Since we are being "terminated" from our current health insurance (as we finish residency 6/30!), Kelvin and I had to do a bit of scoping out for alternative health plans as we don't start at our new jobs until September 1st. And although we seem to be adventurous at times and some of the premiums seemed outrageous for healthy, nonsmoking doctors in our twenties (though not for long!), not applying for temporary health insurance and "taking our chances" in a summer that includes international travel was not a viable option. We also applied for life and disability insurance, which is incrementally more depressing than applying for health insurance... (does anyone enjoy talking about devastating medical outcomes, death, or incapacitation to work?!). The whole process, though, is rather annoying.
These applications are not only time-consuming, but make you feel like a criminal!
Honestly, being open and comprehensive makes you feel like you have done horrible things. I've had to do a couple of follow-up phone interviews this past week and I seriously feel like a medication junkie and reckless person.
Last week it was, "Have you traveled out of the country in the last five years?
Me: "Um... yes."
Rep: "If so, where? Then list how long you were there, the date you arrived, the purpose of your travel, the length of stay, whether this was the first time in that country, and whether you plan to return there." [Oh yes, and please tell us the color of the curtains in the hotel room you stayed in in the first night in that country. (just kidding!)].
Me: "Oh geez..." (racking my brain and being terrified I'd forget a country and somehow get denied insurance or get deported which, I realize, is rather rare for a U.S. citizen).
After going through this spiel for Egypt, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Jamaica, Peru, Bolivia, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Costa Rica (and don't forget Canada) in what was supposed to be a "quick" follow-up interview, I was more than exasperated by the application process.
Then there were the medical questions....
Rep: " Have you taken any medications, herbs, supplements, or other drugs in the past 5 years?"
Me: "Well, gosh..." Suddenly my seasonal flonase (the only way I can make it through a Sacramento springtime without dying of allergic rhinitis), antihistamine eye drops, zyrtec, and post-viral-bronchospasm-necesitating periodic albuterol use make me "someone with a chronic respiratory condition." Ugh.
Rep: "When did you last see a doctor and what was the reason?"
Me: "Umm... well, I think it was an annual exam for a pap, about a year and a half ago or something?" (Obviously, we residents are really great about prioritizing doctors' appts, as well as remembering such information. I swear, we are the worst patients [I still remember my horror at DNKA-ing (no-showing) at my dental appointment 2 years ago, totally sleep-deprived by OB nights]. In any case, I wasn't sure if "annual exam a year and a half ago" was a good answer, given that "annual" can hardly be an adjective applied to my exam frequency, and wondered what was more likely-- their concluding that I was super-healthy (despite all my mandatory allergy meds above) or rather super-noncompliant by avoiding primary care and doctors. Can't win...
The kicker, though, was that I had to get fasting blood drawn to make sure I didn't have diabetes or something, which I'm sure they would have realized was highly unlikely when they learned of the frequency of workouts I've been doing to try to be able to fit into my too-late-to-be-altered-further wedding dress.
Rep: "So when would you be able to get your blood drawn?"
Me: "Um... well, if it's fasting, I suppose the morning would be best. How long would it take?"
Rep: "About 30-45 minutes."
Me: "What's the earliest you can do? I usually have to be at work at 8."
Rep: "7 a.m. or 7:30"
Me; "Hmm.. that's cutting it a bit close."
Rep: "We could do 3 p.m. on Tuesday"
Me; "3 pm?!?!?!? Fast until 3 p.m.??!?!" (that was more ridiculous to me than them considering that a resident would have free time on a weekday to do a blood test).
Rep: "Or 8 p.m.?"
Me: (in my head, "Are you out of your mind?! Who in their right mind could go to work and not eat all day?!") "Um, why don't we check the weekend schedule..."
In any case, we finally settled on a late-morning Saturday blood-draw which had me nearly passing out from hypotension (and that was before the blood was even drawn) and hypoglycemia. Glad that's over with and I can avoid any other ridiculous fasting. My poor patients-- I have new respect for what we make them go through!
