saturday

We slept in til 8:00 AM this morning.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.7 lbs
33.7% Body Fat
69.9 lb Muscle Mass
20.7 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
Heart Points
miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with half+half

friday

MonsterMustDie's "holiday party" at work is this afternoon. He left the house wearing my red knit cap and carrying the mandatory red holiday sweatshirt with him. I plan to take the sweatshirt after he's done with it - I only have one ragged pink sweatshirt at home and I really need more in my warm loungewear.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
111.6 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
69.4 lb Muscle Mass
20.5 BMI

It was too cold to walk outside today.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
two cups coffee with half+half
1 C kefir+1C milk+1C berries (390 calories) (18g protein)
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 Pistachio shortbread cookies (140 calories)
Momo Fuku soy + scallion noodles (320 calories) (10g protein)
1 leftover turkey + cheese sandwich

Thursday

It was a sunny, clear day. Quite windy.

Really enjoyed Zoom with Women's Night this evening. We got to catch up with each other and asked what everyone was or was not doing this year for the holidays. Some good suggestions were made. I always learn things from these discussions. Loved seeing and hearing everyone.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
111.60 lbs
33.7% Body Fat
69.2 lb Muscle Mass
20.5 BMI

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee with half+half
1 serving Oatmeal + dried cranberries + cinnamon (150 calories)
2 Pistachio shortbread cookies (140 calories)
Spicey Pumpkin Samosas (510 calories)
mochi green tea icecream (480 calories)
1 gimme seaweed snack pack (25 calories) (1 g protein)
mushroom bisque soup (180 calories) 1 glass Pom juice (160 calories)

Wednesday

This should be a good day for me, as I am a social creature who craves company and the stimulation of other people.
We are planning to meet up with friends from Black Mountain this afternoon.
Then, we have a Zoom with a couple friends in Atlanta tonight.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.0 lbs
33.9% Body Fat
69.2 lb Muscle Mass
20.6 BMI

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee with half+half
momofuku soy + scallion noodles (320 calories)
+ 1 sliced carrot + handful of greens
6 Asian dumplings at Little Ari's
1 Pocari sweat drink at Little Ari's

No walk today.
Did a snort of Nasacort for the first time in a very long time just to try to stop having to attempt to blow my nose constantly. I have some sort of irritation just inside my left nostril. The spray seemed to work.

tuesday

It's recycling pick-up day here in my town.
Outside, it's cold and wet but still no snow or ice... well, there might be some black ice on the street that I don't know about.
Ben Anderson's crew came by this afternoon and cleaned out our gutters for the winter, post-fall season. The roof here should be fine until the next gutter-clearing Spring, when remaining leaves and pollen drop, now.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
110.7 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
68.8 lb Muscle Mass
20.4 BMI

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with half+half
"cheesy chips" blue corn flax chips + salsa + grated cheddar + sour cream
1 peppermint candy
1 KitKat chocolate

This became a day of fatty snacks and junk food.

Monday

Remembering not to make my life uneccesarily complicated today. I was on that path last night.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.0 lbs
33.8% Body Fat
69.4 lb Muscle Mass
20.6 BMI

Too slushy cold to walk today. It's been a mix of snow and rain all day and more is predicted overnight.
At least I got my floor exercises done.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
1 bowl oatmeal with cinnamon and dried cranberries (150 calories)
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
6 potato + meat snacks (600 calories?)
2 mochi ice cream bites (160 calories)
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement

sunday

The plan for today is to get the last small gifts and cards ready to mail.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
111.3 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
69.2 lb Muscle Mass
20.5 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
52 Heart Points
5.42 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
L-Arginine L-Citrulline complex 1000 mg supplement
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee with eggnog
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
reuben sandwich from Fig and Olive (900 calories)
1 glass POMegranate juice (230 calories)
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)

Foggy Morning

Really impressive fog this morning.
Today was the USS Bonaventure Trekmas party with Dirty Ferangi game. We all brought bags of food for the local pantry this year as well. The favorite thing I brought home this year was a cube of MM's from the guess-how-many game. The most stealable gifts were chocolates or tree ornaments.
Later on, I think I finished what little gift shopping I have to do. Now, I just need to gift wrap it, box it, and mail it.

8:30 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
109.6 lbs
33.2% Body Fat
68.6 lb Muscle Mass
20.2 BMI

Too cold and wet to walk today.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with milk
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
Pumpkin Pancakes (290 calories)
large order of french fries from Zaxby's (850 calories)
Salmon filet (230 calories)(26g protein)
handful of greens cooked with salmon
1 cup hot apple cider (120 calories)

friday

I woke up kinda sluggish with the vague sense of a headache but my head was fine after the first cup of morning coffee.
I went online with Medicare and had another Zoom chat with A about my Medicare Plan. We all seem to agree that my option is to choose passive enrollment because I am out of the six-month initial enrollment period and any attempted changes could throw off a system that is currently working for me without giving me any new benefits whatsoever because I am now subject to underwriting by all providers, including BCBS.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
110.2 lbs
33.2% Body Fat
69.0 lb Muscle Mass
20.3 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
Heart Points
miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with milk
2 cups matcha green tea
3 cups kefir + milk + berries smoothie (390 calories) (18g protein)
2 pistachio shortbread cookie
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Chicken Enchiladas (240 calories)(31g protein)

Thursday

Yesterday, MonsterMustDie noticed my passenger-side brake light was out so replacing that was my task for today. I took it into Firestone, where they told me that I needed to buy four new tires for $917.53. I took a print of the quote for tires and just had the light replaced for $18.66. *sigh*

I pulled a steak out of the freezer to cook tonight with the small potatoes MonsterMustDie brought home this week. Around 1:00pm, I was considering what to have for lunch. We have a few frozen entrees - most are his - and various bits in the refridgerator. MonsterMustDie looked at me and said it was a bad idea to eat lunch just 4 or five hours before I plan to eat dinner, like two whole meals a day is too much. This is an old man who survives entirely on low-alcohol beer and "protein bars". I pulled out an Orgain shake for lunch and closed the refridgerator door. I am between a rock and a hard place trying to eat healthier at home.

Another problem I have is that, probably just because I am easily distracted, I can not seem to accomplish anything after lunch these days. Looking back over my unproductive week, I can have one task a day to complete in the morning. Today is finished.

9:00 AM weight (WYZE scale):
112.4 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
69.9 lb Muscle Mass
20.7 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
37 Heart Points
2.53 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with milk
1 Vanilla Skyr (130 calories) (15g protein)
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
1 cup eggnog (150 calories)
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Ribeye Steak (465 calories)(32g protein)
Potatoes (145 calories)
Roasted Kale and Brussels Sprouts (38 calories)
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)
D3 1000 IU supplement
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)

Wednesday

Today was a big day at Duke. I had my first Zometa IV treatment today.

After we got home, I had a Zoom meeting with Audrey to discuss my Medicare plan.
We decided I am stuck with what I first signed up for because I am past the 6-month margine after beginning Medicare October 2024.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.3 lbs
33.8% Body Fat
70.3 lb Muscle Mass
20.8 BMI

2:00 PM Duke Office Visit:
Blood Pressure 122/66
BMI 20.96
Weight 114 lb 10.2 oz
Temperature (Oral) 97.6 °F
Pulse 62
Oxygen Saturation 98%

Fit app: evening walk
44 Heart Points
3.2 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with whole milk
1 serving Oatmeal + dried cranberries + cinnamon (150 calories)
1 packet of peanut butter crackers (during infusion)
1 bag of chex mix (during infusion)
1 bottled water (during infusion)
Whole Foods hot meal: fried tofu, brussel sprouts, kale, chicken
1 potato samosa
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement

I didn't have a chance to eat anything else today. I thought I'd have time for a quick lunch or more snacks between appointments but that was bad judgement on my part to think there would be enough free time to go down and grab something.

tuesday

I have done nothing today except to begin to look back over my Medicare account to see what I need to change or add. This left me with even more questions than answers as to what I should do before the December 7 deadline.

