October 28, 2005 by MrRi¢h.

Healthcare, HA Hah! More then two weeks ago I had to make an appointment to see a new hematologist. For those who don’t know and are too lazy to Google it, a hematologist is a blood doctor. I need to have a regular one because of my blood disorder, ITP. That’s the short form of a long word that will have any spell checker freaking out. While I’d rather not get into the specifics of my illness, I will say these “specialized” doctors and insurance companies have caused me, a “sick” person more negative emotions then I need right now. And same goes to those who are close to me.

First it was a doctor who wouldn’t take my check and so wouldn’t see me. To be fair, it was his nurse who turned me away because I didn’t have cash. What kind of doctor doesn’t accept checks? Those close to me and I feel something is shady about that. When I am well its something I may look into more.

Thanks to him, I would have to “waste” time until I could see a new hematologist who works for a hematology center in a hospital. She only sees new patients on Tuesdays which in short brings me to this past week. When I made my original appointment about two weeks ago, I wasn’t aware I had to have my new, separate charity care before seeing this new doctor. Logically the one I already have should work since this hospital is owned by the same administration. That would be too easy. We know the government and insurance companies can never do anything the easy way.

My thinking wasn’t tuned to theirs and hopefully never will be. I arrive for my appointment early and I wait until I’m called. When it is, my time with a social worker? didn’t last more then ten minutes. Without approval on the new charity care I knew I’d get, I couldn’t be seen by the doctor. I had to explain how almost critical my health situation is. Either sympathizing or taking pity on me, she said she would speak to the doctor. While I’m explaining this to my parents for a few minutes, the social worker would return to tell me that without my “insurance” I’d have to reschedule my appointment. Which I have for next Tuesday afternoon. In the meantime the doctor will look over my new medical records. That’s the positive, because 3 days ago while I was at the hospital, there were no positive feelings. I really wish I had written this entry then. Because it would have been have one of the rare times you would see my dark side. lol

After rescheduling and while I was fuming I had to try to go see about applying for new charity care. Sounds easy right? Remember this is the government and the insurance companies we’re talking about. In order to even speak to someone about applying, you have to make an appointment. For some dumb, stupid (how kiddiesh of me) reason, you can’t have an appointment with patient services the same day you have a doctor’s appointment. Technically I no longer had an appointment. This doesn’t matter to them. I had to make an appointment with patient services for the following morning. Which again is stupid. I’m already there, why can’t I just settle this now? How busy can patient services be at 3:30 PM? Now I had to take my “sick” self back there.

Again, this is not racially motivated, a black receptionist, (I only said her skin color in this case because I think her thinking of my situation was stereotypical. Don’t give me that we’re all people, we’re all the same. We can all be Americans and still have different types of “cultures,” depending on our upbringing and at least where we’re from) is telling me step by step what I need to do when I come back and if I have an emergency step by step how they (the hospital) will take care of me. Even telling me at a mile a minute how they’ll get me a wheel chair. Shut up! Like I wasn’t nervous enough going to the hospital that day. That’s really what this part comes down to, how people I don’t need to comfort me are trying to.

The following day was a lot better given the situation. I returned to the hospital, met with someone from patient services, and was approved for my new charity care. The only thing I could have ranted about is how even though I’m approved, the way the document words it, I’m denied until my appointment day. This is when I’ll pick up another document (actually, just a carbon copy of the original) from the same person in patient services. Confused? Yeah me too.

Now we’re all hoping as of Tuesday, November 1, 2005 I’ll be able to be treated as an outpatient. My health (hopefully not the insurance stuff so much) is an ongoing “thing.” At this time it feels more like an inconvience then anything else. While it ain’t fun, reading about those around me (these outsiders) could be. Like crazy, blamed my mom for moving her stuff when my mom didn’t lady. This is why I gotta to try to write these posts on the same day as this crap happens.

Posted in Health | 2 Comments »

October 24, 2005 by MrRi¢h.

Today was one of those rare times when I went shopping for something other then what would fall into the category of entertainment. Not only did I go clothes shopping, (rare in itself) I actually found clothes that fit and bought them. Here’s the thing. I’m 5′7 (and a 1/2) when I don’t slouch. I’d describe myself as a “big dude” who has broad shoulders. When I was six years old, the rec league wanted me to be a quarter back for the kiddie football team. It also runs in the family. The broad shoulders, not playing kiddie league football.

So when I want or need “nice clothes” I usually shop at places like The Mens Wearhouse. Never giving a lot of thought to any franchise clothing store. Even though most places are preparing for winter, I’m still considering my er Fall line which will be great for Spring and maybe summer. Sure, if summer is spent inside an air conditioned environment. Being the GQ…no, Esquire kind of guy I am, I’ve been wanting to buy these casual, long sleeve sport kind of shirts.

After not finding these types of shirts that fit at Kohls last week, I remembered yesterday thanks to Rachel showing me some on-line one night that Old Navy sells them. Great, another store to check out. Usually when I know what I’m looking for, I’ll use the store’s website to make shopping easier. Or as an option in case the store doesn’t have the item in stock. Yesterday I go to oldnavy.com and it tells me the website is closed. WT Freak? I never heard of a website as being closed. I knew it’d be back. I checked back today before leaving to shop and the website reads something like how its not Mac compatible. If you’re a Mac owner, you understand how this makes me feel. I don’t hate Microsoft and I could care less if people think a “PC” is better then Macs. This is a debate and a rant that can go on. It might come up sometime, not in this post. I went shopping and felt good about my purchases.

Leaving Old Navy’s site behind to barely work even on an old outdated, no longer updated version of IE (what exactly are we exploring?) I went out to spend a nice afternoon with my mom. My mom and I are pretty close. Its not uncommon for us to go out, even if its just to run errands. Also in this case, I needed her to go with me because of my health. Another subject for another post. Coming sooner then we’d like.

