worried about menopause....

Akiss4me
Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Ok everyone, let me tell you what happened and then I'll tell you why I am worried.
Yesterday, I once more received a nasty letter from our gas comapny. It stated that they were here to read our meter but no one was home. If we do not make arrangements with them than our service will be disconnected.
Well, this infuriated me!! You see, our meter is in our basement and they must enter my home to read it. They want us to give them a key, so they can enter when ever they need to. I have lived here 19 years and have battled this issue as long with them. I told them to move the meter outside if they wanted to but they are absolutely not getting a key to my house unless they were willing to give me a key to their house (good one, huh?). Well, of course everyone I say this to tells me "no". I argue that their key is safe with me because my husband is a policeman and they still tell me "no". So hopefully they get my point that safe keeping is not the issue here....invasion of privacy is.
Now, in the all the time I have lived here, I have not had a persistant problem till the past year. I'm thinking new person on our route? Who knows. But I have ALWAYS paid our gas bill and have never ever missed a payment, plus there have been anniversery months where I would have a $500.00 credit on my bill because they miss budgeted us and they have the nerve to send me a threatening letter stating they will shut off our service.
Well, I called them up yesterday and REALLY laid into them. I informed them that for the past two months I have been home from work due to an illness and no one has rang my door bell either month. It tells you on your bill when the next reading will be and I have even taken a day off work to be here (they give you an 8 hour window).
I informed them that it was not my job to read my meter and call the reading into them. Whoever has our route is obviously not doing their job and I do not deserve a threatening letter because of it. They WILL make arrangements to send their employee to my house to read the meter and they will give me a 4 hour window, not 8, as I like to take a shower and will not be accused of not answering my door again!! Besides, I feel this is more than compromising on my part. And just for their info, we have always made sure someone was here when it was time to read the meter to the extent that I have lost wages! (ok, it may have been a good excuse to take a day off work in the middle of the week, but they don't need to know it was a bonus for me!).
I said all this with such authority and force (even boardering on mean) that my husband was shocked and although he applauded me, he was a bit concerned that I may have been releasing some stress that had been building up on the wrong person (the poor girl who answered the phone!) Now I felt terrible!!. Although he didn't point that out to maker me feel bad, I can't believe I did that to her!! And I don't know who she is to appologize.
Now here is why I am worried....what is going to happen when I go through menopause here and get that b**chy attitude? How do you choke back the comments and stuff that I've often seen people go through that make you say things to people you wish you hadn't? I guess this is bothering me because it is sooooo far from my personality how I reacted to the gas situation that it is making me feel terrible. Even though I was justified in my response to what had been going on. I normally would have handled it different and with calm reasoning.
I will be getting ovaries removed in a couple months and I want to prepare. I see my GYN on Aug 7th to discuss surgery date. I assume she will wait for rads to end, but I don't know how long after. I want to do this right away to get it over with.
Sorry this post was so long. I am sitting here waiting on the gas company which said between 8:00 and 12:00 and I am still fuming over the way they have been treating us.
I do not want to write another post stating I took out the meter reader because we got into it!! Don't let my size fool you!! I can still woop some butt!!!
So, if anyone has any suggestions (and I can't take a walk since I can't leave the house) I would love to hear what has worked for you. Once again, thanks, and I am now going to go count to ten!! :) Pammy

Comments

  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #2
    LOL Pammy...
    I'm not laughing AT you, I'm laughing WITH you! My husband has me make all of the confrontational phone calls BECAUSE of my menopause!

    For one thing, don't feel bad about blasting away at the girl who answered the phone. That's her job...to take phone calls, good or bad.
    Secondly, you are absolutely in the right. There is no reason that they can't have the meter moved outside. We have had to do that at two residences.
    Thirdly, don't stress over how b****y you may or may not get. It happens to all of us and it is not constant. It just is what it is.

    Walking doesn't relieve my stress or irritability. It just gives me more time to think about mean things I can do to people..lol!!

    It will be ok...

