Category: Health

Price of Chocolate

We’re all dealing with inflation (and a host of other things) but I found a tiny silver lining today. I have been battling my sugar addiction forever, but in a serious life-or-death mode since March.

I realized why grocery shopping today that my frugal nature kicks into overdrive at certain price increases and candy is currently out-of-sight price-wise. Which protects me from myself because it’s so easy to keep walking when a large bag of M&Ms is $10+. The image below is for the smallest “fun size”.

I did read yesterday that Hershey’s is saying they can’t meet the fall demand for candy that is Halloween in the USA. They are managing normal everyday supply, but their seasonal lines are just not up and running yet. So I might even be able to skip “Half-price candy day” Nov 1st.

Image is a yellow M&Ms fun size bag with a price of $3.99 for the fun size
It’s easier to avoid sugar when I have been priced out of the casual chocolate market.

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7

Affects Part D prescription plans and Advantage plans

Medicare open enrollment starts October 15 and ends December 7th for those who want to explore different Advantage plans or change a Part D prescription plan. This does not affect your regular Part A or B and if you have a supplemental, often called a medigap plan, it will usually go by your anniversary date.

Medicare Open Enrollment Period affects Part D prescription drug plans and Advantage Plans. Parts A and B are not affected and neither are MediGap supplemental plans
Medicare Enrollment Form – Open enrollment starts Oct 15th and ends Dec 7th

If you fit the profile of someone on Medicare, your mailbox and phone are full of marketing messages about Advantage plans. Why?

Advantage plans are a special kind of private insurance managed care. Medicare pays the insurer a contracted amount to take over the management of your healthcare payments.

Most Advantage plans are an enticing mix of marketing messages about lower costs, free money, extra services that Medicare does not provide. Also in the mix are the restrictions and the details about your annual out-of-pocket max.

I personally chose a supplemental Plan G, which is also private insurance. Your choice has to be right for you and it will depend on your own situation. Just know what you’re getting and how much it will cost.

Antibody Infusion

Covid Treatment – Antibody Infusion

During today’s televisit, the Dr suggested that I consider antibody infusion therapy. Her reasoning was that she had seen a number of patients, even those with mild cases like mine, take a turn for the worse about Day 8. My risk factors made her think that 1: It was important to consider therapy and 2: I would very likely qualify for some of a limited supply.

Here’s how my afternoon naptime went – Covid antibody infusion therapy at IRL infusion suite

The infusion itself was 20 minutes. Getting settled into the recliner with pillows and getting the minor stick for the IV took less than 10 minutes and when the infusion finished, the nurse set a timer for 59 minutes so they could monitor for reactions.

Should I be concerned about this sudden pain?

I didn’t notice any side effects after the infusion, but I did have a scare in the middle. It lasted maybe 30 seconds and then it was gone. First I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder, then it crossed my chest and hit the right shoulder. Very quick, but intense.

I thought it might be a cardiac event and briefly wondered if I should call the nurse who was sitting right outside the door. I decided I better say something while I could and said almost too quietly – “Hey”.

She responded instantly – “did you call me?”

“Yes”

And in between the 2 sentences of that conversation, the pain hit both hips at the same time, making me feel like a butterfly pinned to the recliner. I told her what was happening and she unplugged the O2 cord, grabbed the pillow fort around me and asked if I could stand. I could. And just like that the pains were gone.

The infusion was half finished and since I didn’t seem any worse for wear – all the vitals showing on the machine had not changed at all, I tucked back in and finished up.

Infusion results

I can’t say that the infusion suddenly made me feel better because I really didn’t feel too bad before. I’m glad for the prevention it might have provided and I appreciate that I might have some extra immunity now until I can get boosted. BTW – with this infusion I have to wait 90 days for a booster.