Well, it has been quite a while since I posted here. I keep waiting for inspiration, but nothing seems important enough to publish, I guess if I am not traveling or having major medical problems, my life is just boring.
I have just passed my 60th birthday...... officially old. I was gong to say that I don’t feel this old, but that is not really true, I guess it would be more accurate to say that I am surprised to be this old. It seems just yesterday that I was young and tough.... willing and able to do anything. I spent an unusual amount of my time doing dangerous jobs and playing at dangerous hobbies. I had many close calls, some that caused great pain, and some that just made a good story to tell around the campfire. Maybe it is because I have been lucky my whole life, and am surprised when I start to have some of the problems that are expected at this stage of life. I don’t know, maybe everyone feels this way..... however, this is not what I expected.
Another birthday, my neo-bladder is now 1 year old. I am not sure how the time line for this goes, but my new bladder seems to have passed the rebellious and unpredictable stage of youth, and has fallen into line as another hard working organ, doing its part to sustain life. I can't begin to describe how happy this makes me.
I am still having some minor issues with my hernia repair. Trying to lift things like I used to causes setbacks, and am afraid to enter situations that may require abdominal effort. Minor repairs in a vacant rental unit are taking 4 times as long as expected, and I have had to cancel a kayak trip. Going and hoping for the best wouldn’t be fair to the group. Too much too soon, or an imposed change in lifestyle?
In any event, I woke up this morning, and am able to go out and do some useful things. Today it seems so simple, “look on the bright side”, “the glass is half full”. Today, to quote the tee shirt, Life Is Good......
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
September 16, 2010
I am so excited, I have something to report...... I am about to settle my dispute with Health Net. Health Net, as you may remember, misled me into getting cancer treatment at an “out of network” hospital, and then refused to pay about $70,000 in charges for 2 surgeries preformed at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. (This is my side of the argument, theirs is somewhat different.)
HN is not going to pay the bill, but they are going to pay my legal bills to date, defend me in the lawsuit that UPMC will bring against me, and pay any judgement that arises from the lawsuit.
I don’t really see why this is good for HN. I do owe the money to UPMC, (after all, I did sign everything that they put in front of me leading up to the surgery) and they should be able to get a judgment easily. It could be that HN is just using the cost of litigation as a negotiating tool, or just trying to put off payment for a few years.
While this is very good news..... it still leaves me with ruined credit, and having to deal with the legal system for the next couple of years. In any event, this is better than being stuck with the whole bill.
I am making a fairly rapid recovery from my hernia surgery..... I can’t laugh, lift, or cough at this point, but am nearly off of pain meds, and seem to be getting better. I will see where I am after I see the Doc. in a few weeks.
Please join me in a moment of silence for the loss of my navel..... it is not as bad as losing another major organ, but still...... I mean it really didn’t do much except collect lint, but I had it for a long time, and my belly looks a bit empty without it.
HN is not going to pay the bill, but they are going to pay my legal bills to date, defend me in the lawsuit that UPMC will bring against me, and pay any judgement that arises from the lawsuit.
I don’t really see why this is good for HN. I do owe the money to UPMC, (after all, I did sign everything that they put in front of me leading up to the surgery) and they should be able to get a judgment easily. It could be that HN is just using the cost of litigation as a negotiating tool, or just trying to put off payment for a few years.
While this is very good news..... it still leaves me with ruined credit, and having to deal with the legal system for the next couple of years. In any event, this is better than being stuck with the whole bill.
I am making a fairly rapid recovery from my hernia surgery..... I can’t laugh, lift, or cough at this point, but am nearly off of pain meds, and seem to be getting better. I will see where I am after I see the Doc. in a few weeks.
Please join me in a moment of silence for the loss of my navel..... it is not as bad as losing another major organ, but still...... I mean it really didn’t do much except collect lint, but I had it for a long time, and my belly looks a bit empty without it.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September 11, 2010
Well folks, I have once again survived the US medical system. I am at home, have no tubes coming out of me, all systems are working somewhat normally, and am resting uncomfortably under the influence of dangerous narcotics.
The plan is to feel better and better until this is just a distant memory. I want to thank all of you for you prayers and kind thoughts.
I will try to post more as energy permits.....
The plan is to feel better and better until this is just a distant memory. I want to thank all of you for you prayers and kind thoughts.
I will try to post more as energy permits.....
