Vacation, that is. For me, and a lot of people around the Hotel. Many folks are gone the month of July, so it makes things interesting. I was going through my junk mail and actually learned that vacation accrual, etc., is usually related to state laws. As usual, here in RehabLand, little is legislated about vacation: except they don't have to give it to you in certain cases.
Bubba is going to an overnight tech camp, and we're going to take a couple of days roaming around. After that, we come back and Bubba goes to day camp. All day every day for a week won't be nearly enough! He's been bored. The week before school, he gets to see his band buddies at band camp.
I can't wait until school starts.
More later...
Showing posts with label tech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tech. Show all posts
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Saturday, January 10, 2015
My patient gig is up...for now
Recently, I got to go on the other side of the fence. I had a sleep study in a sleep lab, after my two home studies looked funny.
I got basic prep over the phone, but I still had to call to make sure it was okay to take my meds in advance, etc. Preparing Dahey and Bubba was fun, too. They are always wanting instant communication when I am gone, so I had to let them know I was going to spend most of my time there sleeping. Translation: Don't call and send me a bunch of text messages.
To keep the environment quiet, I had to turn off my cell phone and all my electronic devices since I was going to be wired up in bed. They budget 45 minutes to do this. My tech was great. I got wires on my head, which seemed to involve sandpaper, to make sure the electrodes and the goop got a good seal. I also got belts around my chest and waist. For good measure, I even had some leg electrodes with weights (kind of like those used when fishing). All the leg ones were attached with a good amount of goop and sealed with Medipore tape.
My room looked just like a hotel: heavenly bed type setup with a million pillows, flat screen TV and there was even a very nice leather recliner. Since I hadn't had any caffeine all day, I was ready to go to sleep when I got there.
Lights out were at 9PM for me. It took me about another hour to fall asleep. Then the fun started. My cannulas came off, not once, but twice. My room got hot, so the tech had to come in and cool it down. She warned me of this earlier, because if you sweat, the electrodes can come loose. (No way I was going to do this one twice!) Finally, the room got cooler (I think the duvet and the pillow top on the bed made me hot, but not sure.) I slept, but it was not quality sleep. I could hear trucks going down the road outside.
Miraculously, I woke up and it was nearly the wake up time we discussed when I started. I had to take all the wires in the bathroom with me, but when I got back, she took them all off. Relief!
The PhD who interprets the labs was in before I left, so I got a report. Yes, I have periods of apnea, but since none was severe enough for CPAP during the night, I probably won't get one. (My best sleep is on my side, so he recommended that). I just missed the score for a CPAP (barely). What does this mean? I will have to discuss with my doctor and see what he can wrangle with the insurance company.
As Dr. X, the pulmonologist told me, the PhD said he'd just put me on one, too. A borderline score shouldn't be an eliminator, but since insurance companies look at the almighty dollar, it is. CMS even has guidelines on this for Medicare. There are alternatives which I will have to check.
Now, I just have to wait until my next appointment to see what the verdict is.
I got basic prep over the phone, but I still had to call to make sure it was okay to take my meds in advance, etc. Preparing Dahey and Bubba was fun, too. They are always wanting instant communication when I am gone, so I had to let them know I was going to spend most of my time there sleeping. Translation: Don't call and send me a bunch of text messages.
To keep the environment quiet, I had to turn off my cell phone and all my electronic devices since I was going to be wired up in bed. They budget 45 minutes to do this. My tech was great. I got wires on my head, which seemed to involve sandpaper, to make sure the electrodes and the goop got a good seal. I also got belts around my chest and waist. For good measure, I even had some leg electrodes with weights (kind of like those used when fishing). All the leg ones were attached with a good amount of goop and sealed with Medipore tape.
My room looked just like a hotel: heavenly bed type setup with a million pillows, flat screen TV and there was even a very nice leather recliner. Since I hadn't had any caffeine all day, I was ready to go to sleep when I got there.
