NOW Are We Having Fun?

Posted on October 14, 2026 by cordeliasmom2012

Let me start off by reassuring my readers that hubby and I are currently not in any danger of starving nor losing our home.  We’re somehow still able to buy groceries and, with a little help from local government, meet our utility and other bills.

But things are tight, and getting tighter day by day.  Everyone I know is in the same, or similar, boat.  Prices keep rising, but income doesn’t.  We’ve all (or at least most of us) had to cut back on everything, including essentials at times.  We’ve had to substitute lesser products for those we really want, and have had to totally eliminate products and services that aren’t truly neccesary to sustain life as we know it.

After my bad fall and other medical issues which affected my mobility, my husband took over the grocery shopping.  So, I haven’t really paid much attention to the prices of eggs, toilet paper, etc. – until I discovered a recent receipt from the grocery store.

Yikes!

I’m so glad my kids are all grown and on their own.  I don’t know how families survive these days.

As for me, here are some things I’ve had to give up over the last year or so:

Bacon.  I love bacon, but I prefer the low-sodium version, and when the price climbed to $9.99 per pound, I simply couldn’t justify it.  So, on the rare occasions we can afford to order out, I usually add bacon – whether it’s on pizza or a sub, just so long as I can get that flavor once in while.

Wine.  I used to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening, and I still would if only I could justify the cost.  But it seems I can either buy a bottle of wine or a multipack of toilet paper.  I have ulcerative colitis, so the choice is obvious.

Fresh meat, chicken, or fish.  I can stretch that budget so much better if I don’t have to pay the exorbitant prices for these items.  How can I justify $9.00 for half a pound of haddock or cod, when I can only get one meal out of it?  Fortunately, I can still afford rotisserie chicken – it runs about $7.99 for a whole chicken, and I can get four or more meals out of it.  And on rare occasions, I can manage the cost of two pounds of hamburger to make meatloaf – which turns into quite a few meals and sandwiches.

Fresh fruit.  I used to buy fresh strawberries, but the price became unreasonable and the fruit seemed to spoil more quickly than previously, so that’s been removed from the shopping list.  Even apples have become overpriced – which is fine by me, because I’m not a big apple fan anyway.

Eating at a restaurant or ordering takeout.  Who can afford restaurrants these days?  Certainly not me, not even fast food like McDonald’s or Burger King.  Having said that, let me add that we do occasionally (like maybe once every two months) manage to save enough to order from our favorite Italian restaurant.  The portions there are huge – I can easily get four servings out of one of their meals, so I  figure the cost can be justified in view of being able to get better tasting, fresher, and more nutritious food.  On even rarer occasions, we sometimes manage pizza or subs – but those are purely a treat since they each only provide two meals at most.

Entertainment.  If it’s fun but costs money, we don’t do it.  No movies, plays, museums, zoos; no Netflix or other paid subscriptions; no raffles or lottery tickets.

Road trips, anywhere.  Okay, so this isn’t that big an issue because we never go anywhere anyway, except for medical appointments and errands.  But were I so inclined, I would definitely have to think hard and long about spending money on additional gas and accommodations just because I felt like it.

Looking for a new home.  Not to upset my wonderful neighbors who might read this, but as hubby and I get older, it’s becoming harder to maintain our home.  He still does all the work, including lawn mowing and snow removal, and trust me, that’s not easy.  We discussed hiring someone, but can’t afford it.  No way can we justify over $1,000 for a winter contract when we have so many other expenses.  We’ll just have to take our chances and hope that if we get hit with a storm my husband can’t handle, we’ll be able to find someone to do a one-time snow removal.  In any event, I have been reviewing the local real estate market for affordable apartments – and there simply aren’t any.  Even units in traditionally “bad” areas of town are renting for more than I pay for the monthly mortgage.  So I guess we’ll be staying in place for now.

Christmas.  We stopped gift-giving last year, and that’s not changing.  There’s simply no room in the budget for gifts to anyone, not even our own children.  They understand and agree – their budgets aren’t great these days either.  We will (hopefully) manage to get together for a big family meal, and that will  be our gift to each other.

So, as I said, things are tight – but they could be so much worse.  We could be idling our cars in a half-mile-long foodbank line like those folks in West Virginia.  But we’re not (yet). 