Thursday, September 9, 2010
August 9, 2010
Evening! I just wanted to update everyone on how John is doing. He's still in the hospital, although the surgery went well. He may be released tomorrow if he can move around a little more. He's not up to talking on the phone, and hopes everyone understands that he will be ready in a day or so. But he is fine. - Karen
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
August 8, 2010
Good morning! John went through his surgery very well, although it was delayed by several hours. He should be going home tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Since he did not get out of recovery until about 8:30 last night, I'm not sure which day it will be. - Karen
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 6, 2010
OK, Not much to report....... I am entering the hospital Tues. morning at 9:00 AM to have a hernia repaired. They are planning to embed a piece of “mesh” to bind my abdominal muscles together. I have not researched this process at all, but I am told that it is routine.
I do not expect this to be very complicated, or expect to be in there more than 2-3 days. People do this every day, it is just not a big deal. OK, that is what I think..... What I feel is much different, anxiety is seeping out of every pore, and relaxation is totally out of the question. Logic is apparently unable to override the subconscious that remembers the aftermath of the last time that I did something like this...... The problem, it seems, is that the whole dam thing is so totally counter-intuitive. OK, I know that this is the right thing to do, but once again, it feels like I have signed up for a knife fight.
I am never sure if it is helpful to whine about my “feelings”. It seems that it is not very manly, you know, I should be fearless, bring it on, I can take anything, I’m so tough that nothing bothers me.... In most respects, it is really not useful information regarding my medical condition, however, it is part of the whole experience. I do, however, also feel a duty to others that are following this blog, who are in similar circumstances, who need to know that these things can seem ominous and overwhelming. It may be comforting for them to know that others are fearful and undecided, but still get through it ok.
In any event, Karen will be posting updates on my condition on this blog, and I will be making and accepting phone calls as soon as I can kick the upcoming drug habit.
I do not expect this to be very complicated, or expect to be in there more than 2-3 days. People do this every day, it is just not a big deal. OK, that is what I think..... What I feel is much different, anxiety is seeping out of every pore, and relaxation is totally out of the question. Logic is apparently unable to override the subconscious that remembers the aftermath of the last time that I did something like this...... The problem, it seems, is that the whole dam thing is so totally counter-intuitive. OK, I know that this is the right thing to do, but once again, it feels like I have signed up for a knife fight.
I am never sure if it is helpful to whine about my “feelings”. It seems that it is not very manly, you know, I should be fearless, bring it on, I can take anything, I’m so tough that nothing bothers me.... In most respects, it is really not useful information regarding my medical condition, however, it is part of the whole experience. I do, however, also feel a duty to others that are following this blog, who are in similar circumstances, who need to know that these things can seem ominous and overwhelming. It may be comforting for them to know that others are fearful and undecided, but still get through it ok.
In any event, Karen will be posting updates on my condition on this blog, and I will be making and accepting phone calls as soon as I can kick the upcoming drug habit.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
August 24, 2010
Well, this is another “nothing to report” blog..... I do have a new address, not surprising to “full timers” and Gypsies, but somewhat unusual for normal people to understand. I am now living in town at my vacant lot on Spruce trail. I have a building permit for this lot, and must show progress every year to avoid losing the permit. So..... I put in the septic system, had the water meter turned on, and arranged to buy electricity from the neighbors.... all of the comforts.
I have been mostly stationary, but still have had a busy summer. It has been a surprise to me that nearly every weekend this summer there has been some event going on in Frazier Park, or one of the surrounding communities. Mostly, these have been remarkably well done given the limited resources of a small community. Car shows, wine tasting, theater under the stars, etc, all interesting, fun, and well worth doing. If I didn’t live here, I would want to visit.
My hernia surgery has been rescheduled for Sept. 7... apparently this is routine stuff, but still, I feel my anxiety level rising..... I guess that it is a bit Pavlovian.
My plan is to spend Oct and Nov. Healing and catching up on paper work, and be ready to travel by winter......
I have been mostly stationary, but still have had a busy summer. It has been a surprise to me that nearly every weekend this summer there has been some event going on in Frazier Park, or one of the surrounding communities. Mostly, these have been remarkably well done given the limited resources of a small community. Car shows, wine tasting, theater under the stars, etc, all interesting, fun, and well worth doing. If I didn’t live here, I would want to visit.
My hernia surgery has been rescheduled for Sept. 7... apparently this is routine stuff, but still, I feel my anxiety level rising..... I guess that it is a bit Pavlovian.
My plan is to spend Oct and Nov. Healing and catching up on paper work, and be ready to travel by winter......