It looks like my prescription medication coverage by Wellcare either works where it is not supposed to or if Medicare itself covers my medications already or if my financial assistance from Duke is paying for my meds instead, which leaves me wondering if my Medicare part B account is worth having at all and I should quickly change it or let sleeping dogs lie.

Now that MonsterMustDie is home from work today, I don't think I will have time to speak to anyone on the phone or spend any time looking things up until tomorrow morning while I am home alone before my appointments in the afternoon.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
111.8 lbs
33.5% Body Fat
69.7 lb Muscle Mass
20.6 BMI

Fit app: evening walk
45 Heart Points
3.92 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
1 chocolate croissant
Amy's Brown Rice + Black-eyed Peas bowl (300 calories) (9g protein)
5 pickled okra (10 calories)
Dumle chocolate (71 calories)
20 oz matcha green tea

monday

Will we decorate or make holiday plans today? No idea.
I was feeling a tiny bit dispeptic again this mornng but I was fine by the afternoon.

11:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.0 lbs
33.5% Body Fat
20.6 BMI

Too cold to walk today.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee
1 chocolate croissant
Sushi salmon + avocado roll (380 calories) (13g protein)
1 plate thanksgving leftovers
1 cup hot cider

sunday

My stomach feels ok this morning. It's cold and overcast but not foggy.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.9 lbs
33.7% Body Fat
70.1 lb Muscle Mass
20.8 BMI

Too cold and windy to walk today. Nowhere indoors to do it either today.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
1 cup coffee
1 bowl oatmeal with dried apples
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)

Saturday

Sunny and cold this morning.
My stomach is upset this morning. The first cup of coffee of the morning made me a tiny bit nauseous.
Late in the afternoon, after not eating much all day, I went to CoHab Space to check out the Friendsgiving potluck they were having. It was a good group of people of all ages, many with their children there, and lots of dogs. People were roasting marshmallows over the fire pit and making smores. Someone made BBQ and there were a couple of pies and a bundt cake decorated with flowers. Someone brought a pizza in that appeared to be mostly ignored. There was live music inside. Someone had the bright idea to make patties/biscuits out of dressing. I'm glad I stopped in.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.9 lbs
33.7% Body Fat
70.1 lb Muscle Mass
20.8 BMI

Too cold to walk today.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
1 cup coffee
1 cup Trader Joe's raspberry yogurt (120 calories)
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)

Friday

I got up at 7:30AM this morning. MonsterMustDie slept in until 8:30AM.
Staying inside today to avoid Black Friday shoppers. Karen and Bob are out with family at a tree farm today, picking this year's Christmas tree.
It's a very chilly day outside and I didn't talk myself into going walking outdoors until late in the afternoon.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
114.9 lbs
34.2% Body Fat
70.8 lb Muscle Mass
21.1 BMI

Fit app: evening walk
37 Heart Points
1.87 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Leftover Greek salad for breakfast
2 cups Coffee with half and half
Leftovers of turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle, stuffing
1 slice pumpkin pie

Thanksgiving 2025

Thanksgiving was spent with Jennifer's family. Gaby and Ella cooked dinner and it was a huge success.
I am very thankful that we now have people who can cook in our family. The turkey was perfect - crisp skin, tender and moist, well-seasoned. That was served with fresh green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, herb stuffing with veggies like carrots, celery, etc. All that and there was pie for desert.

We played a game afterwards, "Artsy Fartsy", and caught up a bit. We met Ella and Rachael and I am inspired by Rachael telling me she has a good experience as a professional pet-sitter. Maybe that can me my retirement job. It sounds like something flexible enough to have a life as well as an activity that give me purpose. I can't do production (which was probably the cause of my cancer) or part-time retail work (which took away any chance of having a life here) anymore but I need work.

Wednesday

Woke up with the same headache I went to bed with.
I splashed my face with warm water and put a very warm wet wash cloth over my eyes for a few minutes.
The headache appeared to be gone by 9:19AM. I hope it stays gone.

 Gonna be cold tomorrow. High in the 40s and low in the 20s. Most Thanksgiving days I remember were very cold so the cooler weather seems right on time. I enjoyed this last warm night walking through the Sunset Hills neighborhood looking at holiday lights.

 

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
114.2 lbs
34.2% Body Fat
70.5 lb Muscle Mass
21.0 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
Heart Points
miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
1 cup oatmeal with dried cinnamon apples and dried cranberries

tuesday

Not much scheduled today. I lost a work glove that was halfway tucked into a pocket while I was raking leaves in the back yard before trash pickup.

As it turned out, the city only picked up the recyclables and nothing else was picked up. The recording on the city website said said yard waste has been cancelled this week. The household trash bin is also still full, at the curb, where it might sit all week.

I had a slight headache most of the day, starting in the afternoon. Because of the headache, I only did half of my exercises for the day and I took took an Advil before going to bed.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
3 cups coffee
large poke salad bowl
1 serving Trader Joe's flatbread
1/2 cup Zen Party Mix
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg

Monday

I raked enough leaves to fill the bin and a couple of leaf bags before pulling all the bins down to the curb this morning in preparation for tomorrow's pick-up by the city.

Today's main activity is a return visit to Duke breast clinic this afternoon.
I regret that I never got around to doing my exercises or walking today.

Duke After Visit Summary:
Blood Pressure: 100/67
Temperature: 97.5
BMI: 21.08
Pulse: 56
Weight: 115 lb 4.8 oz
Respiration: 18
Oxygen Saturation: 99%
Height: 5'2.01"

11:30 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
114.6 lbs
34.2% Body Fat
70.5 lb Muscle Mass
21.1 BMI
48.1% Body Water

Fit app: afternoon walk
Heart Points
miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
3 oz rotisserie chicken
1 cup blue corn chips
Yellowtail + avocado roll (380 calories) (13g protein)
1 bowl Miso Soup (206 calories)

60 oz water

Sunday

Another misty morning. It's nice to look out at the fog outside the kitchen window.
We walked up from the house to see the Christmas parade on Main Street this afternoon.

We ended the day having dinner with Karen and Bob at their house.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.3 lbs
34.0% Body Fat
70.1 lb Muscle Mass
20.8 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
23 Heart Points
2.08 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
2 cups pomegranite herbal tea
home made beef chile
chicken enchiladas
1 Aleve tablet 3 ginger cookies

Saturday

Misty, wet morning but it's warm.
We spent a full day together - a rare thing - that was actually pleasant. First we went to the Piedmont Craft Festival in Winston-Salem. Then, since we were already in downtown W-S, we went shopping on Trade Street.
After we got home, MonsterMustDie walked with me to Stock+Grain to take in the Holiday festivities there, ending with a raffle and fireworks.
I made plates of various leftovers for our dinner afterwards, since we spent the day with very little to drink and the only food was a veggie roll-up sandwich at the Craft Show, that we split.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.1 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
70.3 lb Muscle Mass
20.8 BMI

Fit app: evening walk
31 Heart Points
3.98 miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
1/2 veggie wrap
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1/2 slice mushroom quiche
1/2 portion flatbread
1 cup matcha green tea latte

friday

The only thing I did today was go to Publix for more coffee.
The rest of the day was spent spinning around decisions I do not feel confident about making.
The good news today is that Medicare is now reviewing my claim on Novant Health, so I hope that will be resolved one way or another soon.
I need a job or purpose but not another retail job that takes my life away.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
113.5 lbs
33.7% Body Fat
70.5 lb Muscle Mass
20.9 BMI

Too wet outdoors to walk today.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)
Momo Fuku soy + scallion noodles (320 calories) (10g protein)
1 cup fresh cooked kale
2 boiled eggs (155 calories) (12g protein)

20 oz water
16 oz hot apple cider

Thursday

Yesterday was spent with Karen at BCBS office talking about medicare plans and at the Merry Merry Market at Revolution Mill in Greensboro. We had pizza for lunch.

