Here in Manitoba, we have a government monopoly that runs the auto insurance industry. There's only one place to get it, and they have you by the short ones if you balk at paying what they charge.
Several times over the past few years, they've had a surplus in their coffers at the end of the year and all insured vehicle owners have gotten about a 10% rebate cheque in the mail.
Considering I pay about $1500 a year for insurance, it's been kinda nice to get that little bit of money in the mailbox.
They have been closely scrutinized by the public utilities board this year... and found to have a much larger surplus than they had admitted to. The PUB is forcing them to issue rebates of 45% to all of us motorists by the end of May at the latest. That's $320 million...
For a corporation that is mandated to operate with the best interests of car owners in Manitoba in mind, this surplus is seen by most of us as blatant thievery. I, for one, will be very glad to get that rebate cheque.
And I certainly hope to see my rates drop significantly too.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
Well, it's a plan...
I saw the surgeon today for the first time. He reviewed my chart, poked and prodded, asked questions and had me move my arm around on my own.
Then he got one of those little plastic body part models out and started showing me where things were bad and what areas needed to be worked on.
He told me (and this is something I did not realize) that MRIs are not very good at telling you what specifically is happening in a damaged joint, unless it is huge and catastrophic. They show that there is a difference in the signal in that area and that's about it. It shows there's a problem but not exactly what it is. He said it is not possible to tell if I have just inflammation in the tendon, if it is frayed, or if there is a tear. And the only definitive way to tell is to stick a scope in the joint and have a look. That's not something they like to rush into, because even just going in to have a look can compromise the area more than it already is. And if they don't need to do surgery, they don't want to.
I'm okay with that.... kinda.
Although I was hoping for a "right, this is the problem and this is the solution" kind of answer, being in healthcare myself, I understand the conservative approach. Because it's not clearcut, we are taking the conservative route. But because this has been going on for a while, it will be somewhat fast tracked. He said he usually won't entertain surgery until the conservative treatment has been utilized for a good 6 months... as tendons are notoriously slow to respond and heal, owing to a poor blood supply (which is normal for that type of tissue).
Now, my shoulder's been acting up since last autumn so I am pretty much at the 6 month period already, but given the new injury from January, we are going to opt for conservative management for 6 weeks and then I will be reassessed for the need for surgery. I now have a regime of very specific exercises to follow, some of which I am to do every hour (!) while I am awake. Initially I will be using my left arm to greatly assist my right in the full range of motions that I will have to do. The goal is to see how much stronger the muscles in the shoulder will get and how much the pain and decreased functionality will improve. If, at the end of the 6 weeks, when I go back to see him, I am still having a lot of issues, then it will likely be on to scheduling an OR date.
However, if things have improved dramatically, then it will be continue with that program and start back to work in a graduated fashion so as not to strain the shoulder unduly while it is healing and gaining strength.
And even if surgery is required, I may be able to return to work part time with restrictions on what I can do until the time of surgery. Then I would be off for at least 12 weeks to recover from that.
So at least I have a time line of events now, and can get on with doing what I have to do to make the most of this. The move will be over in 2 1/2 weeks so then I can concentrate on just that. And with the snow clearing off the sidewalks and pathways fairly well, I will be able to go for long walks. There are miles of pathways accessible at the new place and I'm looking forward to getting out and about.
Then he got one of those little plastic body part models out and started showing me where things were bad and what areas needed to be worked on.
He told me (and this is something I did not realize) that MRIs are not very good at telling you what specifically is happening in a damaged joint, unless it is huge and catastrophic. They show that there is a difference in the signal in that area and that's about it. It shows there's a problem but not exactly what it is. He said it is not possible to tell if I have just inflammation in the tendon, if it is frayed, or if there is a tear. And the only definitive way to tell is to stick a scope in the joint and have a look. That's not something they like to rush into, because even just going in to have a look can compromise the area more than it already is. And if they don't need to do surgery, they don't want to.
I'm okay with that.... kinda.
Although I was hoping for a "right, this is the problem and this is the solution" kind of answer, being in healthcare myself, I understand the conservative approach. Because it's not clearcut, we are taking the conservative route. But because this has been going on for a while, it will be somewhat fast tracked. He said he usually won't entertain surgery until the conservative treatment has been utilized for a good 6 months... as tendons are notoriously slow to respond and heal, owing to a poor blood supply (which is normal for that type of tissue).
