Thankful

I'm resting at home today after foot surgery this morning.

After dealing with foot pain for several years with less aggressive measures (cortisone injections, orthotics) not helping sufficiently, I decided to go forward with surgery to remove a neuroma in my left foot. The particular issue I have is known as a Morton's neuroma. My podiatrist says that mine is less common in being between the second and third toes instead of the third and fourth as in the diagram. I have several friends who have had this surgery and report that it was very helpful and they would do it again. I hope I will eventually be able to report the same! Right now I am still nicely numbed up, but I have great caregivers, pain medicine at the ready if I should need it, and the next few days emptied of commitments. I am already taking short walks with a protective shoe. I go back in Tuesday for a post-op visit. Until then, sponge baths only (so local people, be warned!).

I find myself feeling very thankful for many things today. First, for a son who is able to wait on me while his dad, who stayed home much of the day, goes in to church to practice a few hours. Another perq of homeschooling! Evan made me lunch: ☺

Second, I am especially thankful for a husband that decreed 2016 as the "Year of Cheryl" healthwise. Our health plan is such that we have great coverage for one person. It is a high deductible policy but has an expense reimbursement account that partially covers the deductible. The thing is, there are only enough funds to cover part of one person's deductible. If more than one person needs care, the family deductible kicks in and there are no funds for it. And given our current budget, to cover a second deductible would be a difficult thing to do.

So even though he is older than I and has some of his own issues looming, my dear husband stepped aside and pushed me ahead of him in line. Thankfully, no one else in the family has had any serious health concerns. So far this year I have had a full physical (first one in years) including blood work, female stuff and mammogram (other than some anemia and Vitamin D deficiency everything looked good); allergy testing (confirming I am pretty much allergic to every grass, tree and mold in the world) and desensitization therapy (third time I have done this, but allergens are different in Oklahoma); a bone scan to check for any signs of the osteoporosis my mother had so badly (all looks good); a baseline colonoscopy (good), and an upper GI scope to check on previously diagnosed issues (hiatal hernia, esophageal stricture).

I'm sure you were really interested in all that. I share it to illustrate several other things for which I am thankful--that the health issues I do have are quite treatable, that we have insurance that provides for sufficient coverage to treat them, that we have the freedom to choose the doctors we want to carry out the treatment, and that those doctors are providing excellent care. I was very nervous about both last week's scopes and this week's surgery as I have had very little in the way of anesthesia or surgeries in my life. But so far everything has gone incredibly smoothly (those drugs do what they say!) and the care has been great. I am looking forward to feeling much better next year, and with the foot and allergies under control, being able to get outside and exercise more. But I worry for the future of health care in our country and pray my children will be able to have the same quality of care when they are my age.

Next year is supposed to be the "Year of Phillip" but now he is talking about putting someone else ahead of him again, as Evan seems to have some of my allergy issues and could also benefit from allergy testing and desensitization. But maybe we can get him through another year with just antihistamines and staying indoors during the worst times. Dad deserves care, too, you know? I married a good man, and I want to keep him around a long, long time.

Thank you, dear husband, for being "God with skin on" for me. P.S. I am still a little groggy and disavow all responsibility for mechanical errors or poorly constructed sentences.

Can Anything Good Come of Insomnia?

Apparently so. Two nights ago I was having one of those nights when my brain just refuses to turn off. I have learned that if I can't get to sleep in half an hour it's not going to happen for a while and I might as well get up. This time instead of turning on Nick at Nite and watching Friends (my go-to non-medicinal remedy)  I decided to write. The next morning I sent what I had written to one of my favorite online magazines. Imagine my surprise when several hours later I got an acceptance letter. Woot. My article went up on the site today (talk about fast turnaround!), so here it is in case you missed it and would like to read it.

Why I Want to Live Long and Burden My Children

Health Care Idiocy

The week after Christmas my youngest child developed an eye infection. When it worsened after a few days we called the doctor and followed the recommendations for home care. When after a few more days there was no improvement but rather a worrisome acceleration of redness and swelling, we called the doctor again. The answer came back: we are booked and can't see you today; you should go to urgent care.

So that's what we did. The urgent care physician diagnosed cellulitis and sent us home with antibiotics. There was no lab work and no other in-office treatment. Just a prescription and an instruction to call if there wasn't rapid improvement. In a few days there was great improvement. We went on with our lives.

