After high school, I was going to be a rock star. I didn't go to college, so instead, I slept until 11am and was in a band. We didn't go anywhere except practice - one "Battle of the Bands" our only show (we took not first). After a year of that, I decided to go back.
I went to community college for about a year and a half, but still took mostly music classes. Choir, Music History, Music Theory, Voice training, with some poorly attended academic classes thrown in. That ended during a month-long party when I house-sat for some friends of my parents. I and two friends ended up dropping out.
When I moved to Eugene, again I attempted rock stardom. We played every weekend and it lasted about 2 years. I worked shit day jobs, telling myself that it didn't matter what I did so long as music was being played. Being poor was fun.
Fast forward to 2002. I went to University of Phoenix because I could keep my day job and still get a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. I had enough credits to enter as a junior, so long as during the two year program I still fulfilled the general education requirements (math, English, humanities). That didn't happen. After finishing the main part of the program, I got divorced, changed jobs twice, and let it slide.
Here it is five years later, and I can't think of a better time to go back. It puts my student loans into deferrment, I can finish my degree, and with a couple extra classes, actually come out with two degrees (Bus. Mgmt and Marketing). However, because it's been so long, the program requirements changed. Some classes I previously took no longer apply to the degree. Others were never offered before so I'll have to take them now.
So tonight, I start the 12 month process to get it back on track. One class at a time for five weeks, rinse, repeat. My first class tonight: Accounting. The shit side of all that is that I STILL need to take the general requirements.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Done and Done
The first two weeks after the surgery were painful, full of much Vicodin and shuffling around. But I was up and walking pretty much right away. At my two week follow-up, they said no running, biking, swimming, or lifting of things. So I've been laying around the house, playing World of Warcraft, waiting. Finally, my six week appointment was today, and I am good to go! It is finished. I am healed. I've already spoken to my contract company and I can go back to work on Monday. Not a moment too soon. We have reached the end of bill juggling.
I want to thank everyone for their support and help. Gina and I have such great friends and family, we wouldn't have been able to make it without you. If anyone has any questions about how awesome back surgery and Workers' Comp is, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you all.
I want to thank everyone for their support and help. Gina and I have such great friends and family, we wouldn't have been able to make it without you. If anyone has any questions about how awesome back surgery and Workers' Comp is, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you all.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Surgi-Rave '09
From Gina:
Hi Everyone,
Scott's surgery went quite well today! The surgery itself was much quicker than expected and Dr. Antezana said there were no complications.
Scott was a great patient and I was wholly amused by his efforts to act alert in the recovery room. He was witty and charming and kept the nurses laughing. Though, sometimes in mid-sentence he trailed off absently as the drugged often do.... and there were some accidental flashings .... hmmm... Oh, hospital gowns :)
All was well until the nurse (Sondra) sat him up and he turned a bit pale. He received more anti-nausea meds in the I.V. but it was touch and go for awhile. Sondra had to take a break and the replacement nurse made us suffer through Scott feeling sick and myself feeling annoyed by putting off other anti-nausea options. Thank God Sondra came back and went for the shot of hearty anti-nausea/knock you out drug so we could drive home.
As soon as we started walking to the house, Scott said he wanted to close his eyes. "I wanna close them right now." There was a bit of cheerleading to get him upstairs, but he made it and then slept several hours.
As of now, he's eaten, slept, walked a bit (and used the bathroom by himself, Myndee). Soon, he will feel well enough to upload the photos of Surgi-rave '09!
Thanks for all the well wishes, calls and e-mails!
Gina
Hi Everyone,
Scott's surgery went quite well today! The surgery itself was much quicker than expected and Dr. Antezana said there were no complications.