    Hugs,

    CR
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #3
    I second Cindy's post
    Oh, Pammy. Been there, done that. I am laughing with you, not at you, too. I went through menopause "naturally" a few years ago. You could be a Jewish girl, the guilt trip you've put yourself on. Just be sure to purposely add some good karma to the universe (Jewish people call it a Mitzvah)to counteract anything toxic you MAY have contributed and then set your mind at rest. xoxoxo Lynn
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #4
    I'm now laughing too....
    Just an update...no I didn't take out the meter reader!! Hubby stopped home to make sure there was no dead body lying around and was surprised to find no one showed up still!! So he took matters into his own hands because he said that the steam coming out of my nostrils could press his shirt for him!! He was a bit more tactful but was able to get his point across loud and clear. No one from the company knows why they did not show up as they had it on record before noon. Hubby made it crystal clear that I will not wait any longer as I have done my part and if one more letter arrives in the mail about this situation, since we have done everything possible to resolve it within our power, we will start filing complaints for harrasment. He is hoping this will start to resolve a stressful issue. In all reality, they can't shut me off because I have never given them reason to. But it is harrasing to make the assumption that it will be their course of action. So now we are on a wait-n-see basis! :) Pammy
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #5
    As for forced menopause, I
    As for forced menopause, I had that caused by chemo. I do not have the anger issue tho. In fact my temper is better. I mean I'm more laid back now. It might be because I realize that other people have issues too. Or maybe I just don't want to make bad karma. I was always laid back but would flare up over some issues. Once when I took our new car in for a problem and they gave me a line because I was female, I had a fit and threw my keys (didn't aim at anyone). They remembered this two years later when my husband took the car in for servicing. I have found that humor or logic can do as much or more. I know you say it's not your job to read the meter but you have to remember, at least then it would be correct. We've had ours read wrong before. It will also keep your karma at peace and keep strangers out of your house. Do some Ohm ohming and send the reading in and see what that does for your bloodpressure. I'd hate to see you blow that lovely head of hair out the window.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #6
    Marcia527 said:

    As for forced menopause, I
    As for forced menopause, I had that caused by chemo. I do not have the anger issue tho. In fact my temper is better. I mean I'm more laid back now. It might be because I realize that other people have issues too. Or maybe I just don't want to make bad karma. I was always laid back but would flare up over some issues. Once when I took our new car in for a problem and they gave me a line because I was female, I had a fit and threw my keys (didn't aim at anyone). They remembered this two years later when my husband took the car in for servicing. I have found that humor or logic can do as much or more. I know you say it's not your job to read the meter but you have to remember, at least then it would be correct. We've had ours read wrong before. It will also keep your karma at peace and keep strangers out of your house. Do some Ohm ohming and send the reading in and see what that does for your bloodpressure. I'd hate to see you blow that lovely head of hair out the window.

    Thanks Marcia...
    Ohm.....meter read and called in!! And you made some very good points. Thanks! :) Pammy
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #7
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Marcia...
    Ohm.....meter read and called in!! And you made some very good points. Thanks! :) Pammy

    I used to have mood swings
    I used to have mood swings just before my period and I thought for sure I would be the post menopausal crazy woman. Didn't happen. We all have these moments and with all the cancer crap you and being blamed by the company for their problem you snapped. I would have too. Just because you had one rant (justified I might add) doesn't mean you will be a raging lunatic with menopause (induced natural). And sometimes ranting is the way to get results.

    Long, long ago we lived in a house with the meters in the back yard. We had a big dog, very friendly but a barker. PGE would not come in and read the meter unless she was inside and since I worked and would not leave her in the house all day or my back gate unlocked we needed another choice. At the time there were a lot of breaking and entering going on. I got one of those letters about the service being stopped. When I called and explained my situation PGE gave me a window sticker with an envelope slot. It went on our lower corner of our front kitchen window. Each month we read the meter and posted the numbers for the meter reader. It's not like you can fake anything because they know the averages of any given house. For us, it was a simple solution and stopped the harassment. It did mean we had to read the meters but that was an easy thing to do once a month. Is this a possibility for you?
    Stef
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #8
    fauxma said:

    I used to have mood swings
    I used to have mood swings just before my period and I thought for sure I would be the post menopausal crazy woman. Didn't happen. We all have these moments and with all the cancer crap you and being blamed by the company for their problem you snapped. I would have too. Just because you had one rant (justified I might add) doesn't mean you will be a raging lunatic with menopause (induced natural). And sometimes ranting is the way to get results.

    Long, long ago we lived in a house with the meters in the back yard. We had a big dog, very friendly but a barker. PGE would not come in and read the meter unless she was inside and since I worked and would not leave her in the house all day or my back gate unlocked we needed another choice. At the time there were a lot of breaking and entering going on. I got one of those letters about the service being stopped. When I called and explained my situation PGE gave me a window sticker with an envelope slot. It went on our lower corner of our front kitchen window. Each month we read the meter and posted the numbers for the meter reader. It's not like you can fake anything because they know the averages of any given house. For us, it was a simple solution and stopped the harassment. It did mean we had to read the meters but that was an easy thing to do once a month. Is this a possibility for you?
    Stef

    Apparently not?
    They said that the meter needs to be read & verified by a tech every other month minimum. That is why we are having this problem because they claim no one is home when they come. They will only except the customer calling in every now and then, but do not want a habit made of this. Like you said, it's not like we are going to get away with lying. Besides, they budget us so high that each year we have a huge credit on our anniversary month. Then they either lower the budget temporarily or tell us no payment due for 3 months in a row. I personally do not call this a budget!! It's more like a random fiqure each month that goes up and down! It is very frustrating to say the least!! It mostly bothers me that I have been here, but the reader definitly was not and then lied about it. :) Pammy
  • tjhay
    tjhay Member Posts: 655
    #9
    fauxma said:

    I used to have mood swings
    I used to have mood swings just before my period and I thought for sure I would be the post menopausal crazy woman. Didn't happen. We all have these moments and with all the cancer crap you and being blamed by the company for their problem you snapped. I would have too. Just because you had one rant (justified I might add) doesn't mean you will be a raging lunatic with menopause (induced natural). And sometimes ranting is the way to get results.

