It's a Good Hurt, Right?

 I made it to the hospital about 20 minutes before I needed to be there, and honestly, I lucked out in getting a parking spot. It wasn't as close as I would have liked, but better than many of the other 'non-options'. I emptied the pockets of knives, lighters, excess change, and headed in. A quick few minutes and they had me escorted, literally, down the hall 30 feet to the Imaging Dept., where I warmed there waiting area seat for about 40 minutes. Then it was time to make the hole in the belly.

The procedure lasted a bit longer than last time, as there was more fluid than a month ago. Yesterday they drained 13.1L (about 28.8 pounds) and I decided then and there, I wasn't waiting 4 weeks to do this again. They released me, and I swear, I was like an old man. I had to walk a bit hunched over, as all the organs in hte abdomen had no idea what this new environment was like without all that fluid. It would hurt and feel like I am stretching them apart if I stood up straight. So, you got the mental pic, hunched over old guy walk, using a cane, Oh! and let's thrown in I lost enough weight, my pants wouldn't stay up. So add in the 'holding the belt, so they don't fall' into the walk. This is where I really wish I had parked closer. I did have to take a couple rest stops on the way to the car.

I rushed home, and first thing put a new hole in the belt. It was Thursday, and I usually meet up with a buddy, so in the afternoon I headed up to the pub. I swung through Jack in the Box, got 2 Jumbo Jack burgers, and I ate both of them!! After not hardly eaten for days, it was delicious! Then treated myself to coke to drink, as I felt I deserved a reward.

Last night the Wife "found" our bathroom scale. Luckily we had the battery type it takes - those round disk ones, CR2030 or something. I got on, and said it is broken. It showed my weight as 286.2 lbs. Now last time, a few hours after my paracentesis, I was at 304. They call that a "dry" weight. So I was sure this was wrong. Youngest got on. The Wife got on, and said it was very close to the right weight for her, so I stepped on it again: 286.2 lbs. Maybe I have lost that much - after all, I had to put another notch in the belt.... But weighing myself daily, or every other day, will help me watch how much fluid may be accumulating again as well. But 286? I haven't weighed that in ....10 years or more! But I don't recommend this diet plan!

Today is Friday. We took the rental car and returned it first thing this morning. Wife is borrowing the Youngest's car for work today. Around 11am Youngest will start on his Loaded Baked Potato Soup that I am taking to the Riders Dinner tonight. I might go catch a couple hours of zzz's this morning. Here's to hoping the insurance check arrives today so we can get the Wife's newer vehicle this weekend.

PeacE

Well, That Was Quick ...

 Yesterday I received a call from the appraiser who had been out to look at the vehicle. As I had been thinking, they are considering the vehicle being "totaled". Then he proceeded to give me a figure he arrived at based on the appraisal he completed, comparables, and the going price. Needless to say, even minus my deductible amount, the figure was higher than I was expecting. In fact, I am able to honestly say that it is more than I paid (at the dealership) when I bought it a year ago. He explained some paperwork I need to complete and FedEx back to him with the title and key(s) for the vehicle, then emailed all the stuff. I'll be doing that tomorrow morning - getting the title and POA notarized, then stop at FedEx to send it. After they get it, they will release the funds.

So that means the rental I just picked up the other day will need to returned mid next week. I have a doctor's appointment Monday later in the day, and I am sure he will order me to get labs done again. So hopefully I can pre-schedule an appointment for the labwork prior to seeing the doctor. Then figure out when I will take the car back and get a ride home.

So, that part of this whole ordeal is pretty much over. I'll let the insurance companies fight over who is responsible and blah blah blah. I met up with my attorney last night and let him know the status of what I was last told fromt he insurance company. When I mentioned that the other party had informed those involved he had added an attorney into the proceedings, my Atty just laughed. 'It's because he knows he is at fault and is running scared' he told me. 'If he was not at fault, he would just wait for the insurance to pay him off. Since he brought an attorney into this, he has to know he is at fault and is preparing to try to fight it'. I believe that, after all, I know I had a green arrow when I started into the intersection. Add in some other factors (flipped my car onto the side shows he was traveling at a higher rate of speed) and that I have not been cited as of today for anything.

Sigh. It is some pressure off me at last. I have been feeling anxiety and stress everytime I had to think about the accident - the details of what happened, etc. With having a settlement figure now, I told the Wife last night that we might run up to the dealership and take a look at what they have available. I think I am going to get another Rav4 LE AWD like this one was. It has been a good vehicle this last year, for trips, for Goodwill trips, and just taking family/friends around. Great gas mileage, many features I like (bluetooth, etc.) and maybe with a 2022 model I can get the push-to-start feature.

