isn't this all normal business practices?  I had a doctor request my records a while back & was told that if any other doctors requested them I'd have to pay for them ... $1.00 per page. Anyway, on Monday I'll be calling rheumatology offices again.  I think I'll call Barb & let her know why she didn't receive a call from my doctor's office as I'm sure she was expecting it.  Sigh!

I tackled more insurance headaches.  Enough said about that.

Yesterday I woke up after sleeping 8 hours & I was totally exhausted.  I felt achy & very weak, my stomach hurt, I felt kind of barfy, & I was hot/cold.  After being up for an hour I went back to bed & slept another 4 hours. Then I got up, had 2 pieces of dry toast, & went back to bed for another 2 hours. Later on I had another 2 pieces of dry toast, a cup of tea, & went to bed at 9 p.m.  I slept 10 hours straight through to this morning.  I'm still not feeling quite up to par but definitely better than yesterday.

Throughout the week I was able to do some stitching.  I worked on HE's Merrie Birdies pattern which shocked me a bit when I started it.  I had kitted this up with the pattern & linen only, cutting the linen in a 9-1/2" square which nicely fits my Q-Snap when stitching 1 ornament.  However, I didn't realize that these bird ornaments were not the normal size.  The design area is only about 2" x 2-1/2".  I actually was able to fit 4 of them onto the piece of  linen I had prepared.  I had to stitch them without the Q-Snap or any other kind of hoop ... not something I'm comfortable with but it worked. They are not quite finished yet. There is supposed to be a wreath hanging around the cardinal's neck & some holly berries on the holly on the crows ... all made of French knots (AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!) ... but I haven't decided if I'm going to attempt these again or just use beads.  Beads would lend themselves well to these ornaments, I think, since they are not extremely prim.  As you can see, I had room for an extra birdie so I stitched the crow twice.  I really enjoyed stitching these & they worked up quite quickly!

And speaking of birdies, we put up the feeder earlier in the week.  We put it up in the fall so the birds will have something to eat during the cold months, & then when spring comes around we take it down so they will hopefully eat all the bugs in the yard instead.  The birds have been having a great time.  Not all the varieties are here yet but the mourning doves are having a field day!  One day I looked outside & was able to count 17 of them & then had to give up ... there were just too many to keep track! Yesterday John was able to count 29 before he had to stop!  They are ground feeders so they pay no attention to the feeders, but it's funny ... some of them will congregate right underneath the feeder because seeds drop onto the ground there when other birds are eating.  In fact, there are 2 birds in particular that are a hoot.  They are house finches & I don't know if they are searching for particular seeds or just helping out their mourning dove friends but they will perch on the feeder & just pick out seeds & drop them on the ground!  


The mourning doves are such sweet tempered birds.  I couldn't get a picture of all of them as I had to take these from the french doors.  All the windows have screens on them which are not good for picture taking.  Sometimes they sit on the electric wires out back & wait for us to toss out more seeds.  Here are a few of them doing just that.
And there you have it ... a recap of my week. I have not yet started the specialty stitches needed on my exchange piece.  I will attempt those when I'm feeling better.  Today I plan to start another kitted item.  When I kit things, I usually just prepare the fabric & put it & the pattern into a baggie.  The ones I have kitted in this way now are all LHN ornaments.  I think that sometime today I might also go through all my JCS Ornaments issues & see if anything calls to me.  I got the 2012 issue on Tuesday while we in Lexington for my doctor appointment & I must say that I was a bit disappointed in this year's offerings.  I don't know why exactly.  Perhaps on second inspection I will find more of interest to me   : )

I hope you all have a great weekend!  I extend a warm welcome to all my new followers & send special thanks to all my regulars   : )    

20 comments:

butterfly said...

Shirlee I do hope you get things sorted out soon with your dental and health .
And hope you are feeling much better today.
Your stitching is beautiful.
And your photo's love the dove we have a pair that come to our feeder such sweet birds love them . hugs.

Vickie said...

Shirlee I am so sorry that you found out you have lupus. You are in my prayers.
I was a little disappointed in the JCS ornament issue also. I have a few I will make though.

Kim said...

Sorry to hear you are getting the medical run-around. It's frustrating as heck and happens much too often.

TheCrankyCrow said...

Sorry to hear you're still not feeling 100%....no fun being sick. And you know I'm praying for you on the lupus and dental issues. Lupus is some serious stuff....sure hope you find a specialist that can help put a treatment plan together and finally get you on the road to some relief. As for the "Kentucky" issues. Hmmmmm. I don't quite "get" a dr who doesn't accept insurance. What's up with THAT? And I agree that whether she does or doesn't shouldn't have anything to do with her ability to make a referral. (You sure she's really a dr????) And that "administration fee" - really?? Ok....nuff said.

