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No public option is ok?

Not having a one payer system is bad enough, but thinking of not even having a public option is unthinkable. I voted democrat this time, because of a few things. Health care was #1 reason. If democrats screw this up, people will be motivated to vote against them. As for the reasons to not have a one payer system, let me rebut them. The only time people are put on a waiting list in Britain is if it's a cosmetic or optional surgery. People don't die on waiting list, unless, like here in America, they are waiting for a organ to be donated. Another thing is that health insurance is for profit, essentially a middleman. if we want to cut hc costs, then you need to cut out the middleman. "So many people would lose their jobs," well not if we hire tell to run the one payer system to cut scams like on medicare. In fact more people than that would need to be hired, since so many people don't have health insurance right now. The former insurance workers won't have to deny coverage to make profits, it would be in the actual interest of the patient. People who cry out that they don't want the govt. to decide their health care, has obviously never been at the mercy of hc insurance company! I have a chronic illness, so I know what it's like to have to fight for the coverage you pay for. Another reason to have a one payer instead of a public option is that doctors would have to accept one payer, but could refuse public option like they do medicare/medicaid. The govt. could also create an incentive to try and bring doctors back to being PCPs or Rheumatologists, because both are now hard to find and it will only get worse, because doctors go to specialties that have surgeries, because it pays more. I'm not saying harder work shouldn't equal more pay, but something has to be done, maybe pay some of their student loans or something like that. I have had all 4 experiences, worthless insurance, medicaid, no insurance and decent insurance. I say I would rather deal with govt, than any of the others, even though I'm dealing with an appeal from SS disability!

Something Positive

The other day I read something that made me feel better. It was in the Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome by Dr Starlanyl & Ms Copeland( the old version). She said that many Native American Tribes treat people with Fibromyalgia with great respect. They are considered people with a special link to the spirit world.

A couple of months ago, I joined some of the Fibro groups on Yahoo. One of them has preachers running them. This also made me feel less like I was being punished for following the wrong religion.

I had been ashamed to admit that I am a shaman, because I felt stupid for not being able to heal myself. That said, I am still learning how to be a shaman. I had thought this was punishment for putting off a calling to a task from the Otherworld. Perhaps it still is, but atleast I don't feel embarrassed anymore.

I know most of the people I care for are Christian, and will look down upon me for my beliefs. I'm sure the atheists that I know will too. In truth, I incorporate many different elements of most of the religions. I had a religious experience with God ( I prefer to call it Great Spirit) and Jesus, at a very young age. I was raised Christian and had an eternal struggle with being a Christian. I knew the truth and hated the church for all of the ugliness it promoted (hatefullness towards others). I saw flaws with every religion I looked at. I felt lost until a few years ago, when I discovered Shamanism. I began journeying to the Otherworld, and learned more truths. I became ill after putting off the task given to me, to pursue more pressing personal issues. It was the wrong thing to do. I was not able to accomplish what I needed to do. My illness might never let me be able to fulfill the task from the Otherworld either. That really breaks my heart. If you ever get a calling, do it, no matter how impossible it seems. You might not get a second chance.

Problems with my fingers

I've got new problems with my fingers. My doctor took me off the Lyrica, and put me on Neurontin. It helped the swelling go down and really helped my feet, but my knuckles and fingers are more stiff. The doctor's office swears it's not the new medicine. Blood tests came back normal. Now I have to wait til November to see my doctor. It's crazy, but I've been told that there aren't enough rheumatologist in the area. It's hard to type, so I can't post on here or email like I want. I also can't paint. It's so frustrating.

If a want-to-be doctor is reading this, or if you know someone in med. school please encourage them to be a rheumatologist. There is a real need, especially in the Little Rock, AR area.

Somewhere along the way, my blog became less about art, and more about medical maladies.

