Surgery--Again

You're right, Deb. And maybe with another year of therapy, I'd figure it out. My feeling is stronger and stronger that it involves my mother.

Thanks for asking. I like pondering, even if it doesn't get me to where I want to go.

I shan't ever ever ever called you by the dreaded 'S' word - I promise! Too saccharin perhaps? Anyway, I shan't. We all have words we like or dislike - for myriad reasons - so I'll respect your wishes. (Wouldn't dare - after reading the rest of the posts on the subject - yikes!).

No paperwork yet - e-mailed the hospital this morning to try and hurry things along. Not having all the i's dotted and t's crossed is doing my head in .... I do like things to be in good order, so this is driving me nuts. But I'm less nervous now, starting to realise that there's no point in being a scaredy-cat - need to relax and chill out - will try anyway!

Have you seen this psychiatrist before or is it a new one that you'll be going to see? Pity you had to reschedule, but I guess taxes come first. Do you do your own? Not a pleasant job at the best of times.

Good luck with the endocrinologist - when does the department get up and running? A new one, or an old one being tardy?

Any more excursions with or without your cane? Still waiting to hear how you got on.

Believe it or not, this makes perfect sense to me. We all have our personal quirks, and they're what make us unique. And interesting. So don't bother with a year of therapy over this. I'm sure it's not gonna affect how you live your life one bit.

vonny, Uncertaintly is such matters can drive you batty. Once the date is set, it's one less uncertainty.

I disagree with your scaredy-cat remark. I think you have good reason to be scared. Who wouldn't be? Give yourself a break.

I've seen this psychiatrist many times before. And yes, I wish I didn't have to cancel.

As for my doing my own taxes. They give me the MEGO effect. (My eyes glaze over.) I have the same thing related to most number issues. And an even worse MEGO effect on computer-related matters. Someone with an accounting degree will do them for me--for free. But it's way, way downtown, so I'll have a big cab fare. Still cheaper than paying to have the taxes done.

Hurricane Sandy affected everything at the hospital. I guess the endocrinology department is having trouble getting up and running again.

When I first mentioned that I went out without a cane, I said that I didn't fall down. That was the result. The same applies to two other times I tried it. I didn't fall down. I still use it for longer excursions.

Eva, I'm glad you appreciate personal quirks. I do too. I have no intention of returning to therapy because of "sweet." And, no, it won't affect how I live my life--unless somebody calls me sweet. Diane once made the mistake of calling me sweet. If she's ever around again, you can ask her about what happened. (She and I are still friends.)

Diane still 'sweeties' people. As someone who would cringe at the word honey from others than my mother, I was put off. Time has passed. Now I call Katy sweetie pie, or sweet pea, among many other appellations of different types. It just falls off my lips. Diane wasn't the only one who wore me down - my business partner was originally from Texas. Not at all the sweetie type, but to those she cared about, she occasionally called them Sweets. Something like once a year.

Well, that is reassuring! You know, just in case one slips out when we meet next month.

You know, once you have it in your mind NOT to say something, it springs to your lips unbidden constantly.

Shut up!

Oh, would you look at that. You were right after all.

Temper, temper.

osso, Diane calls me Sweetie too. I can accept this. It's not the same as being called sweet. A compromise.

Eva and Deb, Behave yourselves!

Got all my tax stuff pulled together. I'll get them done tomorrow. Then I'll come home and barf. Assuming I can get into and outta the place alive. It's got steps! I'll take my cane. But the walking isn't the only step issue. Breathing is also a factor.

I'll be fine.

Take the steps as slowly as you need to. Stop on every one if that's what it takes. If anyone acts irritated about it, you can always hit them with your cane.

Okay, I'll behave.

Eva, I have no choice but to take the steps slowly. One at a time. It was pouring. They were slippery. Nearly fell. There was no one around to get irritated. Just as well. I'm less inclined to hit with a cane. I much prefer giving a look. I've never seen the look, but I understand it's a doozy.

My taxes are not done. Yes, I schlepped downtown. Yes, I was fully prepared. Long, aggravating story. Too tired to explain now.

Glad you're behaving.

