Friday, January 7, 2011

2010 in Review

2010.

Yeah, not a good year.

24 medical appointments, all specifically related to RA, so that doesn't count any of the multitude for my shoulder, except the two specifically for the injections, since they were with my rheumatologist... :) And doesn't count the usual regular doctor, dentist, eye doctor visits. It's a good thing I'm only working part time right now. Cause this first year of RA has been a part-time job in and of itself.

$24,399.87 in drug costs, all related to RA alone, most of which were covered by insurance, for which I am sooooo grateful.

48 visits to the pharmacy to pick up those RA drugs. Now that I'm on what the insurance company has determined are "maintenance" doses, I won't have to go back so often because they'll let me get more at a time. Yay! Well, at least until my coverage runs out and the government starts picking up the tab. Who knows what their requirements are. I haven't looked into that yet. One step at a time.

On other fronts: a friend with cancer. Friends out of jobs. Not good.

The bright spots: a wonderful new client, with lovely new people and interesting new challenges that are stretching me in good ways and making me feel really positive about things and life in general! And true friends, people who ask me how I'm doing and actually mean it, people who check up on me, who take the time to see how I am and who just hang out. And especially the crazy friends and the nice friends – you know who you are!

So there you go: a year of mine, and some of what happened in it.

Some good, some bad. Which is pretty much what life is all about.

I have a feeling this coming year will be better. Partly because I think it will.

:) L

P.S. Sorry I haven't been posting regularly. To be honest, I've felt sick just thinking about being sick. So I've just tried not to think about it, and that's meant not posting. I hope that's changed now. New year, new leaf, onwards and upwards, and all that!

5 comments:

  1. Yikes that is one huuuge medical bill! Crazy.. hopefully worth it though.

    It's been a tough 'first year' for both of us, but you're right there are always ups to every down.

    Here's to a great 2011, the only way is up, my friend!

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  2. You bet, Squirrel!! I'm with you on that one!

    :) L

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  3. You're right, that's what life is - it just seems we have to try extra hard to remember that sometimes. I'm glad to hear about all the positives, and I'm with you in hoping there are many more of them in 2011!

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  4. Thank you so much, Helen! Life is certainly exciting and as they say, the only constant is change – and that, to be really honest, is a good thing. Hope you enjoy the changes and challenges that come your way this year!

    :) L

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  5. Whoa, I knew I went to the doctor a lot, but never actually counted and your post has given me great pause in realizing how much freaking time we spend with our docs (and in waiting rooms!). All saying this with my appointment this afternoon, the first of 2011 :)

    Seriously, Laurie, here is to an amazing year ahead of us, with leaving some crap behind!

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