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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 14, 2023 6:29:25 GMT
We had a rally at City Hall this evening - hundreds showed up (I live in a smallish community) - concerning an absolute boondoggle of a transit proposal for our town. We're bullish on public transit, but the transit company has a terrible proposal for supposedly speeding up rubber-wheel transit through our community - it's extremely expensive, detrimental to our environment and won't address the problem. The mayor, city council and citizens have a better idea that saves loads of money, time and hassle, preserves our environment and accomplishes the same purpose. The transit company won't budge on their horrible proposal (they did no due diligence), so we showed up to be heard.
It was impressive. The DH didn't want to go, this excuse, that excuse, but finally went. Next thing you know, he's holding up a sign and yelling lol, totally on board. We heard speeches, shouted a lot, and waited for the transit reps to show up so we could make our views known. We had surrounded city hall, and wouldn't you know those astardbays went sneaking around the side of the building and crept into the front door - crept, seriously. I was right next to the door and saw it, and started shouting "Hey! Hey! They're here - they're sneaking in - what's up with that! Hey, you people! Face us!" I was loud enough that the man with the megaphone leading the rally looked over, saw what was going on and shouted LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE!
Then we had a symbolic march into the city council chamber (the council was totally on board with this - they hate the proposal), very respectfully, and there were hundreds of people milling around in our very cramped city hall as we quietly walked in and walked out again. When we left, there were many people camped outside.
I felt as if I had done some personal good in alerting those sneaky reps - others saw them and looked disgusted, but I was in it to win it lol. Usually I keep my mouth shut but this was just too much.
The most excitement I've had in months lol.
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Post by staytuned on Jul 14, 2023 13:27:27 GMT
I really hope your alternate proposal is taken seriously and implemented. It would be refreshing for citizens to actually be heard instead of some entity doing what they want instead of considering something else that might make a lot more sense, especially if it saves time and money for the transit company.
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Post by denise15601 on Jul 14, 2023 14:56:09 GMT
Chap-we need a video of that! Good job!
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Post by frakinfashion on Jul 14, 2023 16:37:17 GMT
Well, I had my visit to the groovy new cardiologist that I had to schedule 8 months in advance. Yes, you read that right. When he walked in, I said "Since it took me so many months in advance to get the appointment, let me just behold you for a moment". He was actually an adorable guy and, as I had fervently hoped, is the only one I've found to get me off warfarin (rat poison), woo hoo! So now, I will be on a blood thinner that does not require a blood test every 3 weeks and prohibits eating leafy greens. This senior citizen is a happy girl. So happy, I made my next appointment with him. It's the first one he had available--March 11, 2024. I kid you not.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Jul 14, 2023 17:10:30 GMT
I can relate, Frakin. A good cardiologist is always a keeper! Mine is thinking of switching me from warfarin to something else, but we need to find something that my really crappy medicare drug plan will cover Now that I can find him at the new practice, I can schedule an appointment. I think I'll ask him what drug he wants to switch too and then find a new plan in November that has the best coverage, 'cuz those drugs aren't cheap Way to go Chap!!! If the city has a proposal that saves money and the transit people aren't listening, someone somewhere is getting paid off or is getting a big favor. Or owes someone a favor. Maybe the local media should look into that angle. Can't hurt. Sunny, muggy and hot here. Heat advisory in place through tomorrow night. I think I'll run my errands tomorrow in the morning before the day heats up.
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Post by frakinfashion on Jul 14, 2023 21:35:48 GMT
I'm being switched to Eliquis which I think has a generic now, maybe. It's going to cost me about $130 for a 90 day supply with my insurance coverage which is AARP Supplemental Rx. Not a bargain but well worth the end of the blood tests on my tired veins and should help me improve my diet. Good luck with your switch, val.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,761
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Post by val2525 on Jul 14, 2023 21:58:10 GMT
I'm being switched to Eliquis which I think has a generic now, maybe. It's going to cost me about $130 for a 90 day supply with my insurance coverage which is AARP Supplemental Rx. Not a bargain but well worth the end of the blood tests on my tired veins and should help me improve my diet. Good luck with your switch, val. Your cardio wasn't doing the finger stick tests for INR? You can eat leafy greens on Warfarin, you just have to be consistent. As in, eat a serving or two a week rather than avoiding all together and then binging on a spinach salad. I eat broccoli and dark leafy lettuce with no problem. Or was your previous cardio old school?
