My Chaotic Realm

...as I continue my healing process and my gratitude overflows... I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun. Charles R. Swindol

So, I have been asked if I have insurance and why (if I do) it isn’t paying my medical bills. I DO have insurance. Since I have never needed to use insurance (I am on no medications, no health issues, etc) I chose to go with the High Deductible Health Savings Account. That means that Cigna (my provider) does not pay ANYTHING until I hit my yearly deductible of $2100. At that point, they will start kicking in 80% and I pay 20% instead of 100%. When I hit my yearly “Out of Pocket” maximum of $5200, they will cover everything at 100%. Since I figure the only reason I would ever need to use it would be “catastrophic”, that makes sense. What I did not take into account was getting a cancer diagnosis the last 3 weeks of 2018 and then starting all over with all the costs associated with that in 2019. So far, this is where I stand: __________________2019..............................2018 Total Billed..............$3,883.60...............$3,020.20 Total that my Plan Paid.......$0.00.........

1st week Post Surgery:: So, I have to walk. While it tires me out, it helps with clots and overall stamina. Stamina which will be required per my oncologist before I can start the ChemoRadiation portion of my recovery. It takes a bit to walk longer periods but I am getting better. Not faster, but standing upright and lifting feet rather than shuffling, so better. Spent all day Saturday (my 1st day home) sleeping, honestly. Sunday I chose WalMart and hung on to a basket while I shuffled along. Tuesday was Hobby Lobby without a basket (progress!!). Thursday was Michael's with a basket bc I got dropped off and flew solo. I think tomorrow might be Treasure Hunt. The pain comes and goes. Mostly not too bad but occasionally it feels like a Mack truck rolling through my abdomen... and that HURTS. I return to the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute Tuesday for follow-up. And, once again...If you feel called to help in some fashion here are some ways to do so: Things I'd find helpful include...

OK, the waiting game continues... My CAT scan for tomorrow (which is required by my cancer surgeon before surgery can be performed) has been canceled because the facility has yet received the required pre-authorization. My next call today was to the cancer institute who assures me the paperwork was sent last week and they (too) are awaiting Cigna's response. So third call today was to Cigna to see what the hold up is. It seems Cigna is closed today. Since they will not be open until 9am tomorrow, my 8:30am CAT scan is not going to happen on Tuesday. Just in case fighting cancer is not stressful enough, the insurance companies make sure to add to the load. ARGH. Thank you to all who have supported me, whether by donating time, meals, rides, shoulders or money. Today is a wash and so I will go back to my art room (or take a nap) and regroup for tomorrow's round of phone calls. Also, if you feel called to share the links below, I would appreciate it. Best wishes to all! Cli...

Click here to help As some of you know I've been having a health issue since Thanksgiving.  After ALMOST meeting my deductible it has been determined that I have stage 2 uterine cancer.  A complete hysterectomy as well as some followup treatment will be required so I'll be out of work 2 to 3 months. Honestly,  I'm kinda freaking out... My out of pocket cap of $5200 started over Jan 1st.  When I meet that my insurance covers 100%. But between my ongoing medical expenses and my lack of regular income the next 8 to 12 weeks I will be unable to pay all of my monthly bills. If you can assist in any way,  no matter how small,  I will be forever grateful.  Updates will be posted as treatment progresses.  Blessings to you all,  chaotic

First let me start off the year by wishing everyone a bountiful, joy-full and ART-full year. Second, I have just reread my goal list from 2018 and, of the 5 goals, I met 3. 1) the #52in52 scrapbook pages challenge 2) the Mission Inspiration monthly art journaling challenge 3) my art group's "Birthday Club" where we send a handmade item to those celebrating birthdays I quit the planner group with good reason (drama then NO activity AT ALL sigh) so #4 (posting weekly in planner group) was not met. No real reason for not meeting #5 (blog weekly) except to say that I live a sorta boring life and just never really felt the need to post boring things for Y'all. That brings me to 2019 in which I have a health issue that is going to need to be dealt with (sooner the better). Therefore I am trying to allow more time to just BE and relax and heal. I have things I am wanting to do but they are not set in stone type of things. My word for the year is FLEXIBLE. Anyways, ...

Hello! And Season’s Greetings, Winter Solstice Wishes, Merry Christmas, Blessings of the New Year, etc. To you I wish all of those and more, based on whatever you are choosing to observe and celebrate at this time. My poor blog has been sorely neglected due to work and other life issues so if you are following it I apologize profusely. There has been too much going on this year to create as much art as I would like. That means less time for card making, paint pouring, mixed media art and even scrapbooking. I even cut my list of people getting cards this year by about 1/3. Work has been short staffed (has been since July of 2017, sigh). In theory that problem has been solved (or so I was told)… In actuality it has not. So my 3 days a week job has had me there at least 4 days, sometimes 5 for the last 16 months. That has begun taking a toll . Trying to make it less of a drag by riding there. I have put a tad over 7000 miles on Suzi this year. Unfortunately most of that is back and f...