Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
What Country Is This Again?
You would think that making an appointment to have a mammogram would be no big deal, right? Think again.
First, some background. I am a 49-year-old middle-class woman with a decent-paying job. I live the NY metro area. I have had yearly mammograms since the age of 40, not because there's any history of breast cancer in my family (thank God!) but because I have a conservative gynecologist who insists that his patients 40 and older have one every year. OK, I can deal with that.
But it's not just him. These days, you can't pick up a magazine, read a newspaper or watch TV without seeing ads for mammograms. If you're a woman, you are bombarded over and over with the same message: Mammograms save lives. OK, I'll buy into that for the sake of argument.
Today is February 26. I call the imaging lab that I've used for the past decade. I've always been able to make an appointment on a Saturday morning, no problem. It might not be this Saturday, or next Saturday, but I was able to get a Saturday morning appointment within 2-3 weeks of my call.
Not only have they pretty much done away with Saturday appointments altogther (they only have them once a month), you can't even get a friggin' MORNING appointment until April! That's right, you read that correctly. My appointment is for a Monday morning in late April.
Well, I realized that it's not the "order taker's" fault but I did make a remark that the scheduling is not fair to working gals like myself. She was very nice and asked if I would like to speak to her supervisor. I said, "Why not?"
The supervisor, too, was very pleasant. Here is what she told me, in a nutshell: Basically, very few med students want to take up radiology anymore due to numerous lawsuits against them (I was not aware of this). Therefore, due to the shortage of radiologists, many imaging centers no longer offer Saturday appointments. In addition, it's very tough to get ANY appointment for about two months or so.
This burns me up on a lot of levels. First, you read about doctor shortages like this happening in the inner city, particularly with minority women on Medicaid or with no insurance whatsoever. You read about doctor shortages in remote rural areas. You hear about doctor shortages in places like Eastern Europe, the sub-Sahara, and even "progressive" countries with socialized medicine. This is not supposed to happen in "enlightened" metro New York, however. I mean, don't people from overseas come here because we supposedly have the best medical care in the world?
Secondly, waiting two months is not a good thing. Two months can be the difference between "early diagnosis" and "point of no return" for some people. So, no, waiting is NOT a good thing.
Third, once again, we have the insurance industry raising its ugly, pointed little head. Why, all of a sudden, are there all these lawsuits? Why weren't they there 10 years ago, 5 years ago? Can we spell G-R-E-E-D?
Really, I am perplexed. If somone has answers, I am all ears.
First, some background. I am a 49-year-old middle-class woman with a decent-paying job. I live the NY metro area. I have had yearly mammograms since the age of 40, not because there's any history of breast cancer in my family (thank God!) but because I have a conservative gynecologist who insists that his patients 40 and older have one every year. OK, I can deal with that.
But it's not just him. These days, you can't pick up a magazine, read a newspaper or watch TV without seeing ads for mammograms. If you're a woman, you are bombarded over and over with the same message: Mammograms save lives. OK, I'll buy into that for the sake of argument.
Today is February 26. I call the imaging lab that I've used for the past decade. I've always been able to make an appointment on a Saturday morning, no problem. It might not be this Saturday, or next Saturday, but I was able to get a Saturday morning appointment within 2-3 weeks of my call.
Not only have they pretty much done away with Saturday appointments altogther (they only have them once a month), you can't even get a friggin' MORNING appointment until April! That's right, you read that correctly. My appointment is for a Monday morning in late April.
Well, I realized that it's not the "order taker's" fault but I did make a remark that the scheduling is not fair to working gals like myself. She was very nice and asked if I would like to speak to her supervisor. I said, "Why not?"
The supervisor, too, was very pleasant. Here is what she told me, in a nutshell: Basically, very few med students want to take up radiology anymore due to numerous lawsuits against them (I was not aware of this). Therefore, due to the shortage of radiologists, many imaging centers no longer offer Saturday appointments. In addition, it's very tough to get ANY appointment for about two months or so.