Last month we got the bill. Since our health insurance benefits summary lists a $25 copay for either a physician office or urgent care visit with everything else being paid at 100%, we were surprised to see a balance due of $169. I called the insurance company and was initially encouraged that maybe there had been a mistake since the representative on the phone noted that there were two charges for the visit and speculated that maybe one was a duplicate. A follow-up call several days later, however, provided a different explanation. There were in fact two charges: one for $325 for "immediate care" and one for $247 for "professional fees." Per our coverage we are responsible for a $25 copay on the immediate care charge. But after allowing for the preferred provider adjustment on the "professional fees" charge, there is a balance due of $144. That has been applied to our deductible, so the facility is now billing us for it. I argued with the insurance representative to no avail. "But our plan says urgent care is paid at '100% except $25 copay per visit.'" The answer came back: "We can't control how the facility decides to bill. They submitted two charges, a care charge and a facility charge. You will have to take it up with them."

When I go to the doctor I pay a $25 copay. That covers the care and the building in which the care occurs. Why is urgent care different? And why does "100% except $25 copay per visit" not mean "100% except $25 copay per visit"?

Here's what really burns. We thought that by going to urgent care we were doing the responsible thing, saving the health care system unnecessary cost. But guess what? If we had gone to the Emergency Room instead we would have had only a $100 copay. I guess next time we'll just skip urgent care and go straight to the ER.

Something is seriously broken.

I Clicked

And in so doing I read this. Maybe, just maybe, a glimmer of hope.

Speaking of Unschooling . . .

. . . maybe the whole country would be in better shape if more of our leaders were unschooled. At least that's what I take away from this not-to-be-missed column by P.J. O'Rourke:

"A Plague of 'A' Students: Why It's So Irksome Being Governed by the Obami"

An excerpt:

America has made the mistake of letting the A student run things. It was A students who briefly took over the business world during the period of derivatives, credit swaps, and collateralized debt obligations. We’re still reeling from the effects. This is why good businessmen have always adhered to the maxim: “A students work for B students.” Or, as a businessman friend of mine put it, “B students work for C students—A students teach.” . . .

The U.S. tax code was written by A students. Every April 15 we have to pay somebody who got an A in accounting to keep ourselves from being sent to jail.

Now there’s health care reform—just the kind of thing that would earn an A on a term paper from that twerp of a grad student who teaches Econ 101. . . .

The C student starts a restaurant. The A student writes restaurant reviews. The input-worshipping universe of the New York Times is like New York itself—thousands of restaurant reviews and no place we can afford to eat.

I'm all in favor of breastfeeding . . .

. . . but I think this is inappropriate government intervention in the workplace. For those who don't feel like clicking on the link for the full story, it outlines one of the many aspects of Obamacare that are only now coming to light: a requirement that any business with 50 or more employees provide a designated space for working mothers to breastfeed or pump. If the language is similar to that in the Family Medical Leave Act, that means any company with 50 or more employees will have to provide such a room, even if individual locations within the company don't themselves have 50 or more employees.

I'm going to make a rather scandalous proposal here. What if breastfeeding moms simply stayed home with their babies? Hmmm? Then we wouldn't have an issue, would we?

It's almost as if the government is trying to make it as easy as possible for parents to leave their children in the care of others. Now why would they want to do that?

With Praise Like This, Who Needs Criticism?

Fidel Castro is applauding the government takeover of health care signed into law this week by President Obama. According to this AP article, "Cuba provides free health care and education to all its citizens, and heavily subsidizes food, housing, utilities and transportation, policies that have earned it global praise."

Well, there ya' go. We have arrived. Our President promised to change the way America is viewed internationally, and he is doing just that, eliciting praise from such champions of human rights as the dictator of Cuba. We are now on track to in due time bring Cuba's high standard of health care* to the United States of America. I can't wait.

*WARNING: This is a link to a page on "The Real Cuba" website. It contains multiple thumbnail images documenting the current condition of "health" care in Cuba. The images are small but nevertheless deeply disturbing. If you would prefer not to see them, you can just take my word that they do not suggest the existence in Cuba of a leader or government that honestly cares about about the health and well-being of its citizens.

Memo to the Nanny State

So, a California lawmaker wants to ban the inclusion of toys in fast food kids' meals. He says the toys are an enticement to children to eat unhealthy food.

