Health & Insurance

While out getting our 5th wheel insurance we were also prompted to get our insurance in order too.  So we had called up Mr Moo’s insurance guy to come see us one afternoon.  Premium for Mr Moo is only about $25 a month and he would have no trouble getting his – in fact – we received the papers yesterday.  As for me – it would be harder to insure me – why?  i have diabetes – high blood pressure – cholesterol and now on anti-depressant.  Sure they will insure me – but at a higher premium and i needed to go for a medical.  So lesson to be learned here – don’t wait till you are 45 before you try and get insurance – else it would be a lot harder.  And insurance is a must – those especially with family – and kids.  Those with no kids – also must get insurance – why?  parents – siblings that need to take care of your funeral and stuff.  So think about it – your RV needs insurance – your house needs insurance – why not you?  you are afterall the biggest asset to your entire family right?

A Calmer Me With Anti-Depressant?

So I’ve been on an anxiety medication aka anti-depressant for a month now – well almost.  I asked myself – if it really kept me calm and cool?  Most times it does – but this morning – I started ranting again – because Mr Moo was dilly-dallying to get ready for work and so was Missy Moo – while i needed to wash up – brush my teeth and get ready for work myself.  So i lost my cool -  so for those out there – thinking that it’s a magic pill – no it is not and i have no intention of increasing its dosage as per suggested by my physician.  I only decided to take it – because i don’t want to get any worst – for Missy Moo – and i’m only human right?  so if i do lose my cool once in a while  – so what?  bite me!

Kids & Shampoo

Missy Moo is almost 7 yrs old and I’ve often wondered when should we stop using baby shampoo on her?  Don’t get me wrong – we don’t mind using baby shampoo and i supposed there is no harm using them – as long as it works and she has been using it since birth.  But we’ve been asked many a times from other parents – since sometimes – they do forget to buy baby shampoo and didn’t want to run out to get a bottle just because.

My guess is that as long as the kids doesn’t mind the shampoo stinging their eyes and can untangle their hair – then it shouldn’t be any harm using a normal shampoo.  I would still try not to use it so often if possible – since I am paranoid that she might have an allergy but if you are outta it and you needed to shampoo the kids’ hair – go right ahead.

Refilling Your Prescription

So you all know I take a lot of medication – and you all know – if not – that i have a really bad habit – i never refill my medication – till i’m outta of it.   And i tend to forget to call in for my prescription till i get home.  So poor Mr Moo needs to rush out after sending us home and go to the pharmacy first before going back to open the store.

Usually, they are pretty quick – for they use a   barcode scanner at the cashier but of late – refilling my prescription can take as long as half an hour.  And then to wait to pay for it – takes even longer.  So just the other day – Mr Moo complained to me – that i should probably use Zellers instead because we never have to wait more than 10 minutes to get his prescription filled.  Or we have to let the owner know about this – because the prescriptions were called in – it’s not like they don’t have a barcode scanner – for scanning all their products – so why the delay ?  probably someone new working? or is it a new scanner that needs getting used to?

Keeping Kids Hydrated & Cool

It had been a really hot summer here in Nova Scotia and some days – I just wished there were  ceiling fans everywhere in the store if possible.   Nope we don’t have airon – and it gets really muggy sometimes staying indoor even with the doors open.   We have had standing fans but they sometimes don’t work as good as the ceiling fans – some people uses the window fans but if the weather is hot outside – the window fans will just draw the hot air in instead.

But if the kids are outside a lot – how do you keep them cool and hydrated?  Fruits and veggies !  they contain 70 to 95 percent water. Try watermelon, strawberries, lettuce, and cucumbers.  Or make it fun for the kids by freezing cups of applesauce.   Yogurt – whether plain or fruity  – it contains – 80% water.  So there you have it – but the sprinklers in the lawn will work just as good while they are having fun!  keep cool inside and outside with ceiling fans and all the cooling fruits and food.

Mini Exercises

Some doses of exercises throughout the day is good for anyone – especially one who is  a wee bit overweight or has diabetes or has high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  Yes – it’s me I’m talking about – so instead of making excuses about a busy schedule I now incorporate mini exercise. and you can too.

