Monthly Archives: June 2013

The Morons at DOH

Posted on June 30, 2013 by

I don’t know when it went bad.  I turned out my light at 10:00 p.m. but didn’t go to sleep.  Not upset or anything—no idea why I wasn’t sleepy—so I got up and went out to the nurses’ station where … Continue reading →

Posted in American medical industry, Medical care | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

“Main Women of the Leagues”

Posted on June 29, 2013 by

President Lyndon Johnson launched the Great Society in the 1960’s, which included dividing the country into nineteen areas and setting up federal educational research laboratories in each one.  The area that included New York State got ERIE—the Eastern Regional Institute … Continue reading →

Posted in American medical industry, Medical care, Onondaga County | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

How to Move (and Survive)

Posted on June 28, 2013 by

First, you need to understand that moving is the third most stressful event that will occur in your life.  According to stress-test rankings, the worst thing is death of a loved one and the second-worst is divorce.  After that:  MOVING. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish”*

Posted on June 27, 2013 by

Bob, I’m having trouble using the computer today; will you please forward to all the usual suspects? I’m moving to the Iroquois nursing home today.  That’s pretty scary.  Huh!  The rest of my life . . . I have acquired … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rich White Guys

Posted on June 26, 2013 by

In 1972, Lt. Robert Dobrow, USMC, told me that I think like a man and feel like a woman.  It was the year Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY) ran for president. “Chisholm’s campaign slogan, ‘unbought and unbossed,’ was more than a … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, advocacy, American medical industry, Poverty, Values | Leave a comment

Body from Soul

Posted on June 25, 2013 by

At 2:00 a.m. I am suddenly wide awake, needing to get to the bathroom to poop.  There isn’t time to press the call bell.  I struggle to the bathroom—and it is a struggle—and then back to bed.  I press the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Silly Me

Posted on June 25, 2013 by

Monday mornings in a hospital are sort of like the day after a 5-year-old’s birthday party:  there’s a lot of stuff to be cleaned up, explanations are needed, insurance claims have to be filed, and so forth. My day started … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

This One’s for Diana

Posted on June 24, 2013 by

Once upon a time I had an aide who told me that her parents got divorced when she was a very young child.  Thereafter, her life became one of chaos and stress because her mother was flat-out crazy.  The child … Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Medical care, Mental Illness & Health | 1 Comment

Meet Me at the Dinosaur

Posted on June 24, 2013 by

The whole thing is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.  I can’t be dying.  No way.  It’s a preposterous idea.  I’m just going to take a little nap here and when I wake up I’ll be all better. There’s nothing wrong with me … Continue reading →

Posted in Death | Tagged | Leave a comment

Annie and the Bill of Rights

Posted on June 23, 2013 by

Dear Gentlefolk: I wake this morning to the discovery that, because of the insulin and/or diabetes, my eyesight is worse.  I no longer can see the telephone number on the board across from my bed.  That’s not the only thing … Continue reading →

Posted in American medical industry, Government Services, Medical care | Tagged | 2 Comments