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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 15, 2023 5:29:01 GMT
Val - A lot of us are sure that it's a 'follow the money' scheme - that sweet, sweet gubmint money AND contractors getting plum assignments. We have made it very clear that this is OUR taxpayer money and we will not see it wasted like this just so somebody's uncle's concrete company can get millions. frakinfashion - I'm glad you have an alternative medication. The medical system in this country is not very good - we spend more per capital than any industrialized nation, yet have a worse health picture partly because of how expensive some meds are, delays in treatment and medical care deserts. Well, the DH went on one of his last big mountain rides before RAMROD (two weeks)...and crashed. It was a really strange incident - he had pulled off the road into a trailhead and misjudged what appeared to be just gravel - turned out to be powdery soil with just some gravel on it - he said he was swilling all over the place, trying to stay up, and couldn't get his foot out of his pedal (old time toestraps - I've told him he should get rid of them). He managed to wobble between two cars parked at the trailhead, but caroomed off one onto the other, but the other had nothing to grab on to, then his wheels went sideways and he flipped onto his back. Unfortunately, doing that he tweaked something. Now he's in pain, and if he can't recover from this, no RAMROD. This is a huge bummer. I've got all of this liniment and am encouraging him. He says this is his last chance - I say boloney - if he can do this at 71, he can do it at 72. He's really strong.
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Post by labbypaws on Jul 15, 2023 14:34:37 GMT
I am sorry Chap. Hopefully he can recover before then.
Medications - many times doctors are pushing new medications when the old standbys are ok. I follow the Boomer Benefits page and it is shocking how much we are left on the hook for. Many are going to Canadian pharmacies but still some meds are thousands of dollars. Just be aware of the costs.
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Post by denise15601 on Jul 15, 2023 14:43:02 GMT
So sorry Chap for your DH. Sure hope that he can recover in time.
I can't figure out Canadian meds. Although many meds are much cheaper, most breast cancer patients can't get the chemos that are available in the USA.
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Post by staytuned on Jul 15, 2023 15:06:41 GMT
Sorry about DH, Chap, and hope it's nothing serious that will prevent him from RAMROD. At least it happened 2 weeks and not 2 days away so he has time to heal.
Mom got some of her meds from Canada and one from England that saved her a lot of money. I understand money is needed to to do research and come up with new meds, but it's pathetic the folks that need them most are usually the ones who can least afford to pay exorbitant amounts. I still remember going to pick up a med for MIL to find another one waiting for her for $500. I actually did say as nicely as possible to the cashier/pharmacy tech, "You've got to be effing kidding me" and declined to pay for that one.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Jul 15, 2023 15:48:14 GMT
That's because Canada regulates drug pricing and won't allow drugs if the manufacturer prices the drug too high. The UK does something similar. Pharmaceutiucals is an incredibly profitable business in the US. Why do you think about half of Congress doesn't want Medicare to be able to negotiate drug prices? Corporate greed - profits. Personal greed - campaign donations. Insulin prices are an excellent example. Same drug we've been using for decades, no research costs, manufacturing had the same basic cost increases any other industry did. NOTHING to justify the recent price hikes. Yet Big Pharma jacked up the prices because it's a drug with a captive audience who will pay because they need insulin to live. /Folding up soapbox and walking off Chap, has DH thought of seeing a chiropractor? I hope he feels better soon.
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Post by denise15601 on Jul 15, 2023 19:20:53 GMT
I understand that, but a lot of the treatments are actually much cheaper since they are hormonals or monoclonal antibodies. They are used often in the US since they work better than the more expensive chemos, and have fewer side effects.
And those women have to wait a lot longer for BC surgeries that are done immediately here.
European countries also do not have the availability that we do. Although newer treatments are started in clinical trials there before going through our approval in the US with the FDA (which is a good thing). Phase one clinical trails in Europe are total guinea pig trials. They don't have as many regulations with new drugs that we do.