We’re fortunate that we have a little (very little) in savings, but enough that when our washing machine died this week, the stress of paying for a replacement didn’t cause either of us a heart attack.  (It helped that the machine had the courtesy of dying on a holiday weekend when the store was having a big sale.)

We’re fortunate that when we purchased our current home, we did so knowing we would have to make the mortgage payments well into our retirement years, and while we probably could have afforded a bigger, nicer house, we stayed within a lower price range and a subsequently lower mortgage payment.  We’re fortunate that we both managed to buy new vehicles during our last year of work, and while we will, of course, have to pay for things like tires and brakes etc., at least we can expect those vehicles to last until we can no longer drive.

And, of course, we’re fortunate that we’ve withstood tough times before, and we know how to stretch that limited budget to the max.  We’ll get through this; I hope everyone else will, too.

Hugs, all.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Image at head of post taken at my new doctor’s office, because they required a photo.  It’s mine, so I figure I can use it freely.  Other images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

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All Fixed (Both Meanings)

Posted on May 21, 2026 by cordeliasmom2012

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Yep, you read that right.

Technically, I was “fixed” when I had my tubes tied many years ago, but now I’m 100% unable to do the deed.  Which is fine by me, because at my age I’m not interested in any more kids – and as for enjoyment, there are other ways ….

I know, that’s way too much information.

Surgery for the prolapsed bladder (colpocleisis) went well, and I’m back home.  No surgical pain, just a little muscle soreness; and, of course, my nether region feels like I just spent a very fun weekend with a romantic partner.  I can handle that.

The surgeon and the hospital staff were awesome.  Every single person – the doctors, nurses, aides, food service personnel, cleaning people, etc. – were compassionate,  caring, and non-judgmental.  I haven’t felt so pampered in a very long time.

It was a little unnerving when the surgeon came in and informed me that my blood clotting test was abnormal and it might not be safe to do the surgery, but they would redraw the blood and redo the test.  Fortunately, the second time it came back ok.  Whew!  I was already prepped and hooked up to an IV.

For the surgery, I remember being rolled into the operating room and everyone moving around and moving me onto the table and positioning my arms.  At one point, someone complained that something in the room wasn’t working properly.  So, the very last thing I remember is asking a nurse if I would be put under soon because I was getting nervous.

The next thing I recall is waking up in the recovery room, although I didn’t really know where I was.  I thought I was at home, having a dream about being in a hospital – or maybe a dream about being on a spaceship because the room was kind of long and narrow.  Once I woke up a bit more, I realized where I was and that a nurse was stationed right next to my bed.  There could have been a recovering patient on the other side of her, but in any event, it seemed she was caring for only one or two people.  I’m not used to being watched over so carefully.  It was very comforting.

Recovery took a little longer than usual because I was vomiting, even though I had been given anti-nausea medication.  But eventually that stopped, and eventually I became fairly oriented, at which point my bed was rolled upstairs to a patient room.

Before going to the hospital, I had privately been concerned that I would wind up on the maternity ward since this was technically an OB/GYN case.  That happened to me years ago after a miscarriage, and I recall how upsetting it was to hear newborn babies when I had just lost my own.

But for this current admission, I was in a room on the surgical wing.  It was a double room, and luckily I had the bed near the window instead of the one near the door.  Somehow the window side of the room just seems a little more private.  My roommate was a lady about my age and was very quiet.  There was a curtain between us so I couldn’t even see her until I was able to get up and walk around.

So, I should have slept well, right?  That would have been nice.  Unfortunately, my IV had been placed into my arm in such a way that every time I moved, the stupid machine began beeping.  I felt bad that the noise would bother my roommate so I spent most of the night trying to lie still with my arm extended.  And no, I didn’t ask for the needle to be moved because I’m what’s known as a “hard stick” and didn’t want to be poked over and over again while someone looked for a “good vein.”

Nonetheless, I did konk out periodically, and with some very nice drugs in my system, I felt pretty rested the next morning.

Then it was breakfast time.

Most people are of the opinion that hospital food sucks, but that was not the case at my hospital.  They have an actual printed menu just like a restaurant, amd whoever’s cooking the food knows what they’re doing.

For breakfast I received scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, oatmeal, coffee and juice.  Much more than I would ever eat at home.  And as much as I love bacon, I never have it at home because I can’t afford it any more.  Yum, yum!