So we'll see. I hope I'm insurable.
The sad part is that I'm probably the most healthy and insurable now than I will ever be!
Crossed fingers for no health catastrophes, deaths, or incapacitating injuries in the future...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wat2Du
... was the text of our license plate that our oh-so-famous "reflector van" in McLean used to bear.
People have been asking us if we are "ready" for the big day, which is a mere week away!
Our reply: "Yes. We can't wait for it [the planning] to be over and life to begin!"
I know I've complained over and over again about wedding planning. It used to be stressful but I've really been trying to let things go a bit more... and think that I'm actually probably more relaxed, this last week, than I have been for much of the planning process, despite some "things gone wrong" in the last week.
Printing snafu
After our semi-success hand-making invitations, we decided to format and print our own church programs, too. After many hours perfecting the layout and size/alignment of the font (which apparently is not accessible in all versions of word; I can't even blame the mac), Kelvin spent many hours in Office Max printing these.... only to find that a whole line shifted over unexpectedly (which did not appear on the computer version). Now, I mentioned that I am trying to be less stressed about all wedding aspects; however, despite how hard we tried, the anal part of both of us could not just "let it go" and "go with the flow" on this one. Seeing that stray line would drive us nuts! So it was back to the drawing board... repurchasing all the paper, having it re-shipped, and having all the programs re-printed. They look good now :)
Bustling
I got away with a pretty good deal of a wedding dress which apparently came with its own bustles (ties under the dress, for those of you as clueless about wedding attire as I was before this whole year). I had the final alterations done at a nearby Asian Cleaners' (who did a great job!) and the dress miraculously seems to fit (but no excessive treats for another week!), but, when my mom and I went to try it on last weekend, we spent 2 hours to no avail trying to figure out how to tie the darn dress up underneath so it didn't look weird at the bottom. While I appropriated the open mirror in the shop front (good for business?), the very sweet Chinese man who ran the business looked at us sympathetically, but couldn't help us at all. So this necessitated an emergency trip to an actual bridal salon (which I found rather annoying in the whole dress-shopping process) to talk to a wedding seamstress. Luckily, in fewer than 10 minutes, they diagnosed my problem (that I needed another set of ties), and four short days later, I retrieved the fixed dress with neat little color-coded thread, basically assuring that the up-tie would be idiot-proof come our big day. Whew.
Travel issues
My grandmother in MN (only living grandparent) recently ended up in the hospital and is having to move out of her apartment into assisted living which, in and of itself, is rather traumatizing. She was originally supposed to take the train out to CA from MN (accompanied) for the wedding which is a rather arduous journey. However, with recent flooding in North Dakota, Amtrak routes have been shut down and that is no longer a viable option. She was hesitant to fly out here due to some health concerns (which, as a doctor and not just her granddaughter, I feel were blown out of proportion), and was resigned to just miss our wedding. However, when I talked to her on the phone today, I could not just let it happen. Already disappointed that so many close friends aren't making the trip out, I was near devastated to hear this news. She may be more excited about this day than I am -- she told me earlier this year that she'd had, long before I even got engaged, the outfit that she would wear for my wedding. This has been the bright spot in her year. I am not sure how much longer she'll be around... or the next time I'll be able to see her. However, my meltdown apparently led to some reconsideration and she is flying Wednesday. I could not be more thrilled!
So, despite any other near disasters or impending disasters, just having her and some other very important people out here will just totally make the day. It could be 105 degrees (although I hope for more like a 85- degree day like today), it could rain (very unlikely in July in Sacramento), the priest could forget our names, but as long as Kelvin and I show up and become husband/wife by the end of the day, it will be special... can't wait :)
People have been asking us if we are "ready" for the big day, which is a mere week away!
Our reply: "Yes. We can't wait for it [the planning] to be over and life to begin!"
