Facing Life - and Insurance

Oh my busy day. First, I'm posting a couple of photos I took when I went over on Tuesday to work on Sheila's pool. This was about 12:30. You can tell by the taffic that it was bad. They did have a request out for emergency travel only. By the way, Gary and I cannot figure this out. The city of Dallas had rolling blackouts, due to broken coal plants, etc.. This caused a normal 30 minute ride on our state of the art Light Rail to take 3 hours. See, they implemented the rolling blackouts which shut down the light rail when they removed power. Now, get this. The Cowboys new stadium was exempt from the blackouts, because it was considered a security issue. Now... think about this long and hard. Does Dallas have it's priorities straight, or what?

I called Margie today and told her I could NOT host the Superbowl Party this year. I just have too much on my plate at the present time. Dad did get up today at 2:30, and actually stayed up til 7:30. Thought we were making progress, but at the dinner table, Dad asked a couple of times where Connie was. Hmmmmm.... yes, I was sitting there and he was asking me where she was. He only fell once this evening. Thank goodness he's not on blood thinners anymore.

The doctor called me today. Since Dad can't walk, and was in the ER just last week, I'm not going to take him in to her office. Instead, she's doing a home health care referral. Thought everything was under control, but the one she chose is NOT "in-network" with Dad's new insurance. Didn't find this out till too late in the afternoon. Will have to get the doctor to send the info the the insurance company in the morning, so they can pre-certify it, then tell us where we can get their "in-network" list. I was complaining to Angie (she helped me select the new insurance company) and she said this was the only one in the Dallas area that allowed for non-network doctors. This is also the way everything is going... get in the network or spend ton of money getting a doctor of your choice. GASP!

Angie and the girls are still all sick. Morgan and Chloe went to the doctor with temperatures, and various symptons. They both tested positive for Type B Flu. Their entire family is being treated with Tamiflu. Chloe came over here yesterday evening, planning on spending the night because everyone else at her house is sick. Great.... she threw up all over my bedroom floor last night. Needless to say, she went home shortly thereafter. I don't feel so chipper today, so I'm starting my round of Tamiflu also. I have some stress issues that cause me stomach problems, so I'm not sure if it's the flu or the stress, but I did have a slight temperature today, so I started mine this evening. If I take it early enough, it will help minimize the symptons. Chloe was feeling better today than yesterday, and that was after only 1 1/2 days on the meds.

I was supposed to go to Houston for the weekend, cause Angie is working an auction there. She'll take Melissa (Gary's daughter from his first marriage) instead. Eric was supposed to go on a religious retreat, but will cancel. I can take care of sick kids, but with the ice we still have, and possibly more snow tomorrow, I cannot handle her two dogs. Also, if Dad gets worse, poor Gary.

I'm going to call it a night. Again, no fun things to blog about. I do find myself envious of Sheila laying there on the beach, reading books, soaking up rays, and drinks a few cold beers. AAHHHH.... the life of a Canuck!











The doctor and I spoke today. She wrote an order for home health. They'll come out, access him, and do a referral to hospice if that is appropriate. That sounded good, until