Now, my shoulder's been acting up since last autumn so I am pretty much at the 6 month period already, but given the new injury from January, we are going to opt for conservative management for 6 weeks and then I will be reassessed for the need for surgery. I now have a regime of very specific exercises to follow, some of which I am to do every hour (!) while I am awake. Initially I will be using my left arm to greatly assist my right in the full range of motions that I will have to do. The goal is to see how much stronger the muscles in the shoulder will get and how much the pain and decreased functionality will improve. If, at the end of the 6 weeks, when I go back to see him, I am still having a lot of issues, then it will likely be on to scheduling an OR date.
However, if things have improved dramatically, then it will be continue with that program and start back to work in a graduated fashion so as not to strain the shoulder unduly while it is healing and gaining strength.
And even if surgery is required, I may be able to return to work part time with restrictions on what I can do until the time of surgery. Then I would be off for at least 12 weeks to recover from that.
So at least I have a time line of events now, and can get on with doing what I have to do to make the most of this. The move will be over in 2 1/2 weeks so then I can concentrate on just that. And with the snow clearing off the sidewalks and pathways fairly well, I will be able to go for long walks. There are miles of pathways accessible at the new place and I'm looking forward to getting out and about.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
A bit tender
I have a sore cheek. The right one.
Yes, that one down there.
I had a minor slip on the ice today as my nephew and I were loading stuff to take from my place to his... my donation to the younger generation, so to speak.
And because I actually remembered to not flail with my right arm as my left foot whipped out across the ice, said butt cheek had to clench mighty hard to maintain my balance.
So.... I's hurted my bum. Which makes sitting even on the big (normally) comfy couch a bit of an ouch.
Guess I'll have to do some stretching and massage...
Yes, that one down there.
I had a minor slip on the ice today as my nephew and I were loading stuff to take from my place to his... my donation to the younger generation, so to speak.
And because I actually remembered to not flail with my right arm as my left foot whipped out across the ice, said butt cheek had to clench mighty hard to maintain my balance.
So.... I's hurted my bum. Which makes sitting even on the big (normally) comfy couch a bit of an ouch.
Guess I'll have to do some stretching and massage...
Almost there...
Two weeks today, I pick up the keys for the new apartment and do a pre-move-in walk-through with the property agent. I will be the very first tenant in this apartment. I don't think I have ever in my life lived in a brand new anything! So this will be an experience.
I've picked up more boxes, to pack up the last of things. I'll start moving the smaller, lighter stuff, with the aid of my eldest nephew (thank you for volunteering your time to help me, hon!) right after that. And on April 13th, the movers come to haul all my furniture over. Then the sale of the house is finalized on the 15th, and a new era begins.
I've not lived in an apartment for many years. I think the last time was in '93, briefly, before my foray south of the border to nurse in the USA. And prior to that, it was in '79-80. I've always rented houses, usually with someone else, because having pets meant an apartment was not an option. Apartments are largely a pet-free zone here in Canada.
So this will be a 'new' experience for me. I hope it goes well. It is a brand new building, and a 50+ one as well, so I'll not be bombarded with the sounds that children bring to life. Not that I have anything against children, as I don't, but not having any of my own means I've never been accustomed to living with those sounds and find them disruptive.
I'm soooo ready for this to be over and done with. I've been preparing and packing and sorting and cleaning for weeks, it seems. The end is in sight but it is still three weeks away and time tends to crawl when you are not cramming all the moving prep in around a work schedule.
But I'll be facing south, with lots of light coming in the windows, and a little balcony to sit on to soak up those rays. I've already purchased a couple of chairs to grace the balcony and cradle my backside in the basking. I'm hoping to be able to hang a couple of planters with flowers to add some colour and heady scent to that small space.
One of the biggest challenges with the balcony will be to keep Lila from hunting birds. I have visions of her flinging herself off the balcony in an effort to catch some little winged thing as it flits by. Therefore, I believe the cats will be trained to wear harnesses and be leashed at all times when outside. (Pips already has one and knows what it is for. She loves going outside!) Much easier to reel up a kitty at the end of the rope, than to go four flights down to retrieve a broken and potentially dead carcass from the ground. And that wouldn't be the bird...