I know I've complained over and over again about wedding planning. It used to be stressful but I've really been trying to let things go a bit more... and think that I'm actually probably more relaxed, this last week, than I have been for much of the planning process, despite some "things gone wrong" in the last week.
Printing snafu
After our semi-success hand-making invitations, we decided to format and print our own church programs, too. After many hours perfecting the layout and size/alignment of the font (which apparently is not accessible in all versions of word; I can't even blame the mac), Kelvin spent many hours in Office Max printing these.... only to find that a whole line shifted over unexpectedly (which did not appear on the computer version). Now, I mentioned that I am trying to be less stressed about all wedding aspects; however, despite how hard we tried, the anal part of both of us could not just "let it go" and "go with the flow" on this one. Seeing that stray line would drive us nuts! So it was back to the drawing board... repurchasing all the paper, having it re-shipped, and having all the programs re-printed. They look good now :)
Bustling
I got away with a pretty good deal of a wedding dress which apparently came with its own bustles (ties under the dress, for those of you as clueless about wedding attire as I was before this whole year). I had the final alterations done at a nearby Asian Cleaners' (who did a great job!) and the dress miraculously seems to fit (but no excessive treats for another week!), but, when my mom and I went to try it on last weekend, we spent 2 hours to no avail trying to figure out how to tie the darn dress up underneath so it didn't look weird at the bottom. While I appropriated the open mirror in the shop front (good for business?), the very sweet Chinese man who ran the business looked at us sympathetically, but couldn't help us at all. So this necessitated an emergency trip to an actual bridal salon (which I found rather annoying in the whole dress-shopping process) to talk to a wedding seamstress. Luckily, in fewer than 10 minutes, they diagnosed my problem (that I needed another set of ties), and four short days later, I retrieved the fixed dress with neat little color-coded thread, basically assuring that the up-tie would be idiot-proof come our big day. Whew.
Travel issues
My grandmother in MN (only living grandparent) recently ended up in the hospital and is having to move out of her apartment into assisted living which, in and of itself, is rather traumatizing. She was originally supposed to take the train out to CA from MN (accompanied) for the wedding which is a rather arduous journey. However, with recent flooding in North Dakota, Amtrak routes have been shut down and that is no longer a viable option. She was hesitant to fly out here due to some health concerns (which, as a doctor and not just her granddaughter, I feel were blown out of proportion), and was resigned to just miss our wedding. However, when I talked to her on the phone today, I could not just let it happen. Already disappointed that so many close friends aren't making the trip out, I was near devastated to hear this news. She may be more excited about this day than I am -- she told me earlier this year that she'd had, long before I even got engaged, the outfit that she would wear for my wedding. This has been the bright spot in her year. I am not sure how much longer she'll be around... or the next time I'll be able to see her. However, my meltdown apparently led to some reconsideration and she is flying Wednesday. I could not be more thrilled!
So, despite any other near disasters or impending disasters, just having her and some other very important people out here will just totally make the day. It could be 105 degrees (although I hope for more like a 85- degree day like today), it could rain (very unlikely in July in Sacramento), the priest could forget our names, but as long as Kelvin and I show up and become husband/wife by the end of the day, it will be special... can't wait :)
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Last graduation ever?
UCD FP Class of 2011 (plus Joe and Serena :))
This past week marked a week of graduations! It has always been fun attending both the FP and OB department graduations... in fact, I still remember attending graduation for OB as a rising (pre)-intern four years ago and never believing that I would someday be in the same spot, a graduating OB chief! Graduations from residency are not cap/gown affairs... they really are kind of anti-climactic (esp because we have to return to work the Mondays afterwards!) and not as formal as, say, graduation from college or medical school... Nevertheless, they mark the end of perhaps the most challenging 3-4 years of training and life so far, and thus are definitely something to celebrate. How many graduations must one go through before getting a "real" job? :) My very dedicated parents and godmother flew across the country to attend both of my graduations, which was a special treat if not to just see and spend more time with them (in between their sightseeing of northern California :))!