Either way, need to get back to work (on a break) so need to end this for today.

PeacE

Sometimes, I Just ...

 ...Don't like adulting. I took the next couple days off work in order to have the time to get things done regarding my accident. 

First I called the city I thought had answered the call, and they had nothing. Then called my city and was able to get the incident number. I also got the info where my car was towed to, their phone, and asked about my license that I had not received back from the officer. Seems I have to go to the Property Management office for the PPD which is south of downtown (q bit of a drive) and provide valid ID (which is what I need to get from them). Also the tow company needs valid ID and title in order for me to access the car to claim my personal items. So now I need an ID. digital picture of it won't work (I was told).

So I am off at some point here soon to the DMV to get a duplicate license. At least I will have the official copy from DMV to use for the car, and a new replacement in a few days. Whether my ride can get me to my car today or not, we will see. I may need to reach out to my brother.

Called and passed along all the information I have now to my insurance company. It is now a waiting game to determine who is "at fault" (even though I feel it is not mine). It will take them a couple days to get in touch with the other insurance company, etc. I was not given a ticket, though, I had left the scene in an ambulance - so who knows if the officer(S) determined fault at the scene or not.

Sigh. I am getting to old for this crap. The stress alone is starting to affect me.

Good thoughts to keep my head up: Initial appearances is that I was the only one 'hurt', yet scratches and bruising is basically all I have; I work from home, so an immediate replacement/rental is not needed; I have an attorney, if it turns out I need one. I can't think of any others right now. Nerves are pretty raw right now with having to re-gash the details, and the stress of trying to get all the info together, let alone the worries if I am found at fault.

PeacE

Floating on the River

 Out here in the desert, we have a place called Salt River Recreation, located out near one of the Indian reservations just over on the east side of the Valley. It allows you to rent out inner tubes, them provides travel by bus t/from different stops along the Salt River. This is always a big hit in the 100+ degree summers here. I have gone a few times, usually ending up burnt like a lobster (thank you Irish heritage for fair skin) but always had fun. The floating part is fun, with a few "rapids" here and there to keep it moving. 

Currently, my job is sort of feeling that way. Friday I was told to log out earlier in the afternoon. Supposedly there wasn't much left for QC to go over, and we had reached our end in the project. I will be login in this morning to verify we are done, but then I am afloat again. Just waiting until the next project I get selected for, to come along. Work is like the rapids - it comes along and I am busy, then goes away and I just float.

There are lots of things to do when I am not busy with work. One of recent note is the backyard. The neighbor and us had decide to split the cost of putting a cement block fence between our yards. Beats the old wooden plank fencing, that is seriously falling apart and needs replacing. In fact, part of it is being held up by some twine and strategic tying onto other things. Neighbor had found a company, and our half of the price is good. We need to move things at least 4 feet from he fence-line though. There were a couple stacks of 'shelved' wood pieces (from back when In-Laws lived here) that we moved. One of the things is a miniature log cabin. One of the BILs had brought the material down, and built this in the back for the grandkids to play in. Big enough you could fit maybe three 6 year olds in it, with a small door and window. But it sits against the fence. It has been in place many years, and personally, I'm all for trashing it. Of course, the Wife doesn't want to. So how to move it? Dismantle, then re-build it after the fence is up? Will it dismantle easily, or fall apart because the weathered wood? I am nervous to find out, and think I may just wait for the Wife to start taking it apart. then see if it breaks or not.

Almost time for me to log in and check on work status. 

With the switch in car insurance companies, this new one has an added discount if we put their app on our phones for 90 days. We are talking about around a $150 discount. Everyone is pushing back on me. The idea of being monitored by 'Big Brother' has everyone in a hissy. I loaded the app the other day, and took a drive. I sped. Seriously, I drove about 5-10 mph over the posted speed. When I reached my destination, I checked the app, confirmed it was me driving, and got a 'great' rating. On the way home, I did a 'hard brake' as I came up to a red light - on purpose. Again, once I confirmed my trip, I got an 'okay' rating. What's so bad about having this for 90 days to save $150?? They have a limited time to get the app onto their phones to get the discount. Guess I will be hounding them about it. Overall, I think it would force them all to drive a bit safer - and in my opinion, all of them could use it. But then, I have been told countless times that I drive like "an old man". Is that bad?

Welp, I guess I should get the inner tube and make sure it is inflated to a proper level to support me. As you can figure, a guy my size, I have one of the tubes from a Caterpillar truck to use- LOL!

PeacE