I was still there for lunch, which was meatloaf, mashed potatoes (real, not instant), and fresh steamed broccoli (I can’t eat green beans, and they allowed substitutions!).  Dessert was lemon ice.  Again, I asked for coffee because I thought it might get my digestive system moving.  I drink it black and I ordered decaf, not that you need to know that.  Even the coffee tasted better than what I normally had at home, and I don’t think it was because I was on drugs.

I would definitely recommend Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst, New York to anyone who needs their services.  Which, hopefully, will not apply to anyone I know.

But even though the hospital experience was as pleasant as it could possibly be, I’m glad to be home.  The only drawback is the damn Foley catheter I had to come home with.  It’s not painful, nor even uncomfortable.  It’s just annoying.  I can’t find any good place to hang the bag, and while I can lay it on the floor on top of a sterile pad, that’s not ideal, either, because Puppy Cody shows way too much interest in it.  Sigh. But I will meet with the surgeon tomorrow and hopefully come home without that stupid bag.

This has been a long post, but I have one final thing to say:

I am truly overwhelmed by the amount of emotional support I’ve received from family and friends, both offline and online, in this country and elsewhere in the world.  This surgery was fairly routine – not brain surgery, not heart surgery, not cancer.  Yet so many people reached out with their thoughts and prayers, even though many of them are caring for their own family members with health issues.  I’m humbled.  And grateful.  And feeling so undeserving.  But also feeling renewed hope for us all – somehow we manage to come together to support each other despite distance, differing lifestyles and cultures, and our own busy lives.  I hope that never, ever changes.

Hugs, all.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

 

Posted in Health, That's Life | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Hurry Up and Die Already

Posted on May 16, 2026 by cordeliasmom2012

 

“Hurry up and die already!”

That’s what I’m hearing from my government and the pharmaceutical companies.

I collect $2500 a month from Social Security, out of which the US Government takes $202 as a premium for my Medicare coverage.  That leaves me less than $2300 to cover all the household expenses – the mortgage, utilities, the car payment, etc.  In addition, Medicare requires a 20% co-pay for my Remicade infusions – currently that 20% is just over $400 every six weeks.  My annual out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare is $8,500, which is roughly 28% of my annual income.

Thank God my husband also collects Social Security, but his monthly allotment is only enough to cover his own Medicare, his own medical expenses, groceries for both of us,  and Puppy Cody’s dog food and vet bills.  At least we won’t starve any time soon, although we have had to cut back on all non-essentials.  The government won’t help us with food; I already applied for SNAP (food stamps) and was turned down because our income is too high (really???).

Push came to shove when the utilities started to rise.  As I mentioned in previous posts, I applied for and was able to receive HEAP (for heating) and EEAP (for electrical services).  That helps a lot, but the medical expenses are still a struggle.

In desperation, I asked my gastroenterologist’s staff for help.  Bear in mind that I’ve spent my entire life working and supporting myself and my family, without ever asking for assistance in paying the bills.  It was embarrassing to be in such a position.  God bless the young man in my doctor’s office who spent hours on the phone trying to find a program that would work for me.

Turned out the pharmaceutical company does not provide assistance for people who are on Medicare.  However, people who are working and have commercial insurance can qualify for the free drug program.  How is that fair?  When I was working and had commercial insurance, I didn’t need help with my Remicade costs; now that I’m struggling and would be happy with any amount of assistance, I can’t get it.

There are private foundations set up to help with medication costs, and that young man in my doctor’s office contacted every one of them, only to learn that none of them have any money left.  He even contacted my pharmacy, but since Remicade is by infusion and is a Medicare Part B medicine, the pharmacy can’t help, either.

Something has to give.

Ballrooms, arches, refurbished decorative pools, new statue parks, and pointless wars are top priorities for our current administration, while cuts are being made to programs designed to benefit this country’s neediest citizens.  Can’t someone, somewhere have some compassion for us senior citizens?  We shouldn’t have to face the end of our lives trying to decide between housing, food, and medical care.

That’s enough of a rant for today.  If you have extra money (please stop laughing) and are willing to part with it, I will gladly accept monetary gifts.  I’m no longer too proud to do so.

Hugs, all.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Image by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

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Dynamic Me

Posted on May 15, 2026 by cordeliasmom2012

 

WARNING: If you’re squeamish about medical stuff, especially female medical issues, you may want to skip this post.

