Just put a bandaid on it

Those of you who know we well enough know I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease about nine years ago and it's been an on-going battle with my body each and every day. I constantly fight to stay healthy. I'll save all the Crohns info for another post in the near future like what Crohns is and how it affects peoples lives drastically. In this post, I want to vent about current health care.

Now, when I look for new jobs and such I always have a big issue in mind; how fast will I be eligable for medical insurance? It's such an annoyance. When I was in college I was too old to be on my parents insurance but I didn't have a full time job so I suffered (and I do mean suffered) through trying times. How I graduated with honors i'm not sure. I think over the years I've learned to try and ignore the side affects. Anyways, back to health care. A few years ago, I began a medication called Remicade. It's an IV chemotherapy (don't worry! I didn't lose hair!) infusion I received every two months or so to calm any inflammation going on in my body so that I wouldn't flare up. Each one of these treatments is roughly $6000. So on the positive note, THANK GOD FOR HEALTH INSURANCE. On the negative note, most insurance companies will shell out 80% of the footed bill, leaving patients with the remaining 20%. So 20% of $100 is doable. 20% of $6000? Does it look like I make that kind of money? Oh and don't forget...I get these infusions every two months. Add that all in there and I'm broke as F*CK. Luckily, I was able to get some help from the state but I was still slapped with a $600 bill every two months. Not exactly how I would like to be spending my hard earned, (well, earned) cash.

Last August I received my treatment and two weeks later, I woke up with a flare up. This is not good. $600 for a two week remission? I explained this to my doctor and she nodded and sighed, "This does happen. " "What happens?" I asked. "You're body is becoming allergic to the Remicade. You need to stop." Well, alright. Once I was able to get my body on a schedule again, I went into a long remission, just until recently. Thats when my doctor told me about another treatment that would subside my symptoms. It's called Cimzia and it's a self medicated drug. Meaning I would actually have to inject myself. BUT only if my insurance approves it of course.

I got that call today.

"Hello Miss Shellman? Yeah we called your insurance and basically for each shot which you'll give yourself once a month, it will cost you $289 each month."

$289 a month. For one shot. If I had an extra $289 lying around I would sure be doing a lot more in my life than I am now! $50 I can do. $289 is a plane ticket. 12 plane tickets for a whole year. Ridiculous.

I wish I lived in Canada. You give birth and its like, "ok good luck!" you give birth here and it's like "ok good luck with that massive medical bill you'll be receiving in the next month!"

So all in all with my whole ranting about healthy care, it sucks. And it especially sucks if you live with an uncontrolled condition that makes you feel helpless at times. So Obama, kick this healthcare plan into gear so I can start feeling healthy and start buying plane tickets!

To my dear friends, Brandy and Dan Moore

Today, I had the honor of witnessing one of the most passionate, private, yet compassionate unions I have ever seen: that of Mr. Dan Moore and Miss (now Mrs!) Brandy Brock.

Brandy and Dan have continuously encouraged me to be a better person, to ALWAYS find positive in negative situations, and to never settle for second best. Throughout all my past relationships, I have always turned to them for guideance, inspiration and support. They are always the first couple I think about when i'm confused about a particular thing in a relationship; would Dan do that? Would Brandy be cool with this? How would they settle that? People always say never compare your relationship with any others bc every relationship is its own. I don't compare my relationships to them but I strive to find happiness like they have. I couldn't pick a better person for each of them. They are truly each others soulmates, lifelong partners and best friends. I love Brandy's supporting words of encouragement through tough times and I love Dan's odd humor that funny enough, ALWAYS makes me laugh to tears (with brandy shaking her head in the background!). I love you both and I wish you both the best!!!!

Slap that bruise

BOARDING THE SNOW.

Is that even a correct term?

how about BRUISE ON ASS?

Since I have a past filled with skiing and boarding memories, it didn't take long for me to pick up what I had sincerely missed from my childhood. The cool, crisp wind rushing past my ears; the cruching, scraping sounds of my board sailing along the cocaine filled earth. Up and up and up I went to the "top" of the mountain (or..ski lift bah!). On the third or fourth time I hopped off that chair lift, i immediatly saw what was about to become a disaster. The lady in front of me, unknowingly decided to just "chillax" right after she got off the chair lift. Any person who has experienced the ride that is the chair lift knows once you exit, you MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. This old hag was in our way, just lookin around for her group. I didn't have time to move out of her way. She was way too close. I decided instead of taking out this old lady, I'd injure myself instead. And with that..I landed ass first on a side pile of ice. "oooohh...fffaaawwwkkk..." It hurt. The lady, of course not knowing she was the problem of this disaster, turns around and gives a little laugh with a small "sorry!". And with that, my friend Theresa fell over, and unable to quickly move out of this moutain of bodies, the two guys behind US piled up on us!

So now every time I sit (and every time I forget about this huge ass bruise) I cringed in some pain.

But alas, Theresa and I had a wonderful time in the sun filled mountains!

Battle of the Britneys!

This is WHY i love Britney Spears. BEST VIDEO EVER. (Britney vrs Britney)
http://www.ohthescandal.com/2011/02/18/watch-britney-spears%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98hold-it-against-me%E2%80%99-video-in-full/


Eye-popping, dancing jamming, wedding dress ruining, britney spears is back people with her new single (which hit #1 on itunes in a matter of hours after release). I may be biased, but this is her best music video yet. The beats of the song match the flash of lights, the stomps in dances, the twists and turns and the best: kung-fu punchin, heel kicking, hair grabbing britney versus britney which takes the whole video.

All in all: If you don't suffer dizzyness from fast movement, and you like some good girl action, chances are you'll love it.
What did you think?!?

First blog!

**My name isn't Keri, I'm so very, fly oh my it's a little big scary...**

Hey everyone!!


I've decided to create a blog spot to well..basically allow me to spill the beans on anything and everything I really want to talk about. I love to write and share stories, ideas, opinions, stories etc and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to fall back into my journalism roots! So bare with me as I'm still deciding on background colors and all that fun nick-nack stuff! I know this first post isn't a "real" blog; my apologies. But keep checking back!

Hope you all enjoy!!

wuv, K