Joe & I arrived here to start treatment on Jan. 5. Since then, all the treatment stuff has gone fine, but the internet access has taken 20 years off my life, thus, no blog posts. Those that know me know I can ramble on, so in order to cut myself off at the pass, I’m just going to make a list:
Well, I still rambled, but that’s why you’ve not heard from me in several days. I will catch you up over the next few days on the trip down, the treatments and other assorted things that wander into my mind. Thanks to all the support while we’ve tried to figure this all out. As always, your thoughts, prayers, comments keep my spirits up!
- Wireless stick problems – I should have listened to that little voice that said, “It doesn’t say anything about Windows 8 compatible,” instead of listening to the tech guy telling me it’ll be fine. It wasn’t and caused me many days and lots of swearing.
- Windows 8 wireless stick problems – Apparently uninstalling the previous drivers wasn’t sufficient and something had been written to my system that wasn’t undone. KLA CEO Matt Teagarden suggested a system restore point. He is brilliant.
- System restore problems – Needed to go back further than the bad stick install either that or Windows decided some of that code should remain anyways. Didn’t figure out that gem until tonight, 2 days after the first restore.
- Internet hogs at BOHICA – Apparently, folks set HUGE files to download so they can watch them later at their leisure. These folks are the same ones who go through a potluck line, come to a plate with 2 dozen deviled eggs and seeing 50 people in attendance proceed to grab 6 because they know there won’t be any seconds. Mostly because they already took them all. Well, they take all the bandwidth. Tried to download a scanned bill tonight and it took 5 full minutes.
- US Cellular doesn’t really mean free roaming – When using data outside the home area, they limit you to 200MB, which is nothing if you navigate, look at FB or check you appointments at MDAnderson.org. I found out that when I determined trying to do anything on the BOHICA wifi was futile and I wanted to use my phone for a hotspot. In addition, their system automatically throttles you down (their term) and can cut me completely off with no notice. There is no option to flag your account and beg for mercy because you’re getting cancer treatments outside of their network. Again, Grrrr.
- Wifi hotspot debacles – These suckers are just like phone plans; the devil (and lots of hidden charges) are in the details. My friend Debbie did some quick research online while I was at the store and helped me figure out which to get. But then, because I still hadn’t figured out that a second system restore was needed, I went round and round with the new hotspot and ended up with tech support (somewhere in India) 2x. I did stuff on my end, hung out with tech support and he finally told me there were hardware issues and take it back for an exchange. Fortunately, I did something he told me not to do (in fact he got very short with me) after I hung up and my hotspot is working! Victory is mine, 5 days later!
- Chase, in an effort to protect me from fraudulent charges, shut down my CC accounts. Never mind that I’d been proactive and entered my travel dates and locations before I left home. I found this out after waiting in a huge line at Target to purchase the 2nd wireless stick. Denied. Whipped out the ranch card. Denied. Was escorted to the side to see if I wanted to take it up with my CC company. Heck yes I did! They apologized and told me it was cleared and I was good to go. Waited in line a 2nd time. Denied. Called again and while I was working my way through the Chase system, the store manager was called over. Great. This time they really truly promised it would clear and I made the manager run it while I held Chase hostage. Too many tries – denied. AAARRGGGGHHHHH! She ended up selling me a gift card which was approved thank goodness and my head was saved from exploding.
- Chase, in further efforts to protect me did the SAME THING to me at WalMart 2 nights later when we were trying to purchase the wifi hotspot. No way! This time, I called, explained the situation to the rep in my best hyper calm you are about to die voice (it’s pretty good) and told her I would now be immediately connected to a manager. She begged to let me get the transaction finished, so Joe got back into another long line so they could run it again. It ran. We got out of there but I still had Chase on the phone. The CS manager got an earful. I would be done with them but am not in a position to be at this time. Grrrrrr.
- It should be noted that Chase approved a whole lot of other transactions, including Starbucks, gas, propane, office copays and my chemo prescription which was $3800. Let me let that sink in - $3800. That’s just my share. I had an alternative. I could wear a pump about 12x6x6 in a pack for the next 6 weeks that would feed the chemo in 24 hours/day. This BC/BS would consider part of my treatment, but not if I swallow it 2x/day. This they only pay at 50%. Joe and I decided the $3800 was worth it. That charge went through just fine. I guess I shouldn’t complain – they’ll be paying a lot over the next year or two. Can’t wait to see what it’ll do to my rates next year.
Well, I still rambled, but that’s why you’ve not heard from me in several days. I will catch you up over the next few days on the trip down, the treatments and other assorted things that wander into my mind. Thanks to all the support while we’ve tried to figure this all out. As always, your thoughts, prayers, comments keep my spirits up!
The bunk bedroom has been converted to my stand up office, Houston division.
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