We went to this shopping center (way better then yesterday’s Wizard Of Oz analogy) on this highway. Which was also near a few other stores we wanted to go. Once we were in Old Navy, it was almost the same old with these stores. I knew a “vintage” shirt wouldn’t fit, I was still hopeful. Thankfully a “regular” one did. It fit well and felt good to wear too. I was feeling pretty good. I ended up getting 2 of those. I would have liked to have gotten more, however the choice of colors in my size wasn’t the best. Think if someone tripped while applying paints. You can get away with that when you’re Picasso, not Old Navy.

I also needed jeans. I had bought 2 pairs last week at Kohls, unfortunately the “styles” of jeans didn’t fit. I’m not one to really try on clothes with the mentality that any item in my size should fit. That was the case last week. Now those need to be returned. I picked out 4 different styles of jeans and tried them on. I know you’re really interested in how well those fit around my bod, however I need to comment on the dressing rooms.

Sure “high end” snooty stores at the mall might have dressing rooms strategically placed where you need to have an employee unlock it. Then ask you if everything is ok like you’re in a bathroom for too long. Or kiss your butt by telling you how good you look when you know there clothes don’t fit right and are over priced anyway. Now Old Navy, it just seems they added dressing rooms as an after thought. By sticking what may as well be a unisex bathroom in the corner, at the back of the store. In order to try on clothes, you have to walk into the girls section of the store. I wasn’t uncomfortable and I’m not “sick in the mind,” doesn’t anyone else feel Old Navy made an error in judgement? Maybe they just thought more about parents and kids. To a 27 year old guy who wants to try on jeans and shirts, it doesn’t feel right.

If it matters at this point the jeans fit or were kinda baggy even though they all fit. I picked the “best” two.

Also of note, I’m normally a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. Sometimes I gotta be “fancy” and for Fall 2005 I’m off to a decent start.

Posted in Shopping | 1 Comment »

October 23, 2005 by MrRi¢h.

Here’s a good way to start off my own blog. Never thought I’d be saying that and maybe more on that another time. Today, about mid afternoon my lunch wasn’t that great (this is what we’re going to read about, food?) so my mom and I decided we’d get something quick with empty calories. The decision, McDonalds. Who has the most amount of fast food restaurants around here. I just figured on the day of the Heart Walk where the sponsor Subway couldn’t come through, we head to McDonalds. It wasn’t even for the most basic of fast food, cheese burgers. I just wanted those Best Buy bucks. Yeah, what a deal. A few bucks for a large fries just maybe to get $3 from that promotion.

The real point of this post is to share my, “I’m a mark” story. No surprise that this McD. (like so many was busy and had the usual slow service) isn’t that far from Newark. The shopping center where McD is has a good, “nice, suburb side” and almost at the end where the fast food giant planted yet another golden arch is the more city, almost ghetto side. Just envision when The Wizard Of Oz goes from black and white to color.

While mom and I are waiting in the middle of what could be a line to the register, a black gentleman approaches me. I know a lot of you don’t know me yet. This isn’t a racist thing. I’m a nice guy and its my way if I can help, I’ll try. It could be too just to avoid conflict. It isn’t until later where I reget my decisions and/or actions. Which wasn’t quite the case today.

There we are waiting and this guy with coke bottle glasses says to me hello. My mistake maybe was to say hi back. You never know in that instant how not saying hello can make matters worse. He continues with, “I have diabetes and I’m homeless.” I’m thinking he’s gonna ask me for money. Oddly enough, in a different McDonalds in a train station, I was asked by a homeless guy for pennies so he could buy a cheeseburger years ago. I give this guy a once over trying to decide (by some criteria to me) if he is indeed homeless. By his Giants jacket and what seemed like his cleaniness, I really didn’t think he was homeless. Maybe something not right about him? Very possible. Yet, still in my mind, the nice, caring part of me, the part that wants to help is already thinking, ‘alright, I can give the guy two bucks. We’re suppose to help those less fortunate then us.’ That also depends on the situation which can be broken down, in a way what I’m doing now. Before I can say anything, he tells me, “I’m not asking for money.” The next moment happened so fast, I just knew he wanted me to buy him food.

The whole time, my mom was to my right watching, monitoring closely. I knew she didn’t want me to do anthing for him. She knows my heart was in the right place as was my intention. For once, that I shouldn’t be taken off guard. Maybe she knew the situation could become dangerous. I didn’t sense that yet. Get this. Where I’m still considering buying the alleged homeless guy an awful cheeseburger, he tells while acting appreciative he wants a quarter pounder with cheese. Are you kidding me? I don’t even buy my own family those. My next reaction would be crucial. Thankfully I kept my emotion in check. I told him something like that was too much. Again, my mom is giving me signals that I don’t need to give him anything. The guy moved closer as we were approaching the register. Someone else was watching us too, one of the golden arches’ managers.

The homeless guy gave us more space as the manager was dealing with him. Not that it would do any good long term today in that hour. The guy walked away, acting like he was staying to enjoy his meal. By then we had ordered and for a few minutes I didn’t see the alleged homeless guy. My mom and I were talking. I don’t know about my mom, I know I felt really uncomfortable, turning my neck to keep an eye out. It seemed to take forever to get our empty calories meal. Once we had it, we walked out the door, not looking right at him. The alleged homeless guy may or may not have seen us. He turned around to walk into the dining area.

Once mom and I were in our car, I locked all the doors. Staying locked until we drove home where my neighborhood is more shades of gray then Wizard Of Oz color.

And for my troubles, I didn’t even get any Best Buy bucks.

Posted in Food | 2 Comments »