D-League

[Bert Higginbotha]

It was a crisp mid twenties this morning with a heavy frost.

The Cats are struggling, but I though Kansas would beat them by more than three, so I am guardedly optimistic.

Good luck Harlan in your move. Moving is hard on older folks. I am in my 10th house as the railroad sure liked to move me around. We retired to Smiths Grove in 2000 and my wife and I swear that our next move will be to the cemetery.

On citrus trees: I had one satsuma orange tree in Jacksonville. It was rugged and produced fruit. I had one lemon tree and it died the first year I set it out.

It is a good day to stay indoors and I am planning to do just that. I have edited the game and am in the process of burning the bluray as I type this.

You all carry on and have a good hump day.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

 

[Ben101er]

Good morning D-League.

Tough night for the Cats. Didn't get to watch as I had to get up at 4am to see my son off to Lexington and my wife to an early hospital shift.

Can't say I'm not a bit concerned. But I'm taking the opportunity to do some reverse-trolling on Rafters. That's when you post something positive in the face of the howling tempest of negativity and hysteria. I'm getting predictably verbally assaulted, which is fine. As I say, I'm far from sold on this team yet, but I remember people bailing on the 2011 team and the 2014 team and even last year after Evansville. So many factors have worked against this bunch, from their only experienced player Keion Brooks getting hurt and not being there as a pre-season stabilizer, to the Covid cancellations that didn't give them the 4-5 cupcake games to mature.

The Point Guard deficiency may prove fatal, but otherwise there is still room for a solid team.

I agree that the Covid schedule really hurt this team, but I don't see us being able to have much success with the type of pg play we have. With Mintz being a 5 year player, he is not going to get better. What you see is what he is. Askew, is just not ready. He should have stayed and finished HS, and unless he gets a little quicker, it may not matter, anyway. Either Sallis, or Skyy Clark, will start over him, next year.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

 

[UK_fan_41102]

I've been sending off for material from different colleges for my daughter. Anyways, the other day my wife tells her I think your dad sent off for more college material, so my daughter asks "Who's it from", my wife replied "Louisville", my daughter promptly says "I know dad didn't send for it, he hates them".

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Well congrats to the United Kingdom for being the first nation to authorize the Pfizer vaccine. Bravo. A vaccine the United States taxpayers gave billions to develop, the vaccine President Trump put on a fast track, Warp Speed, is still not available in the U.S. but UK gives the go ahead.

This vaccine was ready before the election and that was unknown to the public. Now the FDA still has not approved it and I wonder why. Politics??

U.K. Authorizes Pfizer, BioNTech’s Covid-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use

Britain became the first Western nation to grant emergency-use authorization for a Covid-19 vaccine, clearing a shot developed by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech to be distributed in limited numbers within days.

www.wsj.com

 

[_Rooster]

47°➫ 70° Sunny, crisp & dry.

Good Afternoon D
I'm fine now that I've stop running in a plucking automated loop.
Only needed to hang on hold for about 4 hours for a human.
Social Security error fixed.
Correct Medicare card issued
Sammich in order.

 

[_Rooster]

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Well congrats to the United Kingdom for being the first nation to authorize the Pfizer vaccine. Bravo. A vaccine the United States taxpayers gave billions to develop, the vaccine President Trump put on a fast track, Warp Speed, is still not available in the U.S. but UK gives the go ahead.

This vaccine was ready before the election and that was unknown to the public. Now the FDA still has not approved it and I wonder why. Politics??

U.K. Authorizes Pfizer, BioNTech’s Covid-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use

Britain became the first Western nation to grant emergency-use authorization for a Covid-19 vaccine, clearing a shot developed by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech to be distributed in limited numbers within days.

www.wsj.com

Exactly. Before the election it was the vaccine probably won't be ready until the middle of 2021, after the election we now have 3 ready. Politics at it's finest.

 

[_Rooster]

 

[tapemaster8]

Exactly. Before the election it was the vaccine probably won't be ready until the middle of 2021, after the election we now have 3 ready. Politics at it's finest.

Yep the President said it was coming very soon, but the other side said no way it could be that fast! We sort of see who was right and who were lying!

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Yep the President said it was coming very soon, but the other side said no way it could be that fast! We sort of see who was right and who were lying!

I wish someone should throw some water on the Wicked Witch of West and rid us of her.

 

[Ben101er]

Looks like the Kenova, WV tank farm.

 

[Ben101er]

I wish someone should throw some water on the Wicked Witch of West and rid us of her.

Drop a house on her.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Looks like the Kenova, WV tank farm.

Omg, it does look like it.

 

[Ben101er]

Omg, it does look like it.

