Thursday, January 5, 2017

Ah, The Joys Of Growing Old!!

January 5, 2017

Good afternoon.  I'm late posting today, but that's because I needed to sleep late and then I had to go out to do a couple errands.  Sleep was not in the cards for me last night.  My breathing just wasn't very good. even with the oxygen on.  But, I'm feeling better now. 

I'm going to have to look into a portable oxygen concentrator that I can keep close by at all times, and take with me when I travel.  Unfortunately, they are rather expensive.  The last time I checked, they cost around $2500.  A while ago, I asked my doctor to write me a prescription for one just in case the insurance would help pay for it.  He informed me that first I had to undergo some more stress tests to prove that I really need the machine.

I had these tests quite a while ago when my asthma first got bad, and they were not fun then.  It was very difficult for me to drive myself home after these tests.  I really don't feel like taking them all over again.   I already have a big concentrator in my living room, so why do I have to take more tests to prove that I need a portable one?  It's pretty sad how the insurance companies and the government treat the elderly, especially when it comes to taking care of their health needs.

Today I have a photo to share with you.  My friend MaryAnn took the photo of the men in the kayaks, and blended it into another photo found on Google.  I love it!!


With the night time wind chill temps at -20 and -30 below zero in Wisconsin, this just shows how hardy the town folks are.  In my (very) younger days, I loved to go ice fishing, but kayaking was out of the question, at least until summertime.

I have another photo to share.  This one was taken in January a couple years ago, showing the beautiful early morning sky.  This is another thing that I sometimes miss about not working.  My tall trees block out pretty views like this from my yard. 


That's about all my news for today.  Now it's time to see if there's anything tasty in the fridge for lunch.  Pogo is being very patient, but he keeps looking out toward the fridge.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

2 comments:

smiekeltje said...

Not sleeping well at night is always annoying, but specially when it is caused by difficult breathing, like you had. Glad you are feeling already better.
It is difficult to understand sometimes health insurance companies and their regulations. I think you porved enough that you need extra oxygen at times and why can't they grant a portable unit then? You first will have to undergo all those tests again(I knwo I didn;t like them and i suppose yours are probably more tiring and energy consuming)and then it still isn;t sure they will give permission. If only they could pay a substantial part of the costs, that would help.
Because the price is very high, and only people with real high income could afford to buy one themselves.
It is often the same here too. They say health care is expensive and there seems always to be need of cutting costs. Okay, that they look into it, how it can be improved and cost less, I agree, but sometimes it also is just an"escape"for the government and health insurance companies. And yes, elderly and less fortunate people financially are often the victims of it
I do hope there will be a way for you to be able to apply and get that portable one.
Going to my blog now, so wishing you a happy day!
Hug
Kyra

Mary Ann Roesler said...

It's still cold here tonight but suppose to get above zero tomorrow. This is the 1st winter we have not gone to the SW since Gene retired in 1996....but we are getting so much done around the house. This week Friday they are putting a gas insert into our fireplace. A Christmas gift to ourselves. New furnace and AC following in March...not a gift but a necessity! We are suppose to have snow mid week...that means it will warm up.