Open Thread – Busy Bee!
How doth the little busy bee,
improve each shining hour,
and gather honey all the day,
from every opening flower!
~Isaac Watts, 1715
November 17, 2024
Thursday, August 3, 2023
The Quitter Returns! -Monday, March 21, 2022
Putting the goober in gubernatorial -Friday, January 28, 2022
How doth the little busy bee,
improve each shining hour,
and gather honey all the day,
from every opening flower!
~Isaac Watts, 1715
I’ve set up a candle page for Micheal Steffy at
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=MS
and on a lighter note….Alaska’s own Loch Ness Monster ??
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/loch-ness-monster-alasaka-204906638.html
How business profits from taxes
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0719/US-businesses-don-t-succeed-in-spite-of-government.-They-succeed-because-of-it/(page)/2
slip stream
If she does kick butt—Hopefully it’s his!
🙂
If I heard correctly—On Cnn today–Rick Perry said that the statue of Liberty was a “false God”. Wow–if he jumps in the race—we won’t be able to keep up with his crazy notions.
I dunno — did you see the way the Statue of Liberty kicked butt in a “Ghostbusters” movie?
Politicalgates has a definitive photo of Britta Hansen Palin obviously quite well along in pregnancy. Looks like the bun must have been about 5 months at the time of the wedding. I wish her and Track well, and recommend that they move far away from Wasilla.
Which is bigger: Los Angeles or California?
Of course this confused the fourth graders. That’s like asking, Which is bigger? Sarah Palin’s Alaska, or Rick Perry’s Texas Hair? Bristol’s chutzpah at writing a memoir at 20, or Bristol’s choot-spah at writing a memoir at 20? Christine O’Donnell’s witch hat or Michelle Bachman’s arrogance born of ignorance?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2011/0719/Which-is-bigger-California-or-Los-Angeles-Most-fourth-graders-aren-t-sure
Lovely flower. Mine are looking fine and dandy, too.
Enduring unbearable heat! Why, it’s almost in the high 70’s! Am having to wear shorts and drink ice water and turn on the ceiling fan to cope! ( We don’t have A/C–would almost never use it.) Oh, the pain.
Thanks again, Buff, for the heat waiver!
Love to all from the CA Riviera!
We’re supposed to hit triple digits on Thursday.
I want my waiver back…NOW please.
leenie – If you and I march on Albany, sweating like the dickens, demanding our ” If Western New York has to have 10 feet of snow for 1/2 the year , we shouldn’t have to have deal with 100 degrees” waiver …. please bring the water bottles and I’ll bring the melon ball salad.
Gak ! ( right ?? )
Deal!
And I second your Gak !
BD – I’d give you the glaring, wonky , snarky-eye look but the sweating has me limited to staring ahead, blankly.
Once I recover , though …..
Elizabeth Warren may be the Sarah Palin antidote.
Ooh, I like that idea! 🙂
Just heard on WHO news—it’s official— christie vilsack will run for Congress against Steve King.
YAY!!!!! She’s going to kick his butt all the way to Arizona.
😀
Don’t live in Iowa but that’s good news for everyone. Hopefully, this is just the start of a great crop of progressive candidates who will clear out the RWNJs that are in Congress right now.
Next up…Elizabeth Warren in MA (fingers crossed) ! ! !
So bee it.
I hope Warren does run because she will be a run a serious campaign and fight for the middle class just ad Kennedy did. I’ve been signing petitions to draft her into the Senate race. We need more like her across the nation if we are to have any hope of recovering from the nightmare the GOP has inflicted upon us (both under two terms of Bush-Cheney, but also the GOPTP obstructionism).
Great news. It is past time for King to go back into private life. Best of luck to Vilsack!
Just
.
[Rant Warning!]
I’m sorry, but I’ve had it up to here! [ thumb-side of hand held slightly above eyebrows ] with me and mine being called “client” and “consumer” when it comes to medical and mental healthcare!
I’ve also had it up to here! [ hand returned to position of thumb-side held slightly above eyebrows ] with the term “healthcare provider”!
