Have you heard of PocketHealth?

We are really concerned with health and healthcare. COVID–19 has truly complicated the process of healthcare, which we understand, but this is a new mystery. We have been managing prostate cancer since 2011, his robotic surgery was Jan., 2014 (see photo, left!) in Ottawa. It metastasized, they found it, and watch it with tests, and treatment began Oct. 8, 2014. So far, so good. 

Joseph Brian (JB) takes a PSA test quarterly, prior to his Lupron injection. If any numbers change, we will take a different approach. I've tracked his test results. We used to have to meet with a doctor to have them interpret the results. Now, LifeLabs (a for-profit) uploads the data to a website, often within 24 hours. It is such a relief – you just want to know. The trick was figuring out how to access LifeLabs online to make an appointment due to COVID. That was a lesson.

When there was an imaging scan at Smiths Falls Hospital, they would put the results on a DVD, and we would take it to our doctor in Ottawa Health Unit. The rules are that we have the tests in our Health Unit, if possible, and then meet up with the doctor in Ottawa.

Our test results, called imaging results, used to be sent electronically (or faxed?) from our healthcare unit here in Lanark West's LGLDHU to both our local GP, and the urologist/surgeon in Ottawa's health unit. Or, we would take a copy with us if we could. We have learned to make copies of all tests. Our GP in Perth has been really good supporting us with this.

LGLDHU COVID cases are rising

We are in the Lanark West area
of the 5 that make up our unit.
(There are 34 health units in Ontario.) 

From October 2013 until 2019, JB has had 21 tests. They established baseline data and found the metastasis: 

• 5 Bone Density Scans,
• 8 CT Scans, 
• 4 ultrasounds, 
• a cystoscopy, 
• a colonoscopy (2013), 
• 2 MRIs. (2013 and 2015).  

The imaging tests can happen here in Perth, or Smiths Falls, or in an Ottawa hospital, in enough time for the results to get to our surgeon. Following that, we meet with the urologist/surgeon in Ottawa (Dr. Cagiannos). Treating and managing prostate cancer is not easy. The most important thing we've found is to ensure that Dr. C. has the data prior to our appointment with him in Ottawa. It is crucial.

Apparently, JB's health records are now being put into a new site called PocketHealth. They were the ones demanding his vaccine status. We didn't give the hospital permission for them to release our health records to PocketHealth. It turns out, in order to share our health records with various providers, we register online with PocketHealth, and have to pay $5 a pop to forward it. 

Why do we have to pay to access our health records? We have universal healthcare, and have not paid anything for tests. We do pay for hospital parking ($13/visit), which is another issue.

From our local hospital website, which no one told us about: 

• Pocket Health - Download details on how you can access your imaging records

Please note that Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital no longer releases imaging records via CD and provides imaging records to patients and their care providers only through secure, online access. If you wish to pick up an Access Page which will provide your care provider with secure online access to your imaging records, please visit the Diagnostic Imaging Department from 8:15am–3:45pm weekdays, or we can fax this access page directly to your care provider. If you prefer not to visit the hospital, you can also easily access and share your imaging records online by visiting Pocket Health.

PocketHealth is a for-profit, and in the news: 

• Entrepreneurs build one-of-a-kind medical platform
• PocketHealth raises $9.2 million in financing.

The best information we got came from a drawing by Dr. C! I labelled it to better understand it.

Lupron injections quarterly

medical imaging: results on a DVD

one of his scans

How are you?

I told my 40-year-old daughter about our aches and pains. "It's all downhill after 40," I said cheerily. Bursitis in my hip, cataracts. JB has had arm pain for a month. At least we have nearly kicked our November/December colds and coughs. My client has it again, it's going in circles.

We're watching a lot of TV. Poor JB is in pain. He stands. He sits. He's figured out the triggers: sitting too long. It's winter, it's tough walking. He's been going out to the arena, to get back on track with his exercise routines. Driving doesn't hurt it.

JB's been to the doctor several times for various medications, as well as a prescription for massage and physio. Massage hasn't done too much in terms of repair. Last week he went for an ultrasound.
We finally have a diagnosis. JB's ultrasound shows that he has a rotator cuff tendon tear, AKA supraspinatus tendon. Physio is on Monday.

In the meantime, he has wrestled with this for weeks, changing chairs, buying a back brace, several heating pads, and finally turned to pain killers.

File:Shoulder joint.svg - Wikimedia Commons

Happily, hubby can still shop. He went out to fetch more cat food (EMERGENCY!!!) and brought me home a subway for lunch. The bun was a bit stale, which has happened before. My stomach was growling, so I ate it. 

Indoors, Nutmeggie snuggles in... one of her favourite spots.

"If I fits, I sits!"

We're a bit cold, so I shall clean the heater in the next couple of days.


