Burgers on the Barbie

Laurie came over for a visit this afternoon - always a treat for us!
 After picking Dylan up from tennis at South Fork, they came over for burgers.  She brought a big, beautiful salad - very yummy!

Medical Attention in Florida

Here is Dick's report on our problems with the medical establishment in Florida.  Spoiler alert - it does have a happy ending!                                                                                                                              *****

Getting medical attention in South Florida is an adventure.  I don't know if you remember our panic last year which caused us an early departure.  Nancy was getting blood work done on a weekly basis with the results to be sent to her primary up in TC. It turns out that instead of sending them to her Dr.'s office, they were calling and leaving a message on our home phone,which we learned when we checked the messages when we got back. We learned that her Dr. didn't receive them so we decided to pick them up on paper and take them ourselves when we left.  She called the lab here each week to get the results herself.  On the last call she made to them, the woman on the other end of the line reported that her platelet count was 17!  That means no clotting!  A small cut or bad bruise could kill you!

I quickly packed the car, we drove over to get the results, and planned to make a short stop at Laurie's for farewell hugs and kisses.  On the way to say our goodbyes, Nan read the paperwork and discovered that the woman had read the wrong column. The count was low but not life threatening. Since we were all packed we just took those guys out to lunch and then took a leisurely trip home.

That brings us to this year. On 12/12 she had a TACE procedure  in Traverse City for her liver cancer.  We decided that she should have an Oncologist down here in case of an emergency.  She did extensive research looking for someone who had graduated from an American med school rather than some Caribbean outfit etc.  There is nothing serious, just some minor after effects from the procedure that are uncomfortable.  After Christmas she called the Dr.'s office and got an appointment.   The earliest they could take her was Jan. 22 at 8:30 a.m.  T hey asked for her records, she contacted TC and asked that they fax them to the Oncologist office in Stuart.

Now the fun begins, on the 21st, late in the afternoon, a phone call from the office reminding her of the appointment.  She was told to arrive at 8:15 to fill out some forms.  After another half hour or so, another call asking her if she had her records. She explained that they had been faxed - "Well we didn't get them". A discussion followed with Nancy asking a number of questions. Then the phone went silent on there end. "Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?" She was about to hang up when a different voice came on the line and asked "How can I help you" like Nancy had called them. A long discussion followed with the conclusion that "Since we did not have the necessary records", the 8:30 appointment was canceled and Nan should call at 9:00 to determine if the necessary records had arrived.  Just when the appointment to see the Dr. was going to be was unclear.

So now, instead of leaving the house at 7:45, we now had no idea of when we might be going into Stuart to see an Oncologist. As is normal for a grumpy old man, I mumbled and grumbled about why they had waited until her TC Dr.'s office was closed before telling us about this problem and wondering what had happened to the first caller. We went back to our computers and a short time later, the phone rings again. This time it's the PA who tells Nancy to bring any paper work she might have when she comes to her morning appointment and they will work it out from there.  Nan asks "In other words, I should disregard everything in my previous conversation with your office."  "That is correct, see you in the morning".

We got there a little early but the place was open. Nancy checked at the desk and was given some forms to fill out. As she went into the waiting area, I overheard one of the desk people tell the other, "We don't have her records, She's from up north. We tried to call them but because of the blizzard, the phones are out".  What nonsense!  In the first place, the blizzard is in Massachusetts not Michigan and second, the T.C. Dr.'s office isn't open yet. I stepped out into the hall and called their number. The machine picked up and gave me the time they would open as 8:45, it was then 8:10. When Nancy was called at 8:30,  I went to the desk, asked for and received their fax number.  I went back into the hall and at 8:45 called TC.  I explained the problem and the gal told me they had sent the file, 36 pages, to that number on December 31st.  I asked her if they would send them again and she agreed to do it immediately. I went back inside and sat where I could see the gals at the desk. They sat there talking on the phone, to arriving patients and to each other. After about 20 minutes or so, I went to the desk and asked if Nancy's records had arrived on the fax machine. She responded, "I don't know, I haven't looked". The machine was about 10 feet behind her. A passing tech stopped at the machine reached down and held up a stack of papers and said "Here's something that says Steiger".

Mission accomplished! What happened to the first set we'll never know. They were probably recycled because the secretary who pulled them didn't recognize the name back at the end of the year. The upside is that the Dr. and the PA are dealing with Nancy and her situation well and not just blowing her off.  I know that we are both glad that the next TACE will be in Traverse next month but we are also relieved that if a problem develops after we get back down here, it should be handled promptly.

