Happy New Year's Eve!

 Well, this past week was a challenge.

I saw the PA at the oncology clinic, and got word that my Doc has officially retired.  He did not go to the VA, or anywhere else, apparently.

What a loss.  They do not make doctors like him anymore.  It's heart breaking.

I was VERY fortunate to have him as my doctor for all of these years.

So, since the interim doc has gone back to his department, there IS NO DOCTOR at the breast oncology department right now!

The upshot for me is that I don't have to see a doctor again before my next treatment.  I just need to get my labs drawn, and go for my next treatment on Jan. 18th.  One less appointment is FINE with me!

Then, on the 29th and 30th, I have every scan imaginable scheduled.  The interim doc ordered all of these before he went back to his department (I think his specialty is gastro cancers).  I have no idea why he ordered both CT and MRI of the same areas.

This two days of CT, two MRIs, bone scan, and a cardiac ultrasound - taking place a week after my first treatment of the year - will result, no doubt, in my full annual deductible, and out of pocket, coming due all at once. 

 $3500.00 in bills to start out 2024.

This does not please me.  I messaged the billing department to ask them about the Enhertu copay assistance program, and, as expected, did not get a reply.

What else didn't please me was that they scheduled the full day of tests on the 29th in such an order that I was looking at having to fast for ELEVEN HOURS.  

They put the NON fasting test (the bone scan) in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY, without even thinking about the fact that I would have to fast from 5 am until 4 pm.  

No.  Just. NO!  

SO, I started out using the messaging tool on the patient portal.  Back and forth, back and forth.... NO Progress.  

The nurse who was responding to me could NOT understand that the bone scan does NOT require fasting.  You'd think they would know!! 

Finally, a supervisor messaged me with the phone number for central scheduling.  I called, asked if we can move the NON fasting test to either the beginning, or the end, of this arduous day.

2 minutes later, it was done. 

NOW, I can eat a good breakfast, get my bone scan first, then fast/wait for 3 hours before the tests that require fasting.

Anyway, the visit with the PA, and my treatment on Thursday, both went well... AND, after three failed attempts (by phone)  to get scheduling to change my next treatment appointment to the afternoon, it took approximately 15 seconds to get it changed when I was there in person. 

I finally got to see the nurse I knew back at the very first clinic.  It was great to see him, and he was also heart broken about things not working out with Doc.  He, too, was really excited that Doc was going to be at OU Health.

We both said we wished we knew what really happened.  OH well.  Maybe we will some day.

I also had my former nurse come talk to us during my treatment, so that was nice!

There will be a new doctor in the breast oncology center by the time I have my test results visit on the afternoon of Jan. 30th.

In other news, the Kittenea family was scheduled to go to the adoption intake center on Thursday at 11 am.  

After them being here for all of their previous appointments.  After them being here, in our yard/on our patio/using our shelters, 24/7 -since AUGUST- they chose that day to disappear.  

They were nowhere to be found.

They did not appear when their favorite food was put out, they did not come when called, or when the bell on their toy was jingled.  Gone.  

Dave called and made a new appointment, and off we went to my chemo appointment.

The kittens were back when we got home around 3:30.  (rolling my eyes)

Their new appointment was set for the next day at 2 in the afternoon. It was the Friday before New Year's weekend, so that was the latest appointment available. 

They disappeared again, so we started going outside, every few minutes, an hour before the appointment (we were both working from home).

Finally, Sammie, Socks (the kitten daddy), and LITTLE JOE showed up.  SO, we got Joe into the carrier, and Dave took him to the adoption intake appointment by himself.

Poor baby... he was so afraid to be separated from his sisters.  BUT, they acknowledged that Joe was absolutely ready for adoption, and they took him immediately into the program! SUCCESS!

We went to visit him yesterday while we were out doing errands, to give him some reassurance.  He nestled into our arms as we each held him, and even put his nose in my ear as he was purring furiously.  He was clearly very happy to see us.

SO... now, we face the challenge of getting the girls over there next week.  

Hopefully, we can get a late afternoon appointment (latest available is 4 pm), and will just have to wait and see if they come back in time from wherever it is they are going now, during the day.

They were here most of the day yesterday, which was Saturday, and the adoption intake office was closed.  

It's like they KNOW.  

What they don't know is that we are really needing to get them off of the streets NOW, because, thanks to all of our work, they trust people.  

BUT- There are mean people everywhere-one of whom, in our neighborhood, traps cats, and takes them out to the country to die, or to be eaten by coyotes.  

That's probably what has happened to all of the ones we have known, and who we have tamed/socialized, who have simply vanished.   

Remember Silver? 

Yeah.  She probably fell victim to that evil human.

There are also news stories every week, lately,  about packs of roaming dogs. 

These dogs attack people, and also kill smaller dogs, and cats, for fun.   

This past summer, we saw a pack killing a smaller dog in the middle of the street we were driving down. It was horrible.

There are also plenty of people who poison cats, and run over them on purpose, and even shoot them.

The weather is also changing to winter at last, too.  It will be very cold at night all next week.

SO, since I will have the car on Tuesday to go to work, we will try for next Wednesday.

They need to show up for their intake appointment!!!  It is critically important that this last step of our long, and expensive, process be completed successfully!

Anyway, have a happy New Year celebration, if you celebrate.  We are just doing our usual stay at home stuff.  Appetizers and watching "Harvey" tonight, and black eyed pea and Virginia ham soup tomorrow.

May 2024 go easy on all of us.