Sorry, Not Sorry ...

Obviously I never made it back to finish the post yesterday. I did go in for the paracentesis and  liters were drained. I had a Zoom meeting scheduled for 2pm with my Group Lead of my IOP - a personal session each week to see how I am doing overall with everything. We had agree to move it to noon, so I was a bit rushed getting home in time. Things took longer at the hospital because of the amount drained, I had to receive an extra dose of albumin I had not time-factored into the day (about - minutes). So I made my meeting with about 10 minutes to spare.

Tuesday was such a great day for me. Dropped the car off to have the safety recall fixed on it. Something about a sensor in the passenger seat that improperly detects someone sitting there or not when an airbag is deployed. While that was being done, RM picked me up and we went back to her place. I set up my laptop and did my 3-hour IOP, then RM and I went to get my vehicle, followed up with lunch at Red Robin.

All I can say is ... wow. We ended sitting there and chatting after lunch until nearly 3:30pm, and it was such a great conversation! I felt I shared too much about things going on in my life, but I felt I needed to. I usually keep things so close to my chest until after, and on my way home, I realized that RM had also opened up and shared a lot with me about how things are in her life. I don't think we have been so open with each other before and shared so much. It was ... just fantastic! Oh, and the endless side salads were good, too. RM sent me home with a pint of her salsa for the Youngest (which only has about a third in it now) and had even made a quart of chunky for me (which is now gone).

I arrived home and saw that mail had come so I grabbed it. On top of everything is a check. You know how you can tell a Government check - their style of check peeking behind my address. I got excited! I rushed back to mt desk, and the second piece of mail was from SS Disability. I opened that one first to find I have been approved! The check that had come, well, it was for "backpay" from March to current. So an unexpected bonus ... and the amount I am to receive each month is higher than I was at least hoping for! So now I have some income coming in to help with all the medical. I hope to have all my balances current and at/near a zero balance in the next few months. At least right now I can address the ones that are overdue.

That evening, since I had no meetings at the VFW this Tuesday, I attended my TG group, and had a good discussion on 'Have you ever felt in control enough that you didn't need AA'. When my turn came up, I shared that I could NOT do it without AA. Though I went 5 months sober without any additional learning of the program, or the IOP, but I don't think I could stand here and honestly say I could have relapsed at anytime, and now that I am in the program, just the support keeps me going, let alone working on the steps.

Tuesday was awesome! So yesterday, I was in very good spirits when I had my one on one, and shared why. There's a nice big chunk of mental stress and worry off my mind now that the disability is coming in.

Today? Hmmmm. I have my IOP this morning, and nothing planned for the day. I may go get my hair cut, as the sides and back are getting shaggy. I know tomorrow after IOP the Youngest and I are headed to Discount Grocery to get drink, snacks, and any other good deals we find. No major weekend plans. We were invited to a "pool party" for one of the Post members who I consider a good acquaintance, but have not decided if I will go. I am sure the Wife won't go, but I am going to try to get her mind changed, at least to go for a little bit. I want her around more of the people I know and like/trust. Saga to be continued....

And with that, I need to get on with my day. My numbers are good this morning, and I am feeling better with the abdominal pressure off. I think I'll have some tuna salad for lunch today.

PeacE

Does The Alarm Even Work?

 I am up early today. Woke at least three times through the night with bladder calls, decided to finally get out of bed, and it was barely 6:30am. I feel well rested, but I haven't heard my alarm go off in days now. Seems I am up before it is time quite a bit. It's only 20 minutes, and I try to be productive still, but every once in awhile, it would be nice to sleep in until it went off.

IOP this morning. Yesterday's was interesting. It was on PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome) that deals with symptoms several months (or years) after one quits drinking. Talked about the 'plateau' you hit, and start to backslide. I know she picked that specifically for me, because of our Wednesday session. Here I am at 7 months sober, and though I am not struggling currently, there is always a possibility.

My calendar is free after that. Tomorrow, I have been invited to a friend's granddaughter's birthday party that is being held at the Post. It's sort of invite only, so that is nice. I need to get a card and I'll throw $20 in it. I think she is about 10'ish. Then may stay for the Queen of Hearts drawing. I haven't stayed past 7pm on a Saturday at the Post in several weeks. I should make an 'appearance' for the karaoke crowd.

RM and I set plans for lunch on Tuesday. She took the day off work (not for me) and with the car drop-off, it works out well. Looks like we are going to Red Robin (endless side salads) after my IOP that morning. I was debating bringing my headset when I go to RM's, to make it so passer-bys cannot hear what is being said, but PT is hard enough of hearing, I don't think it will matter, as long as he knows he can't interrupt me with questions during my session. 