Yep, with the floodwall on the left side of the picture.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

 

[Ben101er]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

 

[warrior-cat]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

Those bastards.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

I just spent an hour or so on the phone with a couple insurance companies. Talking to their 'reps' is like talking to a wall. Understand insurance can get complicated, but you would think that those who work for them would know a little bit about their product. My question was.....does Medicare supplemental pay after Advantage plan or do they only pay after 'original' Medicare. Finally, after forever, I was told they only pay after 'original'.
Of course all these plans are different....but if your supplemental policy would have paid for all of it this year....do you have Advantage plan now or 'original' Medicare (and changing to Advantage with the new year)?
Or did what this Humana rep tell me was all wrong?

 

[Ben101er]

I just spent an hour or so on the phone with a couple insurance companies. Talking to their 'reps' is like talking to a wall. Understand insurance can get complicated, but you would think that those who work for them would know a little bit about their product. My question was.....does Medicare supplemental pay after Advantage plan or do they only pay after 'original' Medicare. Finally, after forever, I was told they only pay after 'original'.
Of course all these plans are different....but if your supplemental policy would have paid for all of it this year....do you have Advantage plan now or 'original' Medicare (and changing to Advantage with the new year)?
Or did what this Humana rep tell me was all wrong?

A supplemental policy pays the co-pays and deductibles that Medicare plan A and B do not cover. You also have to purchase a dental plan, and a drug plan. These supplemental policies will cost about $155 to $200 per month and go up every year with your age. Drug and dental plans will vary costs. Advantage plans are sold by insurance companies that are licensed by Medicare to take the place of your Medicare coverage. Generally, you can get a decent PPO plan for almost nothing. Mine is going to cost $15 per month.

You will no longer have Medicare. you give the service provider your Humana card. With my plan, I pay $0 for a regular office visit, and $45 for a specialist. If I go to the hospital, I pay $315 a night for 7 nights, and then it is paid at 100%. So, my two nights in the hospital will cost me $630. That will include all costs. The surgeon, OR, tests, drugs, etc. Advantage plans cover dental with 2 cleanings a year and xrays. Fillings are covered at 50%. Drug plans, vision, are also included in most of these plans. Since you pay usually around $0 per month, you will pay some when you need health services, but the maximum out of pocket is $6700. If you can go a couple of years without major health issues, you will save a lot of money.

 

[Ben101er]

I just spent an hour or so on the phone with a couple insurance companies. Talking to their 'reps' is like talking to a wall. Understand insurance can get complicated, but you would think that those who work for them would know a little bit about their product. My question was.....does Medicare supplemental pay after Advantage plan or do they only pay after 'original' Medicare. Finally, after forever, I was told they only pay after 'original'.
Of course all these plans are different....but if your supplemental policy would have paid for all of it this year....do you have Advantage plan now or 'original' Medicare (and changing to Advantage with the new year)?
Or did what this Humana rep tell me was all wrong?

Also, you cannot have an Advantage plan and a supplemental policy. It is one, or the other.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

Wow, I hate to hear that Ben. I had my spine surgery postponed several months because of the COVID. The ironic thing was not a single hospital was at capacity and they were having to lay off hospital workers because of the decrease in patients. I did not suffer any monetary loss but I had to endure severe pain for several months longer than necessary.

My prayers are with you to get relief and this behind you. Stenosis is rough

 

[Backer cutter]

Also, you cannot have an Advantage plan and a supplemental policy. It is one, or the other.

Our insurance comes through my wife’s job as a nurse at a nursing home. It changes every year, depending upon what company the NH used to get the lowest prices. That means our deductible resets every 12 months. Last year I had a major knee injury that required surgery and lots of therapy, and my out of pocket expenses were over 11000.00 dollars. Not to mention I was unable to work. I’m self employed farming, so didn’t even try to get any help with that. But if I was a minority, well, probably could retire by now.

 

[Ben101er]

Wow, I hate to hear that Ben. I had my spine surgery postponed several months because of the COVID. The ironic thing was not a single hospital was at capacity and they were having to lay off hospital workers because of the decrease in patients. I did not suffer any monetary loss but I had to endure severe pain for several months longer than necessary.

My prayers are with you to get relief and this behind you. Stenosis is rough

That's what is sad. The hospital is really needing beds filled, because so many people have put off elective surgery. Now, this Gov keeps them from doing so, because Covid patients are few. Because of the stenosis in L3-L4, and L4-L5, he is going to do an incision of about 7 inches. He told me that he wasn't sugar coating it, that it would really be painful. I told him that I deal with pain well, and that after my knee replacements, I went back to work in 9 days. He then told me that I would do fine. Just want to get it over with.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

Sorry to hear that Ben. I get them needing beds, but most people wouldn't be having a surgery of your magnitude if they weren't in pain. I guarantee if Justice was in your shape, he'd be having the surgery.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

 

[tapemaster8]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

Well that sucks ! Praying for good results wheneverYou do have it!