The goal is to get moving for a total of 30 minutes each day – you can choose to  a 5 mins Yoga.   Walk or climb some staircases for 7 – 12 mins a day – but start with 5 mins first and then work your way up to more mins a day.   Try to walk whenever you can instead of talking a bus or taking your car.  Stretch whenever you can – and if you are walking on the computer all day – take 5 mins from every hour and do some light stretching.  Try that for a month and see what happens – i bet you will feel a lot better like I am.

Children’s Wish Foundation

The town is currently celebrating summer with Seafest for the last couple of weeks and today – we see the Children’s Wish Foundation at the waterfront too.  For those who are not aware of what the Children’s Wish Foundation does -  they grant wishes to children who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.  And how can one not donate right?  and i applaud the girls who were manning the counter – to collect and raise money for the Children’s Wish Foundation – and I would have recommended them to a good online printing services for doing their brochures and even their Spin A Wheel game.  I’m not saying they are not good enough – but had I known earlier – I would definitely contact one of my many sponsors and work something out for them – and make it even more impressive.  That’s alright though – Missy Moo and I played some games and did our part – maybe next year eh.

Anxiety Attacks

No i don’t get this way – when i have one – i’m just afraid for Missy Moo because i’m at home alone with her.  This week – it had been even worst than usual – i know what triggered it – i’m guessing – but do i go to the doctor and get some medication – because i am very worried that it might scar Missy Moo.

My only fear is for Missy Moo – how my attacks may affect her – and since I feel that i no longer can control my feelings – I should see the doctor and tell her about it.  Yes – i feel irritated extremely – my tummy feels lousy and i start to feel hot behind my neck.  My emotions go topsy turvy – for years I’ve been able to control it and i thought i was getting better.  But could it be that i hear my aesthetician talk about taking meds – so i wanna take it too?    Mr Moo isn’t too keen about me taking more meds – because i’m already on so many – but I’m making an appointment no matter what to see what the doctor has to say.

Solids For Baby After 3 Months

A customer who recently had her baby not too, too long ago – told me that she had just started her baby on solids.  I went like “huh?”  how old is your baby?  she said – oh ! he is already 3 months old.   I can’t really remember when we did start Missy Moo on solids but i know we were told by the Pediatrician not to start her till she was at least a year old.   But normally people start around 6 months so i was kinda surprised that this customer would start at 3 months.  But of course, I didn’t say anything – the fact is a 3 month old baby has an immature gut and is not ready to digest food.  The baby also doesn’t have enough control over the muscles in her tongue and mouth to properly swallow solid food, which poses a choking risk.

I heard that introducing solid food early may also increase the risk of developing food intolerances or allergies.  But it is said not to wait beyond 6 months either.  Older babies are more reluctant to change and may not adapt well to the different texture of solid foods.  Also, recent research has found no convincing evidence that delaying the introduction of solids beyond 6 months protects against food allergies in healthy children with no risk factors.  Anyhow – having said all the above – you as the mom would know if your child is ready or not – but in my humble opinion – 3 months is way too, too soon.  I think there is no need to rush introducing solids; breast milk or iron fortified formula are all your baby needs until she reaches 6 months.

Keeping Cool In The Summer

Or should i say staying hydrated in the summer?  Missy Moo is in summer camp and she refused to drink her water even though every time she comes back either for lunch or for the day – she is dripping wet.   But we all know we need to keep the kids hydrated else they have get a heat stroke.   So now i offer her fruit juices freshly squeezed from home and in a thermal bottle instead.  Not the best alternative – but if you asked me anything is better than nothing and fruit juices freshly squeezed at home – has gotta be the second best – although i prefer if she drinks water.

Doctor Recruitment In Nova Scotia

We are always short of doctors in Nova Scotia and more so in this town – why? it’s the same old story – how to entice the doctor to come and tell them they can enjoy an urban environment when the nearest city is about 4 hrs away and there is no cheap means for you to go up there.  Plus doctors who are already here or have been here don’t want to stay more then their extended contract because – they have to think of their family too.  Even the doctor who specializes in testosterone booster in this area was said to want to retire in the next 5 yrs.