Sure, go ahead and call the lab tech or the x-ray tech a “healthcare provider,” but me and mine choose the person who’ll look at all those test results *only* after having selected them based on their extensive training in the field(s) of medical and mental health and *only* after having checked out that they’ve earned the appropriate degrees, licenses, board certifications, and the right to be called “Doctor.” There’s a difference between the two, between “healthcare provider” and “Doctor”; we want our Doctor to discuss our care with us and go over all our options with us. We’re very picky about that.
Oh, yeah…I’ve had it up to here! [ you know the drill ] with the application of generic, any-industry, catch-all words, phrases, and terminology to discuss the mental and medical healthcare for me and mine!
So how about if we all quit generic-ing the mental and medical healthcare of me and mine *as if* it is somehow as consequential as what’s given the “client” of a beauty shop or advertising account, or as the meal, tires, or cable service is to the “consumer.” There’s no urgency –implied or otherwise– with the the generic! Knock it off, already!
Me and mine go see a Doctor for medical and mental healthcare; when we go, we go as a patient!… with ALL the [historic] meaning, gravitas, and urgency of the word. Oh, how I wish the patient was once again respected and their healthcare needs met with the focus, earnestness, and healing they deserve. beth.
–And while I’m at it: It ain’t a “campus” either. It’s a hospital or a clinic, damnit! b.
–Yes, it’s been a loooooong week…and it’s only Tuesday! b.
Hey Beth! I couldn’t agree with you more! I’m especially triggered by the use of the word “consumer” with regard to medical care…. as if necessary health care was a substance one “consumed” !
Good rant, but I have to put in my two cents via a personal anecdote. I have come to value the opinions of nurses and technicians as much as those of doctors. Why? Because for two years I suffered increasing, agonizing pain. Went from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist – all either said it was :just getting older,” or that it was my back. I endured injections, painful but non-helpful physical therapy, and was prescribed far too much pain medication for too long. Nothing helped, no one took any other causative factor seriously. The doctors were locked into their box-like view.
Finally, I changed primary care doctors and was sent to have a CAT scan. It was the CAT scan technician who asked me “has anyone pointed out your hip is deteriorating?” No, no one had.
No one would even consider it because the early consensus established by a couple of doctors was that it was my back that was the problem. It went so far that I almost considered spinal surgery at a top clinic that bore a high risk of complications. Thankfully, I had a hunch that it wasn’t right for me. Thank goodness for the CAT scan technician who propped up my hunch with her observation.
Shortly after having her make that comment, l I went with my husband to his rheumatologist who noted how I struggled to sit down and get up. He asked why no one had ever thought of exploring my hip as my problem. I told him about the technician, and he said “she was ‘spot on.” He suspected no one took her opinion seriously because she was “just a tech,” but he said he always welcomes their input because, if they’re attentive, they notice things doctors may miss. After all, it is common for nurses and techs to actually spend more time with patients than the doctors do. However, most technicians, therapists and nurses rarely have their opinions valued or are rarely encouraged to voice their observations, ideas or concerns to the doctors.
That arthritis specialist had me walk a few steps, then recommended an MRI site with state-of-the-art EQ and an orthopedic surgeon.who discovered that all the cartilage in my hip had been destroyed and the joint was filled with bone fragments caused by bone rubbing against bone. This was because the “experts” had misdiagnosed the situation for TWO years!
It took a technician thinking outside the box of prior opinion to consider a different causative factor. She took a risk in voicing her observation to me, but I am forever grateful for her sharing her observation of what she saw during the CAT scan. My own doctor didn’t take her opinion seriously. However, my husband’s specialist did because he’d seen breakthroughs such as that occur throughout his career. He didn’t discount anyone’s input.
I had my hip replaced and now a grateful and painful patient. I will always strike up friendly conversations with technicians and ask them questions from now on because I know they can be a saving grace and their experience can make all the difference.
That medical technician who cared more about me as a person suffering pain than all the doctors and specialists I saw in the prior two years. I am no longer in the grips of unbearable pain, no longer taking tons of meds to take the edge off that pain, and am active and grateful. She did provide me with medical care in the best sense of the phrase. When I related her comment to a doctor with an open mind, he was able to connect the dots quickly and accurately. Others just couldn’t be bothered or discounted the opinion of someone they deemed less qualified.