Why you haven't heard from me

Sorry, that I've gone so long without posting here. In February, my health continued to get worse. My entire body became even more weak, and the pain felt like that deep down ache over your entire body when you have the flu. Imagine feeling like that all the time. That's how I felt. My GP told me he thought I had Fibromyalgia, and was sending me to a Rhuematologist. I had to wait 6 weeks, and in the meantime, my Granny passed away. In April I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I'm on 3 medications just for it plus one for muscle cramps. The first 12 hrs were so awful, bad vertigo. I was on the verge of calling my doctor, when finally they kicked in, and I felt great. I took a bath and began laughing, because it didn't hurt. I felt like I could do anything. In May, I threw my back out because I thought I could do some gardening. I'm just now getting that under control. I've been exercising everyday, even though most of the time I don't feel like it. I am becoming stronger, which is why my back is improving. The drugs aren't as great as they were 3 months ago, but still better than before. Although I haven't done any painting. Lyrica makes my hands and feet swell, and hurt. Infact, that's another reason I haven't posted. Typing this has been painful for me. Of course, this makes me wonder about my future as an artist. Will I be able to overcome this new challenge? I have a feeling that it may mean that I might have to retrain my hand to paint again. Will this cause my style to change? I guess only time will tell.

If you want to learn more about fibromyalgia, here's the best link I've found so far.
www.fibrocenter.com
Please read the entire about section, at the very least.

SWOP opening in Pine Bluff, AR

Well, I managed to make it to the opening of Small Works on Paper, at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas on Friday, January 11, 2008. This place was very impressive. I had been told it was nice, and had high expectaions, but still, I was overwhelmed by it's beauty and lighting. I can't tell you how many mueseams and galleries I've been to that have really bad lighting or flow of space. Whoever designed it should get great recognition. In short, WOW!

The other thing that was refreshing was the kind people there. Everyone was so friendly and caring. I've only driven by Pine Bluff, never actually been there before. Cheri and Sally from the AR Arts Council were so understanding in my need for a chair, because of my health problems. I felt bad and couldn't stand up while the other artists spoke, but it was still nice to hear them talk about their work. I was glad to have an opportunity to speak about my piece, "The Unfurling Life". There was much more that I could have said about it, but I didn't think I could stand there for much longer. I have to say that I was surprised that there wasn't a grouping of chairs considering how large the room was.

My only real complaint is with whoever framed the works, there was a lot of dust in my piece, although that was not as bad as one of the purchase awards, which had a hair in it. I've been frustated by dust when framing my own work too, but usually only one maybe two pieces of dust ever show up in my frames. I find that computer screen clothes do the best job, when trying to capture run away dust on glass or plexi. Granted it takes 2 or 3 times to get it right.

Thanks to everyone who was so helpful. Also thanks to all those compliments, it really helped to lift my spirit.

Gretchen

SWOP opening accounced!

The opening for Small Works on Paper has been accounced. It will be held at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast AR in Pine Bluff, on Friday, January 11 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The address is 701 S. Main, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. The phone number is 870-536-3375. Regular hours of operation are 10 am -5 pm, Monday - Friday, and Saturday 1-4 pm.

I hope not only to be there, but if health permits, I might have an opportunity to speak about my work. Who knows how I'll be doing by then.

My work, "The Unfurling Life" will go on tour around the state for 2008. I think the entire touring schedule would be too large to post on here, so I'll do increments, and this very abbreviated schedule.

SWOP will be in Pine Bluff from January 4 -26th,
Hope from February 4-27th,
El Dorado from March 3- 28th,
Hot Springs from April 3- 28th,
Blytheville from May 5 -31st,
West Memphis from June 9- 30th,
Batesville from July 1- 30th,
Searcy from August 5 - Sept. 15th,
Conway from Sept. 18- Oct. 30th,
Fayetteville from Nov. 3- 26th

Please come and see my painting some point during the tour. This is the biggest show that I've gotten into so far. I appreciate your support!

Thank you,
Gretchen