What happens when the caregiver gets injured? Guess we'll find out

Dynamic duo? Gruesome twosome?

I like this photo of us. It was taken last Aug. 29, at our beautiful niece Julie's picture-perfect outdoor wedding. 

For those of you who know me and Ralph you must realize that I'm his caregiver. 

Yesterday I fell backwards off the lift on his minivan and kinda landed on my left side - on my elbow and other places - right in the driveway.
I'm pretty sure no one saw me in all my un-graceful glory, except for Ralph. 
I looked up at him and said, "Don't say anything!" He complied.

After almost an hour of wondering whether or not I needed to seek medical attention, we decided to head out to Griffin Hospital.

We spent almost three hours in the emergency room. It's a lively place on a Saturday night. Or maybe it's like that every night.
I give a lot of credit to all the health-care professionals who work in what could be a stressful environment. They were busy but still showed concern for my situation. 

Fortunately x-rays showed nothing is broken, it's just a really bruised elbow bone.

My arm is in a sling, which seems to have upset our chronically confused cat. 

But at least I can still type. 

Saturday shred event supports Ansonia ambulance restoration fund

I'm happy to report that Ralph and I had a lot of old, outdated documents destroyed today for a good cause. 

Members of Ansonia Rescue Medical Services held a shred event to raise funds for the restoration of the city's first ambulance, a 1948 Buick. 
And we were happy to support the endeavor. 

Attention history buffs: Archaeologist conducts dig at Humphreys House in Ansonia

Connecticut State Archaeologist Brian Jones, standing, led a dig this week in the yard behind the Gen. David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia. 
Derby Historical Society docents and several volunteers helped Jones uncover some interesting relics.


Jones works with historical society docent Jody Bishel of Ansonia to uncover artifacts.

Everything is carefully dated and documented.

An unusual-looking two-tined fork was found ...

... as were broken pieces of porcelain.  

Special thanks to our docent daughter, Allegra, for taking the photos. 

I'm disappointed I wasn't able to witness the dig firsthand. I'm sure it was fascinating to discover artifacts buried on the property.

Jones said he would return to the Humphreys House in September, and I plan to be there when he does. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby honors surgeon as Physician of the Year

Jeffrey Klauser, M.D.

DERBY - Orthopedic surgeon Jeffrey Klauser, M.D., of Shelton, was recently honored as Physician of the Year at Griffin Hospital’s 30th Annual Nurses Week luncheon.

The Physician of the Year Award is based on voting by the hospital’s nursing staff. 

In nominating Klauser, Griffin nurses admired and appreciated his genuinely kind and caring approach to patients and hospital staff, his excellent judgement and skill, and how he always does the right thing for his patients, including taking the time to answer questions and concerns.

“Dr. Klauser is thorough, attentive, and professional at all times, and is a true team player who makes himself available to his patients and the staff,” said Dr. Frederick Browne, vice president of Medical Affairs, in presenting the award. 

“I personally feel this is a spotlight on an already integral surgical service at the hospital and Dr. Klauser represents one of many excellent orthopedic surgeons we have here.”

Klauser is a member of Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists and specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, knee, and hip.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Bicycle festival is next Saturday in Ansonia

Hundreds participate in Valley YMCA Sunset 5K in Ansonia

Valley YMCA Sunset 5K winner Tom Milenkevich of Ansonia crosses the finish line Wednesday in front of John G. Prendergast School on Finney Street.

On your marks, get set ...

A big thank you goes to Derby resident Jack Walsh, President and C.O.O., Valley United Way, for providing the photos. 
He said 195 people completed the run, and about 75 participated in a two-mile walk on the Ansonia Hilltop. 
The 2016 Corporate Cup run/walk was included in the event.

Crisco awaits hearing on proposed Cigna-Anthem merger

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, said today he is eagerly awaiting the state-mandated public hearing that must be held by the Connecticut Insurance Department regarding the proposed Anthem-Cigna merger.

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco

Connecticut General Statutes Section 38a-132 requires the state Insurance Department to hold a public hearing within 30 days of receiving a comprehensive packet of information (called a ‘Form A’ application) from any entity seeking to purchase or control a Connecticut-based insurance company. 

Anthem, Inc. - headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind. - is seeking to acquire Cigna, headquartered in Bloomfield, therefore triggering the Form A application and the necessary public hearing.

Crisco was one of 19 signatories to a May 13, 2016 letter to Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Katherine Wade seeking a series of public hearings on the proposed merger, as well as granting intervenor status to consumer advocates and commissioning a study of the economic and health care impacts of the proposed merger.

Crisco noted that Florida, California, and Indiana have already held public hearings on the proposed Anthem-Cigna merger which, if successful, would create one of the largest health insurance companies in America.

“Connecticut consumers will be well served by having their voices heard regarding this proposed merger, and it doesn’t have to be limited to a single public hearing. We could have a series of public hearings across the state, much the same way the governor and other elected officials have sought to inform the public and elicit their input on a variety of important issues,” Crisco said. 
“We need to know what impact such a huge merger would have on health insurance premiums in Connecticut, on access, and on patient care. In my opinion, public hearings are as much a fundamental part of the merger review process as looking at issues like company balance sheets and plan enrollments.”

If the proposed Anthem-Cigna merger is ultimately approved by dozens of U.S. states, state attorney generals, the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Justice Department, the resulting company would control 64 percent of the health insurance market in Connecticut, allowing that single company greater control of provider networks, physician reimbursement rates, insurance premiums, and deductibles.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.