Never mind that it's not the kids buying the meals but their parents. When was the last time you saw a six-year-old drive his trike through McDonald's?

Clearly this is yet another instance of government attempting to usurp individual freedom and in this case the authority of the parent. Expect more of this sort of thing with Obamacare because after all, if the government is paying for everyone's health care, it has the duty to tell us how to eat.

I saw the lawmaker in question on Fox News this morning, and when he was asked, "Isn't it the parent's job to decide what his child should or should not eat?" his response was, "Yes, but we just think parents could use a little help."

I'm reminded of the wisdom of Ronald Reagan, who once stated, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Who does this guy think he is? The sheer, brazen audacity--to look me in the face and tell me that I can't successfully rear a child without his high-falutin' help.

Well, I have news for him.

IT'S NOT THE TOY, MAN.

It's the French fries, as any parent well knows.

As long as there are French fries in Happy Meals, kids wll want Happy Meals. Wonder how long it will be before they figure that out and Happy Meals are outlawed?

Call to Action

I know. It's the pits. BUT WE MUST NOT GIVE UP! WE MUST NOT STICK OUR HEADS IN THE SAND! WE MUST NOT LET THEM WIN!

Sorry. Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.

If you read nothing else today, read this from Bill Whittle of Pajamas Media. Please.

"The war is actually begun"

The words of Patrick Henry have been ringing in my ears tonight. Amazing how appropriate they are to the situation at hand. Bart Stupak would do well to read them. Trusting the likes of Obama & Pelosi is akin to trusting George III. By the way, take note of the date.

Speech to the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Let's Get This Straight

The news wires and liberal blogs are making a big deal about the revelation from Sarah Palin that several times when she was a child her parents made use of Canadian health care. Seems a good time to point out several facts:

1) Governor Palin herself shared the tidbit in a recent speech. It's not as though it was some sort of shameful secret that was dug up by an investigative reporter. Some bombshell.

2) It was Palin's parents, not Palin herself, who utilized Canadian health care. To try to paint her as a hypocrite because of a choice her parents made when she was a little girl is ridiculous.

3) From what I have read, it only happened a few times. The Palins did not have a hospital down the street--they lived in Alaska, for crying out loud. On a few occasions when speedy care was crucial, it was quicker for them to get on a train and cross the border. Mrs. Palin's father points out that in doing so they incurred greater expense because their insurance did not cover Canadian care. But when you have a kid that has had an accident and needs an ER, you go to the closest and most accessible ER, regardless of the cost. The point is that Palin's parents went over the border not because they thought the health care was better but because they needed care FAST.

Can we all move on to more important things now? Like saving the country from the socialists?

Lying Liars and the Lies They Tell

HT: The Anchoress

"You Don't Know What They Mean, Either?"

A few days ago I went to the neighborhood pharmacy to fill some prescriptions for my mom, who has recently been sent home from rehab after a fall. This store is a pharmacy and nothing else. The only thing they sell is medicine and medical supplies. I appreciate that when I go there they recognize me and know who my mom is and ask about her. If needed, they deliver her medication to her.

On this day there was a problem. When the pharmacist tried to get insurance approval online for my mom's prescriptions, he was met with several rejection codes. Unable to figure out what they meant, he got on the phone to seek assistance from the insurance company. Keep in mind that my mom is a senior citizen whose coverage is provided by the federal government. As I stood eavesdropping (what else was there for me to do?) I overheard something like this:

" . . . got these rejection codes . . . there's no key to tell me what they mean . . . 14 . . . 8 . . . 12 . . . if you provided some sort of key I wouldn't have to call you about this . . . you're telling me you don't know what they mean either? . . . . [to his assistant] See, this is why we don't want the government taking over the whole thing . . . . [to me] This will probably take a while. Why don't I call you or you can check back with us later?"

The initial cost quoted for the presciptions was over $300. It took until the next day for things to get sorted out and my mom to get properly charged for her prescriptions (her portion ended up being only around $25). Since my mom fell early in January, this was the first time she had tried to get prescriptions filled this calendar year. I am thinking that is probably why she had so much trouble and am anticipating that this won't happen again, at least not until next year. But that may be wishful thinking.

Just think. If the government takes over the entire health care system, all of us will be able to enjoy the same streamlined, efficient medical care that my mom now receives. I can't wait . . . .