We went to an art opening at the Congdon Yards Gallery tonight. MonsterMustDie was especially intrigued by a large assemblage sculpture in the photos for the art exhibit.
Later, we had a Zoom visit with Brian and Laura. We screen shared photos of the art show and photos from a couple of weeks ago of Little Sally, the troll sculpture by Thomas Dambo. John had his show-and-tell with the assemblages he is working on.

9:00 AM weight: (WYZE scale)
112.7 lbs
33.6% Body Fat
70.1 lb Muscle Mass
20.7 BMI

Fit app: afternoon walk
34 Heart Points
1.91 miles miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee with eggnog
2 slices leftover pizza
1 gimme seaweed snack pack (25 calories) (1 g protein)
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
blue corn chips and curry chicken salad (290 calories)
2 chicken salad sliders
2 brie & cranberry canapes
leftover green salad with blueberries, blue cheese and candied walnuts
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement

32 oz water
20 oz green tea
8 oz red wine
8 oz eggnog

tuesday

Another stiff morning, better after stretches but those stretches were difficult.
Called Kim this morning because she is retired now, like me, and was home. She once again encouraged me to find a nearby park and go walking today. I didn't decide on a park to walk around but I did go out for a while, just to get out of the house.

9:00 AM weight: 112.7 lbs
33.6 %
20.7 BMI

20 oz water

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
1 pumpkin biscotti
Eggnog (300 calories)
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
2 servings cracker mix (280 calories)

monday

Wondering what I can accomplish today.
Whanged my right knee on the cruel bed in the master bedroom, as I usually do, rounding a corner. That bed never fails to put a bruise on me each week. I hate it and yet MonsterMustDie, who was the one who chose it when we moved here, sleeps in my old bed from my condo in Atlanta that I still love.

9:00 AM weight: 111.3 lbs
33.2 % body fat

20.5 BMI

20 oz water

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
2 pumpkin biscotti
HC Fudge Bar (100 calories)
hummus and crackers (200 calories)
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
Popcorn with coconut oil (100 calories)
sushi tray (450 calories)

sunday

We went to Nomad Wine for the food truck in the afternoon. I had only $8.00 (thought I had more) so I just had one chicken empanada. MonsterMustDie had a regular beer while I ate my single empanada and enjoyed old issues of Bon Appetite that on the coffee table. They still have a lot of BuzziSpace furniture there, which MonsterMustDie always points out.
I had leftover Trader Joe's brussel sprouts and rice that turned out to be too disgusting to eat, so I threw out most of it. Wasn't that hungry tonight anyway. Everyone has their Christmas lights up now and trees up inside their homes.
Downtown High Point is installing a lot of lights, including a large round structure, inside the tiny stadium.

I felt especially stiff while doing exercises in the evening before bed.

9:00 AM weight: 113.3 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
35 Heart Points
3.26 miles miles

Saturday

Spent the morning shopping with MonsterMustDie.
We got provisions at the Curb Farmers Market, Deep Roots Market, Harris Teeter, and Ace Hardware.

After we got home and unpacked, I walked to the holiday market at a nearby church, where I saw lots of very cute things, many of which I would have liked to buy but it just was not fun shopping alone.

Fit app: afternoon walk
34 Heart Points
2.05 miles miles

friday

I must remember to simply download ics files to my calendar rather than just typing things in most of the time.

No plans yet today.

9:00 AM weight: 112.2 lbs
33.4% Body Fat (WYZE scale)
20.6 BMI (WYZE scale)

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
1 cup matcha green tea
2 pumpkin biscotti

0 oz water

thursday

I need trustworthy advice on my Medicare account but I can't find it here.
I do not want Karen talking me into changing what seems to be working for me at this moment. I really want to stay the same this year but I am willing to sit with her on Wednesday to listen to the BlueCross-BlueShield sales pitch and explaination.
As of last night, mid-anxiety attack, I decided I am not changing this year.

9:00 AM weight: 111.8 lbs
33.3% Body Fat (WYZE scale)
20.6 BMI (WYZE scale)

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement leftover stir-fried vegetables
2 Trader Joe's pumpkin biscotti
pasta + marinara + spinach + rotisserie chicken

Wednesday

City services resumed today after taking Veteran's Day off on Tuesday.

MonsterMustDie and I went shopping in Ashboro this afternoon. I tried to talk him into going to thrift shops to look for cheaper materials for his assemblage sculptures that he is making now but he could not be convinced to go anywhere else.

9:00 AM weight: 112.4 lbs
33.5 % Body Fat (WYZE scale)
70.1 lb Muscle Mass (WYZE scale)
20.7 BMI (WYZE scale)

24 oz water

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement leftover stir-fried vegetables
1 portion Trader Joe's leftover mushroom flatbread
pasta + marinara + spinach + rotisserie chicken

Tuesday

Cold morning. First actual frost of the year today. It was already above freezing when I woke up.

9:00 AM weight: 112.4 lbs
33.5 %

20 oz water

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
1/4 spinach calzone

first cold temperatures

Not much going on today.

9:00 AM weight: 113.1 lbs
33.7

Fit app: afternoon walk
9 Heart Points
.84 miles miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
1 bowl oatmeal with dried apples + cinnamon

sunday

I cough-sneezed and almost shot raspberry yogurt through my nose this morning.

We went to see the new Troll sculpture, "Little Sally" by Thomas Dambo this afternoon. 

Saturday

I went to meet for Pizza with Trekkies this afternoon. Then I stopped at Trader Joe's before going home. 

9:00 AM weight: 113.1 lbs
33.8 %

Fit app: evening walk
Heart Points
miles miles

Friday

We're heading into the end of unseasonably warm days and into the chilly frosty Autumn this weekend.
MonsterMustDie and I went on a brief trip to Revolution Mill to check out what shops and art might be there.

9:00 AM weight: 112.0 lbs
33.5 %

20 oz water

Thursday

I tried to have dinner at the Lobster Truck at Nomad Wine but there was no truck today. I waited for a few minutes before giving up and having an Orgain protein shake before going tonight's Fireside Talk at the gallery formerly known as SECCA. We ended up being so late we missed the first half because of stopped traffic from a multi-vehicle accident on the way there.
I had a frozen burrito for dinner when we got home.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)
one fried chicken tender (150 calories)
1 Orgain 30g vanilla protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
Gummy Fruits (45 calories)
Amy's Beans + Rice Burrito (310 calories)
1 cup chamomile + lavendar herbal tea
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg

20 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 110.9 lbs

Fit app: afternoon walk
20 Heart Points
1.5 miles miles
I need to drink more water.
Second night in a row, I've got restless legs while becoming sleepy.

Wednesday

With my medical appointments moved up a month, I have all day to try to accomplish something.
Went to the artist talk with Thomas Dambo at the High Point Theatre. As usual, nothing was well organized. Everyone had to wait until 5:45PM go get inside for the 6PM artist talk. The promised food trucks at 4:30pm never materialized before everyone was inside and seated. The battery in his mic died mid-presentation and had to be quickly replaced. Another typical evening here. Really, the only good thing was free parking.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Publix sushi (420 calories)
handful of potato chips
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
one cup hot spiced apple cider (138 calories)
one fried chicken tender (150 calories)
Momo Fuku soy + scallion noodles + 1 cup fresh spinach (320 calories)
Gummy Fruits (45 calories)

20 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 109.8 lbs

Tuesday

I can't get MonsterMustDie to drink water before his blood work today and he keeps forgetting that we have no small bottles of spring water in the house. He has lost the travel cups he used.
MonsterMustDie phoned me at 11:00AM. The blood work was done and he was waiting to see his doctor. Of course, they had a hard time drawing blood because he was a bit dehydrated, as he usually is.

