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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
So far: Had weird SE's from, possibly Dex but doc did urinalysis looking for UTI. He found red and white cells and infection but Cipro didn't help. No STD's. Next stop, urologist. I'll have a 30.00 copay there plus pay 20% of any other charges. Welcome to the State of Texas insurance. As guys know, a urologist isn't your friend.
While trying to cope with these unmentionable SE's, my boss concurrently decided to give me a written counseling because I can't seem to get more work out of the losers he hired.
I wrote about 15 checks, not knowing they had an old routing number. What's 15X30.00?
Now I'm broke, could(possibly)have a dreadful illness and I have to see this urologist with no way to pay.
How's y'all doing?
Posted by Racer on January 6, 2004, at 16:08:08
In reply to Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
I guess the only answer is: well, a little better than that? Yech.
I won't go into my own UTI story, nor my story about writing a check from an old checkbook (except to say that the State Attorney's office got involved in that one...), but I will tell you something that may or may not make it all worse.
Despite the pressures of mental illness, the sapping of motivation, etc, there is something you can do that may help with the check fees. If the routing number changed because of bank merger or acquisition, often times companies will waive the returned check fees. In other words, if you can manage the energy to call the companies involved, tell them your mistake, and ask nicely, they may drop the fees for you. They may not, but it might be worth trying. Alternately, if you've got someone who gives good 'phone, you might ask that person to make the calls for you.
The work situation? Easy, go to your nearest bookstore and buy all the Dilbert books. You'll learn a lot about management techniques in them. And as a bonus, you'll laugh out loud at some of them. Alternately, you could remind yourself that you're in a difficult situation, in which there's not a lot you can do, and as a result your only hope is to take care of yourself in every way you can. I do have some practical suggestions, if they help, but mostly I'd say you can only give yourself attaboys for coping, without worrying too much about it.
The Racer Business Analysis dealing with the issues you raised is pretty dang simple: the Pointy Haired Boss gives you the responsibility for managing a group of people, but no authority to hire, fire, or reprimand. You have an assignment with no tools to carry it out. If your boss assigned you to write a spreadsheet on the old columnar pads, but didn't give you access to a pencil, would you beat yourself up? If your boss then wrote you up for not doing that job, would you respond that he didn't provide you with the necessary tools? Well, extrapolate.
Phil, I only know you in the sense that we've read and responded to one another on these boards. In the course of that, I've learned that you're funny, and smart, and kind. I'm sorry you're going through all this. Here's hoping this year is better than it's start has been.
Posted by NikkiT2 on January 6, 2004, at 16:46:49
In reply to Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
When my ex screwed me over, I faked an STD and made him have a FULL work up with a urologist. If I do that for revenge, it can't be much fun! I'm sorry about all of that shit.. I have medical tests etc going on, and they're no fun what so ever - but atleast they're free.
Hang in there.. better times are coming
Nikki
Posted by NikkiT2 on January 6, 2004, at 16:48:31
In reply to Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
You can sign up here for "daily Dilbert".. every day I get a new Dilbert strip in my inbox!! yay!!
Nikki xx
Posted by shar on January 6, 2004, at 20:04:11
In reply to Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
Heyyyy, do you think Racer really lives in Texas and works for the state? After my 18 year stint, she's got the management style down pat.
"Boss gives you the responsibility for managing a group of people, but no authority to hire, fire, or reprimand. You have an assignment with no tools to carry it out."
Ah, how well I remember the days of responsibility without authority...but, back then at least we had better benes, so when we had icky procedures they were mostly covered insurance-wise ('ceptin when on an HMO and the bone doc is the only specialist so he's set up to do your breast biopsy...). But, that was olden days. I sure learned my HMO lesson.
That sucks so bad, and is so stupid about the checks--hitting up people at $30 a shot for checks with the wrong number on them. Like...duh...who's the one without money to start with??????? When it's happened to me, it's been a cascade effect--one check beats the deposit into the bank, the bank takes their money, and the next check may not be covered because the bank just took the money......you know. This is when one's balance is just this side of the line (like mine, enough to cover the monthly fee + $1).