The hospital confirmed that they're operating on 25th April, so not long to wait now. As you say, once the date is set it's one less uncertainty.

I like your MEGO effect! I can use that to describe quite a few situations into which I find myself embroiled with unfailing regularity. Getting a whole new vocabulary on this thread - kvetching, spotted patoot, MEGA effect! Lovely colourfully descriptive words, all of them!

Good luck with your hospital appointments. I hope everything gets sorted out for you sooner rather than later. Ditto your taxes - glad to hear someone is doing them for you, that should take some of the financial burden off your shoulders - must cost a small fortune to pay to get them done professionally.

Hurricane Sandy - a terrifying event. Was the flooding very bad where you live? How long is it since the storm - five or six months? Bad that hospitals still haven't recovered from it - I guess the damage must have been pretty serious.

Vonny, here are some articles about the damage at the hospital and what it is taking to service the patients who used it:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/12/28/storm-damaged-new-york-hospital-partially-reopens-its-doors/

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/a-return-to-bellevue-after-the-storm/

http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20121208/MAGAZINE/312089991

Anzac Day! It's not like there's any history of problems caused by the English on that day!

Thank you for the links, Butrflynet. They gave masses of information. Strewth, I had no idea that the storm had caused such chaos to the hospitals! We followed the progress of the storm on television across here, of course, but the coverage was more general and didn't address the full import that it had on individual public services. The massive evacuation of patients was awesome!

But your hospitals seem to have handled it superbly - despite huge setbacks they seem to be functioning pretty well.

Yes, Found Soul had already reminded me of that fact.

My husband's grandfather died at Gallipoli so he has full sympathy with the countless Australians who so bravely fought and died there.

I've been just quietly following this thread, and admiring your fortitude and inner strength, and your gift for conveying the tsuris and difficulties of life in a way that's easy to empathize with and relate to. I feel for you.


Have you thought about doing your taxes yourself, using Turbo Tax online?

I used to use an accountant for my tax returns, and, after he retired, I did them myself for a few years, but I'd go into a massive panic about it. I'd procrastinate until the last minute to do them, sometimes running to an open post office on the evening of April 15th just to get them postmarked on time, and, as soon as I mailed them, I was sure I'd wind up in a federal prison for doing something or other wrong.

The whole idea of using tax software and e-filing turned me off--I figured I'd louse that up even more, I wouldn't be able to do it properly, and that it couldn't be as good, or accurate, as using an accountant. But, when Timothy Geithner mentioned that he used Turbo Tax, during his confirmation hearings to become Secretary of the Treasury, I figured, if it was good enough for him, I should at least give it a try. And, boy am I glad I did.

For the past couple of years, I've used the online version of Turbo Tax to do my federal and state returns, and I've also done them for other family members the same way. It's very easy to use. It guides you every step of the way, tells you exactly what info you need to input step by step, looks for, and takes, all possible deductions, puts everything on the correct forms, organizes the returns, eliminates math errors, e-files the returns, and really makes the whole ordeal as stress free and easy as filing tax returns can ever be. If I can use it, without becoming hysterical, and frustrated, and ready to be wrapped in damp sheets, that's the best recommendation I can give it.

Best of all, Roberta, using the Turbo Tax Freedom edition is FREE--for both the state and federal returns--if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is below $31,000 (and that's after all your deductions). So, what's not to like? Nothing I can think of. And it beats schlepping downtown, even in good weather.

Check it out...

http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/?cid=em_27287_975_001

I'm just trying to be helpful. If I'm missing the mark, just ignore me, or give me "the look"--I'm sure that "look" can penetrate any computer screen.

Thanks for posting that, firefly. It will help me if I can use it to calculate BBB's income taxes and reassure her that she has no need to apply for an extension every year if she's not required to file a tax return on her social security income.

Firefly, Thanks for all the helpful info. I have no idea what my adjusted income is. With a full year of social security and my freelance I work, I may be over the cutoff.

I'm also not sure I trust myself to take care of anything financial, especially since my taxes are complicated. But I will investigate. Tired of dealing with money problems. Feh and phooey on the whole business. I occasionally fantasize about winning a lottery. It might be less of a fantasy if I actually bought a lottery ticket.

You're a good kid.