Outside, I scrubbed and refilled the bird bath, and refilled feeders. It was good to get some fresh air. The first robins have appeared.



The crows flew overhead. There seemed to be an event of some sort. I don't know what they are up to. They are clever creatures. I caw back at them, but they aren't inclined to respond. Someone online suggested I said something bad!

Down at the trailcam, in the cedar forest...

Back we go for another test

That was another long day. This was appointment # XXXIII. I like using Roman Numerals. It's just another test to see if I remember my stuff. X =  10, add, 3 = 33.

Hubby starts the day, feeling weak and dizzy (having to fast for his test) doing this...
Backyard deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

There are those whom complain about healthcare, but through Ottawa Hospital we've had nothing but  follow-up appointments made promptly. I am glad we're retired, though, because through our 'waiting times' haven't been long with specialists, the times we sit waiting have been long. Just know you'll lose a day, if you travel in from rural Ontario.

We arrived at 12:15
See us in the window?

10:17 Left house

We left the house at our mutually agreed upon time: 10:25 for a 12:45 check in time, for a 1:30 procedure time.

12:15 Arrived

As with many doctor's offices, we must remove our boots and put on little blue booties. That done, we check in at the desk.

They want you there early. Why? Paperwork. You'd think, what with their electronics, that they'd have all this information on file. Nope.

How many times do you think he's written all this down?
at least a dozen

What helps us is a booklet with all the information, as well as print outs from the pharmacy, with all the meds he takes. Hubby check pertinent info into his blue folder.

Paperwork done, check back in with the receptionist, who was a nurse sitting in for a receptionist. She took my name and number, saying they would call me when the is a half hour remaining.

We sat, discussed the day: appointment 1:30, which would take 15 - 30 minutes (depending), half hour recovery (which is when they phone you) and then you can go home.

1:00 p.m. now what?

I took off. By now (where did the time go?), it was 1:00 p.m. and I went out into the mall. There was a cute pet store nearby, do you know they make doggie training pants and doggie diapers?

doggie depends

Thankfully, the building IS in a mall, and I could walk about.

Hungry, having had a sandwich for breakfast, as I knew that things could take a long time, I was ready for food.

Into Kelsey's for lunch. The server found me a quiet spot, where I could access their Wifi, and play about. Bless her heart, she gave me a booth. She was going to place me, after that little bit of a sorry expression on her face when I said it was a table for one!
I've raised three children. I have no problem eating lunch by myself!

selfie!

trying to be patient!

Thing is, in order to access the free Wifi, I had to sign up using my email address. When I arrived home, they sent me a coupon, as promised, for a fattening dessert. "Welcome to Kelsey's eKlub."
Some clever marketing expert figured it would be fun to misspell 'club.' Shudder.
I don't eat desserts. Sigh. Not at my age and weight! The trials of "free." Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, our Ottawa Social Media king on good eating, would be horrified.

I finished up my yummy Thai Shrimp with noodles, who knows when dinner would be, and walked back over to the office.

2:10 back to waiting

Cleverly, I'd saved my booties, as they were all gone from the box. The floor was a mess. I looked around, and found one entitled woman, in an tailored tweed coat, elaborate coiffeur, expensive handbag. She was wearing her boots, while the rest of us either donned our lovely booties, or sat with sock feet.

Lovely waiting room with Wifi!

I put on my saved booties.
Some people chose to keep their boots on.

Fake fireplace, also plays music.

2:19 The CALL

They said hubby was ready to be picked up in a half hour. They phoned me, I should have just checked in at the desk.

I sat, read my book, "When Elephants Weep". It is sad.

2:43 approach the desk

I am here to pick up my husband. He's out, just getting dressed, and will be ready to leave soon.
Putting on my boots, on the bench behind the fake fireplace, I sat, waited. Used the bathroom. Waited some more.

3:00 Where is he?

By now, I was getting worried. Their electronic system lets the nurses in the back know that his ride is here. She told me that he was getting dressed and just had to see the doctor before leaving.

3:11 he appears

He doesn't have colon cancer. This is a good thing. Thanks to all who have been asking. It is comforting. Sometimes it is awfully lonely being a caregiver. We have another two months until further testing.

I help him with his coat, hand him his boots. Off we went, jiggety jig. They'd given him juice and cookies, since he'd eaten nothing for 24 hours. Apparently he could now eat whatever he wanted. That is to say, excluding his food intolerances of yeast, dairy and eggs.

We hopped in the car, happy it was sitting in the warm sunshine. We always hit rush hour traffic, and I was anxious to get going. As hubby said, it's logistics that make these appointments a pain-in-the-arse. Hubby had a coffee headache, so we found a wee spot, in a hairdressing salon, that had coffee in North Gower! Who knew?

4:52 home again

little dweeb!