Then entire population in Nova Scotia is about 1 million and i’ve heard that as many as 50,000 is without a family doctor.  And even though 2 new family physicians are said to be coming in the fall – how many can they take?  a few hundred each and when will they leave again.   We do have a family doctor – thank God – but many friends and family do not have one – therefore I’m always on a look out of news about new doctors coming in.

Psychiatrist Gets Fired

Minding my own business and doing my acnepril reviews when a customer came in and told me that a psychiatrist in town with 11 patients later was fired because he had his medical license  revoked and apparently lied about it.

Now what i don’t understand is during his application – shouldn’t the officials in the hospital checked his credentials already?  or can anyone just walk in and say – i want to be a doctor here?  Makes no sense that the health officials are such slackers right?  what if he was an operating doctor – he would have operated without a license.  And what is a 62 yrs old man going around lying about his credentials?  shouldn’t he have earned enough to retire by now?   Even though the hospital said that the patients this psychiatrist had saw was with supervision – how true is that i really donch know.

Dispensing Fees

So here I am trying to get  cheap car insurance quotes when i found out today that there were dispensing fees for every prescription that i fill or refill.  And it’s not cheap either!  how do one afford medication in Canada – every bottle of medication you get at the pharmacy – you pay between $9 – 10.50 and it’s every bottle i am talking about!  We never had to pay dispensing fees back home – so this comes as a real shock to me.

Being diabetic, i take a lot of medication every month – and i was happy about refilling my medication every time  - and didn’t know about this dispensing fees until someone at the car insurance place was chatting about it and that was how i came to know.  I tried to find out if i can refill the entire years medication – and be only charged once – to find out that it doesn’t work this way.  Mannn!!  this is expensive – no wonder the pharmacy i get my medication from – has so many employees because even if they pay their pharmacist – $20/hr that would only be for 2 prescriptions  and the amount of medication that goes out that door ! wow!!  I think i better make sure Missy Moo is in this profession instead of any others.

More Doctors Leaving Y-Town

The rumor has it that 2 more doctors are leaving town  *sigh*.  Just yesterday while shopping for some   boots – friends from the  hospital was in telling me all about the situation and I cannot but feel really upset about it.  Yes, Missy Moo and I have a family doctor – but what about the rest of the town – the 100s of people who don’t already have family doctors and now more are losing theirs?  Mannn!!  with businesses closing in this town – left, right and center – now more doctors leaving ..??  what is this small town coming to..??  i’m guessing that the doctors are leaving because they can’t find jobs for their spouse’s?  and they feel that they have nothing to offer their kids?  in terms of private schools, shopping, entertainment and any enrichment courses?  I can’t really blame them for wanting to leave right, afterall, you have to take care of your own first before you can take care of others no?

Second Opinion Are Good For Your Health

You know how we feel bad to question our doctors or even feel like we are giving them a lot of trouble by asking a lot of questions?  Or is it the doctors that make us feel this way?  But you see – our health deserves a second opinion and 2 years ago, when i was puking non-stop and the doctor diagnose it as a bowel obstruction – i too, should have had a second opinion.  I was in the hospital for the second time after my first operation 10 days ago and the second operation was the one that traumatized me most.

I had gone shopping with a girlfriend because of a suumer sale in the mall, when the girlfriend asked me about her condition and should she get a second opinion. Normally, i wouldn’t insist but i know for sure if you had cancer, menstrual problems like i did, a heart condition, brain tumor, irritable bowel syndrome and varicose vein – i strongly suggest a second opinion.  Had i not been so afraid to ask for a second opinion – i might not have to go under surgery again.   You are important enough to get a second opinion.

Hysterectomy Annivesary

So i received a email from Hyster-Sister reminding me that my anniversary for my hysterectomy is tomorrow.  Wow!! has it been 2 yrs already.. ?? since i had my hysterectomy..??  Time sure flew – and yes – they asked if i am in better health.

Well, for the most part i am – i still do get pain every now and then.. and numbness – but like all of you know a year after i had my hysterectomy – i found out that i was a diabetic and had to be on insulin – which i protested and am now on medication daily and in control now.