This burns me up on a lot of levels. First, you read about doctor shortages like this happening in the inner city, particularly with minority women on Medicaid or with no insurance whatsoever. You read about doctor shortages in remote rural areas. You hear about doctor shortages in places like Eastern Europe, the sub-Sahara, and even "progressive" countries with socialized medicine. This is not supposed to happen in "enlightened" metro New York, however. I mean, don't people from overseas come here because we supposedly have the best medical care in the world?
Secondly, waiting two months is not a good thing. Two months can be the difference between "early diagnosis" and "point of no return" for some people. So, no, waiting is NOT a good thing.
Third, once again, we have the insurance industry raising its ugly, pointed little head. Why, all of a sudden, are there all these lawsuits? Why weren't they there 10 years ago, 5 years ago? Can we spell G-R-E-E-D?
Really, I am perplexed. If somone has answers, I am all ears.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!
I swear, if I hadn't seen this in The Times I would've thought I was reading The Onion:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/garden/22depression.html
But the funniest thing of all were some of the comments on Gawker.com:
"This twat stayed up until 3 a.m. fretting about her kitchen backsplash? Jesus God, why hasn't there been a revolution in this country yet?"
So this Toth woman became so depressed she actually found herself cooking in her new kitchen? Someone please hold a telethon...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/garden/22depression.html
But the funniest thing of all were some of the comments on Gawker.com:
"This twat stayed up until 3 a.m. fretting about her kitchen backsplash? Jesus God, why hasn't there been a revolution in this country yet?"
So this Toth woman became so depressed she actually found herself cooking in her new kitchen? Someone please hold a telethon...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Warning: Product Raves
Normally I don't use my blog to hawk products but I just have to share my thoughts about two really great ones: Lux Hair Mousse and Creme de la Mer.
1. Lux Hair Mousse--The parent company is Unilever and unfortunately, Lux Hair Products are only sold in Japan and a couple of other Asian countries. A co-worker brought a pump container back for me and declared that I MUST try it. It is amazing. You put a dab on towel-dried hair and it makes your hair shiny and smooth. I know there are other similar products out there but this stuff is best I've ever tried.
I emailed Unilever asking if there is any store near NYC that sells these products. Someone sent me back a nice but disappointing note saying, sorry, but no, right now there are no plans to sell them here. Bummer. I HATE when companies do that.
(Another example is Nestle's Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, which are only sold in Great Britain and Canada. I don't even eat candy bars but a friend from the Big White North sent me one and it's to die for! It tastes like a Kit Kat with a mocha/ coffee center. Yum. You can order them online but it costs a fortune because you have to order them by the box. Frankly, I don't want or need a big box of candy lying around.)
2. Creme de la Mer--I heard about this amazing moisturizer when I worked at the Empire State Building last week. The makeup guy was doing the face of one of the brides, a woman of a certain age...MINE!, who was complaining about fine lines and dryness. He told her that the only thing that really works, short of going to a dermatologist, is this Creme de la Mer, which can be purchased online or at Bergdorf's.
I've been having the WORST dryness around my eyes this winter, probably due to the dry air and lack of precip for much of the season. Being that I suffer from eye dermatitis, the dryness just aggravates everything. I decided just to spring for the eye balm.
I warn you this stuff ain't cheap. (It's $120 for .5 oz!) But a little dab'll do ya and IT WORKS! I use it morning and night and it seems to have cleared up the dryness and itchiness. It's amazing how quickly it worked, too. Sure beats cortisone cream anyday.
It has a nice fragrance to it, too. A cucumber, seaweedy smell, but gentle.
I Guess My Mother Had Heartburn
Mind you, I'm not complaining but my hair has been known to break combs! Seriously, I don't get haircuts, I get hair thinnings.
From today's Times' Health Section:
The Claim: Mother’s Heartburn Means a Hairy Newborn
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Published: February 20, 2007
THE FACTS It is an odd adage that has stuck around for ages: women who suffer heartburn during pregnancy will have babies with full heads of hair. But doctors have long shrugged it off.
Until now, that is. In December, researchers at Johns Hopkins University conducted a study intending to put the claim to rest. To their surprise, they ended up confirming it. The study, published in the current issue of the journal Birth, followed 64 pregnant women, about 78 percent of whom reported having some heartburn. After the women gave birth, two outside observers looked at pictures of their infants and rated their levels of hair.