When we left the house the Trailcam said it was -9 C. Arriving home, after a day of sunshine,  it was 11 C. (on the plus side). This is only because our house faces south, and the overhang keeps in the heat. The bird feeder was just about emptied, those dratted red squirrels!

Princess Daisy went outside to play. Lady Annabelle mushed us both, happy we were home.
Hubby, still making jokes, his coffee headache gone. What a relief!

Home again from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
We left at 10:17, arrived home at 4:52, after a trip to the city for a medical procedure.

Chuckle for the day!

I've been writing some serious posts lately, if you wish a more serious, healthcare-related read...

• This is an amazing physician: What is your physician's medical batting average?
• The history of Canadian healthcare in this era

Ontario Canadian healthcare is a passion of mine! I am the first interview on White Coat, Black Art, this Saturday. I am so proud to represent volunteer, and adult children caregivers on this Unpaid Caregivers show. 

Time for some fun. Yes, we still get the newspaper. We have a wood insert fireplace and need the kindling! Plus,I like to sit and read the paper with my coffee.

Our newspaper came yesterday. There were some issues.

This looks like CSIS shredded it!

Felix inspected it for me!

What is the opposite of redacting?

Ironic, 'the office saboteur'!
I was just interviewed by a CBC producer,
we spoke of my principal, student bullying work.

Hillier and Hudak, political party rhetoric

Theoretically, in a political campaign, a party present its platform, made of of various planks:
I loathe the communication that says, pick the most important issue of the campaign.
A political party needs to come up with an holistic platform that will support their work in the next four years. It should cover all of the important topics, as a politician is responsible for all constituents, from jobs, the economy, healthcare, looking after newcomers, there are many issues...

Select just one!

•  Crime
•  Economy
•  Education
•  Environment
•  Health Care
•  Transportation

Hydro

Home maintenance & repairs

Hillier, my local (LFLA) MPP, doesn't seem to understand Hydro. I mean, who should pay for hydro? I believe that users have to pay. It is not cheap. When we cannot afford to pay our hydro bills, or maintain our homes, we will have to down-size. We have cashed in some money to pay for a new roof this week. If you cannot maintain your home, you need to make changes. House hunting we saw so many neglected homes. Residents who neglected themselves, too.

An excellent, well-researched article about Hillier's hydro position by Geoff Davies, reporter with Perth Courier, provides balance:

But Hillier needs to get his facts straight, says Bill MacDonald, the local candidate for the Liberal party.
When contacted for comment by The Perth Courier, MacDonald first took issue with the Tory pledge to scrap the HST from energy bills.
“The Liberal government has already removed 10 per cent off the top,” MacDonald said, whereas Ontarians would only see an eight per cent savings if the HST’s provincial portion is removed.
Next, he addressed the “weird math” behind the promise to scrap the debt retirement charge. 
(Read more here: MPP Hillier talks hydro)

Healthcare

Then there is healthcare...I am tired of those claiming the system is 'broken'. Those with a grudge, or an individual incident. Many do not understand healthcare protocols, and rant and rail at the system.

No room for elderly in Ontario hospitals, coalition charges

In Ontario, according to information from the health care workers' coalition, 18,500 hospital beds in Ontario have been closed over the last 15 years. Hurley said workers are concerned that further downsizing, and the movement of services, such as surgery, from smaller community hospitals to regional centres, may be on the way. The members of provincial parliament for Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and Leeds-Grenville, Randy Hillier and Steve Clark, have both expressed concern about small-town health services moving to Kingston and Brockville, Hurley said.

There are many elderly in hospital and LTC. We are short beds, and have many ill at home, which is where they want to be. Hudak, provincial Tory leader, claims that we need to 'change'. I fear this.

Well, you can't have it both ways: either you cut taxes, and cut services, or you increase taxes and provide more services.

spring meltwater

The Environment
@randyhillier - "Dalton McGuinty banned pesticide use across the province.” http://ow.ly/6qgF9


This tweet blames bedbugs on the use of pesticides. As if. The professionals are still using them, but with restrictions, and not in the way we used to use them on private property. Hillier, get your facts straight! 


Especially for those of us living a rural life, we cannot continue to let cows pee in the river, or dump pesticides on the land where we draw our well water. We don't pee in your pool, don't pee on our watershed.


