plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 235
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 6:39 am Post subject: Changes
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Just an observation, it does seem with each endeavor this organization does seem to gain ground and credibility. This is the finest group of people I?ve ever been associated with (and it not just because I usually hang out with a bunch of scumbuckets lol ? sorry couldn?t resist). <
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>But seriously, seeing where this organization started and where it is at, makes a person realize the leap forward that has come about in five years.
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 9:48 am Post subject: In my opinion
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they use the surveys as part of the usual stall strategy. they give it so much time to be sent out, returned, sorted, counted...etc.. then they have to have a re-count (hmmmm sound familiar) then its down to having to separate by race-religion and anything else they can think of. In essence, what their hoping for is that sooner or later we will all go away. Well they had better realize this slam bleep family is not going anywhere.<
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>Lin- the people I have met here are the greatest group of family a person could ask for. They will make you feel so welcome and part of it all that you will have more guts shall I say, for lack of a better word, to do and say anything to anybody. Knowing they are supporting you 100 % and will be there for you thru it all. ( HINT, when someone says we should do something, sometimes they sit and take the pics for proof LOL ). But I wouldn't want it any other way. <
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>They say you can't pick your family but you can pick your friends... I would pick this group for both......<
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say what
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
Posts: 29
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 12:11 pm Post subject: Pics
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You learn never to share a room with Brenda. You will end up with a happy face mug and a bottle of mud slide and you are sleeping....and a picture. She has computer inhanced some also. <
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>Never have Brenda pick you up at the airport...anything can happen....around and around again and again. Hope though that you will do DC next time. We are going to have a bunch of characters, I truly feel like a den mother to say the least.<
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>I just wait in the car and take the pictures and act innocent.<
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>So there!<
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>We truly have had many memories and fun times. What can a few people do when we started. That was our first rally. We just paper the cars and educated patients.<
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>We have come a long way, but we all are in this together and have fun.<
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>Baltimore and DC I had to be a grown up. But we are all in this together. We are working towards a better tomorrow and a better dialysis community.
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Ohdear
Joined: 23 Oct 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 12:41 pm Post subject: Plugger
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We have not started on you yet
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 8:55 pm Post subject: hmmmmmmmmmmm
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well duh...I never mentioned names--just a
iefing of what happened...lol However now that it is out in the open..... At least I had my glasses/contacts in ..so that made me the "Driver" of choice, besides reason for round and round Sky Harbor....hmmmmm someones candid directions...or shall I say lack off...lol The smiley face mug was to give me something cute to look at in the morning, instead of one that had over loaded on chili..... Best one believe that come hell or high water one will be with the next trip...and one had best
ing a spare set of hot rollers with her..... <
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>So Lin don't believe all that you read about me....lol I just
ing the comic relief and guts to do a few things. one thing to remember shall you decide to go with us, never lift someone else's suitcase .....<
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>Plugger come on
other--waiting to put together the family album.........<
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>Like we have all mentioned before, we go to these rally's / Government meetings with every serious part of our minds and bodies. The information, documents in hand, and proof of what the " industry " hasn't done for the Dialysis community. But when we are back, talking about the next move planned, we have a tendency to let our guard down for a bit, that or were just so tired from lack of sleep we have a tendency to let go..and get to know each other.........and learn so much
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 3:10 am Post subject: Too much lol
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You guys are too much! lol Mudslides, hmmmm, I could deal with that but the pics I'm not too sure about, well at least if the pics weren't of me.<
>Actually, when I first came to this site it was by accident, and I had no idea where I had landed. Wow, I was all but burned at the stake for mentioning I was in a pretty nice unit! At the same time I was searching for meaning to my dialysis adventure. For years I had taken care of others; it seemed that is what I should be doing, but how? Then it hit me, gee I'm in a good unit and I'm "lucky", but wait a minute, luck should have nothing to do with it! These other pts. shouldn't have to hope and pray they get lucky and land in a nice unit. They shouldn't fear the filth, bad stickers,, ect.. EVERY unit should be nice, and good, and safe!!! I got a list of pts. rights when I started dialsyis, and bleep it anyway that list should apply to EVERYONE.<
>It's going to take me a while to get up to speed (catch up with all of you) but I'm willing! Heck, I'm sticking around for the party, cinnamon buns and mudslides all around! Lin.