Of the 28 women who reported moderate to severe heartburn, 23 had babies with average or above-average amounts of hair. Conversely, 10 of the 12 women who reported no heartburn had babies with little or no hair.
Other studies have shown that in pregnant women, high levels of estrogen and other hormones can relax the sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus, causing heartburn. The same hormones, other studies show, can influence fetal hair growth.
The lead author of the study, Kathleen Costigan, who runs the fetal assessment center at Johns Hopkins, said the findings came as a shock.
“We’ve heard this claim hundreds of times, and I’ve always told people it’s nonsense,” she said. “Since the study came out, I’ve had to eat a lot of crow.”
THE BOTTOM LINE Heartburn during pregnancy may mean a greater likelihood a baby will have a lot of hair.
From today's Times' Health Section:
The Claim: Mother’s Heartburn Means a Hairy Newborn
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Published: February 20, 2007
THE FACTS It is an odd adage that has stuck around for ages: women who suffer heartburn during pregnancy will have babies with full heads of hair. But doctors have long shrugged it off.
Until now, that is. In December, researchers at Johns Hopkins University conducted a study intending to put the claim to rest. To their surprise, they ended up confirming it. The study, published in the current issue of the journal Birth, followed 64 pregnant women, about 78 percent of whom reported having some heartburn. After the women gave birth, two outside observers looked at pictures of their infants and rated their levels of hair.
Of the 28 women who reported moderate to severe heartburn, 23 had babies with average or above-average amounts of hair. Conversely, 10 of the 12 women who reported no heartburn had babies with little or no hair.
Other studies have shown that in pregnant women, high levels of estrogen and other hormones can relax the sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus, causing heartburn. The same hormones, other studies show, can influence fetal hair growth.
The lead author of the study, Kathleen Costigan, who runs the fetal assessment center at Johns Hopkins, said the findings came as a shock.
“We’ve heard this claim hundreds of times, and I’ve always told people it’s nonsense,” she said. “Since the study came out, I’ve had to eat a lot of crow.”
THE BOTTOM LINE Heartburn during pregnancy may mean a greater likelihood a baby will have a lot of hair.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
That's What I THOUGHT You Said....
Of all days, I had to come in early yesterday (the yucky, ice-in-your-face-snow day) because a colleague of mine asked if I would help her out with an event at the Empire State Building. Every year about a dozen or so couples get married atop the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. Most of couples have some sort of compelling story: cancer survivors, back from fighting in Iraq, father's dying wish, etc. It's a nice story, though, it really is.
I had helped her out previously at the Empire State Building Run-up and I guess she was so impressed, she asked for my help again. But I'm happy to do it. She's a nice woman and now I have someone to hit up when I need help with an event.
Anyhoo, it was about 8 AM and I am walking down 34th Street, wind and ice in my face, when a young woman approaches me with what looks like a small packet of something. I could see that the package had little subway dots on it but at that hour, I wasn't even mildly curious. I politely waved her away. It was cold, I needed my coffee, plus my head was so bundled up, I could hardly hear what she was hawking. It sounded as if she was saying "free condoms" or something like that. But, I said to myself, "Nah, too outlandish. Can't be. It's freakin' 19 degrees out, it's 8 AM on a workday, and the last thing I want to think about is getting nekkid, even for sex."
But sonofagun. I turned on the evening news later and that's exactly what it was! A FREE CONDOM! Because it's Valentine's Day, get it? And, Lord knows, that's the only day of the year that you have to worry about having unsafe sex, getting an STD and getting preggers.
I had helped her out previously at the Empire State Building Run-up and I guess she was so impressed, she asked for my help again. But I'm happy to do it. She's a nice woman and now I have someone to hit up when I need help with an event.
Anyhoo, it was about 8 AM and I am walking down 34th Street, wind and ice in my face, when a young woman approaches me with what looks like a small packet of something. I could see that the package had little subway dots on it but at that hour, I wasn't even mildly curious. I politely waved her away. It was cold, I needed my coffee, plus my head was so bundled up, I could hardly hear what she was hawking. It sounded as if she was saying "free condoms" or something like that. But, I said to myself, "Nah, too outlandish. Can't be. It's freakin' 19 degrees out, it's 8 AM on a workday, and the last thing I want to think about is getting nekkid, even for sex."
