Hey, guys?!? Y'all slowing down? This has been up for half an hour!

[RobJohnson]

Jeanette update:
 
Her surgery was performed in under an hour during yesterday evening, by the same young surgeon who did an awesome job on my leg.

She is recovering, and should have her sutures out in about two weeks.

The only concern now is that all traces of her bone infection are gone.  They'll determine that over the next several days.

And finally, her Medicare was finally put in place as of yesterday, so now the hospital knows they'll get paid....

Great news! 

Sorry to hear about all your health and welfare battles last year. Hopefully 2014 will be better for both of you and also for your old roommate.

I'm also sorry about the loss of your leg. I knew a transplant recipient that was also diabetic. He had many wound care stories gone bad and you could see his heel bone from the outside of his foot due to a large hole. He eventually lost the foot, then he passed away last year.

I had a very bad home health care nurse once that was treating me for cellulitis after a skin abrasion that became infected. She left the leg wrap kit in her van overnight, it was 19 degrees that night and she went ahead and used it on my leg. She promised it would warm up. I felt like my leg was in an ice bath all day. The kit did not stay on and I was charged twice. My insurance company looked into it. Both the insurance and I paid twice.

[Las Vegas Leviathan]

Are you insinuating he should get a leg up ?

A leg is better than nothing.

Especially in mixed company.

[freedumb2003b]

Pardon me if I missed it somewhere in this thread, but what are your plans now that you are down a leg? 

Golly!

[freedumb2003b]

A leg is better than nothing.

Especially in mixed company.

One leg short -- Ilene?

One leg short and Chinese -- Irene?

[obumazombie]

One leg short -- Ilene?

One leg short and Chinese -- Irene?

Don't get me started...

[Las Vegas Leviathan]

I am going to remember this quote. Especially the bolded part. The reason being is that libs are constantly playing the race card, and the hate card for anyone who opposes your messiah's policies.

My contention is that libs are the most racist group imaginable, and project their racism in efforts to extort adversary's silence.

In the mean time libs in a phony attempt to gain the racial moral high ground, very often let the true nature of their racist nature to leak out.

Another contention I have is that libs are very good at parroting the party line and talking points. But if those lines and points run out while the lib still has time to talk, said lib will eventually and mostly inadvertently let the truth slip out.

I don't know you well as far as one person can know another on the interwebmachine. But if I find what I suspect, you can count on me to call you out...bigtime.


edit '

Are you, by chance, familiar with Frank Zappa and his music?

That dude ragged on everyone -- and I do mean everyone -- but did not have a spiteful bone in his body.

His material never ceases to make me LOL big-time whenever I'm seriously down.

Similarly, my use of the phrase "whitebread family" doesn't imply any sort of racism.  I did, however, use it to reinforce the point that even the people you'd most associate with near-perfect standards of cleanliness can and do get bedbugs.  They're (the bugs, not the people) in theaters, restaurants, clothing stores...you name it.  So, if there was a bit of classism in that comment, so be it.  I own it.  But given that my ancestry is Italian and Hungarian, I'm just about as "whitebread" as they come, so why would I try and use racism against myself?

I don't believe in racism against whites or anyone else.  I was raised in an ostensibly liberal family and was exposed to all kinds of that crap when I was young.  N-bombs, slants against the New Jersey Puerto Rican population, weird comments about my very good friends when I moved to California at the age of 7 named Bassim and Gabbi, you name it.  I started thinking for myself, because damn if my mother was going to do it for me (but that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish), and got over it in my 20s.

[freedumb2003b]

Are you, by chance, familiar with Frank Zappa and his music?

That dude ragged on everyone -- and I do mean everyone -- but did not have a spiteful bone in his body.

His material never ceases to make me LOL big-time whenever I'm seriously down.

Similarly, my use of the phrase "whitebread family" doesn't imply any sort of racism.  I did, however, use it to reinforce the point that even the people you'd most associate with near-perfect standards of cleanliness can and do get bedbugs.  They're (the bugs, not the people) in theaters, restaurants, clothing stores...you name it.  So, if there was a bit of classism in that comment, so be it.  I own it.  But given that my ancestry is Italian and Hungarian, I'm just about as "whitebread" as they come, so why would I try and use racism against myself?