It's getting nicer out, although Spring isn't really here in full force. But that slows the chances of major flooding in the province, so I'm okay with that. Warm days (and warm here now means right around the freezing mark) with colder nights prohibits huge melts of snow. I just wish the sidewalks were completely clear of ice. Since not having the dog to walk, I have only gone out for a walk (on purpose, rather than walking while doing something else) for the first time two days ago. It was a brisk 30 minute walk but somewhat treacherous in places with ice, and only one arm to windmill for balance. I kept the other hand in my pocket to avoid unnecessary movement... as it hurts. We've been blessed with the usual blazing sunshine and the cats have taken to soaking it up while sleeping on the floor. I've had to open windows upstairs, even though the outside temperature is still just below freezing, as the house heats up from the sun. The cats have now been trained to the sound of the crank opening the window... they bolt from wherever in the house they were to press their tiny noses to the screen, ears twitching with the twittering of nest building birds.
I suppose, one day, life will regain some sense of normalcy. I'm awaiting that, although I wouldn't say anxiously, but certainly with anticipation. I just have no idea when that will be...
I've picked up more boxes, to pack up the last of things. I'll start moving the smaller, lighter stuff, with the aid of my eldest nephew (thank you for volunteering your time to help me, hon!) right after that. And on April 13th, the movers come to haul all my furniture over. Then the sale of the house is finalized on the 15th, and a new era begins.
I've not lived in an apartment for many years. I think the last time was in '93, briefly, before my foray south of the border to nurse in the USA. And prior to that, it was in '79-80. I've always rented houses, usually with someone else, because having pets meant an apartment was not an option. Apartments are largely a pet-free zone here in Canada.
So this will be a 'new' experience for me. I hope it goes well. It is a brand new building, and a 50+ one as well, so I'll not be bombarded with the sounds that children bring to life. Not that I have anything against children, as I don't, but not having any of my own means I've never been accustomed to living with those sounds and find them disruptive.
I'm soooo ready for this to be over and done with. I've been preparing and packing and sorting and cleaning for weeks, it seems. The end is in sight but it is still three weeks away and time tends to crawl when you are not cramming all the moving prep in around a work schedule.
But I'll be facing south, with lots of light coming in the windows, and a little balcony to sit on to soak up those rays. I've already purchased a couple of chairs to grace the balcony and cradle my backside in the basking. I'm hoping to be able to hang a couple of planters with flowers to add some colour and heady scent to that small space.
One of the biggest challenges with the balcony will be to keep Lila from hunting birds. I have visions of her flinging herself off the balcony in an effort to catch some little winged thing as it flits by. Therefore, I believe the cats will be trained to wear harnesses and be leashed at all times when outside. (Pips already has one and knows what it is for. She loves going outside!) Much easier to reel up a kitty at the end of the rope, than to go four flights down to retrieve a broken and potentially dead carcass from the ground. And that wouldn't be the bird...
It's getting nicer out, although Spring isn't really here in full force. But that slows the chances of major flooding in the province, so I'm okay with that. Warm days (and warm here now means right around the freezing mark) with colder nights prohibits huge melts of snow. I just wish the sidewalks were completely clear of ice. Since not having the dog to walk, I have only gone out for a walk (on purpose, rather than walking while doing something else) for the first time two days ago. It was a brisk 30 minute walk but somewhat treacherous in places with ice, and only one arm to windmill for balance. I kept the other hand in my pocket to avoid unnecessary movement... as it hurts. We've been blessed with the usual blazing sunshine and the cats have taken to soaking it up while sleeping on the floor. I've had to open windows upstairs, even though the outside temperature is still just below freezing, as the house heats up from the sun. The cats have now been trained to the sound of the crank opening the window... they bolt from wherever in the house they were to press their tiny noses to the screen, ears twitching with the twittering of nest building birds.
I suppose, one day, life will regain some sense of normalcy. I'm awaiting that, although I wouldn't say anxiously, but certainly with anticipation. I just have no idea when that will be...
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