Scott was a great patient and I was wholly amused by his efforts to act alert in the recovery room. He was witty and charming and kept the nurses laughing. Though, sometimes in mid-sentence he trailed off absently as the drugged often do.... and there were some accidental flashings .... hmmm... Oh, hospital gowns :)
All was well until the nurse (Sondra) sat him up and he turned a bit pale. He received more anti-nausea meds in the I.V. but it was touch and go for awhile. Sondra had to take a break and the replacement nurse made us suffer through Scott feeling sick and myself feeling annoyed by putting off other anti-nausea options. Thank God Sondra came back and went for the shot of hearty anti-nausea/knock you out drug so we could drive home.
As soon as we started walking to the house, Scott said he wanted to close his eyes. "I wanna close them right now." There was a bit of cheerleading to get him upstairs, but he made it and then slept several hours.
As of now, he's eaten, slept, walked a bit (and used the bathroom by himself, Myndee). Soon, he will feel well enough to upload the photos of Surgi-rave '09!
Thanks for all the well wishes, calls and e-mails!
Gina
Friday, May 01, 2009
Injury Report: Day 45
I've had to visit a hospital twice in my life for physical injuries. Both times were very minor. Living in North Bend when I was three, I fell off the couch and hit my head on the corner of the coffee table. My brother and I were trying to jump up so we could see the big yellow plane fly in to land at the airport. Two rambunctious kids plus the excitement of the Banana Plane equals blood everywhere. Thanks for the stitches in the back of my head, Russ. The second time, I was a little older. My sister and I were playing in a kiddie pool in the back yard. She had a bunch of tea tins in the bottom which I didn't see. I jumped in and stepped on one, cutting the bottom of my foot and spreading blood in the pool. Thanks, Angel. Their fratricide may be taking a long time, but it's a devious plan. Another 40 or 50 years should just about do me in.
This time, the back injury was all on my own. No help needed from anyone. And the down time and recovery will be much longer than a few stitches.
In the last month, there was very little improvement on my back after the steroids. The swelling went down, but no increase in the feeling or reflex in my leg. Went back to the doctor on Apr. 21 and recommended surgery. Specifically, a microdiscectomy. After a week of enduring a sock party from my insurance company, they scheduled it for May 7th. That morning, I go in at 8:00 AM and flash some sweet ass in my hospital gown. I should be home in time to see more local news panic about the swine flu. No overnight stay.
I'm constantly amazed at the advances in medical technology. Thirty-five years ago, my dad had a procedure and had to stay in a hospital eight days. My mom, almost ten. In the new millenium, it's like a tooth cleaning. When I tell people that my surgery will be out-patient, the most common response is surprise. Science is cool. So since I'm getting an operation near my spine (read: nervous system), I've requested upgrades from my doctor:
1. Retractable claws like Wolverine
2. GPS
3. Prehensile tail
4. Handicapped parking permit
5. Bionic leg
6. Telekenesis
I think any of these will be acceptable and quite welcome. While I could really use the parking permit, I think the GPS and leg will be necessary for when the machines rise up against humanity. But depending on what I get, I should be down for about 5 days. After that, a few more weeks of taking it easy. That means I should be returning to work during the first or second week of June.
I have no worries or fear about the procedure, just cautious curiosity. I've never done this before, so it'll be a new experience. And isn't that what life is about? Experiencing new things? If it goes well, maybe I'll sign myself up for something really fun. Like a colonoscopy.
This time, the back injury was all on my own. No help needed from anyone. And the down time and recovery will be much longer than a few stitches.
In the last month, there was very little improvement on my back after the steroids. The swelling went down, but no increase in the feeling or reflex in my leg. Went back to the doctor on Apr. 21 and recommended surgery. Specifically, a microdiscectomy. After a week of enduring a sock party from my insurance company, they scheduled it for May 7th. That morning, I go in at 8:00 AM and flash some sweet ass in my hospital gown. I should be home in time to see more local news panic about the swine flu. No overnight stay.