But sonofagun. I turned on the evening news later and that's exactly what it was! A FREE CONDOM! Because it's Valentine's Day, get it? And, Lord knows, that's the only day of the year that you have to worry about having unsafe sex, getting an STD and getting preggers.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
17.7% Body Fat. OK, We Can Stop Now
OK, people. This is as low as I go. And that's after two weeks of really not being that good. There was my brother's birthday (chicken parm, baked ziti, chocolate cake); Tom's granddaughter's and son's birthdays (a combined celebration); dinners out with friends; you get the idea. So, I was REALLY shocked to see that I lost additional body fat. That makes almost 10% total since I started around Christmas!
But now my trainer and I are both in agreement that it's time to go on maintenance. I won't be meeting him every week anymore but I will see him a week before race season begins (March 11) to tweak some things, ie., actually add a few more quality calories.
Sounds good to me. :-)
But now my trainer and I are both in agreement that it's time to go on maintenance. I won't be meeting him every week anymore but I will see him a week before race season begins (March 11) to tweak some things, ie., actually add a few more quality calories.
Sounds good to me. :-)
Friday, February 09, 2007
Awesome!
This was taken with my crappy cell phone camera but it was an event of such importance to me that I couldn't wait to take a photo, ANY photo.
This is the first flower to bloom on my orchid plant in my office this year. Somehow this baby picked the coldest week this winter to make its appearance but nevertheless, it has arrived and brings promise that no matter how depressing this life gets, there is always a beacon of hope.
And, there are seven other buds waiting to burst as I write this.
A little history:
Last spring, I did a non-work-related favor for a client of mine. To thank me, this lovely woman had a beautiful orchid with white blossoms delivered to my office. I had never owned an orchid before but I know they have their following. In fact, a co-worker down the hall from me has about half a dozen of the plants in her office.
Well, the plant looked great for about 2 or 3 months and then one by one, the petals began to fall. I was so saddened by this. I consulted my colleague and asked if the blossoms would ever come back. She said, "Maybe." She suggested I continue to water it weekly and even give it some fertilizer. I did this for several months but nothing happened--until this past week!
I did read up on orchids a bit. From what I understand, most varieties are hardy plants, surviving droughts and extreme heat in various parts of the world. So, even if you forget to water them one week, it probably won't kill them.
I promise to take more (and better!) photos with the digital next week. Be prepared to orchisized!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
No BF reading today
My trainer called out sick last night so I have no BF reading to share today. No biggie. I ended up staying in the city and meeting my sister-in-law for a bite and a Guinness, at an Irish pub no less. Good way to spend another blustery night.
I am getting a little sick of the cold. I hate having to bundle up every morning. I hate wearing hats and gloves. Supposedly, we're supposed to have a heat wave of 32 degrees by the end of the week. Yeehah!
I am getting a little sick of the cold. I hate having to bundle up every morning. I hate wearing hats and gloves. Supposedly, we're supposed to have a heat wave of 32 degrees by the end of the week. Yeehah!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Ack, I Have a Headache
Well, not literally. But a figurative headache, while not as physically painful, is still the pits. Why do I have a figurative headache you ask?
It's because of this:
http://www.baristanet.com/2007/02/montclair_time_chill_out.php
Read it and weep. I don't mind having an intelligent argument with people who have differing opinions but when it disintegrates into name-calling and such, well, have a nice day. This seems to be the case more often than not with Baristanet. I still love the site and do plan to return, just not today.
And for the record, I DO believe that there is such a thing as global warming but I don't believe it's caused entirely by man. There have been fluctuations in the Earth's climate for hundreds of years. Man, in the entire scheme of things, has only been here a short time. We are a pimple on the ass of eternity or something like that.
Do I believe in composting, driving hybrid cars and recycling? ABSOLUTELY! I always did, even before Mr. Liberal Tree Hugger came to town.