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Post by frakinfashion on Jul 15, 2023 19:53:56 GMT
I'm being switched to Eliquis which I think has a generic now, maybe. It's going to cost me about $130 for a 90 day supply with my insurance coverage which is AARP Supplemental Rx. Not a bargain but well worth the end of the blood tests on my tired veins and should help me improve my diet. Good luck with your switch, val. Your cardio wasn't doing the finger stick tests for INR? You can eat leafy greens on Warfarin, you just have to be consistent. As in, eat a serving or two a week rather than avoiding all together and then binging on a spinach salad. I eat broccoli and dark leafy lettuce with no problem. Or was your previous cardio old school? No, a real blood draw at a lab. And I just decided to stay away from leafy greens because I won't be consistent (disciplined). I'm a petulant, impulsive, elderly child. But now, it won't be an issue. And this doc said that Eliquis has an immediate reversal agent. So if you fall and hit your head, for example, you can avoid bleeding to death in your brain if you get to a hospital. La di dah.
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Post by frakinfashion on Jul 15, 2023 20:03:23 GMT
Confession: I used to work for the evil empire (pharma) doing drug advertising. The reason drug prices are so high here is 1. yes, our pols make it happen for the money they get and 2. The rest of the world pays little because of regulation and we are supporting them. It stinks. Yes. Insulin prices were brought down by Biden this year to, I think, no more than $30??? It's a rare success story. Epipens, which are literally acutely lifesaving are like 300-600 a pop, depending on insurance which is unconscionable. That GoodRx pricing that they advertise can be a real help. Cut the price of my antihypertensive lower than the insured copay. If you haven't heard about it, google it. It costs nothing and can save a lot if your pharmacy is willing to give you that price.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Jul 15, 2023 20:39:02 GMT
Wow. Kohls actually beat Chewy with pet purchase delivery I ordered a cat tree from Chewy on 7/13, it will be delivered Monday 7/17. I ordered a different cat tree from Kohls 7/14, it's out for delivery today. Actually, that's not too shabby for either place. Hopefully these will work. I ordered 2 others from Amazon, no special brand (big mistake, I won't do that again!) and both were smaller measurements than represented on the AMZ listing. Ended up they're both too small for my cats, and my cats are small. We're talking kitten trees Sunny, hot and muggy. Same as yesterday. Same as tomorrow. Bleah. But at least it's sunny and not cloudy The cats and I are being lazy today, just lounging around not doing much of anything. Well, the cats are lounging in the windows watching the world go by and I'm surfing the web. So yeah, not doing much of anything HSN had a really good clearance deal on cast iron cookware so I broke down and bought a dutch oven. Never had one, so I'll have to google how to cook with it But that can wait until October I think, when it cools down a bit.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 15, 2023 20:42:30 GMT
Confession: I used to work for the evil empire (pharma) doing drug advertising. The reason drug prices are so high here is 1. yes, our pols make it happen for the money they get and 2. The rest of the world pays little because of regulation and we are supporting them. It stinks. Yes. Insulin prices were brought down by Biden this year to, I think, no more than $30??? It's a rare success story. Epipens, which are literally acutely lifesaving are like 300-600 a pop, depending on insurance which is unconscionable. That GoodRx pricing that they advertise can be a real help. Cut the price of my antihypertensive lower than the insured copay. If you haven't heard about it, google it. It costs nothing and can save a lot if your pharmacy is willing to give you that price. With great opposition by certain individuals. That's where the kick-backs come in, and those individuals taking those 'donations' have to dance to their paymaster's tune. That's all over Big Pharma and AMAF, all over industry and definitely is nothing new, I have a political cartoon from the late 19th century complaining about the same thing, but it makes regulating necessary products difficult. Thank you for the welll wishes! The DH was in pain last night when he went to bed. I massaged the area with Icey-Hot lidocaine cream and he took some aspirin. He got up this morning feeling better and is moving around pretty well. Crossed-fingers. He's taking the weekend off and will see how his back does on his regular commute to work on Monday. He has suggested a walk to one of our local pubs tomorrow evening "for exercise" lol. He has a short mountain ride on Friday and he'll aim for that. But day at a time. It wouldn't be such a big deal but for this big event.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,761
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Post by val2525 on Jul 15, 2023 23:48:40 GMT
I know National Ice Cream Day isn't until tomorrow, but with a high today of 103, I think celebrating tonight is totally understandable. Plus I'll have enough left to celebrate tomorrow too. Ice cream is like cupcakes - one cannot celebrate either enough.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 16, 2023 7:03:55 GMT
I only like vanilla soft serve frozen yogurt - boring person that I am. I'll go for strawberry ice cream, though, if it's made in England.