I don't believe in racism against whites or anyone else.  I was raised in an ostensibly liberal family and was exposed to all kinds of that crap when I was young.  N-bombs, slants against the New Jersey Puerto Rican population, weird comments about my very good friends when I moved to California at the age of 7 named Bassim and Gabbi, you name it.  I started thinking for myself, because damn if my mother was going to do it for me (but that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish), and got over it in my 20s.

Hey I am still looking through the tundra for the Parish of St. Alphonso...

[obumazombie]

^Thanks freedumb2003b
That about sums up what I would have said, only a lot better


edit spd

[Las Vegas Leviathan]

Hey I am still looking through the tundra for the Parish of St. Alphonso...

Sorry I stole all the margarine.  That stuff is terrible for you anyway.

 

[obumazombie]

I don't know if the people the most physically unfit and and with the worst diets know more than the most fit with the best diets...about diets and nutrition.
I do know which way I'm leaning though.

[catsmtrods]

Just wow. 

 

I read this thread with a gaping jaw also.   

[Big Dog]

Kirk, I am not going to read all of your pathetic self-pitying bullshit; but I have a question for you which can be answered with one word.

In your tale of woe do you ever, even once, thank the hardworking people here who are supporting your lazy ass?

[Vagabond]

LVL,

I'm glad to see your alive and kicking, at least with one leg.  Kudos to getting down to 285, losing weight, especially when exercise is difficult, to say the least.  I am saddened to hear that your wife is having the same issues.

Though, as Frank says, you lack imagination when faced with a problem.  Maybe it is a result of the way you were raised, maybe it's a result of poor schooling.  You finally took control of something, your weight.  Why then let everything else fall by the wayside.  Since you are impoverished their are government and private programs to help people like you lift yourselves up, especially through education.  All that time you spent trapped in an apartment could have been used to secure a degree from an online university instead of getting a max level high elf on evercrack.  You could have done medical billing from your own home, the pay isn't great but a pay check is a pay check.

 Like Frank said, you lack imagination.  I am not attacking you, as I was very glad to see 2013 go away myself.

[jtyangel]

Thank you for your posts and your sentiments.  You seem like a pretty kind person.

Well, LVL, I am above all someone who leans on my own perspective and experiences. I have not either led a charmed life and what irritates me about liberals is they assume as much. I've seen sorrows, been abandoned, lived in poverty myself. I've also had the benefit of seeing the failure of European system firsthand through relatives, have relatives and a child who are either physically or mentally disabled. Life has given me enough to lean me to compassion, but those experiences too have revealed much to me about human nature and human nature is flawed and it's why I opposed taking all motivation to work from people who are able or coddling people too much. Human nature is adverse in most cases to advancing unless forced unfortunately. Keep in mind, I was a liberal back in my earlier years and you and I are peers. I walk a delicate line between advocacy for individuals who I believe as a Christian we should look after as a society and also advancing the Christian virtue of work for the rest. Way too many people are taking advantage of compassion to the folly of the nation. I temper both sides of myself. Thank you and I do wish you the best. I hope you will consider what I said about the plant based diet. Like I said, my brother is a type 1 diabetic so I have some experience with those needs as well. I've also dropped a lot of weight myself and maintained that now for several years give or take 20 lbs. I live life healthy now--fitness is a regular part as well as a balanced diet including meat proteins. Diet should be considered, in my opinion, as a 'most likely' outcome with regards to one's propensity. I have to walk the line with both considering the diabetes and heart disease so it's all about balance. And carbs are not my enemy either; they are essential, particularly when I'm training heavy as I've started again in the last few weeks. Carbs are fuel; protein is valuable to the metabolic processes and healthy blood. The work in unison and one should adjust their diet based not only on their own predispositions, but their activity level DAILY.