Disability. I have a friend on the "inside" regarding my Disability filing. She called me yesterday and asked have I gotten the letter yet. I knew to what she was referring, and said no. She said they sent a letter, and was all she could share. But in her voice, she sounded happy, so I am thinking I got approved the first time through, and those payments will start soon. It'll be nice to have the extra income since I cannot work currently, and to help with the medical bills. Didn't come yesterday... maybe today.

Bio's are okay this morning. BP is a little low, glucose is where it has been resting for a few months. 

Welp, I am outta thoughts this morning.

PeacE

Friday Afternoon Off

 After my 3-hour IOP this morning, I am free for the rest of the day. Plans were for the Youngest and I to head out to Peoria Discount and see what they have this time around for snacks and lunches for us. I dislike picking things out for him when he is not with, as I only know some of his likes. What if wants to try something new? So I told him I was free after noon, and he is yet still in bed. He's an adult. we talked about Discount last night, so he knew what time to get up and be ready. It's 2pm... I don't think we are going today. 

I may have mentioned before, but I did get the taxes filed online. I stopped at CVS and picked up my "special" medicine. Stopped at Walgreens. Explained I had heard from them in a week for prescriptions, so had her run through about 4 of them I know are ready for refill, or close, and one past that I need for next week. Today, they have one filled, two delayed, and I think it said it is too early for the 4th one. Of course the one I need for next week is a delayed one. Sigh. Insurance had "fought" the pharmacy on it, but finally okayed, they just don't have in stock.

Normally tonight would be the Riders Dinner at the Post, but we cancelled as this Bike Week AZ. In place they have the M.O.C. doing a spaghetti dinner. I don't think I will be up there at all today.

Tomorrow morning I have a dental cleaning and exam. I know I have at least two cavities, on molars, and rather than root canals and crowns, I'm just going to have them pulled. But that will be another appointment. I did look at the dental panoramic x-ray Mayo did, and it noted no gum disease and that it is noted dental work has been done before. Nothing about cavities being an infectious thing. SO do I need to have it done? Maybe not, but it is just going to start hurting at some point, and rather get it done now before the transplant.

In the mail today I received a letter from Mayo about the items the Transplant Council wanted completed prior to being on the Wait List. An MRI-Abdomen in June, treatment for Strongyloides (threadworm) and Cocci series, complete psychiatric and psychological consults in about 6 weeks, random drug testing until negative (from THC edibles I stopped in February),complete an IOP, Weekly AA meeting, and CT cardiac imaging to be reviewed by cardiologist. The Cocci and Strongyloides treatments I have already completed. I am in the IOP that should end early in June. Appointments made for the Psych consults. Drug testing is done monthly when I do blood work. I've been attending AA meetings, in fact, I need to do one probably today for the week. The CT cardio has been reviewed and at this time are not doing anything. I have a high calcium score, and some calcium build-up in the arteries. Deferment is for 3 months to get all this done (more than halfway there) then will re-evaluate with the Council.

Social Security Disability contacted me the other day and sent me some forms they need information on. One set was job history, the other was functional ability. Those are filled out and ready to go to the box at the P.O. 

Oh, and RM ... I got the two packages in for PT's birthday. I got him a book I thought he would enjoy (teach him to buy me a book) and a T-shirt that has Gibb's Rules listed from NCIS. I think I got a large, so not sure how it will fit. All their sizes tend to run on the lower side of a size.

Welp, I think I covered quite a bit today. How bored are you now?

PeacE

My Chemical Romance

 I don't know if there is actually anyone that reads this drivel, that would actually know the band in the Post title. Maybe have heard of the name, but the music as well? Doubtful. Either way, those were the first words I thought of when I sat down and asked myself what should the post title be today. Hidden meaning? Double entendre? Maybe a little of both? Well, let's take that short walk that was yesterday, and maybe you'll figure it out ...

Got up 8am and did the routine. I double-checked the SSA website, directing me to this particular SSA office, to verify address as well as they are accepting walk-ins. I don't get over to the NE area of Phoenix that often, and I still have no desire to do so. I was still a few miles away when - road construction. Three lanes into one, I'm still, literally, almost a 1/2 mile from the light (of several to go through). No, no, no. Took a side street, went up to the next main road and continued on. Got there in 5 minutes from there. Roll up to the SSA, seeing lots of cars and several people in the parking lot. Yep, surely they are open. Start to go inside, and am stopped before I even get to the security check-point by a gal handing out a flyer. They are NOT taking walk-ins. Physical interviews are for only extreme situations, otherwise you have to call some number and set up either a video, or phone, appointment. Sigh. I asked what the time frame for an appointment for the disability application process, and she said a few days. I sat there in the foyer and called. Robo-witch told me it was going to be a 30 minute wait. Nope. Not here. I left.