Karen is working at the polls in Greensboro. We don't have anything to cast a vote on in High Point today.

Duke is pushing all three appointments I had on Wednesday up a month so now I have all day free tomorrow.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Amy's Beans + Rice Burrito (310 calories)
1 slice pumpkin bread (109 calories)
1 cup hot spiced apple cider (138 calories)
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)

48 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 112.2 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
Heart Points
miles miles

Monday

It is a sunny morning. MonsterMustDie was still working in a back room full of fumes that smells like he is sniffing glue, after blowing leaves outdoors when he first got home from work at 12:00 noon, but he did not complain when I quietly opened windows in back and turned on fans indoors.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
1/2 teaspoon Marmite (11 calories)
1 Tablespoon Brie (100 calories)
4 slices home made baguette (277 calories?)
1/2 pecan brownie from Cheesecakes by Alex
dinner: baked russet potato with home made chili and chopped fresh spinach (500 calories)
2 cups hot apple cider (326 calories)

24 oz water

9:15 AM weight: 112.9 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
56 Heart Points
3.46 miles miles

walking forward, falling back

Daylight Savings time ended at midnight and we officially "gained" an hour when the clock fell back at midnight.
I woke up at 6:30 AM from a disturbing dream. I dreamt that we were in my car together with him driving and I look over at him and he is unconscious, head hanging down, drooling, hands still on the wheel.

MonsterMustDie is still acting wonky today but he's at home and entertaining himself quietly, mostly. However, every time he opens his mouth, it seems like he is either insulting me by talking like I am an imbecile or criticizing something or someone I like. I know he probably means no harm but he is very annoying today.

I got home from shopping-to-get-out and the entire back mudroom smelled so heavily of solvent and lacquer that the fumes even drifted into the kitchen around the door. He wanted to show me something and I said the fumes were too strong for me to stay there or in the kitchen. (This is not the first time this has happened.) He got very angry and accused me of saying he was spraying inside the house. I told him I knew he didn't do that but the wet or still curing chemicals were still making me light headed and the back of my throat burned. I'm sorry. I can't stand it, especially after lung cancer surgery. I suggested, as I have before, that we find a place out of the house like the shed that pieces can continue to cure and dry for 24 hours. He said he'd just throw EVERYTHING out of the shed. I have no correct words to say but I can't live like this.
It now dawns on me that sitting in these fumes for so long each day might be why he is functioning so bad this weekend.

8:00 AM weight: 111.6 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
24 Heart Points
3.38 miles miles

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
one blue algae supplement
lunch: baked russet potato with home made chili (500 calories)
1/2 pecan brownie from Cheesecakes by Alex
dinner: baked russet potato with home made chili (500 calories)
1 slice smoked Gouda cheese
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)
Saint John's Wort herbal supplement

48 oz water

Saturday

I baked frozen Samosas for breakfast.
I am planning to go to a Halloween party at Karen & Bob's house tonight. I might be going alone because MonsterMustDie generally does not like gatherings of people and recently his brain has decided that now Karen is mad at us or doesn't like him. Sometimes the part of his brain that controls emotions seems to take over the logical, thinking part. Most of the time, he thinks I am mad at him when he sinks into these moods. I tell him constantly that no one is mad at him and everything is ok.

MonsterMustDie broke down all of the outdoor Halloween decorations this morning and brought them inside. Everything is taken down and in the living room, staged to bring all the boxes down from the attic and put it away.

Also, today, MonsterMustDie unsuccessfully tried to replace the water filter cartridges under the kitchen sink. What should have taken five minutes took two hours and cannot be finished until the new cartridges arrive on November 6. Returning or exchanging the faulty cartridges was not an option on Amazon, where I purchased them. Meanwhile, the bracket that holds both filters up is hanging against the bottom of the cabinet because he unmounted them to put the new cartidges in.

9:20 AM weight: 113.8 lbs

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
3 Samosas (480 calories( (120mg calcium)
3 cups hot cider
Gummy Fruits (45 calories)
Amy's brown rice + black-eyed peas (300 calories)
OLLY Magnesium Gummy (336 mg Magnesium) (25 calories)
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg
1 bowl home made chili
1 baked potato
1/2 cup party mix

57 oz water

Fit app: afternoonwalk
31 Heart Points
1.69 miles miles

MonsterMustDie was very well-behaved at the Halloween dinner at Karen and Bob's house. He was very quiet but friendly to everyone. He didn't pressure me to leave ASAP and we ended up being there chatting with them for a while after all the other guests left.

Halloween 2025

Woke up feeling ok this morning.
Thinking about all the things I meant to cook yesterday when I didn't do anything.
Final count oh Trick-or-Treaters was 137 but a lot were double-dipping on their way back at our house.

9:00 AM weight: 111.3 lbs

Fit app: afternoon walk
Heart Points
miles

skies are clearing

It's finally sunny this morning. I hope it dries out today. Woke up feeling ok.

My stomach started feeling a bit queazy again after I had just a few chips with chicken salad this morning.
Also had a moment of my heart racing this morning without an adequate prompt.

9:00 AM weight: 111.1 lbs

Wednesday

Another rainy day in North Carolina.
I haven't heard from my family all week and I'm sure they were busy. I called my neice today and she said her mother got home this afternoon from the hospital. She had a group of her mother's friends at the church send her money via VENMO that she used to hire a maid service to clean my brother and sister-in-law's house today. The conversation was brief as her children were tugging at her while I spoke to her.

MonsterMustDie and I carved Jack-o-Lanterns tonight from the largest pumpkins we had on the front steps.

I went to bed early with an upset stomach.

9:00 AM weight: 112.0 lbs

Rainy Tuesday

Still raining today.

9:00 AM weight: 111.1 lbs

Monday

The first thing I did after coffee and meds was scoop the cat box and pull the bins to the curb for collection tomorrow morning.
It is raining today so I doubt I will get my walking in this afternoon.

10:00 AM weight: 110.2 lbs

Sunday

MonsterMustDie feels much better this morning but he woke up with a headache.
I toasted a flatbread he got a the Farmers Market on Saturday for him in the evening, which he ate. I tried to get him to drink some water and gave him some of my BioLyte drink (precious to me now) to try but he said it tasted like wet socks. I'll just stick to trying to coax him into drinking a little plain water as often as I can. Other than morning coffee, I only see him drinking low-alcohol beer all day. His choice, I know, but I try to get him to choose healthier options.
I feel fine except for my usual pain in my right hip.
Outdoor Halloween decorations are finished, except for carving the Jack-o-Lanterns this week.
I bruised the front of my right shin on the attic step while moving boxes back up. No biggie but I want to record that for Bruise Clues later.

9:00 AM weight: 110.2 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
42 Heart Points
1.85 miles miles

Saturday

I've been too anxious over the Novant medical bill situation. I know I need to let it lie for a few weeks until I can send in paperwork.

I also feel ok with my weight enough to stop the intake-blogging for a while.
I need to relax more, keep up my exercises and walking, and get out more into the world.

My sister-in-law had open heart surgery yesterday afternoon - a triple bypass. I spoke to my neice and texted my brother yesterday evening while she was still in ICU after surgery. They said the surgery went well. My brother said she will be recovered in 6 weeks. My neice said she will have a 6-month complete recovery, which sounds more believable. 