Lights out were at 9PM for me. It took me about another hour to fall asleep. Then the fun started. My cannulas came off, not once, but twice. My room got hot, so the tech had to come in and cool it down. She warned me of this earlier, because if you sweat, the electrodes can come loose. (No way I was going to do this one twice!) Finally, the room got cooler (I think the duvet and the pillow top on the bed made me hot, but not sure.) I slept, but it was not quality sleep. I could hear trucks going down the road outside.
Miraculously, I woke up and it was nearly the wake up time we discussed when I started. I had to take all the wires in the bathroom with me, but when I got back, she took them all off. Relief!
The PhD who interprets the labs was in before I left, so I got a report. Yes, I have periods of apnea, but since none was severe enough for CPAP during the night, I probably won't get one. (My best sleep is on my side, so he recommended that). I just missed the score for a CPAP (barely). What does this mean? I will have to discuss with my doctor and see what he can wrangle with the insurance company.
As Dr. X, the pulmonologist told me, the PhD said he'd just put me on one, too. A borderline score shouldn't be an eliminator, but since insurance companies look at the almighty dollar, it is. CMS even has guidelines on this for Medicare. There are alternatives which I will have to check.
Now, I just have to wait until my next appointment to see what the verdict is.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Don't let the door...part 2
Not my favorite vintage of whine, but nothing new...
RPIA Doctor: "You mean I have to do the paperwork for that appointment?" (audible, loud, obnoxious 14 year old sigh).
RehabRN: "Yes you do. I'll get you some help." (calls tech support)
Dept. Tech: (shows RPIA what to do with in-person demo) "Okay, well I guess I can do it." (RPIA walks away)
Dept. Tech and I banged our heads into the nearby desks. Ugh!
Some people just don't get that bad four letter word...work! Technology is a means to get it done, don't you know?
RPIA Doctor: "You mean I have to do the paperwork for that appointment?" (audible, loud, obnoxious 14 year old sigh).
RehabRN: "Yes you do. I'll get you some help." (calls tech support)
Dept. Tech: (shows RPIA what to do with in-person demo) "Okay, well I guess I can do it." (RPIA walks away)
Dept. Tech and I banged our heads into the nearby desks. Ugh!
Some people just don't get that bad four letter word...work! Technology is a means to get it done, don't you know?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Nerdly pursuits
Yes, I'm one of those crazies who seek out trouble.
I am no longer employed in the computer industry, but I got to convince my friend to do some networking work at home and buy her kid a new computer. Happy Birthday Nico! Remember, I got you (by talking to mom) that iPod Touch last year, too. Don't pull any crap or mamasita's compadre here will mess up your box (as much as it hurts me...it'll hurt you more!)
Dearest Elderly Relative asked me to hook up his/her new PC....and transfer files. You'd swear the world would end if DER can't get those chain letters!
And because everyone's been buying new stuff and making me salivate, I'm coveting this software for one of my upcoming projects. I've been tagged by one of my instructors to publish a paper that I co-authored this semester. Two of three of us are on board to shop the project out....so we'll see what happens.
I'm heading to the online stores. Stay tuned for more tech toy updates.
I am no longer employed in the computer industry, but I got to convince my friend to do some networking work at home and buy her kid a new computer. Happy Birthday Nico! Remember, I got you (by talking to mom) that iPod Touch last year, too. Don't pull any crap or mamasita's compadre here will mess up your box (as much as it hurts me...it'll hurt you more!)
Dearest Elderly Relative asked me to hook up his/her new PC....and transfer files. You'd swear the world would end if DER can't get those chain letters!
And because everyone's been buying new stuff and making me salivate, I'm coveting this software for one of my upcoming projects. I've been tagged by one of my instructors to publish a paper that I co-authored this semester. Two of three of us are on board to shop the project out....so we'll see what happens.
I'm heading to the online stores. Stay tuned for more tech toy updates.
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