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Post by labbypaws on Jul 16, 2023 14:48:51 GMT
We are in a pocket of fair weather. Storming north and south of us. So far 4 people are reported dead - swept away in the Delaware River. Flash flooding around here is so dangerous.
I got out walking today but of course it started raining 1 mile in. I decided to keep going. It was a nice rain so it wasn’t too bad. Just have a wet dog🤣. She didn’t mind though.
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Post by denise15601 on Jul 16, 2023 20:05:01 GMT
Gee, I feel so bad and ironically it is about Canadian meds. A lady has been writing to me today from one of my BC groups. She lives in Canada. After her BC was found, it took months to get to see an oncologist. And now her BC has spread to her liver, lungs and bones. In Canada, they only have one treatment option and it is free. But if it doesn't work, they have to pay a lot for subsequent kinds of chemo. The treatment that she is getting might help the liver and lungs, but she needs a bone strengthener, which has not been offered to her. I am on my 5th line of treatment, and Medicare and Medicaid pays for it. I will probably lose Medicaid in a year since my car will be paid for. But then I will get a supplemental policy. So at least I have options that she doesn't. The grass isn't always greener....
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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 17, 2023 6:01:46 GMT
The DH is doing better - I'm massaging his back each night with icy hot - he's going to see how he does this week. We walked to the pub and first came upon a big golden doodle that somehow had gotten out of its yard - it was running around in the road and almost got hit (and people are pretty careful here). I got the dog onto the side of the road, and several people pulled up to help - we were at an intersection of our two narrow roads and the whole place was blocked by us and this dog. A couple of people tried to help, and finally one woman (who actually worked with dogs), helped us calm it down - finally got hold of the owners and one came running up the hill with a leash - he was so thankful we'd found "Drake" - Drake was very good the entire time, scared, but stayed quietly with us once we had him by the side of the road and were talking to him. So we continue our walk - I always have my eyes open on whatever is on the side of the road, and what did I see set out with a 'free' sign on it? A BATTLE ROPE! I've always wanted one, but they're spendy. Battle Rope: They weigh 10-15 lb for the 18' long one. It was wound up neatly in its box and I was on it immediately, picked it up and was prepared to lug it to the pub and home again - the DH need not help me. He got immediately bent out of shape about picking something up by the side of the road blah blah blah (he's known I've curb surfed for the last 20 years) and I, very rarely, pushed back. We argued and I told him that if he had wanted this battle rope, I would have helped him carry it the entire three miles WITHOUT ARGUMENT because he wanted it, and that's all that mattered, but I guess it didn't go both ways. We were almost not speaking to each other. We were civil at the pub, and on the way back I got the battle rope and he said nothing except asked what it was for. Then he confesses: he read in the obits one of his former coworkers had passed and was only a year older than himself, and he's adverse to acquiring stuff now. ::Narrator: She is the one who has been getting rid of her possessions:: So I'm going to set up the battle rope on the back patio to use it. For gawd's sake - what a stupid thing to argue over!
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Post by frakinfashion on Jul 17, 2023 18:47:16 GMT
A battle rope inspires/summons/enables, uh... battling.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Jul 17, 2023 19:32:53 GMT
It actually looks like a pretty cool workout tool:
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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 18, 2023 1:44:07 GMT
Yes! And you can hook them up anywhere and use them, then wind them up again. There are various rhythms you can use and it really works your entire body. It rained last night and this morning so there's wet moss all over the patio, so it needs to dry out a bit before I hook them up to the porch and given them a go tomorrow.
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Post by frakinfashion on Jul 18, 2023 16:24:50 GMT
Very Thor.
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Post by Desire on Jul 18, 2023 17:52:20 GMT
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Post by chapeaunoir on Jul 19, 2023 1:55:53 GMT
We have so much moss here that we have layers on layers - if we have a dry summer (like this summer) it dries out. Our roads even have moss on them in the winter lol, and can be slick - even metal things are covered in moss. We do get after it (also on the roof). I can't remember what we use, but I'll make a note of the JOMAX. Because we live in a very wet area with lots of wetlands and creeks, we have to be careful of what we use.
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