9:00 AM weight: 110.5 lbs

Pumpkin Pancake Day at the Farmers Market and pancakes were sold out before 10:00, but we did see some unusual cut greenery. 

ocra pods and hairy balls

MonsterMustDie had a fainting spell late in the afternoon while we were in a gallery in downtown Winston-Salem. I looked over and he was seated on a bench, leaning back, in a cold sweat. We waited several minutes with me putting cold compresses of wet paper towels from the bathroom on his forehead and the back of his neck. I made him send a message to his doctors via MyChart as soon as we got home. As it turns out, he had only been eating sweets and low/no alcohol beer all day (sounds familiar) to I cooked a couple of pork tamales we had in the freezer, topped them with mild salsa for him and made him drink some water for dinner.

friday

I did not sleep well at all last night. Was up until at least 12:30AM. Then I woke up when I heard MonsterMustDie stirring around at 5:30AM.
It's been a very anxious, frustrating day. I spent all day trying to deal with the Novant medical bill again with Medicare and Novant billing and got nowhere.

Message from Angela Perry, MD, sent October 6 at 4:40 PM
Good afternoon, I agree that this should not have resulted in a charge for you. I have turned this back over to the billing department to see if it can be resubmitted. Thank you.

Message from Tonnya B, CPT, sent October 7 at 8:32 AM
Hi Julia, I apologize as we can not sent this message to the billing office. Please give them a call at 844-266-8268. Thanks, Tonnya B, CCMA

It looks like the doctor copied my medical history from Duke and Atrium onto her files in a way that made it look like she performed an examination and then billed everything as a new patient appointment with my while charging medicare for everything Duke and Atrium did. She actually sent me a message admiting it was a mistake and that I should not have been billed for any of it but the woman in the billing department at Novant Health refuses to speak to her and insists the paperwork submitted states that she performed a very detailed physical exam and that the "coding department" says everything was submitted correctly and there will be no other review or changes to my bill.

I then phoned Medicare again to ask why I do not have my claims forms from them and they said they had mailed them to me nearly a month ago. I still don't have them so I think they believe my monthly Medicare statement is my claims form. No. I checked. The woman at Medicare said I can't ask for another claims form until a month after the last one was sent out, which will be Saturday at the earliest and I have to phone them to ask for the forms to be sent - she could not put in the order for me yet. And no one may be able to do that on a weekend so I should wait til Monday. Then it will take 15 business days to get the form in the mail.

I think I am completely robbed of the money they insist I owe for the nonexistant Welcome To Medicare exam and now there is no way I can have an annual physical exam and wellness visit until after October of next year. Medicare is not easy but I'm still glad I have been able to be treated at Duke for everything this year. I'm glad I was finally able to have a couple of things done through Atrium, like the original mammogram that detected breast cancer, before the problem with Novant happened. I sincerely hope I can continue my recovery on my back and surgeries without any problem. I don't know what to do about updating my Medicare coverage for next year, if I need to, and I have no one to advise me on this. I am trying to do everything right. I am doing my best.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee
1/2 Asian pecan pastry
2 cups whole milk + Kefir (300 calories) + 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (40 calories)
Teriyaki Salmon filet + brown rice, aduki beans, roasted carrots and broccoli.
pumpkin seeds roasted with salt and olive oil (80 calories) (4g protein)
1 Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
1 cup chamomile + lavender herbal tea

24 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 112.4 lbs

not Friday yet

MonsterMustDie did not remember he left both of our ChillOut thermal carafes at work. He tried to take my one remaining cup - the large Orca stainless steel that Jennifer had given me - and I would not let him. I was able to fish out a not-so-great small, cranberry-colored 1-cup thermos I bought years ago at, of all places, Crate and Barrel but he would not use it. Tomorrow, he will probably once again forget the cups are gone and try to take my Orca cup with him.
Instead of working on the paintings we started, I went shopping for eye glasses for her and stainless steel carafes for me. We found some nice frames for her new prescription. I am still on the hunt for the right travel cups but I did find Orgain 30g on sale and some delicious-looking walnut cranberry bread at CostCo while shopping with her.
Got a text from my brother that his wife is having open heart surgery tomorrow. Phoned him several texts later to find out more of what is going on. She was "feelng things" wrong with her on wednesday and had a CT scan that reveals "a lot of things messed up" including her "widow-maker artery" is 90 percent blocked. They kept her in the hospital to monitor her and she has bypass surgery scheduled tomorrow afternoon.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
1 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (150 calories)
Dinner was brown rice, aduki beans, roasted carrots and broccoli.
1 Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
1/2 Asian pecan pastry
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement

20 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 111.8 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
40 Heart Points
3.78 miles miles

Wednesday

Woke up with a slight headache that is still going on at 10:40AM. Stomach is still a bit queazy this morning.
MonsterMustDie went with me to TJ-Maxx and Target, looking for a new stainless steel thermal cup to have an extra one at the house. He's left two at work now and I think I will never see my red Chill-Out cup again. Since it is Halloween season, I hoped to find a spooky cup but most of Halloween theme stuff is already sold out everywhere. While we were at Target, he decided to buy a plastic retro-style blow mold plastic light. Then he surprised me by deciding to bring down some of the Halloween decorations from the attic today so we spent an enjoyable afternoon setting up the front yard scene. We got about halfway through it and will finish it tomorrow afternoon.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
1 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (150 calories)
1 Orgain 30g protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
1 butter croissant (260 calories)
1 plate of tabouli + roasted carrots + broccoli for dinner (98 calories)
4 oz rotisserie chicken (186 calories)
1 Excedrin Extra Strength tablet

40 oz water
18 oz pomegranate + hibiscus herbal tea

9:00 AM weight: 112.2 lbs

Never got around to my evening walk today but at least I did all of my exercises in the morning.

Chilly Tuesday Morning

I spent most of the day hanging out with Karen and trying to get around to practicing painting.
Got home, roasted the veggies the Hatchers left for me, and watched the first Harry Potter movie with MonsterMustDie.

I had a bit of a queazy stomach today. I had a touch in the afternoon after my lunch of toast and again after my quickie dinner of fried chicken and home-cooked veggies.
There was some drama on the street behind us with neighbors outside screaming at each other. The woman next door was frightened and came over to our house for few minutes. The son of another neighbor behind us (kinda a kook himself) called the police, who showed up to calm things down, whatever it was.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite Adult 50+ multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
toast with almond butter and jelly (310 calories)
KFC 4-piece chicken tender snack
1/2 cup roasted carrots & broccoli

52 oz water

10:00 AM weight: 110.9 lbs

Monday

Today started with a sunny, cool morning after rain late yesterday.
MonsterMustDie is hot on buying a new refridgerator because he believes that means we would never have defrost and clean the fridge again. He brought this up late last night as I was trying to get to bed and he was, somehow, wide awake and excited about spending money. I really could not deal with that.

We had a Zoom conversation with Brian and Laura. Tried to avoid political downer talk and share positive things we were up to or new enjoyable things to discover. Found a short collection of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In clips of Halloween skits to watch together. Those jokes did not age well but the show was still incredibly fun for the style and the characters and cast.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
1 custard filled roll from Hansel & Gretel bakery (150 calories)
1 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (150 calories)
Chicken salad and crackers (300 calories)
1 Acai Berry Boost smoothie (420 calories)

36 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 111.1 lbs

Sunday

The Hatchers left for Asheville after breakfast this morning.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Yogurt with fresh blueberries and pecans
2 red bean cookies from Hansel & Gretel bakery
1 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (150 calories)
1/2 Grilled chicken panini

48 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 111.6 lbs

I have not been drinking enough water this weekend.