First (last weekend) was FP graduation at Mulvaney's Building and Loan, a restaurant in Sac that I had always wanted to try. The event was very well organized, thanks to some very motivated classmates who ran the "graduation committee," and was a great time to reminisce on some very tough years! Kelvin put together some very memorable slide shows to commemorate our time at UCD. Thanks to Brenden and Wai Kiu for so many wonderful photos which I stole, as I barely busted out my own camera.
Mulvaney's
Chief recognition
Getting the diploma from Dr. B
The family (+ Inara + Kelvin)
FPOB group shot (Jessica, me, Joe, Suzanne)
Group shot
This past Friday was the OBGYN graduation at the Sterling Hotel downtown which was very elegant! So many alums (i.e. my old chiefs) came back for a reunion of sorts and it was a great time, as usual! It's always so nice to see residents dressed up! I am so thankful for the wonderful education I received on behalf of the OBGYN department, and hope to use my OB skills lots up in Arcata!
Our Chief class (me, Alex, Julia, Lucy, Charmian, Priyal, Gaea)-- it only took us 4 hours to get us seven together for a picture!!
with the fam
with the ever-so-glam Priyal
with Jessica and Gaea
The dance party!
Fun times. The countdown now: 9 days of clinic work, and 14 days until marriage!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
'Tis the Season: next one's ours!!
We have had a fun May attending friends' weddings and having some fun in California!
The Happy Couple
and had some great views! (I hijacked Serena/Brad's dog for the day!)
We napped in the sun and had a smooth sail back (thanks to better "surf" and some meclizine [Thanks, Serena!] :)
Thanks to Wai Kiu, as always, for taking most of these photos and letting me steal them.
First up: Tim/Kya
Tim (residency classmate) and Kya, his college sweetheart, got married at the Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek a couple of weekends ago. It was a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding and everything, from the surrounding roses to the bride, was gorgeous!
Group of residency attendees (Lees, K/me, Serena/Brad, Ashby)
Ashby and her date
The Bride processes
We went down to Westminster for our 2nd annual Memorial Day weekend
K's grandma is over from Vietnam for our wedding and brought me a beautiful ao dai I got to wear on Saturday at a ceremonial event and to Kimie's wedding
K's grandma is over from Vietnam for our wedding and brought me a beautiful ao dai I got to wear on Saturday at a ceremonial event and to Kimie's wedding
Theresa, me, Kat
Kimie and Vin (after a loooong engagement-- this day finally came!) got married at a church in San Dimas!!
The bride enters...
The happy couple
UCD crew post-ceremony (uh... I think I stand out a bit too much!)
After the church ceremony, K took us to his med school grounds (Western U.) to explore...
... and, at the Holiday Inn, Mason pretended to be a bellhop!
The evening came (reception at Diamond Bar Center):
Thai ceremony
Beautiful centerpieces (which were all taken by guests at the end of the night-- did people know that this is kosher? Apparently it definitely is at Asian weddings!)
Eight-course dinner menu!
Third outfit of the night!
On Sunday, Wai Kiu, Hanh, Mason, Serena, Brad, K and I ventured off the coast to Catalina Island.
Let's just say that it wasn't the best day for boat travel. I don't think I've ever gotten seasick, but I was one of the lucky 25% of passengers who spent the majority of the 1-hour ride out on the deck throwing up into my barf bag. It was disgusting. But, despite (from the moment the nausea first hit) trying to plot an escape from the island that didn't involve a boat, we all really had a good time.
Two people had fun on the boat ride:
Shabu came along!
I love these pics:
We rode golf carts around the island:
and had some great views! (I hijacked Serena/Brad's dog for the day!)
Monday included some shopping and, too soon, the weekend was over and the week work began.
The countdown:
Residency days left: 28!!
Days until the wedding: 30!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)