ONCE A YEAR OR SOMETHING THERE ABOUT

I HAVE BEEN BULLIED!!  No, not by the woman next door, or the fellow at the red light, or even the stranger in the line at the store.  My Medicare provider has been bullying me and I am sick and tired of getting these annoying calls.  If I want to ignore my health, what's the big deal? It saves them money, and I am happy.  WHY must they call and write and write and call in an effort to get me to be compliant with what they deem appropriate measures to live for heaven knows how many more years.  As my wise brother told me, "You probably have five more good years." (I'm down to three now according to his rule of scale.)  SO I GAVE UP, and went in for my annual physical---only six months late~pretty sure that sets some kind of new record for me!  



Here's the catch, if you don't do what they tell you to, they will refuse to cover you.  Add to that insult, if you don't do what the doctor tells you, he can fire you.  It seems his reimbursement is directly affected by your complicity with his orders.  SO, it's NOT the doctor---it circles back around to Big Brother again!  WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH BIG BROTHERS!



SO I went in for my annual physical today.  After the nurse finished, the doc comes in and in the initial course of the conversation, gives me three words to remember.  NOW, we have ALL discussed these three words and KNOW the consequences of the inability to keep three simple words in your head for a few minutes~  YOU ARE LOSING IT!!!  SO Apple, Table, Penny---yep I've got them. 



For the next series of questions, I became a little testy.  I am trying to roll those three words over and over in my head--DO NOT WANT HIM TO THINK I AM LOSING IT! and he is asking questions that require me to think.  ANNOYING!  




So HE is concerned with my general health, but I am concerned if he is going to follow my orders.  I went in that room with a list of requests and mind set about what I might or might not do.  Dr. SIL may roll his eyes at me, but I can be a formidable force when you don't know me well.  NOW THIS doctor, ordered Every test I requested, AND did not cross me when I said I was not taking certain drugs. Apple, Table, Penny.  The fact that my blood work was good and I didn't really need those drugs might have helped.




He pokes, prods, shines that little light at me, and keeps asking questions. Apple, Table, Penny  The series of flexibility tests were a piece of cake--remember I have the Terror Team of The Sports Massage Therapist and Trainer who regularly try to bend me into shapes no contortionist can imagine.  

Then we talk about what's wrong with my hip.  I did have a X-ray today, but he thinks it is bursitis.  WHAT--OLD PEOPLE GET THAT!!  WAIT--don't loose my train of thought~ apple, penny, and table.   




The blood tests show all good numbers.  Even the cholesterol levels are within reason, so I don't have to refuse those horrid statins.  -NO, NADA, NO WAY, ABSOLUTELY NOT!  I have had enough chicken that I could lay an egg with no trouble.  BUT HEY, TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH A HUGE BURGER!


We end the session with my favorite subject--needles.  Which immunizations have you had?  WELL now I thought I was up to date, but it seems some pharmaceutical geniuses has now come up with a better SERIES of immunizations for pneumonia.  SO before I leave, I get a good pop in the arm.

Table, apple, penny







SO, I have passed Go and collected a good bill of health and gotten Medicare off my back for twelve months. (OR 18-23).  The good news---I knew those three darn words and may well know them for the remainder of my life.  The bad news---my upper arm is so sore I am pretty sure it has pneumonia.


A cheerful heart is good medicine,
Proverbs 17:22

5 comments

  1. Over here too in the UK we get offered various check-ups and tests at various times in our lives. When we reach 50, 60, 70 and so on. Various annual tests and check-ups and injections. All free on the National Health Services - or in reality all paid for by our taxes. The annual flu injections every winter don't seem to work. I have had them for a few years and did not get the flu or a cold. When I told the nurse she looked at me and said nothing. When she told me my blood pressure was a little high I told her she should not be so beautiful. She did not answer again.

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, Victor!! Thank you for the chuckle!
      Blessings!

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  2. What a three-ring circus our medical profession has become! I take meds for blood pressure, and have to go in once a year in order for those to be renewed. Did get a pneumonia shot several weeks back, and like you, my arm HURT! Can't wait for the second dose next year - NOT!
    Blessings, Lulu, and stay healthy!

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  3. It seems I am healthy in spite of my bad habits! Don’t have to think about this for maybe 23 months!! I’m celebrating!!
    Blessings!!

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  4. Thanks for the giggles and the "Huh huh and Yep". I know you know the story; I refuse to take statins, no way...and I refuse to get a colonoscopy, sorry, no way. Same thing, being hounded. Just because there are suggestions for age related exams--I will not jump when you tell me too. It is an ongoing issue. The medical profession has become a joke. Since when do I not have rights? Oh sweet Lulu, don't get me going...lol.

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!