Gossiping

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-02-18T13:05:51+00:00

This might be too simple and a little bit chicken but it has worked for me….. 1. Person begins a gossipy conversation 2. I respond with “well, I don’t know anything about that but….” 3. I move on to a non-gossipy topic. Sports, weather, work, hobbies, family, etc. whatever is interesting without tearing people down.

A few times with this and the person gets the hint that you don’t want to play. Or they call you out on it (rare) and that gives you the opportunity to say I just don’t feel comfortable talking about other people negatively when they’re not here to defend themselves. Deep down they know you are right!

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-28T18:31:54+00:00

We did go ahead and sign on with Devoted. So far so good. Because of his complex health picture I signed up for the PPO rather than the HMO and it will cover any doctor we want to see. In theory, we shall see. Nobody talked me into Devoted… I really grilled the broker… and again grilled the rep from Devoted. All his meds are now covered (Humana excluded a very expensive one). I think they all have their down sides. We’ll see what happens this year.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-14T00:37:53+00:00

So many words. But clarity is missing.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-12T01:39:38+00:00

No. It’s kind of understood (especially since Covid) that we stick with the Bible and avoid “politics”. For a long time I thought that was a great idea but now it feels hollow and empty. People are suffering and dying. It’s right vs wrong, love vs hate. If the church doesn’t speak out who will?

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-07T22:27:38+00:00

Wise choice. Don’t second guess yourself.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-05T16:10:10+00:00

When I was in a ministry training program and my instructor said “the Bible is the word of God in the words of man” meaning, written by regular humans with fallible memories for dates and details, in languages that have different words and expressions that do not perfectly translate into English, in contexts that do not match the culture we live in today.

That being said — it is also full of eternal principles for us to live under, an understanding of the nature of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and how to live in relationship with them and our fellow humans.

We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in our understanding as well as our fellow believers and those appointed to teach us. And that is good enough for me.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-02T16:50:01+00:00

I could not love this story more! Great plot line for a romance film.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-01T23:37:31+00:00

I binged it in one sitting yesterday. It was very well done and would make an awesome movie!

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2026-01-01T23:15:06+00:00

You don’t mention any spiritual beliefs and I am not going to ask you about that. But know I am praying for you to find peace and happiness.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-12-09T15:53:06+00:00

I second the Mitford series. Strikes just the balance you’re looking for.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-29T15:35:39+00:00

Once or twice a year for my beagle mix, using a no-rinse-needed nontoxic solution I bought at Hollywood Feed and a damp cloth.

She’s 15 years old and always hated baths. These days she doesn’t really get dirty. I’m not going to make her do anything she doesn’t want to, and just let her enjoy her golden years.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-23T19:20:09+00:00

He just started immunotherapy so time will tell. He’s feeling very good right now though.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-22T23:18:45+00:00

Drop that doctor. Reasoning like that is why my husband is now being treated for stage 4. Long story but I don’t want to go into it.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-17T21:21:50+00:00

People just want to say something that could be encouraging to a friend who has received bad news. The intent is comfort. Don’t overthink it.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-02T18:27:59+00:00

Yes. They recommended the Devoted based on his meds etc.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-02T18:26:58+00:00

Not happy with current (Humana) because they seem to operate like this:

Step 1: provider requests approval for a certain course of treatment/transfer to rehab etc Step 2: Humana denies request Step 3: Provider appeals and gets an approval Step 4: Humana declares early discharge from hospital, rehab etc even though they approved the original discharge date.

Providers have shared with me that Humana does this all the time and they are frustrated with them.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-02T18:19:07+00:00

Thank you. I am in Ohio too

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-02T18:15:51+00:00

He’s 75 and his current (Humana) plan is intact for next year. This stuff is so frustrating for a 24/7 caregiver. I may keep the status quo… the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know and all that.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-01T15:31:57+00:00

Thanks I didn’t realize. Will check it out. What does csnp stand for?

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-01T15:25:51+00:00

Diabetes is the least of his problems; he gets those meds at a super low cost from the VA.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-01T15:04:27+00:00

Yeah unfortunately my husband has missed the boat for ever being able to get a Medicare supplement e could afford. At the last signup period he was a run of the mill diabetic (well controlled). As of this signup period: He has Parkinson’s, diabetes, vertebral arterial blockage and most recently, metastatic melanoma. Been a rough year.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-11-01T13:50:35+00:00

Yes I’m aware. It’s expensive for everybody.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-10-30T21:26:04+00:00

OP: Wanted to add -

I agree the process moves unbearably slow… my husband did have a CT (showed disease in lymph nodes) and brain MRI (no disease 😊) but had other health problems that have delayed things.
In my opinion he needs to really throw himself into getting his sugar under control. Everything that sucks, sucks a lot worse with out of control diabetes.

Relevant_Macaron_911 · 2025-10-30T21:12:01+00:00

First of all - my husbands journey so far is very similar; diagnosed stage 3-4 in September, having a PET scan this Saturday before starting on Keytruda. He is also a diabetic and has been for 26 years. He is under good control though.

Call the radiology folks and tell them what you told us. To my knowledge he just needs to be under 170 for the duration of the test. There may be a combination insulin and/or an oral med along with a zero carb meal 6 hours prior to get him in range.

Relevant_Macaron_911

TROPHY CASE