Deductibles

Can you believe 2018 is almost over? Speaking for myself, I don't want to see 2019. The store did really well in 2018. It already has been our best year ever. It has been amazing the amount of times we (Ivy) has heard, "Thank God, I found you again. I haven't been in since you were downtown." Ivy has taught more people to knit this year than the last five years combined. Elaine is killin' it with weaving classes. Thursday night, knit/weaving night is rockin'.

Why wouldn't I want to see what the next year brings? It has nothing to do with the store. It is all about Health Insurance. Elaine and I have fulfilled our deductible for 2018. I think this was the first time in our marriage we have "accomplished" that. It is certainly the first time we "accomplished" our deductible in the insurance era that started about ten years ago. I don't want to do that again.

My doctor's visits are going right down to the wire. My "little" foot episode would have been quite the problem if Elaine hadn't met our deductible earlier in the year. And I am not finished with all the post infection visits. As a matter of fact, I had one last week.

Doc: Your foot looks great. Does it bother you?

Me: No it's fine. I ran a four mile race last week. Doc: How'd you do?

Me: I had fun. I had never run that far before, I was OK with my time. What the (construction language) are you typing?

I have known this doctor for twenty years. She was my old doctor's assistant before he retired when insurance changed. Therefore, I used a very mild (construction language).

Doc: I'm entering changes in your vital's. You've gained seven pounds since your last visit.

Me: Really? Do you suppose a heavy parka, a cell phone, work boots, keys. long pants, and a wallet have anything to do with it? The last time I was here i was in shorts, a shirt and plastic frocs.

Doc: Nah, I just put down you haven't been able to workout. You haven't had a cholesterol test in a few years. I'm going to order one.

Me: Get it done before the end of the year.

Doc: Eight to twelve hours of fasting. Stop by the lab anytime, You know the drill.

I will have more to say about that in a couple minutes.

Doc: Anything else we need to talk about? Me: Yeah, I want who to look at this? (I picked up the bottom of my beard.)

Doc: Wow, that's weird! I don't know what that is. Did you zip your neck up in your coat? Let's get that looked at?

Me: OK, but by the end of the year.

At the specialists office:

Nurse: Take your clothes off, put on this gown, leave your underwear on. Me: Huh? Aren't we looking at my neck?

Nurse: We check everything, the doc will be here shortly. Me: Wow, I wish I would have worn underwear.

The doc walked in: (He looked to be in his late teens.)

Doc: It says we are looking at a spot on your neck. Me: Yeah! (I lifted my beard.)

Doc: Oh! That's a blah, blah, blah, carcinoma.

Me: That doesn't sound good.

Doc: It's not a melanoma, we will just biopsy it and cut it out. Let's look at the rest of you.

God, I wish I would have worn underwear.

Doc: That's the only spot. Did you use sunscreen? Me: Yeah, I put some on once. Hey Doc, can we get this done by the end of the year? Doc: You do know what day it is?

Me: Yeah, I know!

The doc left the exam room. When he can back he said, "be here December 28th, 7:45 AM. I wanted to hug him.

I fasted Friday night. Saturday morning I drove to the lab having only black coffee. I didn't want black coffee. I wanted half-and-half coffee.

When I arrived at the lab, I was told, "I'm sorry Mr. Monner, we don't have orders for you. Would you like some cream for your black coffee?" OK, she didn't say that last part. But in my mind she should have. I'm calling that doctor Monday. I'm using more than mild (construction language)

Thanks for making 2018, exceptional. However, the year is not over. Buy yarn! I need to start working on my deductible.

Our crazy lives!

Monner