In all this though, one thing I encourage you to do is look beyond. I know it's bleak, but Kirk one thing I never ever did was give up. I'm a product of my own tenacity and hope. through my own health issues, being overweight, virtually abandoned as a teen by my parents, rape, loss of my marriage, parenting special needs children, etc. It's not been easy but I figure it's not over til I'm over. You sir, are still here. You sadly have had a grave consequence that you admit is likely rooted in past choices. That is sad, but you are still here. You ahve another chance--with more hindrance, but hope is still there because you are not 6 feet under sir. Grasp it! Grab it! And don't let go. Your life is not over, just modified.

I don't care if I'm called a damn sob sister either. Yes, you make me mad at times when I've read your stuff, but I'm also a mother hen who wants to protect and see everyone live to the fullest of their potential.

[wasp69]

All I can tell you is that all carbs are not the same, and a starch-based diet is not round-the-clock Wonder Bread and Ding Dongs.  It is stuff like oatmeal with raisins, brown rice with veggies or beans, whole wheat pasta with a fat free marinara sauce, and other stuff like that.  And the closer I come to following that plan perfectly, the lower my blood sugar goes and the better I feel.  Also, the less insulin I need to take (which I've only been on religiously since late last summer, by the way).  Foods which are high in refined carbs, high in fat, or both will cause my control to go out the window.  These problem foods also include meat and dairy, which I've experimented with to a small degree recently, and I have the regular tracking of my glucose levels to back this assertion up.  Trying to increase my level of physical activity through the whole-body arthritic pain I have is the only other way I have to get my sugar numbers down further.  That is a challenge, but one I continue to try and conquer.

Seriously, Kirk, how stupid do you think the good people of CC are?  How many of us that are either diabetic or deal with diabetes (up close and personal) every single day are supposed to listen to you tell us how daily consumption of medium and slow sugars vice a healthy balance with easily absorbed animal proteins and minerals does not contrbute to what happened to you?

Kirk, you're not nearly as good of a bullshit artist as you believe.

[Big Dog]

I don't care if I'm called a damn sob sister either.

angel, I won't cal you a sob sister. You are compassionate.

I'm also a mother hen who wants to protect and see everyone live to the fullest of their potential.

Protecting your children from danger is one thing. Trying to protect adults from the consequences of their own acts is another. And expending your emotional capital on a lazy, ungrateful mooch who will take from you today, then complain about you tomorrow, is something else entirely.

Tough questions of the day: If you want to protect everyone, then how do they ever find their fullest potential? How does the baby bird learn to fly?

[jtyangel]

angel, I won't cal you a sob sister. You are compassionate.

Protecting your children from danger is one thing. Trying to protect adults from the consequences of their own acts is another. And expending your emotional capital on a lazy, ungrateful mooch who will take from you today, then complain about you tomorrow, is something else entirely.

Tough questions of the day: If you want to protect everyone, then how do they ever find their fullest potential? How does the baby bird learn to fly?

I guess I worded that wrong. I don't mince words, even with my own children, but as someone who has been in some tough spots the best encouragement is a mix of hard ass reality(which many of you are willing to dish out) mispositioned against encouragement that plays on those harsh realities ie you aren't dead yet. Really, how I feel is this with him:  Thats what I mean by mother hen...i feel that way with my kids too--SEE THE LIGHT NOW! lol Trust me, I don't want to baby him--he does a good job of that all on his own--I want him to think very hard on this. I'm just the type of person that would like nothing more then to see the lightbulb go on and good things happen. It's quite discouraging to see someone stay in denial and in excuses to the point their  body is now mutilated. I keep wondering what more will it take? I understand self-destructiveness but not to this extent. I have no intention of going to by grave with many regrets no matter how much of a beating I take so my hammer of 'get real' wants Kirk to get to the same place. That's all.


And yes I do think Kirk is his own worst enemy--sadly that is a reality for a good portion of humanity. I read a great article recently that said to the effect that it is in our natures to fight improvement because improvement is hard and requires work and really the human condition is to do as little as possible. it is why morality and ethics are so important because they motivate when our lazy, flawed bones can't. Your ethics and morality have to be able to overcome the bullshit in your past and your own lazy nature. I think what scares the beJesus out of me is looking back at age 80 and knowing I can't change anything now and the choices are what they are--I don't want to live with that regret so I'm always a work in progress, always moving, always improving as I can for my ability. Just wish more would understand time is finite and opportunities are as well..take the ones you can, while you can and run with it. I just don't limit that wish to my fellow conservatives; I'd like to see the miserable left understand that as well.