I'm constantly amazed at the advances in medical technology. Thirty-five years ago, my dad had a procedure and had to stay in a hospital eight days. My mom, almost ten. In the new millenium, it's like a tooth cleaning. When I tell people that my surgery will be out-patient, the most common response is surprise. Science is cool. So since I'm getting an operation near my spine (read: nervous system), I've requested upgrades from my doctor:
1. Retractable claws like Wolverine
2. GPS
3. Prehensile tail
4. Handicapped parking permit
5. Bionic leg
6. Telekenesis
I think any of these will be acceptable and quite welcome. While I could really use the parking permit, I think the GPS and leg will be necessary for when the machines rise up against humanity. But depending on what I get, I should be down for about 5 days. After that, a few more weeks of taking it easy. That means I should be returning to work during the first or second week of June.
I have no worries or fear about the procedure, just cautious curiosity. I've never done this before, so it'll be a new experience. And isn't that what life is about? Experiencing new things? If it goes well, maybe I'll sign myself up for something really fun. Like a colonoscopy.
Friday, April 10, 2009
How It Happens
People our age live paycheck to paycheck all the time. Want to go to Vegas for the weekend? Pass up drink night for a couple weeks, forgo the double lattes, and voila - $1500 for a quick vacation. Need to upgrade to a 42" plasma screen? Buy it now and just shuffle the power, cell phone, and insurance bills for a month or two or, of course, charge it. You can go out to dinner this week. Just take the money from the grocery budget. Replace all the DVDs with new Blu-Ray. No worries because there's some overtime on this paycheck.
That's usually what I've done. Savings is just a place to put my money until I need it in the next few weeks. I've lived pretty good, not worrying about if it'll come to a screeching halt. It doesn't really matter, because I know that next week will be another paycheck directly deposited in my bank. Regular as clockwork. Sure, I may have to double up on the Visa payment come the first of the month, but so what. I'll just cut back on going out for a week or two.
Gina and I were having a conversation just last month about all the people struck by the recent economic downturn. How could they go from house, two cars, and security to living in a shelter? Didn't they plan for it? When nothing changes, and life moves along at a regular pace, people expect that it will never change. Then they get called into the bosses office and told to pack their desk. After that, the bank calls and wants the mortgage payment. Or, you can experience what happened to me.
On March 17th, I got hurt on the job. While bending over picking up computers, my back started hurting. I sat on the floor to lean under a counter, and my left leg went to sleep, numb. I got up and walked around the building a couple of times, but it was still numb. Worried, I made an appointment with the chiropractor right away. They sent me for an MRI, and we got the results the next day - a herniated disc pressing against the nerve that runs down my leg. Next was an appointment with a neurosurgeon. He put me on oral steroids to reduce the swelling and hopefully reduce the pressure on the nerve. That would give the disc a chance to slide back into place. Also, an appointment with my regular doctor got me pain medication (which makes me nauseous). The steroids seemed to work a little, so the neurosurgeon said to give it two more weeks to see if it improves more. If not, back surgery. All this means no work until further notice.
It was an on the job injury, so Worker's Comp should take care of it. Worst case scenario, I have major medical through the girlfriend's work. Unfortunately, the Worker's Comp insurance company denied my claim last Friday. After being out of work, I get no pay for the last three weeks. I had been expecting that income to cover rent, food, and gas, but not now. Gina’s paycheck is obviously helping, but we're down to a little over a third of what we had coming in. We're appealing the denial of the claim, but as anyone who has filed a Worker’s Comp claim knows, that could take months or years to resolve.
How do things get dire so quick? With a significant cut in income, it doesn't take long. The interesting thing is that we don't live high on the hog. We don't go for trips to Vegas, we don't have a high-def DVD player, and we don't have a plasma screen TV. Before all this, as a New Year's Resolution to cut back, we canceled cable. We go to the library for books and DVDs. When we went to the movies, we would find one at the second run theaters. We play board games at the house instead of going out. I drop Gina off at work on my way so we save on gas. When we go out to eat, we'd often split an entrée and limit ourselves to one drink.