Sorry for my own rant, but I just had to make the case for the value of talented, dedicated medical technicians and nurses. They may lack the advanced training and certifications of a physician, but they can often spot and help resolve problems because they take a more personal interest in and spend more time with the patients.
Just saying, the lack of a M.D. after a person’s name doesn’t mean they are less able or less dedicated to patient care than a doctor (not that you meant that by any means,
Beth. I think you didn’t mean to discount the skill or opinions of non-physicians, but I still compelled to give public thanks to astute technicians and nurses. Doctors can make mistakes and fail to catch things, and technicians can provide breakthrough discoveries. They should all be valued as part of a team working for our benefit.)
Hey, Sunflower! You are fortunate that the technician was allowed to tell you this. A lot of the time they will tell you they cannot speak to you about test results, that that has to come from the doctor. How did your doctor react when he learned you had a hip replacement?
Yes, I was lucky. The technician even admitted she wasn’t supposed to say anything, but we’d been chatting throughout the long CAT scan process so she knew what I’d been through so far, and I was in a lot of pain on that table (kept leaking tears quietly). She prefaced her question with “I know I probably shouldn’t ask this, but . . . .”
The new primary care physician was surprised and I don’t remember her even writing it down in her notes, and also I think it damaged our relationship a bit for a while that I took my husband’s specialist’s advice to seek out the surgeon he recommended, but I felt so desperate I just did it. Thankfully none of the doctor(s) lodged any complaints about the tech. I think the three doctors I told this to (my new PCP, my husband’s specialist and the orthopedic surgeon) were more relieved to see that my problem was successfully resolved than they were perturbed by any bending of the rules, considering how long I had been struggling to find a solution.
Then again, I chose that new PCP because she was also trained in alternative medicine as well as being an Internal Medicine physician. I suspect her holistic attitude played a part in her not feeling threatened or being concerned that the tech might spoken out of turn.
Besides, the tech didn’t give me medical advice per se, she simply asked me a question with a raised eyebrow and a tone that led me to believe she was on to something.
It resonated with me and supported my hunch that the doctors had been pursuing the wrong path. Had she not said anything, I feel that I might not have been receptive to my husband’s specialist’s referral suggestion. That tech planted the seed that bore fruit.
I also feel lucky that my insurance plan didn’t require referrals to specialists because I fear no one would have sent me off to this particular surgeon. He turned out to be one of the top two arthritis surgeons in our region. He was happy that someone had caught problem at long last, and that the tech and my husband’s doctor had sent me his way when they did. As it was, I was in surgery over twice as long as normal because of all the bone fragments that had to be removed. Had I been diagnosed properly earlier, other, less invasive treatment might have been possible.
As I said, the tech just opened a new path of inquiry by her question/comment, but had I discounted her inquiry/opinion, I might have had to endure unnecessary back surgery or worse been crippled with pain for much longer.
There is always a danger in relying upon nurses, techs or therapists or others with less training than physicians or specialists because even though they are trying to help, they lack the more rigorous or sophisticated training of a doctor, but I think their hands-on, on-the-front-line experiences and often more thorough interactions with the patients should be valued more than they usually are.
The best doctors seem to welcome all thoughtful input, and I hope patients will as well.
One last point: the Doctor reading the CAT scan didn’t report the damage to my hip that showed up in the CAT scan. He merely reported there was nothing wrong with my spine, which was the question posed for the CAT scan.
I learned a long time ago to be a proactive health care consumer. Doctors are human and come to the office with all their own prejudices in place. I had a woman doctor refuse to prescribe birth control for me because I was not married. I have had doctors ignore symptoms.
I have come to think of my doctor in much the same way as I think of my mechanic. I describe the problem, and if they do not have a logical explanation for the symptom, I look elswhere for answers. I am not at all worried about hurting my doctor’s feelings when I consult another doctor or when I come to the office armed with my own research.
KS – I am glad you got your hip replaced and are doing better. I had mine replaced about 18 months ago, too, and I know just what you went through. That pain is unbearable.
Glad to hear that you finally found a way out of the pain you were in. I think sometimes, in these days of specialization, doctors are so focused on their particular area of expertise, they sometimes forget to look at the big picture. All of our body systems are so intricately connected that the cause of pain in one area may actually originate way on the other end of the body.