Martin Luther King Day Plus the End of Palooza

The last event of Cacheapalooza is the MondayPalooza Meet and Greet.  It consisted of just showing up in the parking lot and signing the log - followed by more caching!

MondayPalooza in the parking lot of the Kimbell Center

MondayPalooza runs on Dunkin!

After paloozaing, we went for more caches.  We did nine caches plus the event, with one DNF.  For us, that's a good day :)

Your Geocaching Details

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01/20/2014	You found CP8 Poker Run 4 (Flush)		Visit Log
We enjoyed the M&G and then had a nice stroll along the paved trail. On the way out of the park to lunch, we stopped for a few that were dry and close to the road. We did not participate in the poker run but we enjoyed finding a few of the caches. Took 0, left our card, signed the log and replaced as found. TFTC
01/20/2014	You found On the road to CP 8 – Juliet		Visit Log
We enjoyed the M&G and then had a nice stroll along the paved trail. On the way out of the park to lunch, we stopped for a few that were dry and close to the road. Mrs Bend did not remember seeing a preform so I took a picture to show her. Needed tweezers to retrieve the log, signed and replaced as found. TFTC
01/20/2014	You found CP8 Poker Run 3 (Straight)		Visit Log
Found while on our way out of the park after the M&G. TFTC
01/20/2014	You found CP8 Poker Run 1 (2 Pair)		Visit Log
We had a nice stroll along the paved trail and then switched to caching from the car. Pulled up and made the find with the Virginia BoxCar team. Signed log and left our card. TFTC
01/20/2014	You couldn't find CP8 Poker Run 2 (3 of a Kind)		Visit Log
After a nice stroll along the path, we switched to caching from the car. Tried to get to this one but it was just too wet in there, kinda like it was under "Water" in the Yellow Pages.
01/20/2014	You found Jonathan Dickinson's Wild Kingdom VI		Visit Log
After finding IV, Mrs Bend had had enough of the trail for today so we packed up the walker and cached from the road for a while. We found this one but missed V. We'll be back another day. TNLCSL TFTC
01/20/2014	You found Jonathan Dickinson's Wild Kingdom IV		Visit Log
We are definitely Old School cachers, we remember when just about the only containers were nut jars and ammo cans. Our nemesis is the dreaded "Micro in the Woods". That is another factor which made this series so enjoyable to us. Signed log, left our card, and replaced as found.
01/20/2014	You found Jonathan Dickinson's Wild Kingdom III		Visit Log
Continuing on our caching stroll after the M&G we enjoyed this one because of the Ranger Rick container. After finding the RR series down here last year, we placed a series in a nature preserve near Traverse City. It has been a big hit with the kids and has attracted a number of scouting groups working on their merit badges. We took nothing, just signed the log book, left our card, and replaced as found. TFTC
01/20/2014	You found Jonathan Dickinson's Wild Kingdom II		Visit Log
After enjoying the Meet & Greet, we parked up the road, unpacked the walker and went for caching stroll on this beautiful sunny day. The caches along this trail have become our favorites because they are easily accessible, even for those of us with a hitch in our giddyup. We also loved this series because the cords were so accurate, (I sat down the iPad when it read 3 feet, the cache was about 34 inches away.) Took nothing, signed log, left our card and replaced as found. Thanks KrumBens and all the Catchepalozza Crew members for the time, effort, and expense they expended to bring fun into our lives.
01/20/2014	You attended CP-8 MondayPalooza Meet & Greet		Visit Log
Fun time. Thanks for putting it on. We were a little late but still had a chance to meet a few cachers.

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Lunch at Reuben's Diner, and then home for a bit of a rest!  Lovely day.

1.

Reubens Breakfast & Lunch

3120 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Palm City, FL 34990 (772) 288-3126

Tower Flash and Dash

Today I stayed home while Laurie and Dick went to the Cacheapalooza flash mob.  The logs prove that they had a really good time.  Tomorrow Dick and I will go to the MondayPalooza Meet and Greet.  It's been a great holiday weekend so far!