 

[AustinTXCat]

Here's a Civil War veterans reunion in Austin held in 1941.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

That's what is sad. The hospital is really needing beds filled, because so many people have put off elective surgery. Now, this Gov keeps them from doing so, because Covid patients are few. Because of the stenosis in L3-L4, and L4-L5, he is going to do an incision of about 7 inches. He told me that he wasn't sugar coating it, that it would really be painful. I told him that I deal with pain well, and that after my knee replacements, I went back to work in 9 days. He then told me that I would do fine. Just want to get it over with.

I might have told Sawnee this months ago when he was first mentioning his back surgery, but my youngest son has a titanium (I'm pretty sure) tube/cone in his back. Picked something up one day...took about 4 or 5 steps and went down. By the end of the day he was in the hospital and couldn't walk. Don't remember all the details but they had to take out several disks in his lower back and replace them with it. About 7 inches as I recall.
If that wasn't bad enough...he lives in Atlanta and it happened in New Jersey right across the river from Philly. Was in the hospital there for about a month if not a little longer. Through an old connection I got him in a hospital in Atlanta that specializes in spinal problems. They flew up and got him and he spent about another month there.
Still has some problems and he's supposed to have another procedure done...but I'm not up on exactly what they want to do. He's 39 so my fear is is that as he gets older he'll have more and more problems. Hate to think what it might be like in another 20 years.
Doctors kind of thought that he might have had a weak back from playing football in H.S., but of course they didn't know for sure.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Got some crappy news, today. Had my MRI and xray last week, and my telehealth appointment, yesterday. Surgeon said that I had moderate to severe stenosis, which I already knew, and my discs were stable enough to forego spinal fusion. That was the good news. The bad news is that they were going to get it done this year, while my supplemental policy would pay for 100% of it. I was having it done at Marshall Medical Center, in Huntington, and now, the idiot Gov. of WV has called an end to all but emergency surgeries, to allow space for Covid victims. The hospital told me that with people waiting on most surgeries, they had plenty of rooms to handle elective surgeries and Covid patients. So, now they are saying it will be mid January before my surgery, and now it will fall under my Advantage plan, which will now cost me $630. Oh, well. I guess I shouldn't worry about situations I can't control.

Sorry to hear. Get well soon!

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

Here's a Civil War veterans reunion in Austin held in 1941.

Weren't too many around by the '40s. If you were 15 in the war you'd be about 90 by the time of this picture.

 

[Ben101er]

Sorry to hear that Ben. I get them needing beds, but most people wouldn't be having a surgery of your magnitude if they weren't in pain. I guarantee if Justice was in your shape, he'd be having the surgery.

That's the bad part. The hospital doesn't have enough Covid cases to make up for the cancelled surgeries, so they have an excess of beds. If he had any sense, he would tell them that they can continue elective surgeries, until they occupy 80% of their beds, then they have to cut them off. He must have gone to the Andy Beshear conference for Governors, and he doesn't think before doing stupid things, either.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Good morning from ATX. Currently, we've got 41°F and clear. Today's high should reach just 58°F. Loving it.

Returning to work today. I'll start here in a few.

Wishing happiness and health to all our fellow D-League members.

 

[warrior-cat]

Goooooooood Morning Legionnaires!

42° on tap for today with winds gusting to 20mph. Going to do my only Christmas shopping today while wife and daughter are at work/school.

Daughter started the year going to school with the option of virtual if she wants it. Given a choice now after Christmas to do virtual if not, stay in school for the rest of the year. She is now telling us she thinks she wants to go virtual. She has a friend on line she plays games with from England that is doing virtual and she now wants to do the same. I told her she better think about that hard because, with me now being home I will ensure that her school work will be done first along with home work next and any on line time with friends will be limited. The look on her face told me all I needed to know. Now she is not so sure. Heh, Heh, Heh. Mean ole daddy.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Good morning from a cool Gulf Coast

We have 39° at the present and the sunshine will bring us up to 72° by midafternoon. Our humidity is 71% and winds are out of the East at 7 mph. No rain and no snow or ice.

Trust all are well or have a road to good health and prayers for those who need a little touch. Sonshine cleans the soul

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Good morning D-League. Hope everyone slept better than the night before after the Cats crapped the bed.

Sorry about the health care industry jerking you around Ben. My wife works as an RN with some administrative duties at a Johns Hopkins hospital in Maryland (not the main one in Baltimore. This is suburban DC.)

She's friends with the chief of staff, and has some insight into how the hospitals have been jerked around on elective surgeries -- shut down to keep patients from getting infected and to clear room for Covid, back on to generate revenue for the hospital and surgeons, but with ZERO family visits, then modified family visits, then back off again.

Naturally, it is people in situations like yours who end up getting jerked around. It has also had her in a spin as a surgical nurse. She's had about ten different shifts since spring, now working 12 hour shifts three days a week that completely exhaust her.

Just another way 2020 has sucked some life out of us all.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

 

[AustinTXCat]

Here's the battleship USS Texas transiting through Gatun Lock, Panama Canal, in July 1919. Nice detail.

 

[_Rooster]