Saturday in the park

We spent today with the Hatchers, walking around a local park in Greensboro in the morning.
We went to Brown Truck Brewing (nothing for me there) and Cohab Space in the afternoon.
I finally got around to picking up my two ceramic pumpkins that were fired and ready. I also picked up the last painting I did at the classes there so Kim could see it.
The evening was spent at Southern Roots, which was a very good choice by Kim, based on a conversation she had with our neighbor at the brewing company. I'm glad we had one more dinner out this weekend. (bad influence) Tonight at dinner, I had my first glass of wine since my medical problems started. I had one glass of the same wine Kim was drinking and did not quite finish that glass but it was a large glass of wine.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (300 calories)
Dinner at Southern Roots - 1/2 Grilled chicken panini + fresh green salad

Birthday #66

Looking forward to an overnight visit from the Hatchers today.
Based on the Endoscopic UltraSound results, I successfully rescheduled my abdominal MRI to April 2026.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookies (300 calories)
1 Teriyaki Salmon filet (310 calories) (26g protein) (20mg calcium) (14.5mcg vitamin D)
1 cup cooked Swiss Chard
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
Dinner at Sticks+Stones - "Magnolia Mountain" Pizza - Portabella mushrooms, olives, arugula, fresh mozzarella, fresh ricotta, parmesan, fresh herbs, and extra virgin olive oil

48 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 110.9 lbs

Just after Kim and Harris arrived to visit for the weekend, I got a birthday gift from Audrey and Nick - a necklace with tiny bats flying around a large purple crystal.

I'm thankful to Kim for sending back the small pizza I ordered for my birthday dinner that they brought to the table so over-cooked the top was burned and the crust was completely charred black. We tend to be too nice sometimes and never send back anything. I was already very hungry and I would never have had a bite of anything they served to me at first - it was inedible. That's the first time we ever had an order ruined at Sticks and Stones Pizza. It was embarrassing to have that happen at at time we had dinner with friends from out-of-town because we said that was one of our favorite restaurants.

making my way back to normal

Back to normal, almost. Once again, waiting to poop after general anesthesia yesterday. Got a follow-up call from Duke this morning at 9:00 AM asking how I was doing. I think I'm fine this morning, other than the usual poop issues after anesthesia. No problem

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 Senexon-S 8.6-50 tablets
2 slices of wholegrain toast + almond butter + blueberry preserves
1 Sprouts sushi roll (340 calories) (25g protein)
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (300 calories)

48 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 113.8 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
45 Heart Points
3.44 miles miles

Fortunately, the Senexon-S worked a bit around 3:00 pm so I believe I can hold off on the more powerful meds like Miralax.

I resumed my exercises after two days off and got through my entire routine late this afternoon.
Now it's nearly 10:00 PM and time to relax and have a nice glass of prune juice while listening to podcasts.

Finished with my Endoscopic Ultrasound and having coffee & lunch before going home. Everything went as good as possible with the cyst in my pancreas being judged completely benign in the best way. I'll just have MRI every 6 months to monitor things.
I woke up from anesthesia to Karen waiting in the chair next to me in the recovery room with, smiling calmly.
Afterwards, we stopped by Mad Hatter cafe for coffee and lunch before going home. The trip home included a brief stop by Tanger Outlet mall, where I am pleased to say I made no purchases while still recovering a bit. Not a good time to make any decisions or operate large machines.

Tuesday

The first thing I saw on my phone was a health questionair asking me when I stopped eating and drinking. Made me worry for 2 seconds. Then I figured out that I should fill it out with what time I plan to go to bed tonight, thus no longer eating or drinking before my procedure tomorrow morning.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
HC Organic fudge bar (100 calories)
3 oz rotisserie chicken (156 calories) (23g protein)
Pumpkin Stuffed with Onion, Mushrooms, and Chard (258 calories) (4.5 g protein)

60 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 110.0 lbs

Monday

I slept until 8:00AM this morning. Had a slight headache on the right, top to down my neck that was completely gone by 8:30AM.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
2 stacks Trader Joe's pumpkin pancakes (290 calories or 580 calories) the serving size is kinda unclear.
1 Orgain 30g vanilla protein shake (160 calories) (650 mg calcium)
0.82 lb hot bar plate at Whole Foods Market with fried tofu, sesame kale, mashed potatoes, and rice + chicken tikka masala

40 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 108.9 lbs

Fit app: afternoon walk
39 Heart Points
2.83 miles

moist sunday morning

I slept until 8:28AM. I woke up with a very small headache and aches in my lower back and thighs. The body aches are from doing some exercises just before bed, too late, because I felt guilty for not having time to do any of my prescribed exercises earlier in the day between my MeetUp and cooking and the evening walk. Probably should have just stuck to the walk alone but I know I need to keep up the exercises as long as possibe and as completely as I can now.

With my weight being down to 108 this morning, I thought it would be a great idea to go out for a hardy breakfast cooked by someone else in a kitchen full of different ingredients so I got MonsterMustDie to agree to have brunch at First Watch this morning. When we got there, despite the wind and light rain, the host told us there was at least an hour and 15 minute wait, partially because they have a new kitchen staff in-training this week. We decided to skip eating out and just run an errand to Home Depot for a couple of tiny things.
At the last minute on the way home, we decided to go to Stock+Grain food court for lunch. We weren't sure if we wanted anything there until MonsterMustDie spotted the owner of B3, a friend of his. I decided to try the veggie burger at Smash & Sizzle and MonsterMustDie got a good BBQ plate at B3 which was much better than what they have been serving up recently - it's good to know people. The veggie burger I got was not very good but it was filling and I was hungry so it was what I needed.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Smash & Sizzle veggie delux burger (570 calories)
Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg
Pumpkin Stuffed with Onion, Mushrooms, and Chard (258 calories) (4.5 g protein)
3 oz rotisserie chicken (156 calories) (23g protein)
1 cup hot cocoa (194 calories)
handful of pumpkin seeds roasted with salt and olive oil (80 calories) (4g protein)

60 oz water

1548 calories today

9:00 AM weight: 108.2 lbs

Raining today so no walk outside to record.

Saturday

No headache this morning. I woke up just before 6:00AM.
This morning, the StarTrek fan group I'm a member of had an "away mission" at the Science Center. It was fun to hang out with everyone and see the exhibits there.

This evening, I cooked Mini Pumpkins Stuffed with Onion, Mushrooms, and Chard. I've had the ingredients for a while now and something seemed to come up or last later than I thought it would every day this week, so this evening my time to finally cook this before things went bad. The mini pumpkins were a bit dry this time but the chard and mushroom filling was delicious.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+Cranberry cookies (300 calories)
Pumpkin Stuffed with Onion, Mushrooms, and Chard (258 calories) (4.5 g protein)

48 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 111.8 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
43 Heart Points
3.62 miles miles

friday

I woke up with a very tiny headache, stemming from the top of my head, this morning. Might be from the shot a couple of days ago now or it might be the slight change in routine because yesterday was the first day I did not take an Ocuvite multivitamin. I have to avoid taking any products with fish oil for 7 days before my prodedure at Duke on Wednesday.
Having a morning headache reminds me of the daily headaches I had immediately after coming home from lung surgery.
I thought the morning headaches then were possibly some sort of rebound from pain meds in the hospital and the routine of ibuprofen and tylenol.

I had lunch with Karen in Greensboro today at Freeman's Grub & Pub. Then we went to Costco, where I could not resist buying two large pumpkins for just $6.99 each. I think Casa WereMonster is completely gourded up now. I also go a slinky black velour lounge outfit as an impulse buy. We discussed the possibilities for Halloween weekend this year. Casa WereMonster usually has a lot of Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween night, which is on a Friday this year. Karen wants to have a Halloween party. She said she might have her party on Saturday. That would certainly be easiest for me, since I love handing out treats on Halloween night here.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee
2 cups whole milk + Kefir (300 calories) + 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (40 calories) smoothie
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookies (300 calories)
Amy's Brown Rice + Black-eyed Peas bowl (300 calories) (9g protein)
Orgain 30g vanilla (160 calories) (650mg calcium)
Grilled Chicken BLT (590 calories)
1 cup grilled brussels sprouts (135 calories)

48 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 109.1 lbs

thursday

Fortunately, the only effect I woke up with from the vaccine shot yesterday is a soar upper arm. Yay! I plan to ice it a bit during the day.
I know I need to try very hard to continue my therapeutic exercises and maybe even double up on them, once every morning and once every night, now that my physical therapy has ended.