As a lead-up to my scheduled bladder surgery, I had to undergo a number of medical appointments and pre-surgical tests.  One of those tests was a bladder dynamic study.

Now, I’ve never had that test, nor do I know anyone who has undergone it, so really I had no idea what to expect.  Sure, I was able to find information online about the procedure itself, but saw nothing posted by people who had actually taken the test.  So, for those who are interested, consider this my public service announcement.

One thing I love about my urogynecologist is that her practice consists mainly of female patients in my own age group.  For years, I refused to go to a gynecologist simply because I would feel embarrassed by having to sit in a waiting room full of young pregnant women who might wonder why such an old lady even needed OBGYN services.

In addition, my new doctor has her office set up in such a way as to make it physically comfortable for us older (and some of us, larger) ladies.  It’s a short walk into the building, with no long interior hallways.  The waiting room has comfortable seating, including some wider chairs for those of us who need them.  And, I discovered, if you need to give a urine sample, the bathrooms are set up adjoining the exam rooms so there’s no need to amble across or down the hall.

My only complaint, and it’s not really a complaint, is that my doctor is into teaching, so she often has interns and residents come into the room with her.  Normally that wouldn’t bother me, so long as they’re just standing around observing – but on my very first visit, there was a young, cute male resident who got to do everything my doctor did.  He was very professional and compassionate, but really, I didn’t need two people getting all up in there.

Having said all that, let’s get to the procedure in question.

Fortunately, for the bladder dynamic study, the only people in the room were me, my doctor, and one of the female nurses.

To begin with, I was told to sit on the exam table and pee into the plastic container at the foot of the table. Say what?  Have you ever tried to pee anywhere other than a room designed solely for that purpose?  I haven’t.  And even though everyone had left the room to give me privacy, I simply couldn’t do it.  Not that much of an issue, though, as I knew a catheter would be placed in a few minutes anyway.

Subsequent to my pee failure, I was asked to move up onto the table itself.  Instead of the normal exam table, I was in the “procedure room” where the table had nice, wide footrests instead of those awful stirrups.  That was much more comfortable for someone like me, with at least one bad knee.

What wasn’t comfortable was the procedure itself.

Sure, I knew that a catheter would be placed, and I suspected that the doctor would need to “get up in there” – but what I didn’t expect was that (in my case, where the bladder was fully prolapsed) a probe would be inserted into my rectum, apparently to capture the electrical nerve impulses.  I was unable to resist commenting to the doctor that I felt like I was being medically tested on a spaceship, at which point she replied, in effect, “yeah, we abducted you.”  That little bit of humor made me feel much better about my surgeon; at that point I think I began to view her more as a partner in my medical journey, rather than just a professional overseeing my care.  Since my life will literally be in her hands in another week or so, that relationship is very important to me.

So, for those who don’t know, the bladder dynamic study consists of filling the bladder to capacity and testing the nerve impulses.  Not the most enjoyable of experiences, but it wasn’t as awful as I thought it would be (other than the probe).  Afterwards, I was asked to move back down to the foot of the table and try to empty my bladder.  Although it took a few moments, this time I succeeded – despite the fact that both the doctor and the nurse were watching.  (Years ago, I was told that once you’ve birthed a child in a hospital, there’s little to no modesty any more.  I believe that’s often true.)

Apparently the test went well enough, and no leaking was  discovered.  That means I will be able to avoid any additional repair work to the bladder itself.  My surgery will consist of repositioning the bladder, inserting a “sling”, and then sewing everything up.

Sounds awful, doesn’t it?  But at least I will be unconscious during the whole thing.

Hopefully, in a couple of weeks I’ll be able to report that the surgery is over and all went well.  I’ll try to avoid all the graphic details, not that I’d remember them anyway or, for that matter, even be aware of them.  In  any event, my surgeon has assured me that the procedure is fairly routine and is tolerated well by the majority of her patients, most of whom are my age or older.  She also indicated that the pain level should be low to moderate and that simple Tylenol should be sufficient to ease the pain, but that prescription medication would be available if needed.

Hugs, all.  Your support in my mini-journey has been overwhelming.  I have so many awesome friends, both online and offline.  Until now, I wasn’t truly aware of that – and I’m deeply grateful for it.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Image by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

 

Posted in Health, That's Life | Tagged , , | 7 Comments