Nice! My kids didn’t even know it was veterans’ day (apparently). OTOH, I was out years before the first of them were born.
2 Likes
Thank you for your service! This son was born at a military hospital a little after “Desert Storm”.
1 Like
Welcome and back at ya.
Sounds like a similar timeline. I ETS’d in Nov 91, after 8 years, one month, 10 days, 3 hours, and 42 minutes of service. But I don’t really keep track of it.
5 Likes
@shrinkrap and @CCE, (a belated) thank you for your service!
4 Likes
Thank you too for your service CCE!
2 Likes
Proven to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and stress. Last year at this time, it was one of the only things that would calm me for a little while while I was in moderate pain from my impending heart problems.
4 Likes
Yeah, my blood pressure could use some lowering this year — despite the minimal dose of metoprolol I’m already on.
Life, news, etc. 
5 Likes
“Reported to us by someone who is not authorized to speak on the matter.” Is that how leaks come out?
“We’re lucky the cancer is not is this place.” Does that mean every other place is ‘unlucky’?
“Preauthorization for this treatment is required. That may take two weeks to come through.” Two weeks outta the rest of my effing precious life?
What the fred has become of this world?
2 Likes
Exercise, excercise, exercise. Try something different? Do you swim? Like water Zumba?
When I used to walk everwhere I could the bp and bs stayed where they needed to be. After plantar fascitis showed up, I had to find a new game. The pool was it. Low impact with high resistance and gentle on the joint stretchings, adterwards. Plus fun conversations in the hot tub until the opposing opinions show up, then on to the steam room and sauna.
I exercise 3-4 times a week (mostly weight training, some cardio) and eat relatively healthy.
Very often, high blood pressure is simply a matter of genetics (both my parents had HBP, as does my sister).
If we had a nicer pool than what’s available at the Y (along with a million screaming kids), I would consider it, as I find swimming incredibly meditative, and I love being in the water. I tend to swim a lot in the summer months, but not so much in the winter — too much of a hassle (too many clothes to take off & put back on, for example).
Also, staying away from most comments sections these days might be a good way to keep that BP down. It’s a work in progress 
4 Likes
Exactly. I try to get Ziggy to cooperate in my recovery.
3 Likes
I suspected that it was going to happen, but one of our fucking health care providers just slapped me with a random bill of $485 for a necessary mammo.
Highway fucking robbery.
Behold the intro of the NYT Morning today:
Good morning. Sometimes we assume the people and things around us are neutral or hostile to our existence. What if the opposite could be true?
Or, as Whyte instructs, “Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the / conversation.”
Food for thought. Bon appetit.
2 Likes
You might be able to talk with the insurance company and explain past history and why it was necessary to get them to reconsider and pay the provider. Although the HCP should be negotiating some of that FOR you. 
2 Likes
Ha. My dude tried that with the SIXHUNDREDFUCKINGDOLLHAIRS he got slapped with for his annual routine cardiology checkup.
Insurance can’t do fuckall, but they are aware of the issue — that is, until all providers do the same shit.
2 Likes
They are obviously aware of the outrageous pricing, and include a monthly payment plan option with their fucking invoice.
The US health care system is an absolute fucking joke, unless you are wealthy.
/rant
4 Likes
True dat. And getting worse. Who knows what it’ll be like when I eventually go on Medicare in the next year or two.
2 Likes
I love my Medicare. I’m on “classic”, because I don’t trust Advantage plans. Ironically, I’m paying a little more per month than I did under the ACA (with the subsidies that might be going away). But, no copays, no pre-clearance for specialists or tests, in fact, no referrals are needed for specialists.
6 Likes
Interesting. If you wouldn’t mind, I might hit you up via PM when I’m getting ready to retire and switch to Medicare.