I had a pre-op phone call from a nurse at Duke this afternoon to get ready for my endoscopic ultrasound a week from today. Among the instructions, I can continue most of my usual meds and supplements except for my multivitamin, because it has fish oil. No fish oil for seven days. I can take my calcium supplement until the day before the procedure. I can continue to take everything else as ususal. Of course, no food or drink of any kind after midnight before the prodedure.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
toast with almond butter and jelly (310 calories)
Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)
Chobani key lime Greek yogurt (140 calories) (11g protein)
3 Triscuit crackers (60 calories)
1 gimme seaweed snack pack (25 calories) (1 g protein)

52 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 111.3 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
39 Heart Points
2.62 miles miles

Wednesday

I woke up at 7:00 AM this morning.
Today was my last day of physical therapy. They have done all they can do for me and now it's up to me to keep doing all of the prescribed exercises every day. One person said this is probably a chronic condition I have so I really need to exercise and continue to build my core stregnth as much as possible to prevent things from getting any worse. My hope is the pain continues to fade over time to nothing.

I finally got my Covid vaccine today at the Harris Teeter pharmacy. I chose the Pfizer vaccine on a coin-toss decision. I didn't have any preference between my three choices of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax. The girl behind the pharmacy counter told me they were all the same, just from different companies. Now that I'm home looking at it, I see that while Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA type vaccines, Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine. I hope to have no bad reaction (migraine headache) this time around but if there is one following this, I will certainly try the Novavax next year.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (300 calories)
battered cod + broccoli (300 calories)
Stir-fry noodles and vegetables with a few bits of chicken and shrimp (500 calories)
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg

60 oz water

9:00 AM weight: 110.2 lbs

Tuesday

Slept late today. Didn't wake up until 8:00 AM.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee with Oatmilk + 1/2 teaspoon mushroom supplement
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
1 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (150 calories)
battered cod + broccoli (300 calories)
Chobani key lime Greek yogurt (140 calories) (11g protein)
1 piece Naan bread (250 calories)
1/2 cup grapes (52 calories)

40 oz water

Fit app: afternoon walk
29 Heart Points
1.89 miles

9:00 AM weight: 110.2 lbs

cancelled again

Once again, CVS cancelled my Covid vaccination appointment. I just got this message about my appointment at 9:30AM today.

"Hi Julia,
We're sorry. We had to cancel your appointment on Monday, October 6, at 9:30 AM due to an unexpected issue impacting our 124 Qubein Ave location.
We know your time is important. We're committed to giving you the best care."

My new plan is to get my Covid vaccination as a walk-in at Harris Teeter pharmacy.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
1 cup oatmeal with dried cranberries (150 calories)
Orgain chocolate 30g protein shake (160 calories)
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+cranberry cookie (300 calories)
Spaghetti with marinara + broccoli + mushrooms (500 calories)

60 oz water

10:00 AM weight: 111.1 lbs

The last event of the day was the lock breaking on the kitchen door. The door knob came loose and stuck in the lock position. I'm glad I discovered it without accidentally locking myself outside the house but I had to get MonsterMustDie out of bed to at least remove it so that does not happen.

sunday

The air outside at 7:50AM stinks. The back yard smells heavy and bitter like car exhaust. That makes me wonder what the winds have carried to dump at our house. I wonder how long it takes to clear or for me to get used to it.
We have dinner plans with Karen and Bob tonight.
I moved my Covid vaccine appointment to Monday, just in case there are any complications to deal with, so it doesn't affect other activities on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. I am hoping that one vaccine at a time does not give me a migrain headache the next day.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 Oatmeal+Walnut+Cranberry cookie (300 calories)
4 triscuit crackers
1 cup prune juice (180 calories)

We had dinner with Karen and Bob tonight. That included:
creamy white asparagus soup
ravioli with fresh tomato sauce
green salad of spinach, candied pecans, raspberries, and red bell peppers
lamb chops
Swedish butter cookies

48 oz water

10:00 AM weight: 112.0 lbs

autumn Saturday

Wondering if the government shutdown will affect how soon I get things resolved with Medicare.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee
one stack of 4 pumpkin pancakes (300 calories)
Chobani key lime Greek yogurt (140 calories) (11g protein)
1/2 cup grapes (52 calories)
Cheddar cheese (113 calories)
Uncountable snack foods and sliders at neighborhood block party

48 oz water

10:15 AM weight: 111.1 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
35 Heart Points
2.58 miles miles

Friday

Today is dedicated to car maintenance and groceries.
I had an oil change, which also lead to brake pads replaced. Then went shopping at Sprouts Market for some things I can't get at home.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1 cup oatmeal + dried cranberries
toast with almond butter and jelly (310 calories)
salmon + avocado roll (450 calories) (26g protein)
one Oatmeal+Walnut+Cranberry cookie (150 calories)
pasta with marinara and rotisserie chicken (500 calories)

48 oz water

8:30 AM weight: 110.7 lbs

Fit app: evening walk
42 Heart Points
3.38 miles miles

thursday

Woke up to the smell of the first firing-up of the heater in the house.
It is 51 degrees outside this morning. The forecast high today is 71 degrees. Welcome, Autumn.

There is a medical webinar on Webinar on Sleep and Cardiovascular Disease that I plan to watch this evening at 6:00pm.
There are two other public events at art galleries tonight that I would enjoy a lot more - one just around the corner and one in Winston-Salem - but it all depends on how I feel about showing up alone and leaving the house with disapproval from MonsterMustDie. He has no interest in being around people and, although he does not forbid me from going out alone, he definitely kills any ambition I have very effectively. Maybe I can convince him to go out with me.

The rest of my day is empty.
I really need to find a job or side-gig that will work with my medical schedule and allow me some social activity + income.
I'm not quite to the point of having time to schedule a regular gig but I think I will be as soon as I get past the Endoscopic Ultrasound I have scheduled mid-October. Then, it should be just a couple of 6-month check ups to monitor things and I hope to keep progressing in physical therapy to where all I need to do is daily maintenance.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
2 cups coffee
Amy's Brown Rice + Black-eyed Peas bowl (300 calories) (9g protein)
3 oz rotisserie chicken (156 calories) (24g protein)
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups (210 calories)
Yellowtail + avocado roll (215 calories)
2 pieces Smelt Fish Roe (Masago) (82 calories)
1 cup chamomile lavendar herbal tea

48 oz water

Fit app: afternoon walk
30 Heart Points
1.78 miles

10:15 AM weight: 110.5 lbs

Had a deep ache start in my right hip at 9:05 AM. Seemed to be already faded by 9:10 AM. All I was doing was standing upright, watching YouTube while eating breakfast.