Love your birdies...I've always had a soft spot for mourning doves....they're so gentle, and their melancholy call always makes me pause. I was devastated when they made it legal to hunt them here. Love your stitched birdies too....the crows are wonderful!

Hope your day is off to a good start....mine, not so much. Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Melody said...

Your birds are very cute. They will make great ornaments. I sometimes use beads instead of french knots as well.

So sorry to read about your health issues and doctor problems. The referral issue and extra charges just doesn't seem right. Makes me think you have something with the Kentucky issues...

Good luck on your struggles with all of it.

cucki said...

oh dear I am so sorry that you found out you have lupus. You are in my prayers...i am thinking of you so much here..
i love your birdies so much..lovely stitching and cute photos..
big hugs xxx

Carol said...

I sure hope you can get to a specialist very soon, Shirlee, so they can begin treating the symptoms of the lupus. I feel so badly that that was the diagnosis, but I'm glad that you have some answers finally.

Lovely birds--both stitched and real. Mourning Doves are some of my favorites, too :)

Michelle said...

I continue to pray that thngs will work out for you with your dental issues - sending you much love. Adore your stitched birds - too cute xx

Dawn said...

Shirlee,
I hope you are feeling better to enjoy the fall weather we are having this weekend. I'm so sorry to hear of your DX but at least you know what it is and not losing your mind. I still commend you on your insurance nightmares and determination. Would you believe Tricare took back money from a DR 2 years ago and now the doctor sent me the bill! It was set up by the Navy for me to see the specialist, usghh, but that is when DH just was preparing to retire, 3 days before the apt and we just got his company ins but I didn't understand Primary or secondary ins. How come they can cut you off in an instant but when you need something it takes days, weeks...years??? I spent my Monday on the phone with 2 insurance and one dr. office trying as you to get resolution, each one told me something else and I don't live in that state anymore. Gotta love it.

You are in my prayers, keep smiling dear friend.

Dawn

Девушка с пяльцами said...

Shirlee, I hope you are feeling much better now! Your birds are lovely!

Anne said...

Oh Shirlee, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and that you are still having horrible problems with the insurance companies and doctors. What bureaucratic crap you have to go through!

Lovely stitching and I adore photos of birds on a line :D

Big hugs to you :D

Nicola said...

It is horrible when you are not well and have to cope with the issues you have encountered between doctors.

I hope it all gets sorted out soon.

Sending you a big hug.

Mouse said...

ohhh dear to the dental problems .. and eekk re the referral .. It has to be a dr who does the referrals here ... (have got Palindromic Arthritis ) so know were you are coming from on certain things ....
sheesh re all the phoning round fingers crossed you get results ...

love the wee birds and sat here giggling at you and the FK's ... sounds like you are swearing ..lol
what speciality stitches do you need to do ???? can I help at all ??
love mouse xxxxx

tangerinedream73 said...

Shirlee,

I was diagnosed with lupus several years ago and so if you need any help figuring out this new territory, please don't hesitate to ask.


Amy Varnell-Miller
tangerinedream73@gmail.com

Maggie said...

I'm sure you don't need the added stress of all those phone calls on top of not feeling well, i hope you get it sorted very soon.

Those stitched birds are so :-) cute

Maggee said...

I sure hope that doctor is not your Primary care physician! That 'fee' of $250 sounds very suspect! Not something I would want to pay--every year!!?? Pffft... Referrals can be faxed or emailed by anyone, as long as they come from a doctor. What is wrong with them?? I love love love Merrie Birdies, and put that chart on my wishlist! Hugs to you as you keep pushing on!

Judy said...

Hope you will get the appointments you need. Suppose the doctor can set up her own policies, especially if she has patients willing to pay that way. But maybe she needs the money and the yearly fee is cash in her pocket. Who knows! And weather she accepts insurance or not...she should give referals if they are needed. I have worked in dr. offices and clinics for many years and have never heard of such policies. Sounds very suspect!

The birdies are really cute. Those kind of birdies are my favorite.

Hope you feel better soon.

Judy heartland stitcher

Kaisievic said...

Hi Shirlee, a lovely long post and I really enjoyed reading it. I do not like the sound of your doctor at all! Why on earth wouldn't she take your insurance? Sounds really dodgy to me! I hope that you can sort out your dental and rheumatoid issues really soon.

On a happier note - I love your birds - they are gorgeous and I think that they would look really great with beads.

Kaisievic said...

P.S. I will pray for you that your lupus can be easily treated.

The Merry Stitcher said...

Still praying for you. At least some things have come to light that you needed to know. I hope that your insurance issues can be solved so there is less stress on you too. Feel better and take care.