Thursday, July 29, 2010
July 29, 2010
Well, it has been a while, and I keep waiting to be inspired..... I think that really good blogs require some emotional energy behind them. OK, that is not happening, but I want to let everyone know that I am alive a kicking, and I do have a bit of new information
I started this year with some huge problems to deal with, and now it seems that most of these are either solved, or about to be solved. This is great news.... but I find myself unprepared for “life after problems are solved”.
Historically, I consider the future, think about it from time to time, and let the back of my brain mull things over. Just keep adding information, and at some point, various plans begins to take shape, and are slowly refined and revealed as events unfold. I never really decided on this methodology, it just evolved. For most of my life, this has been my “mode of operation”, and has proved to be a fairly reliable way to run my planning department. (OK, I know that many of you could dispute this, and this method has produced some colossal mistakes, but it is all that I have.)
This year, my system has failed. For understandable reasons, I focused on the immediate issues, and spent no time or energy considering the future. As the big issues got resolved, I felt a great sense of relief, but found myself without a plan. Now it seems that I am wandering in circles, dazed, depressed, and disoriented.
Currently, I am scrambling to catch up with hundreds of small issues that have accumulated over the past year and a half, and am trying to formulate a reasonable plan for the next few years. Organized thinking, researching, and planning.... all are somewhat foreign to me.
There is another “fly in the ointment”....... the muscles in my abdomen have pulled apart at the site of my surgery. This allows my insides to bulge into the outside, and must be repaired surgically. The plan is to reinforce the area with some kind of fabric mesh.... as I understand it, this is a fairly common fix for a fairly common problem. This procedure is scheduled for Sept. 8, and will mean a few days in the hospital.
So, here is the problem..... Most of my income has come from activities that involve heavy lifting, and it is uncertain if I will ever be 100% again. I am not sure that I can ever again do the work that I am used to.
So, with the RE crash and my body falling apart, clearly, I need to find a new way to fund my lifestyle. I have some ideas, but, you know how it is with old dogs and new tricks.....
I started this year with some huge problems to deal with, and now it seems that most of these are either solved, or about to be solved. This is great news.... but I find myself unprepared for “life after problems are solved”.
Historically, I consider the future, think about it from time to time, and let the back of my brain mull things over. Just keep adding information, and at some point, various plans begins to take shape, and are slowly refined and revealed as events unfold. I never really decided on this methodology, it just evolved. For most of my life, this has been my “mode of operation”, and has proved to be a fairly reliable way to run my planning department. (OK, I know that many of you could dispute this, and this method has produced some colossal mistakes, but it is all that I have.)
This year, my system has failed. For understandable reasons, I focused on the immediate issues, and spent no time or energy considering the future. As the big issues got resolved, I felt a great sense of relief, but found myself without a plan. Now it seems that I am wandering in circles, dazed, depressed, and disoriented.
Currently, I am scrambling to catch up with hundreds of small issues that have accumulated over the past year and a half, and am trying to formulate a reasonable plan for the next few years. Organized thinking, researching, and planning.... all are somewhat foreign to me.
There is another “fly in the ointment”....... the muscles in my abdomen have pulled apart at the site of my surgery. This allows my insides to bulge into the outside, and must be repaired surgically. The plan is to reinforce the area with some kind of fabric mesh.... as I understand it, this is a fairly common fix for a fairly common problem. This procedure is scheduled for Sept. 8, and will mean a few days in the hospital.
So, here is the problem..... Most of my income has come from activities that involve heavy lifting, and it is uncertain if I will ever be 100% again. I am not sure that I can ever again do the work that I am used to.
So, with the RE crash and my body falling apart, clearly, I need to find a new way to fund my lifestyle. I have some ideas, but, you know how it is with old dogs and new tricks.....
Saturday, July 10, 2010
July 10, 2010
Life in Frazier Park continues..... I am scrambling to catch up with hundreds of small and medium issues that have piled up over the last year and a half.
I joined some friends the weekend before last, to go kayaking and camping near June Lake, Ca. We paddled Gull lake and Silver lake, toured Bodie (probably the best ghost town in the country), and visited the museum in Lee Vining.
Probably the most interesting thing that happened was a chance encounter on the rough dirt road to Bodie. We came across a pair of motorcyclists that were towing small trailers, and were traveling from San Diego to Oregon and back. One of the trailers had a broken axle, and they were asking passers by if they had a hacksaw.
Lou, a McGiever clone, had a hacksaw in his truck, so we stopped to help. A road side T-post (apparently placed there to help broken down bikers) was used as a splint. It was held in place with 2 hose clamps (donated by Lou), some rope and an extra tie down strap (supplied by me), and...... wait for it....... duct tape (donated by a passing cowhand). They were going to make better repairs when they got to Bridgeport.
