Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Rambling: ENTITLEMENTS
With the government shutdown on the 9th day there have been talks about the debt ceiling. Republicans have been talking about reforming entitlement programs in their negotiations. I have been hearing about entitlement programs for a while and I wanted to learn exactly what they are, so I went online (naturally) and found something on the PBS website. For those looking for an answer click the link:
http://www.pbs.org/fmc/book/11government3.htm
I thought entitlement programs were just welfare but I was wrong. Not that I think ending welfare is the right thing to do either, but I realize most social and beneficial programs appear to be entitlement. This scares me as it should you.
For starters I was dead set against welfare reform years ago. I am for Americans working to earn their keep but ending welfare the way it was, wasn't the answer. Similarly, cutting food stamps is the wrong way to go. According to the PBS website, social security, Medicare and Medicaid take up the majority of funding when it comes to entitlement program spending. As they are needed programs I don't see how twerking them will help anyone. In fact I have often wondered what the government does with the money they supposedly save with these cuts. I also wonder if the government's function is to help and to serve, how do they accomplish this function by making these type of cuts.
http://www.pbs.org/fmc/book/11government3.htm
I thought entitlement programs were just welfare but I was wrong. Not that I think ending welfare is the right thing to do either, but I realize most social and beneficial programs appear to be entitlement. This scares me as it should you.
For starters I was dead set against welfare reform years ago. I am for Americans working to earn their keep but ending welfare the way it was, wasn't the answer. Similarly, cutting food stamps is the wrong way to go. According to the PBS website, social security, Medicare and Medicaid take up the majority of funding when it comes to entitlement program spending. As they are needed programs I don't see how twerking them will help anyone. In fact I have often wondered what the government does with the money they supposedly save with these cuts. I also wonder if the government's function is to help and to serve, how do they accomplish this function by making these type of cuts.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Elder rant
I got home from my appendectomy on September 19, the day after my aunt's birthday. Mom now needed more care because of pain to her hip. You see, when she fell she hit the wall but landed on her leg. She had initial pain from that fall. However as the days went along and she was less mobile more pain registered from the area. A delayed pain. PLUS she was constipated and had gas and that added to her pain. Doctors may not believe in it but if you have gas it can creep into the strangest areas and hurt. Being blocked up meant the gas she had couldn't escape. She was in pain when she moved. Then we needed a new home attendant because the usual lady had bronchitis. The second lady got into a car accident. A friend who lived a few doors away who had experience in being a home aid and was in need of a job stepped in and assisted. A week off starches and on extra fiber, including Mirilax had her passing her bowels . She still has pain which is managed with children's Motrin. Her physician examined the hip and said the bones were aligned correctly. It was just delayed pain from the fall plus a little arthritis. Was glad to hear that. Don't want her on medications
Appendicitis part 2
I realized while I was in Florida (I am back in New York now) that I am a horrible patient. The doctors wanted me to take pain medication and I rarely did that. Oral or through the IV. I did walk after the surgery, but it was days before I could pass gas and even longer before I had a bowel movement. I was naturally concerned, even though they said I was going to be ok. The sticking point was the IV. I think I was on a low dose of Morphine. I know they gave that to me initially after the appendectomy. I THINK that is what I was carrying around on the IV. The staff showed me the Percocet and it was a day before I tried it. I would take a shot of the pain med after I moved around. The first few days after surgery are annoying when you try to get up or sit down. You don't realize the muscles you casually use. Other than that I was hard headed regarding the oral pain medicine. To me the pain wasn't excruciating. I just wanted to be able to take a dump.
Appendicitis part 1
I am back in New York City. I visited my mother early September for her fall and I end up having to go to the hospital. On September 16 I had my appendix removed.
I felt funny on the 15th. I had doing errands for Mom. been running around a lot while I was in Florida. On Sunday the 15th it felt like I had a combination of hunger pains and gas. It was very annoying but not overwhelming. I dealt with it. I ate light and figured the gas would let up. That night the pain moved slightly but not nearly enough. On the 16th I took Mom to a doctor's appointment I THOUGHT she had only to find out the appointment was the next day. When I got her back to the house I decided to go to Florida Memorial Hospital to check myself out.
You see, I am one of those freaks who run to Mayoclinic.com or WebMD whenever I feel odd. I don't diagnose myself but I like to see the things associated with how I am feeling. Granted the symptoms can list a hundred different ailments but at least I know if there is anything serious going on. I saw where appendicitis may be one of the problems along with gall stones, kidney stones and gastritis. Appendicitis seemed the most serious if I left it so I checked it out. After blood tests, a urinalysis and a CAT scan the doctor told me it was my appendix. I had to have surgery within 24 hours. Thankfully I hadn't eaten since that morning at 10. Around 6PM I had my surgery The doctors told my the appendix had ruptured. Thankfully I got there in time. And I didn't have the symptoms more than two days. The illness naturally kept me in Florida an extra two weeks. I was able to take care of Mom but I couldn't lift her or anything over 10 pounds. In fact I still am restricted. I am still healing but thank God I have had no complications like bleeding or developing an abscess. Life is funny sometimes.
I felt funny on the 15th. I had doing errands for Mom. been running around a lot while I was in Florida. On Sunday the 15th it felt like I had a combination of hunger pains and gas. It was very annoying but not overwhelming. I dealt with it. I ate light and figured the gas would let up. That night the pain moved slightly but not nearly enough. On the 16th I took Mom to a doctor's appointment I THOUGHT she had only to find out the appointment was the next day. When I got her back to the house I decided to go to Florida Memorial Hospital to check myself out.
You see, I am one of those freaks who run to Mayoclinic.com or WebMD whenever I feel odd. I don't diagnose myself but I like to see the things associated with how I am feeling. Granted the symptoms can list a hundred different ailments but at least I know if there is anything serious going on. I saw where appendicitis may be one of the problems along with gall stones, kidney stones and gastritis. Appendicitis seemed the most serious if I left it so I checked it out. After blood tests, a urinalysis and a CAT scan the doctor told me it was my appendix. I had to have surgery within 24 hours. Thankfully I hadn't eaten since that morning at 10. Around 6PM I had my surgery The doctors told my the appendix had ruptured. Thankfully I got there in time. And I didn't have the symptoms more than two days. The illness naturally kept me in Florida an extra two weeks. I was able to take care of Mom but I couldn't lift her or anything over 10 pounds. In fact I still am restricted. I am still healing but thank God I have had no complications like bleeding or developing an abscess. Life is funny sometimes.
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