    Long, long ago we lived in a house with the meters in the back yard. We had a big dog, very friendly but a barker. PGE would not come in and read the meter unless she was inside and since I worked and would not leave her in the house all day or my back gate unlocked we needed another choice. At the time there were a lot of breaking and entering going on. I got one of those letters about the service being stopped. When I called and explained my situation PGE gave me a window sticker with an envelope slot. It went on our lower corner of our front kitchen window. Each month we read the meter and posted the numbers for the meter reader. It's not like you can fake anything because they know the averages of any given house. For us, it was a simple solution and stopped the harassment. It did mean we had to read the meters but that was an easy thing to do once a month. Is this a possibility for you?
    Stef

    Menopause
    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR mood are me, thats what i tell everyong. hahahaha I am not allowed todo any confrontaional phone calls my sister is afraid they would come and arest me cause I have no control. I use to be so layed back. Oh well. Youll do fine.
    Cant see you s a raving lunitic, thats my job, and i am not giving it up even for you.
    tjhay
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #10
    Akiss4me said:

    Apparently not?
    They said that the meter needs to be read & verified by a tech every other month minimum. That is why we are having this problem because they claim no one is home when they come. They will only except the customer calling in every now and then, but do not want a habit made of this. Like you said, it's not like we are going to get away with lying. Besides, they budget us so high that each year we have a huge credit on our anniversary month. Then they either lower the budget temporarily or tell us no payment due for 3 months in a row. I personally do not call this a budget!! It's more like a random fiqure each month that goes up and down! It is very frustrating to say the least!! It mostly bothers me that I have been here, but the reader definitly was not and then lied about it. :) Pammy

    That is so stupid of them.
    That is so stupid of them. And I hate when service people lie to cover their A***s. If having an accurate reading is so important to them, them they need to pay to move the meter. No one should have to be off work (although I agree I love those excuses) to be home all day or half a day once a month to read the meter. And no one should be giving keys out to people they don't know. They are alot of weirdos out there and they work in all jobs. Tell them that your husband said that you will give the key when they assure you in writing that only one person has it, that this person has been fingerprinted and had a thorough background check and that a huge bond is posted for damage, theft, injury, death etc. and that you have a key to their home. After all if they are in your home and injured you are responsible. Never mind that sounded good but this person could give this key to, like anyone. Ask them how many of their employees give keys to total strangers.
    And then there is someone walking in on you when you might be home. I remember one time, I was the back bedroom changing my clothes and I looked up and out the window (yes, the shades were up) and there was the meter man looking back at me. The meter was between two bedroom windows. Why was the shade up? Because no one could see in our room unless they were in the backyard. There I stood, 22 years, in my bra and bikini underwear, cute as a button and embarrassed as hell. The meter man was embarrassed too, put his head down and scurried out of the yard. He had actually hopped the fence because the dog was in the house. I called and raised hell but they said that they were allowed to come on the property to read the meter and that he had rang the bell and no one answered. After that I always pulled the shade down while dressing but come on, shouldn't I have had some expectation of privacy in my own home. Yes, and so should you. This is there problem, not yours.
    Stef
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #11
    tjhay said:

    Menopause
    GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR mood are me, thats what i tell everyong. hahahaha I am not allowed todo any confrontaional phone calls my sister is afraid they would come and arest me cause I have no control. I use to be so layed back. Oh well. Youll do fine.
    Cant see you s a raving lunitic, thats my job, and i am not giving it up even for you.
    tjhay

    Thank you Tjhay....
    That is so sweet of you to put yourself out there and inform me you will not give up that job. OK, after much consideration, I have decided not to put in for the promotion. However, I will remain with the company!!! :) Pammy
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #12
    Akiss4me said:

    Apparently not?
    They said that the meter needs to be read & verified by a tech every other month minimum. That is why we are having this problem because they claim no one is home when they come. They will only except the customer calling in every now and then, but do not want a habit made of this. Like you said, it's not like we are going to get away with lying. Besides, they budget us so high that each year we have a huge credit on our anniversary month. Then they either lower the budget temporarily or tell us no payment due for 3 months in a row. I personally do not call this a budget!! It's more like a random fiqure each month that goes up and down! It is very frustrating to say the least!! It mostly bothers me that I have been here, but the reader definitly was not and then lied about it. :) Pammy

    You could go over their
    You could go over their heads? Like an Action Line which is used by a newspaper back home or maybe the BBB? Or does the state have a agency that oversees the utilities?

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