The recent LFLA debate was crazy, with many landowners demanding 'back off government', without understanding the purpose of environmental laws, and protections. Regulations and red tape, the libertarians claim, prevent landowners from making a living. Perhaps, they are saving us from extinction. We don't clear cut anymore. We cannot exploit the land for our own gains, as we are only borrowing the land from our children. These same libertarians decline to pay property taxes (i.e., liberty from government), are against same-sex marriage, etc. (The Tea Party Libertarians in Ontario #ontpoli http://bit.ly/mVc3Al) 
(onpoli Ontario Politics 

.@randyhillier, please pay your taxes. IC: "satisfied that the financial disclosure form is clear". bit.ly/rtZZ55 #PCPO #onpoli)
THIS makes @randyhillier look foolish!http://ow.ly/6u8KG

Thanks to Environment Canada for protecting our wildlife: the flora and fauna that makes Ontario a good place to live. We need to protect those who will exploit wildlife.
Here is one story:
Burns pleaded guilty to depositing bait within 14 days before the first day of the open season for waterfowl and hunting waterfowl within 400 metres of a baited area that has not been free of bait for seven days. He was fined a total of $2,500 for the offences, plus court costs. Burtch pleaded guilty to depositing bait within 14 days before the first day of the open season for waterfowl and knowingly making a false or misleading statement to an officer. He was fined a total of $1,750 for the offences, plus court costs.


Education

Just so you don't think that I back either the Liberals, or any other parties, I don't. McGuinty has instituted some foolhardy schemes: full-day kindergarten. This has resulted in crowded schools, and a lack of proper day care facilities for parents of you children. They confuse full-day school attendance with actual bang-for-the-buck learning. Kids learn by play, in a comfortable environment, in a day care where they are regulated by the school bell, when they can nap if needed. It is expensive putting 3 1/2 and 4 year-olds in school full-time, and truly ridiculous. My daughter thrived in day care, as has her daughter. We need licenced day care providers, not expensive teachers, with an ECE degree, not a one-year-degree and B.Ed., who may or may not understand young children. I taught kindergarten, and know that not all kids need, want or require full-day schooling.

Federal Election 2011

Someone did their research! Here is a good Globe article:

Five reasons Ottawa is turning you off:

1. Ottawa's irrelevant

2. Ottawa is old, while, male

3. Parliament ignores the big cities

4. Nothing gets done

5. Hyperpartisanship turns people off

I don't agree Ottawa is 'turning me off'.
Harper is turning me off.
"Now is not the time for political instability!" he said. He blames the opposition parties for not accepting his way or the highway.
He blames them and threatens political instability in a country where we are doing much better than others facing incredibly difficult economic situations.

I agree that the reasons this minority government did NOT permit amendments seem puerile to me. In his bid for a majority, Harper risks pissing off the electorate, while generating a budget that insults seniors, parents of young kids who cannot afford art classes (which should be done in schools), those in a caregiving role who spend far more that this measly $300 tax credit will buy. See: Budget highlights: Small measures for many wrote CBC.ca/news for more details. He refused to accept what other elected MPs have said are our priorities for which we have elected them. He says that the only way to do work is to elect a 'stable national government', in his latest press conference. I think he's pretty unstable myself. They are supposed to work together to achieve a better society, to look after its citizens, and respond to the needs and desires of the electorate. His bid for a majority is going to cost us millions of dollars. This former Alliance candidate from out west, is bringing his extreme notions to the big provinces. This isn't working for him.

Election Costs

Elections Canada recorded a little more than $325 million in election expenses in 2008, an estimated $288 million of which was spent on the general election of that year.

National Post

On the eve of a potential election call, the Tories hold 143 seats in the House, just 11 shy of a majority. Could they secure one if the writ were dropped tomorrow? 


Crime
The Tories keep sending out those darned fliers, asking if we want them to be 'tough on criminals', while crowding penitentiaries and undermining any progress in reducing crime, and rehabilitating criminals. Having volunteered in a minimum security prison, facilitating a Creative Writing class, I've seen what can make criminals turn around, rather than spending big bucks on increasing prison capacity and putting more in jail. Our prison system is working hard to make a difference. Stuffing people in overcrowded prisons is causing chaos and undermining this work.

I understand that someone has to pay for government services, and while there are those who continually complain about taxes, then complain when they don't get services, well, this is truly disingenuous. I agree that 'Ottawa', and they (the media) mean the federal government by this, has few women in power!  But who can afford to spend time away from family, if you are a mother? Children suffer without parents in their lives. Ask any military family or military kid.

Healthcare

There are those who complain about healthcare, but anyone who has suffered in the US by insurance companies who refuse to pay, demand co-pays, or is living in poverty due to health issues, will appreciate what we have. 

'Death panels' by any other name This is an article about the woman who didn't qualify for Herceptin treatments as she didn't fit the profile. When on considers the $40,000 per year the drug costs, someone has to be the watchdog for our taxes.

"The average Ontarian pays $3,799.62 annually for health care, according to the Fraser Institute."

One guy wrote: 'For the left wing wankers always complaining about the rich they really have no clue how much they are subsidized by those in the top 30% of income brackets. In fact, the top 10% pay 53% of all income taxes. The top 30% of income earners in 2007 paid 65.9 % of all taxes.'

Politics: Globe & Mail