An Inconvenient Headcold

For most folks, a cold is a nuisance. It means you need to carry a hanky or a packet of tissues. You might feel rundown and miss a day of work or two. Then the virus runs its course and you're back to your old self with the added benefit of being forever immune to that particular bug.

I used to say one of the benefits of hitting my 50's was that I'd already met so many cold viruses.

I don't say that any more.

Since I've been on prednisone for about 6 years, my immune system is suppressed. Even if I have made a virus's acquaintance, my antibodies don't exactly spring into action. They stroll toward the infection.

Right now I'm entering week 2 of the same cold my daughter and DH shook off in a couple of days. I'm doing everything I should--rest, fluids, fever abatement. My main concern is that I hope it stays in my head and doesn't migrate to my chest. With my lung condition, that could mean a trip to the hospital.

Fortunately, this is only the 2nd time I've had a cold this year. I'm pretty careful about hand sanitation, but there's not much defense against something that's airborne. When we visited Japan a few years ago, we discovered it was not unusual for the residents of Tokyo to wear masks in public. I wasn't ever sure if they were protecting themselves or if they had a cold and didn't want to spread it. Anyway, what's normal and accepted there would be viewed suspiciously here.

But don't worry. Even without resorting to a surgical mask each time I step outside, I'll kick this thing. It'll just take me longer than most.

And in the meantime, it's the perfect excuse to take a nap!

So how about it? Do you have any favorite home remedy that gives you cold relief? 

What does that Prescription Really Cost?

My DH spent his entire career in travel IT. If you've tried to book a flight, hotel or cruise, you know the price of the trip varies depending on where you want to go, how far out you book, day of the week, or even which site you use to make your purchase. There is no objective standard, like say, so much per mile per seat. That would make too much sense.

It's sort of travel roulette.

Unfortunately, the same sort of thing goes on every time you go to the pharmacy. My doc said I had to up my dosage of a common blood pressure medicine this week. This is a maintenance med, so I asked for a 90 day prescription. It's more convenient than a 30 supply. When I took the script to my local Walmart, they told me this very common, generic drug would cost me over $70.00.

Then I whipped out my new insurance card. We ran out of COBRA in August and, while I don't miss the premiums that were large enough to buy a new refrigerator each month, I do miss the Cadillac coverage it offered. We now have a Silver level Obamacare plan with ridiculous deductibles, but I thought I'd see if it would do anything about this prescription. First off, according to my new insurance, I could only get a 30 day supply. Really? For a drug I'll likely be on for the rest of my life if I don't want to stroke out? The new price was $15 for 30 pills.

OK. $45 for 90 days worth is less than $71.

Then I remembered the GoodRX card in my purse.

"What if we use this?" I asked the long-suffering pharmacy tech.

She punched a button or two. "That'll be $17.00 for a 90 day supply."

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

I was glad to get a decent price, but it made me wonder why there should be such a discrepancy between paying out of pocket, using insurance, or a discount program. The drug is the same. Why is there a $54.00 difference? Where is that money going? Who benefits? Why is the insurance company stepping between me and my doctor by trying to dictate how many pills I can buy at one time?

I don't know if anyone can answer these questions and this is frankly one of the cheapest prescriptions among the drug cornucopia I take each day. $54.00 doesn't make such a big difference. But when a prescription starts out around $1700.00 out of pocket for a 30 day supply, these questions get huge.

Right now, I'm very thankful for GoodRX.

Trading Places

My Dear Husband has been doing his best to take care of me since I was diagnosed with NSIP back in 2010. He makes sure I get to the doctor, have the equipment and meds I need to deal with my oxygen issues and lovingly supports me in every way.

I'm a lucky girl and I know it. But at the same time, it's hard to always be on the receiving end of caregiving.

So when the DH needed knee surgery, I was finally able to return the favor. I could monitor his meds and pain issues. Did he need some ice to bring down the swelling? Another Advil? A hand with a sponge bath?

I jumped at the chance to help. (And not just with the sponge baths!)

It felt good to take care of him for a change. Jesus was right. It really is more blessed to give than to receive.

He's completely recovered from his surgery now, back to doing all the activities he enjoyed before he went under the knife, and trying out a few new ones. In fact, today, he's kayaking for the first time! I can't wait to hear how he enjoyed it!

And in the meantime, I've got a roast on for when he gets back and I'm always looking for ways to continue to take care of him. It feels good.

In fact, it's sort of the main theme of my upcoming book, The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club. This stealthy group of do-gooders understand that the best way to get your mind off your own problems is to help someone else with theirs.

So, no matter what your health situation, I encourage you to look for ways to help and take care of those around you. Sometimes, even a kind word, a promise of prayer or a listening ear is enough of a blessing to lift someone else's spirit.

And your own...