Yet Another Reason to Shop at Whole Foods

Not only do they have great, healthy (and yes, I know, expensive) food, but co-founder and CEO John Mackey has just published a brilliant and brave piece on health care in the Wall Street Journal. Brilliant, because he gets it right. Brave, because he is already suffering the fallout, as liberals and Obamacare supporters are calling for a boycott of the store.

HT: The Corner

Game, Set, Match

I listened to Rush Limbaugh for a while yesterday. He was talking about nationalized health care, citing this article by Mona Charen. Charen calls Obama's plan to socialize medicine in this country "the whole ball game." In other words, if he wins this battle, he has won the war for the soul of our nation, changing it essentially and perhaps irrevocably. As Rush pointed out, once the government has control of health care, it will be able to claim the right to manage and control almost every aspect of our lives in the name of cost-cutting. It makes sense. Almost every thing a person does can be said to have an impact on his or her overall health and well-being. If the government is paying for an individual's medical care, then, it will be able to assert the right to control your behavior in the name of controlling costs.

We can't lose this one. And we don't have to. The Democrats are already showing signs of infighting (just look at the lack of a clear party line on the release of the interrogation photographs--the White House says no, while Pelosi says yes). President Obama's approval ratings are starting to slide. It's time for the sleeping giant to wake up. Time for all of us to gird our loins and polish our swords. This is war! If we put our minds and hearts and will to it we can win it. And win it we must.

For Those Who Would Like to Know . . .

How To Stop a Healthcare Hijack

Read This

I'm not going to provide quotations or context for you. It's short. You just need to read it.

Editorial from the Washington Times:

Rationing Health Care

Nationalized Health Care

It's on its way, via the so-called "stimulus" package. And here I thought that, this being a free country and all, our new president would have to actually present a health care proposal to the American people and make his case, letting it succeed or fail on the merits.

Silly me. How could I forget? Whatever Obama and the Democrats want, Obama and the Democrats get. So much for transparency and daylight. They won, you see.

Have you noticed I'm not posting on politics as much as I once did? The reason is that my tummy kind of likes to hang on to its contents. And these days thinking about our country and all the ways we are daily losing it makes me literally sick.

Can anyone give me any hope? Is it possible Obama will make so many mistakes that we will only have four years of this before the American people come to their senses?

If they do miraculously come to their senses, will it be too late to matter?

Maybe you shouldn't answer that. I'd kind of like my breakfast to stay put.

Change

It's what he promised. Here's a glimpse into some of the changes we can expect.

Gambling on the Future

Remember this song?

On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,

I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.

So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness

'Til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.

He said, "Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces,

And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.

And if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.

For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.

Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.

And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.

Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,

Know when to walk away and know when to run.

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.

There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'

Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep.

'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser,

And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."

And when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,

Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.

And somewhere in the darkness, the gambler, he broke even.

But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,

Know when to walk away and know when to run.

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.

There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

(Kenny Rogers, "The Gambler")

Just read an excellent column at American Thinker, a site that all conservatives should know about, that Gambler-like asks and attempts to answer what are right now the two million-dollar questions: what battles--at least for the foreseeable future--have conservatives lost? And in what battles do we still stand a chance of prevailing? If we can answer those questions with some accuracy we can focus our energy where we actually have a chance of making a difference.

The list of areas in which the author, Larrey Anderson, says we have been beaten and should resign ourselves to the Obama agenda is frightening:

1) The Judiciary
2) Socialized Health Care
3) Higher Taxes
4) The War on Terror
5) Bailouts

Here are the areas in which he says we should keep fighting:

1) Illegal immigration
2) Education
3) Freedom of Religious Expression
4) Global Warming/Energy

I encourage you to go read the entire article to see what he specifically says about each of these areas, both the ones he claims we have lost and we ones in which we still have a fighting chance.

Anderson ends with this admonition:

"My advice to conservatives for the next two years: Focus on the fundamentals--especially education and freedom of religious expression. It will be almost impossible for us to stop most of the socialist political agenda that will soon be law. We must educate our children, our neighbors, and ourselves in an effort to insure that next time around 'we don't get fooled again.'"

Good advice for any time, but never moreso than right now. I'm more convinced than ever that Christian homeschoolers may be the force that rises up in the next generation to lead this country back to its roots.

I think I'll go work on indoctrinating a few members of that next generation right now.