THE ALMOST TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR ITCH

 

My scar now healing is blending in well, contrary to the dermatologist prognosis no plastic surgeon necessary. I was beginning to feel confident again.

Then, while washing my face or applying sunscreen I felt a teensy bump on the right side of my nose inches from my skin cancer scar. With it came a chronic itch that lingered for months, one that often woke me from sleep.

Since I was unhappy with the previous dermatologist a friend recommended hers. "It's a family run business, highly qualified and as nice a group of professionals as you'd find anywhere," she said.

On my way into town I drove there to schedule an appointment. The receptionist curtly informed me they weren't taking any new patients until February. --This was back in July!

Another friend recommended her dermatology clinic. Ironically it was located in the building next to the dermatologist I didn't like. I was given a September appointment.   

I waited over an hour in crowded waiting room which was humid and stuffy with only a fan due to a malfunctioning air conditioner. However the exam room was almost freezing.

Despite my age, I do not qualify for Medicare or Social Security, nor do I have health insurance! It cost me $180 just to walk thru the door!

From there I was sent to a lab for blood tests. The doctor ordered 13 in all costing me $1400. -- I nearly fainted from the shock! I only needed one prior to my previous surgery.

A cream was also prescribed. It must have contained crushed diamond chips! Even with my Publix discount the price was $ll8 for a small tube. The pharmacist told me it wouldn't be ready until evening. I refuse to drive in the dark due to my vision so I told them I'd pick it up in the morning. This turned out in my favor.

At home, among my junk mail I found an OPTUM Plus Pharmacy Discount Card. Thank goodness I didn't throw it out! This brought the cost down to $40 which felt too good to be true. There had to be a catch! I kept expecting this company to contact me stating: "We own you now, bitch!"

I read up on the cream. It was for cancerous & pre-cancerous skin. I followed the instructions to the letter waiting for it to do its magic. However this expensive cream turned out to be absolutely useless!

I'm on the hook for at least one, probably more follow-up appointments. My fingers are crossed there will be no more surgeries or I'm going to need a bank loan!

A neighbor told me, "We have health insurance but it's expensive, we pay thru the nose for it!"

I told her, "I don't have it and I pay thru the nose too!"

So either way it's costly! -- HEALTH CARE IN THE U.S. SUCKS!!!

POWERLESS

 

Exactly two weeks to the day before Hurricane Ian struck Florida's other coast we experienced an awful storm here. I remember that evening well. It was filled loud booming thunder, constant scary lightning, and strong winds whipping branches around. We were overdue for a power outage I told myself. This is a particularly bad spot for that. And worse, all our outages are lengthy ones.

Around 2:00 AM I awoke in silent darkness. The room was hot and stuffy. My air conditioner & fan were off and no neighbor lights were shining in.

That latest outage lasted from around 2:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Past experience has taught me that when FPL gives you a time power will be restored to add another 6 hours and when it arrives to add another 6 to that!

For breakfast I made tap water tea which I let steep while I washed and made the bed. The tea was room temp but the morning was hot so I didn't mind. Then I grabbed a couple oat & nut bars from my hurricane pantry.

If I wanted a hot meal I would have had to build a fire in my back yard. No internet, TV, or even phone since all I have is a landline. Instantly I was back in the Stone Age! Nor could I leave my house since my garage door is electric. -- There is a manual way to do it, however it won't stay open.

I was worried sick about the food in my fridge & garage freezer. Thankfully both were only half full since this is hurricane season; however food is so costly now any loss is expensive.

During the day between naps I caught up on my mending and scrubbed the kitchen floor.

When power was finally restored at 2:30 PM I prepared a big celebratory meal! My food had held up well with the exception of ice cream which was soupy.

Two weeks later I viewed the devastation and death wrought upon the other coast by Hurricane Ian. Suddenly everything came into perspective. Seeing the tremendous amount of destruction made me sick, sad, and scared. I felt terrible! So many people lost everything and are now homeless. Next hurricane or the one after could do that here! I had been fortunate -- this time!