Purrfectly Pleasant Unless Provoked

Well my job has outsourced the financial shared services department. (IE where I work) We had meetings today over teams. One group got told they are being let go on or around mid August. I was not in this meeting. The meeting I was in was to let us know we were the 'lucky' ones who are really good at what we do so we are going to receive 'equitable' offers from the new company this week. Equitable does not equal the same. The higher ups answering questions on the call were dumbfounded and almost speechless when someone asked if we do not take the offer from the new company will we get severance? They were like we will get back with you. Got to love corporate america... (insert sarcasm here) I honestly do not know which group got the better news. Being tossed off the sinking ship or being offered to stay as it slowly sinks? Guess it will depend on what they believe is equitable. Google searches of the new company are not promising. 

So my state just legalized medical MJ. I have never really done any. I do not like putting things into my lungs so never got into it since finding other ways was much harder. I did want to try and I have qualifying conditions so I decided why not? They have gummies. No smell, no mess and hopefully it will help some things. I got my card and have been taking it slow. Today when I went to pick up some meds at my pharmacy I asked if they needed to know I have a medical card and using on occasion? I do want it on my file so that if it will interact with any of my meds I can know. Still being an adult and proactive and shit. :)

Yesterday In had my follow up with my pain specialist. I got to basically say sorry the steroid shot did not help. We shall see what the neurologist recommends when I have my follow up with him. 

I also got a x-ray yesterday for the followup with my urologist I had today. So the pulverizing of the kidney stone was not a success, but it made it better. The stone is broken in 2 and is now sitting in an area of my kidney that it is not going to obstruct urine etc. So we are now in a holding pattern. If it gets worse, ie blood/pain we can try laser, but right now can just do a follow up in 6 months. I did get some meds for overactive bladder since I am getting up 3-4 times a night. Hopefully that will help. yippy another medication. 

In good/other news I had a job interview the other day. Waiting now on the callback for a 2nd interview, or a sorry not interested email. We shall see, the problem of course is that do I really want to change insurance 1/2 way into the year? and have all this stuff I need to do? Decisions decisions! 

Guess that is about it right now. 

Here is my recap of 2025. I did post about a bunch of the first of the year stuff in March. 

I am going to start with the ugly because there really wasnt any that I can think of. There was ups and downs but nothing really ugly in my personal life.  There has been ugly in the world and I have been affected by it, but not much I can do about it. 

In January 2025 my mom went in for cancer surgery and had her bladder removed. She is doing really really well. Her 6month scan/follow up did not show anything and her doctor said she does not need to do another scan for a year!!! She is in good spirits and I am really glad she chose to have the surgery. If she had not had it she would have only had about 6-9 months. She handles the stuff she needs to do now really well and she can do it herself. There was a small bump in her recovery at first since she was not eating. Come to find out she had 2-3 ulcers that had to be repaired. It was a bumpy January and February.

In January I had another issue with my skin. Come to find out it has not been scabies at all. I was reacting to something. I went a dermatologist and started on some creams and then had to have skin patch tests done to determine what I was allergic to. I am allergic to Balsam of Peru which is basically in most things with a scent. I am on the dupixent shot every other week and my skin looks much better. I am willing to wear short sleeves again. I have had to change my lotions, shampoo, conditioner, etc etc. I have found some good ones that work well which has made life easier. I do miss nice smelling things, but not enough to be itchy to the point of scratching my arms and other areas raw. I am left with some scarring but that is ok.