On the way home, a different route as to avoid all that construction, led me into ... more construction, just as bad. Finally got to 'My side' of town and picked up scrips for the Wife and I. Got home and made the call to the SSA. Forty minutes later, I have a phone appointment around 10:30a on the 21st. At least it is only a week out. So I am tossing all the stress/worry/angst over the disability filing out the window for right now. It is completely out of my hands until the 21st.

Attended the general Post/Aux meetings last night. I was pulled into several conversations before and after, regarding the Riders Director stepping down. I had no answers. All I heard were speculations. Either way, come Monday's meeting, I am sure I will be stumbling a bit as we try to see where the Director left things (gave me no paperwork of anything for the Chapter). I was a bit relieved to hear our Treasurer, who is our actual Post Commander, will be at the meeting, and will be much help in helping us re-focus. I also checked with the Adjutant as to monthly reports - as in finding out what ones we are supposed to turn in. I am guessing that is a role I will take over, since of the two reports, one is my minutes. Sigh. More work.

So you sorta see how my day went, which is a bot crazier than normal for myself. I was a bit frazzled last night. Tried sleeping for a couple hours - nope. Took one of my edibles, and I can still feel that thing working this morning. One of the scrips I picked up was for me, and was one of the ones I ran out of last week. So I took those pills right away. Still no Rybelsus. When I asked, was told it is between the doctor and the insurance. Just great. Sigh.

Popping some pills that I was off of a few days, while already feeling off-balance due to being out of 2 scrips, throw in the remnants of the workings of my edible, and all my medical in general.... yeah. It's Chemical alright.

Had an email come in late last night from the Daughter. It is that time again, and I urge you to hide. Girl Scout cookies are out for ordering, and my Doodad has already hit me up via text and email. Doesn't she know Papaw isn't supposed to have that stuff (the sugar-free ones are nasty). I am sure the Wife will be buying a couple cases, and taking many to work.

Welp, I think I got nothing else for now. You know what day of the week it is ... and I have nothing planned (I hope - need to check my calendar and notebook).

PeacE

PeacE

Quick Update - with an edit

 Yesterday was another paracentesis. Drained off 9.5 liters today. I weighed in afterwards and am down to 260 lbs now.

I am up somewhat early (for me) to head over to the SSA to see about getting my disability claim started. I wonder if I should call first... I dunno. It ain't far either way, and I need to go out to pick up  scrips anyways.

The Director of my Riders chapter has stepped down. I'll talk more about this later when I have more time to write...

EDIT: So I made it over to the SSA office. As soon as I walk in, I cannot even pass the security checkpoint, they have someone there TELLING everyone an appointment is now required, regardless what it says online. Sigh. She offered me the seating in the entryway foyer in order to sit and call, where I may get an appointment right away. I don't think so with my application....

So, after calling and finding out there is a 30 minute wait, I figured I would do it later today. Headed to Walgreens to pick up a couple meds for the Wife. Nice surprise they had 2 of mine ready, but only one was really needed right this minute. My Rybelsus... the insurance, doctor, and pharmacy are all fighting over giving it to me. According to the pharmacist, right now it is the round for the insurance and my PCP. All I know is, this is my main diabetic medication, and it has now been over a week since I had it. I wonder... I see my PCP in another week, and if my numbers are still down, could I just drop the rybelsus now? After all, we would have the numbers for at least two weeks without it. Who knows.

Saturday after our Riders Run, I had exchanged some small chatter in a group chat of some of us Rider, talking a bit about the day. The Director had asked how many, etc, and I had answered, then was distracted by other texts, msgs, etc. Last week, I had told the Director, and Asst Sec., that I would step back into Secretary at our next meeting as I was starting to feel better. Got an email from the Asst that she had left the Riders binder at the Post. I keep a divider bin with much of the physical paperwork for the Riders. She had it when I stepped down a couple months ago. I thought no big deal. I happened to go back into the chat group, and see that he Director had other texts Saturday I had missed - the last being he was stepping down from Director for personal reasons. Due to issues I have had with this guy, I don't know to be happy or not. Our Vice will step up until voting (May). The whole thing has already got people talking, but I am trying to stay out of it all.

Started the call to SSA prior to typing in here. I'm still on hold. Sigh.

PeacE