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01/19/2014	You will attend  CP-8 MondayPalooza Meet & Greet		Visit Log
We intend to stop by
01/19/2014	You found  On the road to CP 8 – Golf		Visit Log
After the Flash Mob and a few caches, Mrs Sharkie and Mr Bend were going to the car to return home for some football watching. As we approached the gate at the road, a group of ladies approached and asked if we were geocaching. They had seen all the cars parked along side the road and wondered what was going on. They asked a cacher and he told them a little about our activity and gave them general directions to this cache. They had no GPS, not even a phone with an app but had been told that if they found the trail just past the tracks, they could find it. We decided to take the extra time to help them. We let them make the find and recover the log. Both they and we had a lot of fun with it. During the process, Mrs Sharkie gave an abbreviated Geocaching 101 lesson. We signed the log and with their help and supervision, replaced everything as found. We think we've enlisted some muggles into the activity.
01/19/2014	You found Beethoven's 8th Symphony		Visit Log
Out doing some caching after the Flash Mob before heading home to watch some football. After signing the log we returned to the car. TFTC
01/19/2014	You found  R.E.M. - "Driver 8"		Visit Log
The hint threw us off but with help we made the find.
01/19/2014	You couldn't find The Byrds - "Eight Miles High"		Visit Log
We gave it our best but it wasn't good enough.
01/19/2014	You found Emergency! Squad 51 respond...		Visit Log
After the Flash Mob, Mrs Sharkie and I decided to seek a few more caches before heading home to watch the Patriots. This was definitely our favorite find so far at C8. Extremely well done! Thanks for the chuckle!
01/19/2014	You found  Camp Murphy Kiosk Offset		Visit Log
While waiting for the flash mob, Mrs Sharkie and I came over to read the Kiosk to read the material and solve the cords for the offset.Once again, my carelessness made this much more difficult than it should be. I have to keep reminding myself to CAREFULLY read the description! Luckily, she knew how to activate and use the GeoCheck. After the Flash Mob we corrected my error and strolled to the cache. I'd like to think that I wouldn't make that type of mistake again but I know better. TFTC
01/19/2014	You attended  Tower Flash (mob) and Dash		Visit Log
Came out today with Mrs Sharkie. We picked up a few caches but the flash mob was the attraction. Thanks for putting on this event.

CACHEAPALOOZA 8, 2014

Before the big event of Cacheapalooza, Dylan (783) and his friend Peyton were in downtown Stuart running in the Race for Compassion - Representing the South Fork High School Key Club.  Dylan's goal was to run faster than any of his friends, and he did!  He finished the 5K in 24:24, and had a good time doing it :)

                         
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This year's banner was a travel bug too.

Photographic evidence of a happy cacher!

Group shot of signing in.  Rumor has it that there were over 500 people signed in, making Cacheapalooza a mega event two years in a row.

We met up with Trippy, who used to be a Michigander, but is now a Floridian.

The cutest one at lunch!

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01/18/2014	You found Traditional Cache		Visit Log
We knew that the area had been dumped on a week or so ago but still didn't come prepared for slogging through the swamp. Thanks to Zoroan for balancing on the stick to make the grab. The underwater path turned us around, so we decided it was time for lunch back at the pavilion. Sharkie and Zoroan were up for more but the old folks decided to call it a day. Thanks Mellie and all the other members of the C 8 Crew for all the effort and time you have expended to help us enjoy some days at JD.
01/18/2014	You found  Muggle		Visit Log
We had one with us, he seemed to be having fun, don't know whether he's hooked or not.
01/18/2014	You found  TFTC		Visit Log
Yes, the name says it. Signed log as with Sharkie Crew and Zoroan as SBZ
01/18/2014	You found  FTF		Visit Log
We weren't FTF but we did score the find. TFTC. (Ooops, that's a different one)
01/18/2014	You found  GC Code		Visit Log
Didn't understand the meaning of this guy until we happened to be eating lunch at a table next to the Boy Scouts who were being presented with a Geocaching 101 by the cache owner. Found with Mrs Sharkie and Zoroan.
01/18/2014	You found  DNF		Visit Log
Working with Sharkie Crew and Zoroan I knew this would be a piece of cake 'cuz I'm a DNF expert. Yesterday that's all we got. One of the young men snagged it for us.
01/18/2014	You found  Smiley		Visit Log
While waiting for the Sharkies I got restless and Mrs Bend sent me off to find the closest cache to get me out of her hair. It worked. There is no better traditional cache than an ammo can. TFTC
01/18/2014	You attended Cacheapalooza 8		Visit Log
Our congratulations and thanks to the C8Crew for the weather today. A much better job than last year. Out with Sharkie and Zoroan we only scored a half dozen caches or so but we will be back to walk some other trails.