[breezeonby]

I had my pneumonia check-up with my PCP today. Chest x-rays still not clear, pulse ox still low on room air. And to boot I have gained 8 pounds since my last visit on 7/8/10. I am all bloated up with water. I need to start taking Lasix to see if it will help with the water retention. My insulin needs have increased since my hospitalization, probably due to the steroids that I have been taking or I am becoming more insulin resistant. My fasting blood glucose has been pretty good but my readings throughout the day are high, readings have gone up to 290. I never started on my diet since I was in the hospital the day I planned to start. Right now, I don't care about the diet. I am really worried about my hospital bill, my share to pay is $4,000.00. I am really depressed about all of this. Sorry, but I can't seem to find anything positive to dwell on.

 

[weaveroflight]

I hope you feel better soon. I have been on prednisone so many times. It helps me so much except for my blood sugars. They do come down but in the meantime hang in there.
My BS are now in the 120's which is something I never thought would happen. During my bad times you encouraged me. Thank you

 

[Shanny]

Wherever that cussed bug came from, it sure knocked you off your pins. I know you'll recover because you're a survivor, but this could be a slow journey back to good health. I wish it could be a more pleasant situation.

Keep the billing office apprised of your circumstances & perhaps a little negotiation could take place - I can't tell you to not worry, because bills are one of the things that cause me worry too - I know just how that is.

Know that you're in our thoughts & prayers, Breeze . . . I so wish we lived closer.

 

[breezeonby]

Wherever that cussed bug came from, it sure knocked you off your pins. I know you'll recover because you're a survivor, but this could be a slow journey back to good health. I wish it could be a more pleasant situation.

Keep the billing office apprised of your circumstances & perhaps a little negotiation could take place - I can't tell you to not worry, because bills are one of the things that cause me worry too - I know just how that is.

Know that you're in our thoughts & prayers, Breeze . . . I so wish we lived closer.

Shanny, I wish you lived closer too! I need someone around who understands diabetes. My Mother told me that it is my own fault that I have diabetes, because I have always loved pasta. I don't agree with her and have argued with her until I am blue in the face. I try to educate her, but she doesn't understand. I am a little short on patience right now. My doctor did tell me that having my blood sugar under control will help me to heal faster. I just happened to get a strain of pneumonia that the pneumonia shot didn't cover. The vaccine covers 23 different strains. My doctor also told me that despite my diabetes and my other health problems that I am still strong and will get through this, it is just going to take time. I felt like I was 65 years old today instead of 50. Walking around pushing an oxygen tank was humiliating. It seemed that everyone was starring at me, like I was gonna kick the bucket at any time. I finally got to go to the grocery store today and got some exercise. I believe that God will not give you anymore than you can handle.

 

[breezeonby]

I hope you feel better soon. I have been on prednisone so many times. It helps me so much except for my blood sugars. They do come down but in the meantime hang in there.
My BS are now in the 120's which is something I never thought would happen. During my bad times you encouraged me. Thank you

Thanks for the encouragement, I really need this now. I will try and hang in there!

 

[onaughmae]

Thanks for the encouragement, I really need this now. I will try and hang in there!

(((Breeze))) I am truly sorry you are having such a rough time of it right now

I know I am not telling you anything that you dont already know...but...your higher blood sugars, your increased need for insulin, and your weight gain are ALL directly related to the steroid use. It is *not* anything you are doing wrong. You need the steroid therapy right now. All you can do is hang on, and manage your blood sugar the best you can. Dont even fret about the weight gain. You can address that once you are healthy again. I would guess that the extra weight will come off quickly when you are able to wean off the prednisone.

As far as trying to educate your mom...sometimes, despite your best attempts at educating people about the causes of diabetes, people just can't move past their preconceptions of what diabetes is all about. Sometimes I just get to the point where I thank them for their concern and just move on past it. It just isnt worth the stress. You need to focus on just getting better right now. I know it seems like like it will never end, but this too shall pass and you will be stronger for it.

If you need some sympathetic ears, there are a bunch of them here for you and please feel free to use them up

 

[wish]

Breeze, hang in there. You really have been helpful to us all; let us know ho we can help you. Lean on your friends.

 

[lia]

Really sorry to hear about that breezy. I had a cold about a year ago that wouldn't leave and I wound up with permanent lung damage. (Can't remember what they call it.) Anyway, I can relate.

At least you have an internet connection. Does that tend to be available in hospitals these days?

George Burns mentioned one time 'happiness is having a large, loyal, warm, loving, caring family ...in another city!' I enjoyed that and think like that too. I don't communicate much with them and fortunately they are nearly all in different cities. I don't have to try to explain things to them.

I'm not a very social person and do like to be by myself. Everybody is different that way.

My favorite speaker mentioned one time 'our brain has a 3 position switch, smart, neutral, and stupid. Sometimes it just gets stuck on stupid.' The genes in my family don't swing very far toward smart, and that stuck switch also helps explain a few parts of my life to me.

Anyway, at least an internet connection should be a big help enjoying your stay. Have a good time. I hope that doesn't sound strange. In my experience you can have a good time in the most unexpected places.

 

[Diana]

Breeze....here's a couple of reports that might help you negotiate your medical bills. They have so many people who don't pay a dime, so it's well worth your time to talk to them.
Pleading your case on medical bills is a sound policy
A Little Haggling Could Mean Big Savings on Med Bills
It's Doctors' and Hosptials' Dirty Little Secret -- Their Bills Are Often Negotiable
If you need more info just do a search for "how to negotiate medical bills". I hope there's something there that will help reduce some of your stress. Please take care of yourself and keep your chin up!! Or if you're like me....all 3 of them!

 

[breezeonby]

Breeze....here's a couple of reports that might help you negotiate your medical bills. They have so many people who don't pay a dime, so it's well worth your time to talk to them.
Pleading your case on medical bills is a sound policy
A Little Haggling Could Mean Big Savings on Med Bills
It's Doctors' and Hosptials' Dirty Little Secret -- Their Bills Are Often Negotiable
If you need more info just do a search for "how to negotiate medical bills". I hope there's something there that will help reduce some of your stress. Please take care of yourself and keep your chin up!! Or if you're like me....all 3 of them!

Thanks for the info. I am going to have to work out a payment plan with the hospital, I don't have $4000 to fork out. That is a used car! I also saw 3 different doctors everyday in the hospital and have not received their bills yet....2 of the doctors were new so I will pay them off in payments, but my PCP will need to be paid on time. I sure wish I knew why doctors charge so much for a visit while in the hospital. And boy, they are all in a rush and you hardly can get in a word and in 5 minutes they are in and out.

 

[magnumR/T]

i'm praying for you breeze,you can beat this! remember your health comes first above all else,money problems are easier to solve even if they seem overwhelming right now,as for family,well,all i can say is my mother sounds the same but they do still love us, hold on !

 

[Nagesh Rao]

Sorry to hear about your predicament Breeze. 4000 dollars is a lot of money. Surely there must be a mistake. Of-course, being in UK, I do not know the intricacies of the US insurance systems. I sincerely hope you get through this without any problems.

 

[jeremiahtren]

iam sorry your day was so bad

 

[shortaphrodite]

Oh dear Breeze, you poor thing. I hope that you have recovered from pnuemonia. I'm very lucky to have good lungs so haven't had it but I can imagine that it would knock the wind out of your sails. Steroids are shocking for increasing blood sugars. Any severe infection will make you very tired and depressed. Don't worry too much about the weight gain for now. Just concentrate on recovering and when you feel up to it, you can go for short walks or wotever exercise you fl you can do.

Head up love,

Get well real soon