[miskie]

Seriously, Kirk, how stupid do you think the good people of CC are?  How many of us that are either diabetic or deal with diabetes (up close and personal) every single day are supposed to listen to you tell us how daily consumption of medium and slow sugars vice a healthy balance with easily absorbed animal proteins and minerals does not contrbute to what happened to you?

Kirk, you're not nearly as good of a bullshit artist as you believe.

This is a phenomenon I've seen with other vegetarian and/or vegan dieters, and those who are on the warpath against fast food.

Simply put-

Carbs are carbs.
Sugars are sugars.
Proteins are proteins.
Fats are fats.
Calories are calories.

Yet many of these dieters try to qualify carbs, fats, proteins, etc. based upon their origins. Now it is true that some sources result in quicker or slower release of these things, but, TBH, the human body really doesn't care about that. Proper balance is the key.

-Which brings me to another point about vegans-

Most of them are liberal.
Most of them believe in the power of science.
Most of them believe in evolution, and deny the existence of God.

Science and evolution have concluded that we are the descendants of meat eating apes. Our brains became what they are because of generations of high-protein dieting. Yet these same people believe they can deny their evolution via emotional diktat, and not suffer any sort of physical penalty.

Q.E.D.

-Fun fact - the Inuit people (Eskimo) lived on a diet consisting of nothing but meat for generations. They were all but immune to many diseases -including cancer- UNTIL they modified their diets with plants.

[Texacon]

Kirk, you keep saying y'all are on Medicare, is that right or are y'all on Medicaid?

KC

[RobJohnson]

Kirk, you keep saying y'all are on Medicare, is that right or are y'all on Medicaid?

KC

His wife in on Medicaid with the help of the ACA. If his wife is approved for disability she will qualify for Medicare two years after the disability date.

Kirk is on disability and receives Medicare. His Part B Medicare premiums are subsidized. I have a feeling Medicaid picks up any copays.

[Texacon]

His wife in on Medicaid with the help of the ACA. If his wife is approved for disability she will qualify for Medicare two years after the disability date.

Kirk is on disability and receives Medicare. His Part B Medicare premiums are subsidized. I have a feeling Medicaid picks up any copays.

Ahhhh, thanks Rob. I was wondering about how that worked.

The few libs I know try to use the 2 interchangeably and it pisses me off. I always point out the difference.

One of my friends had no idea they WERE different yet, he counts himself as an enlightened liberal.

KC

[RobJohnson]

Ahhhh, thanks Rob. I was wondering about how that worked.

The few libs I know try to use the 2 interchangeably and it pisses me off. I always point out the difference.

One of my friends had no idea they WERE different yet, he counts himself as an enlightened liberal.

KC

On CC he used the term Medicare for his wife and in a similar post on DU he used the term Medicaid. I was confused for a second myself.

[Bad Dog]

On CC he used the term Medicare for his wife and in a similar post on DU he used the term Medicaid. I was confused for a second myself.

As is he I expect.  Fortunately, for him, they have people at hospitals whose only job is to hand them their bennies.

[biersmythe]

Ahhhh, thanks Rob. I was wondering about how that worked.

The few libs I know try to use the 2 interchangeably and it pisses me off. I always point out the difference.

One of my friends had no idea they WERE different yet, he counts himself as an enlightened liberal.

KC

Didn't know there was such a thing...hmmm   

[RobJohnson]

Ahhhh, thanks Rob. I was wondering about how that worked.

The few libs I know try to use the 2 interchangeably and it pisses me off. I always point out the difference.

One of my friends had no idea they WERE different yet, he counts himself as an enlightened liberal.

KC

So if one of us was truly disabled and forced to collect money from Social Security that we paid into all our lives, we would have to wait two years for health insurance through Medicare. Really does not help much if you are terminal and only have a year to live.