In January I also joined a free program through my health insurance to help with changing my eating habits and working on weight loss/exercise/etc. It is called Real Appeal and with it and other changes I made I lost 50lbs in 2025. I have been able to join it again in 2026 to continue my changes. I made a goal to work on myself for 2025. I cut out almost all fast food at the start. I have tried new things to eat and found things I like. I actually am liking yogurt! I also found out I like the monk fruit sweetener. I started making some smoothies and also branched out to try fruit teas from Snarky Tea. trying to drink other things than feeding my diet coke addiction. *grins*

I started going to Yoga, multiple vendor fairs, reading more, trying to hang out with friends. Just doing more things for me. I have been going to the Lexington Salt Cave for a relaxing 45 minutes about once a week. It also has helped my skin and my allergies. Finding things I enjoy. Working on reconnecting to my spiritual beliefs. Like I would LOVE to go see the Monks walking for Peace in the next month before they get to DC. It would just be so....so... special and worthwhile. 

Lots was done in the middle of the year. I got to see Heart at Rupp Arena. They were my first concert in 1986. It was wonderful seeing them again. I know they do not have much touring time left. All the bands from my teenage years are getting up in age, or already have passed. Watched roller derby for the first time. I helped the gaming area at Scarefest. Saw a couple of movies. I have been watching movies a bunch less in recent years. I cancelled my unlimited for Regal. Went to the Water Lantern Festival. That was so relaxing and lovely. I hope to do it again in 2026. 

Now to the last quarter of 2025. In October I thought I had a UTI and got treated. Based on what happened in Dec I do not think it was that. I also started having right leg pain that would come and go. Nothing horrible in October. I could stretch and walk some and it would help. Then November hit. I was at a convention in Ohio on the first weekend of November and after 1 game I could barely walk. My right leg from the butt down to the ankle was HURTING. I got a lyft back to the hotel and my SO stayed gaming. I just laid on the bed and mostly cried. It was so bad. The next morning (sat) he went out to the store and got me a heating pad. 2 hours later it still was not helping and I was doing all I could. So we made a visit to the ER that was right by the hotel. Sciatica for the win. I got meds and went back to the hotel. J went to the con and I just watched TV and tried to relax. Sunday instead of going back to the con we checked out and drove home. Meds helped and I was feeling better the next week. I did see my Primary Care and also started physical therapy. 2 weeks later had to do a Urgent Care visit since it flared again. Got more steroids, increased the muscle relaxer, and more Ibuprofen. OK. did the PT exercises, took the meds as scheduled. Did all I could. Nope was not enough. On Thanksgiving I ended up back at an ER. This time they did a CT scan and got more meds. They did find issues with my L4/L5 spine. Advised to see a Neurosurgeon and continue with the PT. Oh and the CT also shows a kidney stone. But they did not actually tell me about that I read the paperwork later. 

Scheduled the Neuro visit. Did some movement tests with the NP, got some X-rays done and then they said they would schedule a MRI. X-rays also showed an 11mm kidney stone and they recommended seeing a urologist. Yippy! My primary care did a referral but the Urologist with their medical practice was booking out till March. Luckily I was able to get in 12/23 with the same group my mom went to for her bladder issues. Urology visit went well and the doctor basically said it is 12mmX8mm and will not pass! 

So basically I had a 2 for 1 pain special on my right side. Kidney Stone and Sciatica/spine issues.

At least all of this was paid for since I was already at out of pocket max for my insurance. Heck in 2026 since I had the kidney stone outpatient surgery on 1/2 I am almost already at out of pocket max for 2026. 

Overall 2025 was more good than bad and I am happy. 

For 2026 I want to plan a big shindig for my 55th birthday. I want to shop local more and be more spiritual, spontaneous and get out of my comfort zone. I plan to take more pictures of myself. Be Kind. Listen more. Cultivate my health, wellness, friendships, peace, love and happiness. 

I really wish more people knew and used dreamwidth. I was reading the info talking about the start of the site and how they actively litigate against laws that are requiring the names/ages and verifications. I so wish more would come here instead of FB and other places. I so prefer writing here and would love to get more comments. So many left when LJ got taken over by Russians and did not follow over to here in any large way. Well at least the people who I follow on FB. Just easier to write journal entries here. 

OK, now on to the reason for my post.