As we all know, but tend to forget sometimes..... It feels good to get a little dirty, and do a good deed.
Under the category of “small world”...... I saw the same group at the mini mart in Frazier Park on July 2. They were on the way back to San Diego, and you guessed it, the jury rig repair was still in place. They said that it worked well, and would be repaired when they reached home.
Click on the pictures for a better view.
I joined some friends the weekend before last, to go kayaking and camping near June Lake, Ca. We paddled Gull lake and Silver lake, toured Bodie (probably the best ghost town in the country), and visited the museum in Lee Vining.
Probably the most interesting thing that happened was a chance encounter on the rough dirt road to Bodie. We came across a pair of motorcyclists that were towing small trailers, and were traveling from San Diego to Oregon and back. One of the trailers had a broken axle, and they were asking passers by if they had a hacksaw.
Lou, a McGiever clone, had a hacksaw in his truck, so we stopped to help. A road side T-post (apparently placed there to help broken down bikers) was used as a splint. It was held in place with 2 hose clamps (donated by Lou), some rope and an extra tie down strap (supplied by me), and...... wait for it....... duct tape (donated by a passing cowhand). They were going to make better repairs when they got to Bridgeport.
As we all know, but tend to forget sometimes..... It feels good to get a little dirty, and do a good deed.
Under the category of “small world”...... I saw the same group at the mini mart in Frazier Park on July 2. They were on the way back to San Diego, and you guessed it, the jury rig repair was still in place. They said that it worked well, and would be repaired when they reached home.
Click on the pictures for a better view.
16 campsites
One of two that could accommodate a 36 ft. MH
In spite of the trees, I still had satellite internet and TV
One of two that could accommodate a 36 ft. MH
In spite of the trees, I still had satellite internet and TV
Silver Lake
Broken trailer up on lift
Broken axle
Preparing the axle graft
Repaired axle, ready to travel 2000 miles
Bodie
One of the nicer houses
Paula and Karen at the Methodist church
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 14, 2010
This week finds me mostly healthy and happy.
Once again an interesting weekend, and of course, once again I forgot the camera. But being the resourceful guy that I am, I imposed on my friend Carl to record the grand event.
The event was the wedding (yes, some people still get married) of my friends Kelly and Ellie.... Do not stop reading here!! It is not like a slide presentation of a family reunion.
The wedding was held at a friends (a very remarkable couple) house near the top of an 8000 ft. mountain.... 4 miles of dirt road, 3000 ft. elevation gain, way off of the grid, solar powered, and all self contained. As you might guess, snow plays a leading role in "Life on the Mountain". The pictures will speak for themselves. (Click on the pics. for a better view)
The ceremony, and a view of Lockwood Valley.... My land is located in the small clear area at the upper, center of the picture. Frazier park is to the left of the tree. (In true Frazier Park style, Kelly chose to go with casual dress)
View of Cuddy Valley, and the comunity of Pinion Pines (West of Frazier Park, at the center of Pic.)
View of the house from the East
View of house from the South
Solar power.... over 2000 watts
Very serious snow plow
8 wheel drive!!! actually rides on top of the snow
And me
Once again an interesting weekend, and of course, once again I forgot the camera. But being the resourceful guy that I am, I imposed on my friend Carl to record the grand event.
The event was the wedding (yes, some people still get married) of my friends Kelly and Ellie.... Do not stop reading here!! It is not like a slide presentation of a family reunion.
The wedding was held at a friends (a very remarkable couple) house near the top of an 8000 ft. mountain.... 4 miles of dirt road, 3000 ft. elevation gain, way off of the grid, solar powered, and all self contained. As you might guess, snow plays a leading role in "Life on the Mountain". The pictures will speak for themselves. (Click on the pics. for a better view)
The ceremony, and a view of Lockwood Valley.... My land is located in the small clear area at the upper, center of the picture. Frazier park is to the left of the tree. (In true Frazier Park style, Kelly chose to go with casual dress)
View of Cuddy Valley, and the comunity of Pinion Pines (West of Frazier Park, at the center of Pic.)
View of the house from the East
View of house from the South
Solar power.... over 2000 watts
Very serious snow plow
8 wheel drive!!! actually rides on top of the snow
And meAll in all, it was a perfect day..... the ceremony lasted less than 5 minutes, there was plenty of food, drink, and conversation, and I could wear a t-shirt.
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