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:42 am Post subject: OH Lin
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I was so INNOCENT before I met the others,,,,, Then boom changed gal over night. Should you happen to be able to make the next trip, which I definitely am, do not under any circumstances
ing hot rollers....lol
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 9:40 am Post subject: Hot rollers?
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Hmmm, me thinks there's a story there lol All I know about DC is that my son and daughter in-law have warned me NOT to stay in DC, so when we went for a visit stayed in Crystal City Va.. Irish pub and Ihop nearby. Would it be safe to
ing a curling iron? lol Lin.
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brenda
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 9:53 am Post subject: curling irons are fine
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as long as you don't share a room with Arlene she takes all the outlets for all her stuff.....also make sure that the IHOP does not have CHILI of any kind,,,the pub is a must .....willl take care in making sure to
ing the siley mug and camera ....lol btw not all pics were enhanced..... <
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>Plugger come on give me your view and remember I am your fav sis............ besides "she" says we should pick on you for a change, but I would
never do that.....
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Home Hemo
Joined: 23 Jun 2003
Posts: 22
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 10:30 am Post subject: Changes in Doctor Rates
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Arlene: Please remember the home hemo patients and those who live in areas inaccessible to centers when you are in Washington. There is nothing in the proposal from CMS that addresses these 2 categories of people. We all know that doctors are not going to visit these people at home. Is that going to force them back into centers? I surely hope not! I agree that doctors have not been doing what they were paid to do - however, Congress wrote the laws to add dialysis to Medicare. When they exempted nephrologists from the Stark Act, they gave them free rein to do what they are doing. They need to go back and amend the laws to force nephrologists to operate under the same laws other doctors have to. In the meantime, when you are in Washington, try to not let them do anything that will force home hemo patients back into the centers. This would do away with home hemo altogether and send those who are doing home hemo back into "hell". Also, those who live in inaccessible areas would either have to move or die. I agree wholeheartedly with those who commend you for the job you've done!! There is no one who has done as much as you have for dialysis patients!! Just wanted to make sure that these 2 categories of patients don't get left out - and I know you have a million things on your mind right now. Thank you so much for all the things you are doing for us!!!
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FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 12:29 pm Post subject: Home Hemo
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I am totally in agreement with Home Hemo and will make sure that this issue is dealt with. All patients should have a choice of treatment and educated with respect of choices and the ability to make a decision that works for them. Not what is easier for the clinics.<
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>We are in a position to have our voices heard beyond the CMS. We have many who are coming aboard to help you the patients. These are big players in DC. When the time comes their names will be revealed to you as you can get your concerns in.<
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>There are two areas that need to be targeted and that is my favorite the ESRD Networks. The documents are staggering. Either CMS can dispose of the gangrene portion of ESRD,as they will have to explain why they have been able to cause this industry to go underground and not even keep statistic and havent done the job they were contracted for.As CMS has supported their behavior in the past, now they have full knowledge as does the Senate that this hasnt worked and caused many lives.<
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>This is what we need to hammer home to the Lobbiest and the others. They the ESRD Network needs to be accountable for past actions and patients need to have a neutral enity to have complaints go to away from the industry.<
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>Then the Safe Harbor law that needs to have this group of "professional" managers ie: physicians, to take care of their patients and to have the investors not invest on human life. We need to have the Standards of Care.<
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>We have 9 months( House in session) before election. We need to keep moving forward and make our patients count and not be the very bottom of mortality rates for the world. We can do better. Trust that we have been blessed with LOTS of help. This I have been assured we will have help with.<
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>It has to be for every patient a choice; It needs to be fair to all involved. If one loses no one has won. But this industry and government need to give patients a chance to speak freely , ask questions and have the fear of retaliation gone from these centers.<
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