Now, I've been out of work for three weeks. Not a long time, true. But when forecasting that the last paycheck of the month will be rent, it's a problem. Long term plans go out the window and survival is paramount. In this case, survival means don't default on any loans and don't get kicked out of the apartment. Any planning is shortened to the next few days. Turning in bottles and cans. Collecting all the change in the house and turning it in for bills. Going through the bookshelf for books and comics that can be sold for cash. Looking at anything sitting on a shelf to see if it can be sold on Craigslist. Doing laundry at friends' houses. Reworking the menu every week, especially since food prices have risen in the last six months. Where previously our food budget was $400-$600 a month, it's now $600-$800.
I've contacted debtors for a temporary reprieve. The bank will let the car loan go for one month. The rental company will take a couple of payments for April rent. The student loan will take forbearance for a few months. Power and gas will get $20 this month. My 401k is not a lot, so I cashed that in. Will that screw me on taxes for '09? Don't care - we need the money now.
I want to make something clear. I'm not asking for anything. I'm merely informing my friends about my current situation. This is about compassion and understanding. You want to know how those people lost their homes? They didn't say anything to anyone. They were too embarrassed. Too prideful. Well, I'm done being embarrassed. I'm humbled before my own situation. I want you to know where I stand.
I've always been curious about the Christmas Giving Tree at the mall. Or the Oregon Food Bank, United Way, or other charities. How do they know who needs it? How do they get a list of names? For those of us in suburbia, it's easy. Look for the person holding a sign on the freeway off ramp. Or the guy pushing a grocery cart, digging through dumpsters for cans and bottles. Or drive through the more rundown areas of town and just look for the ratty house with a broken car in the driveway and dirty kids playing in the weeds in front. I've got news for you Рthe people who need it aren't always that clich̩. They are probably in your neighborhood. Or next door.
I’m not suggesting that I’m going to be waiting in line for a bed at a shelter. Gina and I will make it out of this situation. As soon as my back is better, I’ll be going back to work. It may take us a few months to get back on our feet, but we will. Then, we are going to plan so it doesn't happen again. I am imploring – begging – everyone else to plan for the eventuality that you won't have any money coming in. Build up a savings that will let you survive for at least 6 months. Get insurance to cover loss of work for any reason. If missing one paycheck will set you back at all, get control of your budget. Contact a financial planner to help. It doesn’t matter if you make $10 an hour or $100. The day may come when it’s zero.
In the meantime, we’re being reminded that life is a daily negotiation. Nothing is a given. We’ve realized that it is not the things we have obtained over the years that make us happy, but the quality of our living. We still talk to each other to check how the other is doing, to reassure each other. Because, what we had before is still there – friends, laughter, and conversation. And best of all, each other.
That's usually what I've done. Savings is just a place to put my money until I need it in the next few weeks. I've lived pretty good, not worrying about if it'll come to a screeching halt. It doesn't really matter, because I know that next week will be another paycheck directly deposited in my bank. Regular as clockwork. Sure, I may have to double up on the Visa payment come the first of the month, but so what. I'll just cut back on going out for a week or two.
Gina and I were having a conversation just last month about all the people struck by the recent economic downturn. How could they go from house, two cars, and security to living in a shelter? Didn't they plan for it? When nothing changes, and life moves along at a regular pace, people expect that it will never change. Then they get called into the bosses office and told to pack their desk. After that, the bank calls and wants the mortgage payment. Or, you can experience what happened to me.
On March 17th, I got hurt on the job. While bending over picking up computers, my back started hurting. I sat on the floor to lean under a counter, and my left leg went to sleep, numb. I got up and walked around the building a couple of times, but it was still numb. Worried, I made an appointment with the chiropractor right away. They sent me for an MRI, and we got the results the next day - a herniated disc pressing against the nerve that runs down my leg. Next was an appointment with a neurosurgeon. He put me on oral steroids to reduce the swelling and hopefully reduce the pressure on the nerve. That would give the disc a chance to slide back into place. Also, an appointment with my regular doctor got me pain medication (which makes me nauseous). The steroids seemed to work a little, so the neurosurgeon said to give it two more weeks to see if it improves more. If not, back surgery. All this means no work until further notice.