I don't know about urologists, but I'm sorry if they're doing awful things to you and yours. I'm happy to know it isn't an STD. However, if there's anyone you want to get back at...you could take Nikki's strategy and give them a call, or have a friend give them a 'health dept.' call. Too bad you can't work your boss into it somehow.
Sorry it all sucks, maybe things will improve--we can always hope. Oh--can't you respond to the write up, like give your side of the story? Or, is it not worth the trouble? I love that they call it 'counseling.' Bet you didn't feel 'counseled' but more like beat up by an ah.
I guess I won't hit you up for that $50 I was planning to...there's some good news! (I wasn't really planning that!!!)
Here's to fewer lousy days in 2004, and God bless us every one. ;)
Shar who is sorry for all that stuff happening.
Posted by judy1 on January 7, 2004, at 11:25:13
In reply to Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
racer gave you great advice about the check fees, I've had some waived for very similar reasons. I hope you're able to get through to the people who have the authority to do that.
as for the urologist, I can't imagine (nor do I want to). I hope you get some good news at least. have you ever had stones before?(the rbc's). that would make sense since the antibiotic didn't help. are you experiencing pain (physical, I know mentally you probably are)
let us know how everything went- judy
Posted by Phil on January 8, 2004, at 7:14:42
In reply to Re: Bad few weeks » Phil, posted by judy1 on January 7, 2004, at 11:25:13
> racer gave you great advice about the check fees, I've had some waived for very similar reasons. I hope you're able to get through to the people who have the authority to do that.
>>Retailers don't drop fees so quick these days. I had the most checks at Safeway and know the mgr. Even with her help, her company is going to bill their fees to my bank. Radio Shack
'Your check was 13.50, 30.00 fee, I can take care of that right now for 58.50.' WHAT? Oh, that's our fee. I paid the 30.00 and felt lucky to get away with that.
> as for the urologist, I can't imagine (nor do I want to). I hope you get some good news at least. have you ever had stones before?(the rbc's). that would make sense since the antibiotic didn't help. are you experiencing pain (physical, I know mentally you probably are)
> let us know how everything went- judy
>>Thanks Judy, you are ALWAYS here for me, thanks. shar, NikkiT and Racer! Y'all too.Have no pain at all, which could signal nothing, Diabetes II, cancer or am awful lot of possibilities. Never had stones. I'm not real worried except when the doc pulls out his urethra-peeker, I'm asking for a morphine drip. No local here. I want big drugs, not to be able to brag about how much pain I can take. Getting the picture?
More later.
Posted by judy1 on January 8, 2004, at 13:48:54
In reply to Re: Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 8, 2004, at 7:14:42
Posted by Phil on January 8, 2004, at 15:10:44
In reply to definitely go for the morphine (nm) » Phil, posted by judy1 on January 8, 2004, at 13:48:54
Morphine: check!
My battery died day before yesterday and, due to various circumstances, cost $129.00 to get jumped and for a new battery.
Now, I just laugh it off. What else can ya do?
Good battery.)^8)^( picasso
Posted by shar on January 8, 2004, at 20:28:28
In reply to Re: definitely go for the morphine, posted by Phil on January 8, 2004, at 15:10:44
be nice to have some morphine now, I bet. I wouldn't mind some either.
Shar
Posted by noa on January 10, 2004, at 12:58:36
In reply to Bad few weeks, posted by Phil on January 6, 2004, at 12:00:22
Aw, Phil. I'm sorry to hear you've been beset by all these woes. It's time for you to get a break!!
I hope you get healthy soon and the financial problems get cleared up. I know that sometimes when it's all pouring down at once, it can be so incredibly exasperating and discouraging.
Keep laughing at the car trouble kind of stuff. That's what I finally learned I had to try to do. Sometimes I'm more successful at laughing it off, sometimes, less.
Here's hoping things turn around real soon!!
Posted by judy1 on January 10, 2004, at 15:16:56
In reply to Re: definitely go for the morphine, posted by Phil on January 8, 2004, at 15:10:44
what else can you do? I'm so glad you still have a great sense of humor.
when exactly do you have your tests done? If you told us, sorry I forgot.
just wanted to make sure you post about how things go.
take care, judy
p.s. cool Picasso :-)
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