After my hysterectomy – i lost some weight.. but because of my diabetes – i put on some too – so it’s back to the norm.  Till today – my tummy still feels sore – i cannot bend over for a long time nor can i do strenuous exercises.  Sometimes, i feel a lump of pain on my side tummy – due to wind – but overall, i can’t complained – i’m alive.

Did my hysterectomy make my sex life better?  i don’t think so – my tummy is in some kind of discomfort in one way or another – so nope it hasn’t been better – but at least i’m not losing no more blood.  So i take comfort in that.  I do look forward to a healthier life of course – but these days – i find that i am quite stress up because i want to do a lot but can’t – so i’m still finding my way to a healthier liftstyle.  I think going home is the best but that may not be so possible at this time.

Foot Pains For Diabetic

When i first became diabetic – my first thoughts were my foot  – why?  because i’ve heard so much about complication which results to amputating your feet.   But you see diabetics are also prone to foot pains as I became aware of in the later part during the year after i found out about me being diabetic.

I don’t know if you have foot pains or not but when i was getting ready for summer and shopping for rechargeable lanterns I experienced it.  It was not so much of a pain – more like numbness and i hear from my other friends that everyone’s experiences were different.  Some people can lose their felling without pain while others have pain without numbness. Shocking I am sure to some peo9ple at this point – but I’ve also heard of some ppl who have burning sensations.

So is it a nerve disorder – i’ll have to  ask my doctor and what can one do to treat it?

Heavy Period

For years – i have been plague by heavy period and long days like 2 weeks a month with bleeding.  The bleeding can sometimes be so bad – that clots of blood can be passed thru’ urination and i had endured it for so long because i didn’t want to leave Missy Moo alone.  You see – we don’t have anyone to look after her when she was younger and Mr Moo had his work to take care of and cannot be looking after Missy Moo full time.

But little did i know that my hemogoblin was so low – i could have died.  Now if you were like me, don’t wait ! i regretted waiting because it is now taking a lot longer to heal. You don’t have to accept the limits heavy periods can put on your lifestyle.  I hear there is a minimal invasive treatment for heavy period if you don’t have a huge fibroid like myself.  A 8 mins procedure and it can be performed in the doctor’s office   So check with your doctors about it.

Growing Pains In Kids

Trust me I never knew that kids had growing pains – till Missy Moo complained for weeks now that her legs hurt.  This morning – it hurt so bad that she wasn’t able to walk but she fell down well and fine and whined too much too.  But we know she does have some kinda pain – because she doesn’t know how to lie about stuff like that yet.  Her family doctor had told us that she thinks it was growing pains too – but if it got any worst – we should get her in for a blood test – to make sure it wasn’t something else.

So while i was reading up on  testosterone cream , i went ahead and check out what one can do when your kid has got joint pains – because we didn’t want it to be junior arthritis  and if it was – we need to treat it early too.  I’m so not looking forward to it – if it was.   But I’m gonna try other alternatives on her now that I’ve read more about it.

“Massage” your child’s legs, especially the upper part. This doesn’t involve the typical massage techniques. It just involves squeezing. Put one or both hands on the child’s legs and gently but firmly squeeze. Do this continually for about 10-15 minutes. For the most part, the pain should go away and should allow the child to sleep, or at least have temporary relief from the pain.

You can also prop some pillows underneath the child’s legs to elevate them and use heating pad too – and if it gets any worst – check with the doctor to give her pain medication like ibuprofen.

811 Canada

When Missy Moo was sick last week – well, she still has cramps today – our family doctor told Mr Moo to call 811, should we need any advice in the middle of the night because this health line is manned by registered nurse.  I had asked Mr Moo to call once last week – but according to him – the nurse told him the child had to be with him to be able to access the situation.  Not as helpful as I thought they might be – but i wasn’t deterred like with my  fat burners and tried again – when Missy Moo puked like the Merlion last nite.

I’m pleased to report that the nurse online was really nice and gave me some very sound advice.  So anyone in Nova Scotia and needs medication advice – instead of going to the emergency immediately – you may want to try that first.  I called at about midnite and the nurse picked up my call immediately -so it’s better than waiting for 8hrs to see the doctor to be told to wait it out eh.