Back at the beginning of November I was at a convention in Dayton Ohio. I was having pain at about an 8-9 on the pain scale and had to go to the ER on Saturday. I really only got to play 1 game at the con, then spent the rest of the time in the hotel room. They diagnosed it as Sciatica Pain and gave me meds and had me on my way. Maybe if they had done a CT or x-ray they might have seen I was getting a 2 for 1 pain special with the addition of a kidney stone.

I went to my primary care, got a PT referral and was on my way. Also more meds. I was starting to wonder why I was getting pain in my front lower abdomen but well... doctors know best.. HAH! so started my PT, took my meds and things were getting better... then worse, then really really bad. On Thanksgiving day I was back to an ER. This time they took a cat scan and told me to follow up with a neurosurgeon.. No mention of the findings of a kidney stone.  Maybe if they had mentioned it I would have been able to get this surgery in 2025 instead of on Jan 2 2026 when my deductible resets. Oh well.

Scheduled the neurosurgeon appointment. In that one they did all the things and ordered an X-ray for that day and to schedule a MRI. Xray came back with the you might want to get this about 11mm kidney stone looked at.. WHAT??? first I have heard of that,. DAMN. So onto getting a Urology referral since this would not pass on it's own. Then started to wait, realizing there was 2 types of pain going on. At least Ibuprofen helped both. Unfortunately since the place I go to see my primary care is associated with the medical school their urologists did not have an opening until March... Oh hell no. Actually before they called to set up something I had called to the clinic my mom went to in 2025 and was able to get an appointment for 12/23. When the referral Urologist clinic called on 12/22 I was able to say unless they had something for the very next day I am going to another group. They did understand.

The appointment on 12/23 was quick and easy. He said he measured the stone from the ER cat scan and it is 12mmX8mm and would not pass without help. We were able to schedule the breakup of the stone for 1/2. And that brings us to today. 

I had to be in to register at 12pm. Got vitals, IV set up, etc etc and then the Anesthesiologist and my doctor visited and off we went! I saw the clock in the operating room and it was about 2:55. Next time I saw a clock was in recovery showing about 4:05. I of course faded in and out and about 4:35 I was pretty much well on my way to being awake.  I was able to be sprung and on our way at 5:08. Time to let everyone know I was on the way home, family, friends, loved ones etc. Jeff was great as my driver and important person. We got my meds and some fast food and I have been home since about 6pm.

I am doing good. On some good meds so wont know about pain for a bit. I have a stent I can remove on day 5 or go into the office to have the nurse remove it. Have some after care I need to do and my follow up in 1/19. I will be taking it one day at a time. Overall the nurses and hospital staff were great! The instructions that I came home with are very detailed and parts are highlighted. Now that this is done I can start working on resolving the Sciatica and getting back to 100%. This has not rerailed my health path just gave it a slight pause to regroup. 

 My mom had a procedure on Friday where they found a lesion in her bladder. Yeah, waiting on the results. She has been dealing with a catheter and will be taking her to get that out on Thursday.

Yesterday my company 'restructured' and 'downsized' to make the quarterly call better it seems. Since we all know the quickest way to make money look good is to drastically cut payroll. Yeah 50 people or so in my building alone. Made no sense other than last hired, first fired. 

And today my back upper right molar broke. The tooth under the crown rotted. At least I was able to get in tomorrow at 10am. Some pain but not as much as it could be since this tooth has already had a root canal. At least I did not swallow the pieces. 

So I am tired, depressed, sad, annoyed and worried. I may be taking advantage of my works EAP program. 

I went to a funeral yesterday for my roommate's nephew. It was an experience I have not had before, I did not think I would need earplugs at a funeral. As L said some of her family is Charismatic Christian and this is what it can be like. It is a praise to God more than a memorial/somber reflection on the deceased. I am happy this is what works for them. It is not for me. I was there to support my friend and her family. I knew her nephew from family dinners and just wish I had gotten to know him better. Come to find out he was known on twitter and with the local sports family. Sad to hear/learn so much after someone is gone.   