And, some of these people are SOOOO hypocritical! They stick up for Nancy Pelosi and her big jets, all the Hollywood limousine liberals, and all the Baristaville soccer moms who drive these enormous behemoths. THAT'S OK, by the way, because because they are doing it for [trumpets please!] THE CHILLLLDRRRUNNN.
Pass me a barf bag. NOW!
It's because of this:
http://www.baristanet.com/2007/02/montclair_time_chill_out.php
Read it and weep. I don't mind having an intelligent argument with people who have differing opinions but when it disintegrates into name-calling and such, well, have a nice day. This seems to be the case more often than not with Baristanet. I still love the site and do plan to return, just not today.
And for the record, I DO believe that there is such a thing as global warming but I don't believe it's caused entirely by man. There have been fluctuations in the Earth's climate for hundreds of years. Man, in the entire scheme of things, has only been here a short time. We are a pimple on the ass of eternity or something like that.
Do I believe in composting, driving hybrid cars and recycling? ABSOLUTELY! I always did, even before Mr. Liberal Tree Hugger came to town.
And, some of these people are SOOOO hypocritical! They stick up for Nancy Pelosi and her big jets, all the Hollywood limousine liberals, and all the Baristaville soccer moms who drive these enormous behemoths. THAT'S OK, by the way, because because they are doing it for [trumpets please!] THE CHILLLLDRRRUNNN.
Pass me a barf bag. NOW!
Friday, February 02, 2007
18.25% BF
Down to 18.25% body fat this week. Yawn. I'm pleased but because I'm getting closer to goal, the percentages just ain't that big a deal anymore. I may quit when I reach 17% and just go on maintenance.
The other good news is that the pain in my back is totally gone, hopefully never to return again. Race season for me starts March 11 with the Newark Distance Classic. Normally, I do the 20K (12.4 miles) but this year I'm just doing the 5K since my goal is to improve my times in the shorter races. There really is no reason for me to do the longer races since I'm not doing a marathon this season. It's kind of a relief not to be training for them. Heck, I've done them for the last 5 years or so. I need a break!
Tom made me laugh yesterday. We were talking about that big hoax in Boston, perpetuated by Turner Broadcasting Co. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, Turner Broadcasting was doing a promotion for this new lame cartoon series targeted towards "insomniac stoners," as I've heard it described. They hired a promotions company to place these light boxes around select cities but I guess Boston never got the memo.
Basically, the city was in a uproar because they considered it a possible terror attack. The bomb squad was called, extra cops were put on duty, traffic was rerouted, you get the picture. Mayhem. Supposedly, Turner is being fined for all the extra manpower and aggravation. I'd be upset if I lived in Boston, too.
In fact, once we heard it was Turner Broadcasting, we REALLY wanted Boston to pull out all the stops. Ted Turner, if you recall, was married to that c__t, Jane Fonda. Tom speculated that their marriage ended because she yelled, "PULL OUT NOW!" one too many times.
The other good news is that the pain in my back is totally gone, hopefully never to return again. Race season for me starts March 11 with the Newark Distance Classic. Normally, I do the 20K (12.4 miles) but this year I'm just doing the 5K since my goal is to improve my times in the shorter races. There really is no reason for me to do the longer races since I'm not doing a marathon this season. It's kind of a relief not to be training for them. Heck, I've done them for the last 5 years or so. I need a break!
Tom made me laugh yesterday. We were talking about that big hoax in Boston, perpetuated by Turner Broadcasting Co. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, Turner Broadcasting was doing a promotion for this new lame cartoon series targeted towards "insomniac stoners," as I've heard it described. They hired a promotions company to place these light boxes around select cities but I guess Boston never got the memo.
Basically, the city was in a uproar because they considered it a possible terror attack. The bomb squad was called, extra cops were put on duty, traffic was rerouted, you get the picture. Mayhem. Supposedly, Turner is being fined for all the extra manpower and aggravation. I'd be upset if I lived in Boston, too.
In fact, once we heard it was Turner Broadcasting, we REALLY wanted Boston to pull out all the stops. Ted Turner, if you recall, was married to that c__t, Jane Fonda. Tom speculated that their marriage ended because she yelled, "PULL OUT NOW!" one too many times.
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