We had one appointment this week for a cat scan. It was a morning appointment, and she could not eat or drink prior to the scan. I brought her morning pills and a breakfast donut for her enjoyment on the way home. Missing the vein in one arm and going to the second to get the IV in, took more time than the actual cat scan did.
I got more bills in the mail this week. The first immunotherapy bill made my heart stop. I was dumbfounded when I learned that 1 immunotherapy infusion is $25,440.00. She’s had 5 total infusions, 4 this year. We have only been billed once. Insurance covered all but $1,480.72 from this 1 bill. I spent 30 minutes on a call researching charges. The only charge found was from February. It was for immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which was only $707 interesting enough. I guess poison is cheap. Being she did not have chemotherapy in February, the Texas Oncology billing department will open an investigation into my case and call me back. I called ARA radiology about the out-of-network charges for MRIs while Michelle was in the hospital. It looks like the patient responsibility was released, so no charges are currently noted on my account.
We made it out and about again this week. We went to Lauren’s house again for a visit. This time We brought her some hummingbird food.
We also visited Melinda at Voelker construction. We needed to get something notarized, and Melinda does notarizations. It was great catching up with her. Stan was there to give Michelle a hug of course.
We also went to the post office to drop our taxes off and mail off our notarized paperwork. We stopped for some pizza that we brought home to eat.
Here is the feature of the week Michelle’s firsts After doing chores one evening, I returned to the house and immediately realized that Michelle had washed the dishes while I was gone. I teared up. This is the first time in 5 months that she has hand washed the dishes. This used to be a shared chore, having Michelle help with this now is not just monumental it is a sign of healing and remedial therapy.
Michelle gave the dogs their morning dog bones. Again, not something that sounds too spectacular, but indeed something she has not done since October.
Michelle made her own lunch. This was a first. I was on a call working with a medical billing agent and started her lunch but did not finish it. She got up and finished it. I later asked if she was hungry and she said, “No, I was just trying to be helpful.” These are great strides. I forgot her pills that day because my routine was out of whack, but I was so proud of her.
Highlights of the week: Watching Michelle in the kitchen making sugar water. Michelle made 2 batches of sugar water for the hummingbirds, one for us and one for Lauren. She also made some bee food for the apiary. It was really cool to see her in the kitchen, just like the old days, cooking up some sugar water.
Daytime theater this week was Judy Justice, Survivor, Fire Country and MASH (she finally watched the finale)
Primetime at Luck Ranch “Night agent” (Netflix), “Tell me your Secrets” (Amazon Prime), “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV)
“Finch” (Apple TV) This was a story about a robot that lives on a post-apocalyptic earth which was built to protect the life of his dying creator's beloved dog, it learns about love, friendship, and the meaning of human life. Great story. It even made Michelle emotional. The old Michelle never got emotional at TV shows.
“The Mule” (HBO) Clint Eastwood plays a Broke and alone 90-year-old horticulturist who is facing foreclosure on his business and home. He takes a job as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel.
Minnesota Gopher Hockey. We watched the Gophers lose the national championship in overtime this week. I had to google their opponent Quinnipiac, to find out where it was located.
This week at “What the Truck?” diner:
Your food might be greasy, but it does wonders for the soul. The menu, cuisine, concept and even the name change constantly at this restaurant.
Fried Chicken sliders with French fries were a hit. There were too many buns prepared, so the hogs ate well on this night.
Bratwurst with a smile were a delicious delight. I usually compliment them with some veggies, but not on this night, just the simple sausage on a bun. Michelle likes hers solo with BBQ sauce.
T-bone steak and Filet Mignon were the birthday feast I made for myself and Michelle. I also made a cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting.
We also enjoyed a pepperoni pizza from “Grazie Pizzeria!” In Manor. “There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box in your lap.” Michelle said on the way home. We ate it for Medicinal purposes only, I promise.
Michelle was my sous chef when we prepared the sloppy joes one evening. She did great but her legs got tired and felt rubbery towards the end of the task.
We also had some fried fish. It was nasty. Neither one of us finished it. I served some veggies with it, so we filled up on veggies and threw the fish in the trash. We will not be buying that brand of tilapia again.
Frankenstein Stroganoff. What is that you ask? It is a tweaked recipe of Beef Stroganoff. Michelle doesn’t like the texture of onions, so I caramelize them for her. I caramelize the onions using 1/8 tsp of baking soda with some butter in a pan on medium heat. Once the onions are soft and caramelized, I start browning the beef. I add green peppers then a can of chicken soup. Michelle doesn’t like the texture or taste of mushrooms either, so I substitute the cream of mushroom with cream of chicken. I add a little bit of milk and let it cook. Stephan coined it as Frankenstein Stroganoff because of the added tweaks modifications.
Love, Brian
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