 Well I am clear of scabies so that is good. My dentist appointment got cancelled due to them and I need to reschedule. I still have sores and since I pick when they are healing I will probably have a bunch of scars. So hard to not scratch. At least I know it is because of healing and not anything else. We have hot water and the stack and all drain lines have been done. That took 2 days so we were without toilet/water/etc for overnight. Bucket and trash bag for the win. The plumbers were great and very funny at times. Also professional. 

Mom is not going to move in with my brother and sister in law. She has a place she would like to move into, but right now they are full up. Who knows what will happen.

So in the big news. Work is forcing us back into the office 3 days a week every week starting in June. Joy. So now need to budget more money for transportation and food. Also more time lost during the day. about 2.5 hours or so. Having to get up early, transportation, and the lunch time where I can't work on the house. I so want to discuss working like 8-4:30 with only a 30 min lunch, or something to help mitigate this. 

So I am depressed. My leg is doing ok, but not healed. It is better, but I should go back. Not sure how the ozempic is doing. My blood sugar still seems high at times. I think I honestly prefer trulicity. I have an appointment this month so we can see. 

There was other things I had thought about writing about, but they have gone from my head. 

I posted on FB about having scabies and my dad decided to message me on chat to give me some fatherly advise. He linked to some ways to help get rid of them etc. Then he went on about how since it is considered a STD that I did not want to post about that on FB because coworkers might get the wrong idea. Or as he said they will get the wrong impression of you. I almost wanted to respond that based on my age (52) that many if they thought that were going Go Granny. :) Not that I have kids or grandkids, but you get the idea. I just did not respond. I mean he barely parented when I was living at home, what makes him think he can start now. Is what it is. 

My mom on the other hand was like are you ok, do you need anything? how are things? *HUGS* that was it.  

 Forgot to mention this in my earlier post.

Yesterday I was driving home about 8pm and went up one street by my house. A coworker's MIL lives on this street and I knew she was in end stage in home hospice for cancer. As I was driving by I saw a station wagon with the flashers on and 2 guys taking a gurney inside. Yeah not good. I got home and saw my friend was on FB messenger so I just said hello. *HUGS*. She messaged back did you see? and then I got her phone # and called her. We talked for alittle bit. Not much I could do for her or her husband. I did ask if she wanted me to do anything for work, etc. 

Then about midnight my brother messages me that he took Dad to the ER at the VA. I called in the morning and the nurse said he got to a room about 7am and is doing ok, but his oxygen levels are still low. They are keeping him tonight as well and doing more tests tomorrow. At least my mom is doing ok. 

So the Trulicity Saga continues. 

It is a new year and new deductible so I knew my Trulicity would be expensive (about $800)  this month and budgeted for it. Had everything in place. Then Sunday came along and I went to the CVS website to refill the medication. They said it was delayed and I can call in 2 business days if I have not heard from them. On Monday I tried to refill again and it let me try but then it was cancelled. Tuesday the same thing. Wednesday is when I take this medication each week. Today I called CVS and found out their warehouse is out and no idea when it will be in and that is why the refill keeps getting canceled. Well nice of them to call/msg or something to let me know. I call my doctor's office and say can you check to see of Univ of Ky has the meds (that is where I go to my doctor's) Yes they did, but not at my office, but at the main hospital. OK send in there! My sister in law works at the hospital and when I called her she said she would be willing to pick it up for me since it can be a bitch to get in and out of the area where the pharmacy is. I would let her know when it was ready since they told me to wait 1 hour and call. I call over and speak to this lovely guy who was like yes we have it here in the fridge for you. I was like how much... dreading the answer, even though I knew last year that I qualified for their prescription help, but my insurance was being dicks about it. He was like $25.... HOT DAMN! So I paid for it over the phone, texted my SIL and she went and got it. All is good for another month!