It was an on the job injury, so Worker's Comp should take care of it. Worst case scenario, I have major medical through the girlfriend's work. Unfortunately, the Worker's Comp insurance company denied my claim last Friday. After being out of work, I get no pay for the last three weeks. I had been expecting that income to cover rent, food, and gas, but not now. Gina’s paycheck is obviously helping, but we're down to a little over a third of what we had coming in. We're appealing the denial of the claim, but as anyone who has filed a Worker’s Comp claim knows, that could take months or years to resolve.
How do things get dire so quick? With a significant cut in income, it doesn't take long. The interesting thing is that we don't live high on the hog. We don't go for trips to Vegas, we don't have a high-def DVD player, and we don't have a plasma screen TV. Before all this, as a New Year's Resolution to cut back, we canceled cable. We go to the library for books and DVDs. When we went to the movies, we would find one at the second run theaters. We play board games at the house instead of going out. I drop Gina off at work on my way so we save on gas. When we go out to eat, we'd often split an entrée and limit ourselves to one drink.
Now, I've been out of work for three weeks. Not a long time, true. But when forecasting that the last paycheck of the month will be rent, it's a problem. Long term plans go out the window and survival is paramount. In this case, survival means don't default on any loans and don't get kicked out of the apartment. Any planning is shortened to the next few days. Turning in bottles and cans. Collecting all the change in the house and turning it in for bills. Going through the bookshelf for books and comics that can be sold for cash. Looking at anything sitting on a shelf to see if it can be sold on Craigslist. Doing laundry at friends' houses. Reworking the menu every week, especially since food prices have risen in the last six months. Where previously our food budget was $400-$600 a month, it's now $600-$800.
I've contacted debtors for a temporary reprieve. The bank will let the car loan go for one month. The rental company will take a couple of payments for April rent. The student loan will take forbearance for a few months. Power and gas will get $20 this month. My 401k is not a lot, so I cashed that in. Will that screw me on taxes for '09? Don't care - we need the money now.
I want to make something clear. I'm not asking for anything. I'm merely informing my friends about my current situation. This is about compassion and understanding. You want to know how those people lost their homes? They didn't say anything to anyone. They were too embarrassed. Too prideful. Well, I'm done being embarrassed. I'm humbled before my own situation. I want you to know where I stand.
I've always been curious about the Christmas Giving Tree at the mall. Or the Oregon Food Bank, United Way, or other charities. How do they know who needs it? How do they get a list of names? For those of us in suburbia, it's easy. Look for the person holding a sign on the freeway off ramp. Or the guy pushing a grocery cart, digging through dumpsters for cans and bottles. Or drive through the more rundown areas of town and just look for the ratty house with a broken car in the driveway and dirty kids playing in the weeds in front. I've got news for you Рthe people who need it aren't always that clich̩. They are probably in your neighborhood. Or next door.
I’m not suggesting that I’m going to be waiting in line for a bed at a shelter. Gina and I will make it out of this situation. As soon as my back is better, I’ll be going back to work. It may take us a few months to get back on our feet, but we will. Then, we are going to plan so it doesn't happen again. I am imploring – begging – everyone else to plan for the eventuality that you won't have any money coming in. Build up a savings that will let you survive for at least 6 months. Get insurance to cover loss of work for any reason. If missing one paycheck will set you back at all, get control of your budget. Contact a financial planner to help. It doesn’t matter if you make $10 an hour or $100. The day may come when it’s zero.
In the meantime, we’re being reminded that life is a daily negotiation. Nothing is a given. We’ve realized that it is not the things we have obtained over the years that make us happy, but the quality of our living. We still talk to each other to check how the other is doing, to reassure each other. Because, what we had before is still there – friends, laughter, and conversation. And best of all, each other.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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