Wednesday

I had a physical therapy appointment with Kevin this morning. I needed to ask him about my schedule before I left because I had to go online to schedule this appointment. He was going to have someone at the front desk check and schedule my next appointment but she was out and no one knew what time she was coming back. Kevin had asked her to phone me back to schedule and I never got a call so I had to schedule it myself, which seems fine but I need to know what he wants to do going forward on my therapy appointments. He said we will re-evaluate next week and figure out where to go from here.
I had a good session with a PA who is actuall a High Point University student. I asked him about pro-bono physical therapy at HPU and he assured me that I could probably qualify for it. I had thought it would be only for sports-related medicine.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1 cup Oatmeal + dried fruit + cinnamon + honey (150 calories)
Chobani key lime Greek yogurt (140 calories) (11g protein)
Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)
1 Orgain 30g protein shake (160 calories)
1 cup grapes (104 calories)
3 ounces of rotisserie chicken without skin (160 calories)
1/2 cup Chex Mix (120 calories) (2g protein)
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg
toast with almond butter and jelly (310 calories)

60 oz water

Fit app: evening walk
45 Heart Points
2.71 miles

10:00 AM weight: 109.1 lbs

Tuesday

I think I need to put everything stressing me aside for a week or two and deal with it later to let my head clear.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg (may have accidentally taken two this morning but I doubt it. One pill separator was open and missing it - probably fell out.)
Ocuvite multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Healthy Choice Creamy Spinach & Tomato Linguini (250 calories) (10g protein)
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories)
Trader Joe's mini spicy pumpkin samosas (510 calories) (18g protein)
Chobani key lime Greek yogurt (140 calories) (11g protein)

36 oz water

Fit app: afternoon walk
52 Heart Points
3.19 miles

10:00 AM weight: 109.8 lbs

Monday worries

I had another night of not sleeping well because of anxiety. I am too twisted up over the bill from Novant for a non-existant physical exam that I will probably have to wait until next year to get, if I can find a doctor who has time to see. I thought it was an odd visit when I came in and all she did was pull up my pre-existing records. I don't even know where to start to make this right. I am waiting for forms to come in the mail from Medicare and I will probably need help filling them out correctly. I'm just a ball of stress over this.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Bolthouse Protein Plus (290 calories) (30g protein)
1 cup Oatmeal + dried cranberries + cinnamon + honey (150 calories)
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
Magnesium citrate supplement 336 mg
St. John's Wort 700mg
Ardens Garden Green Energy Machine juice (130 calories)
Trader Joe's Mushroom & Black Truffle Flatbread (390 calories) (13g protein)
Trader Joe's dark chocolate almond butter cups (210 calories)

48 oz water

No walk tonight. It was raining all day.

10:30 AM weight: 109.8 lbs

sunday

The new exercises I've been given are really hard on my hips. I'm gonna have to break up my routine into more sessions.
We went to Home Depot this afternoon and bought a couple of pots of fall mums to put out in the front of the house.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Advil Dual Action - Acetaminophen 250mg, Ibuprofen (NSAID) 125mg
2 cups coffee
1 cup Oatmeal (100 calories)
Arden's Garden juice (130)
1 cup grapes (104 calories)
1 Orgain 30g chocolate protein shake (160 calories)
2 fried chicken fingers from Publix

40 oz water

10:15 AM weight: 110.2 lbs

Anxious

Couldn't sleep last night. Woke up from 3:00AM - 6:00AM before going back to sleep for two more hours.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1 Orgain 30g protein shake (160 calories)
Pumpkin Pancakes (290 calories)
Sushi salmon + avocado roll (380 calories) (13g protein)
1/2 cup Chex Mix (120 calories) (2g protein)
1/2 cup grapes (52 calories)

40 oz water

Fit app: afternoon walk
24 Heart Points
1.86 miles

10:15 AM weight: 111.8 lbs

Failed by Novant and Medicare

I spoke to Novant Health this morning and they say my bill of $589.82 is correct. I have to pay in full by October 21, 2025. This was my Welcome to Medicare appointment, which is Not Free and required no actual physical examination or tests.
I phoned Medicare again afterwards.
Welcome to Medicare appointments are not free and do not require a full physical examination.
Novant says they are finished with their review.

I phoned Medicare after this and they said I can file an appeal to this through Medicare. The man I spoke to said Medicare sid he would me a form to fill out to appeal the decision. I don't have much time to do this before October 21.
He said it looks like Novant filed everything under an outdated code that has not been in use for two years.

I got another phone call at 11:11AM from Novant Billing (corporate) telling me their review is final and their coding is all correct. They will not be speaking to me again about this.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Kind protein bar (220 calories) (8g protein)
Amy's Pad Thai (410 calories) (11g protein)
Ocuvite multivitamin
two 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1 slice sourdough toast with lingonberry preserves (188 calories)
1 cup green tea
1 can Campbell's chunky classic chicken noodle soup (260 calories) (19g protein)
1 handful of salad greens added to soup
1 cup hot cocoa (150 calories)

60 oz water

Fit app: afternoon walk
25 Heart Points
1.59 miles

10:00 AM weight: 109.8 lbs

thursday

I hope Novant Health phones me today and clears the bill they sent me yesterday. I will not be going back to them again.
Meanwhile, I am still looking for a new primary care physician and I have missed every chance, all three that I had potentially set up, to have a Welcome To Medicare examination. I'm sure it will be impossible to schedule a physical examination between now and October 17, which is my deadline for that.

What I ate today:
2 cups coffee
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
Ocuvite multivitamin
one 600mg Calcium + D3 10 mcg (400 IU) supplement
1 cup Oatmeal (100 calories)
Amy's Brown Rice + Black-eyed Peas bowl (300 calories) (9g protein)
Arden's Garden green energy machine juice (130 calories) (2g protein)
1 gimme seaweed snack pack (25 calories) (1 g protein)
1 Aleve Back & Muscle pain tablet (NSAID)
brown rice (218 calories)
fresh cooked black eyed peas (207 calories) (12g protein)
1 cup broccoli (35 calories)
1 cup lavender + chamomile tea

40 oz water

Fit app: afternoon walk
48 Heart Points
2.79 miles

10:00 AM weight: 109.3 lbs

Wednesday

Argh! I had the time and possible recovery provisions set aside for my Covid vaccination today and I just got this email from CVS: Please reschedule your appointment:

Hi Julia,
We're sorry. We had to cancel your appointment on Wednesday, September 24, at 2:30 PM due to an unexpected issue impacting our location. We know your time is important. We're committed to giving you the best care.
We hope you'll reschedule with us soon.

My healthcare problems did not stop there today. I got a large suprise bill from another health care provider today.
I scheduled a Welcome to Medicare appointment last month with a new Primary Care doctor because my original PC has not spoken to or seen me, even when I needed treatment, in years. I don't even know if she's still there - for all I know, she's dead.

This was supposed to be a FREE check-up, taken within my first year of Medicare that I started last October.

I made an appointment with the closest doctor I could find outside of Atrium, Doctor Perry (no relation), who got great ratings on Google. When I went in, there was no examination. She just pulled up my records from Duke and previous Atrium test results. We chatted for about 30 minutes. I just got a bill today for $589.82. I have been on the phone all morning. -
1st to Novant, who said Medicare denied the claim.
2nd to Medicare, who said it was not filed correctly and Welcome to Medicare appointments are supposed to be absolutely free and include a full check-up with examination, labs, etc.
3rd back to Novant who said this was a problem I needed to call that doctor's office for.
4th the Dr.'s office, who sent me to their billing department.
5th Billing where I spoke to a young woman named Crystal who first said Medicare only pays $3.00 for Welcome to Medicare, actually. Then I told here exactly what the man I spoke to at Medicare said and she told me she could only put the bill on hold until it is reviewed at Novant Healthcare. She said the Novant Health review will take 2 to 3 days to do.

What I ate today:
Rosuvastatin 5mg
Letrozole 2.5mg
2 cups coffee
Kind Breakfast Protein Almond Butter cookies (220 calories) (8g protein)
Chobani key lime Greek yogurt (140 calories) (11g protein)
L-Arginine L-Citrulline complex 1000 mg supplement
fresh cooked black eyed peas (207 calories) (12g protein)
Sautéed Japanese (Hakurei) Turnips With Turnip Greens (158 calories)
3 oz rotisserie chicken (156 calories)

60 oz water

Fit app: Evening walk
34 Heart Points
2.24 miles

10:00 AM weight: 111.1 lbs

At least I can look forward to a Zoom visit with Brian and Laura tonight with expected complications.