I remember how my old chiropractor explained that an ankle injury in middle school – had led to a knee injury in college – which caused my hips to be rotated – which eventually caused my lower back pain – and led to problems in my upper back and neck, exacerbated by a car accident and repetitive stress from work. The reason I went to him was pain and limited range of motion in my neck, but it had all started in my ankle, years earlier.
ks sunflower — bless your heart! How awful that you had to endure all that pain! And how fortunate for you the imaging tech ‘blabbed.’ (As you and tigerwine pointed out, though, that’s –rightfully– a *huge* no-no!) You’re right; I didn’t mean to dismiss techs out of hand…it’s the current culture of medical and mental healthcare that I’m having such antacid-resistant heartburn with. Starting with the language that’s been adopted of late.
And don’t even get me started on: “The doctors were locked into their box-like view”! DH is currently seeing a whole slew of doctors with specific training in specific areas: a PCP/blood doc, a genetics doc, a gastroenterology doc, a lung doc, and a transplanter. Each of the 5 is well-known and highly respected in the SE – two are nationally renown and one of them, literally, discovered and ‘wrote the book’ on one of DHs ‘conditions.’ They (and their staffs) –individually and collectively– all know their chit and are excellent in their fields!
That’s all well and good, and I’m so very greatful DH is in the hands of the best of the best in their speciality, *BUT* geeze is that speciality exclusivity beginning to pixx me off…and wear me out!
They’ve got in DH a whole list of symptoms, presentments, and tests/results the *do* fit their speciality and a bunch that’ll fit *if* they’re ‘squished’ in sideways — they’re doing a bang-up job in addressing those. But they’ve ALSO got some that continue to be ‘orphan’, free-floaters; they’re totally pharting those off because they aren’t in their speciality! Each one of these excellent docs is treating their speciality, *not* the patient! When I bring up one of the ‘other’ problems DH is having –which I do with great regularity!– they each say: “Oh, that shouldn’t be happening”, and then promptly forget it! Yes, they treat their specialty well, but it’s the *other* problems patient DH is having, that are making him so bloody miserable. I’m about at my wits end, trying to get some relief for him for those…
It’s so darned frustrating! Where’s old Doctor Nelson when I need him? He was the general practitioner our family saw when I was a kid. He could take out appendix and tonsils, and do hysterectomies. He could set broken bones. And de-polyp sinus cavities. And treat colds, pneumonia, ‘flu, sore throats, ear aches, and food poisoning. And measles and chicken pox. He’d birth babies and help the 93-yo die with dignity. He even made house calls! He was pragmatic and, if you went to him with a medical or mental problem, Doc Nelson would see you through *as a patient*!
Lord, I’m tired of the “client” and “consumer” bs in our healthcare. I really and truly am. beth.
mine was Dr Davies. retired 20 years ago and i do miss him.
I see your point, and understand your frustration. It’s bad enough to be feeling awful or to know a loved one is, but then to be compartmentalized and treated as a bundle of “symptoms” instead of as a human being . . . .
My thoughts and prayers will be you beth and your DH. I hope a Doctor Nelson type of doctor soon enters your life to help you both deal with this. He sounds as if he were truly a blessing and great human being along with being a fantastic physician. He actually sounds like someone who incorporates the best of clinical competence and spiritual shamanic healing. If only we each could find such a doctor for ourselves and our loved ones!
May healing come for both your dear DH and for your frazzled nerves. You know we all are pulling for you now. Mudpups have a special way of lifting each other up. Blessings be with you and yours, beth.
Thank you, ks sunflower, for the tremendous kind! I’ll keep plodding along, here, searching for some relief for DH…being reminded that Mudpups have ‘got my back’, somehow makes it a tad easier. No, a whole lot easier. beth.
For those of you following Michael’s thread on the forum please check in.
Michael passed away last night.
i haven’t but would like to offer my sympathies.
I want to bee happy, but I won’t bee happy, til I make you happy too! 🙂 Good morning all. More heat advisories today. We had a lovely storm last night and another one this morning. It would be wonderful to have rain all day but that is not to be. The flowers look beautiful all wet and nicely watered. Need to get off to work. Have a great day all.