Been doing steadily better. Yesterday was a bit of a plateau. On which I, yes, cultivated my lump nature.
Didn’t have much choice. Thursday I spent doing medical-related appointments. My noble and wonderful friend (one of many, and a standout even among such illustrious company) Kathy Kubica-Kelly schlepped me around and hung with me from 7:30 AM to 3 PM. Granted, we had a break for breakfast, and for her to provide still more invaluable help searching for the final documentation for my much-dreaded financial-aid interview.
The latter went well. I was astonished how low the bill was. I’m still a little nervous that might not have been all, although as a teaching hospital UNMH has fairly low rates, I’m told. The sum was still eye-popping. But I qualified for aid, and let’s say I was able to settle on terms that were far from ruinous, even in my financially reduced state.
That’s a huge weight off – my biggest remaining worry.
But all that came at a cost. I felt good to walk a lot on Thursday. Unfortunately, I had to walk about twice as far as I was actually good for, plus had to stand 20 minutes at the pharmacy while they tried to figure out where my prescription was. I almost passed out.
Friday was … not good. Despite having (finally!) got a good night’s sleep I was empty, achy and sick-tired. Meanwhile my friends Melinda Snodgrass and Chip Wideman turned up to bustle around and do things for me, and some workmen came as well. I just lay in my cool new recliner chair and cultivated my lump nature. Felt bad, but could literally do no more.
(And isn’t it characteristic of us human critters that, after several days of pure progress – very busy ones, I have to admit – I finally log on here to bitch? Or, just me?)
Right before I got back my water line sprang a leak. Thought I might be able to dig it out gradually and fix it. Wouldn’t have worked had I not been useless yesterday. The whole 60-year old iron supply pipe gave up the ghost. It’s being replaced now. Having water will be a great relief, as will not having to hear a leak.
One amusing bit from my Thursday odyssey: I liked my doctor. He was young, but not so young-looking I felt as if I was being examined by Michael Cena or anything. A well-trimmed beard and moustache may have helped. He was … let’s say, interactive. He answered questions, asked questioned, and actually listened to my replies. Not something I’m used to from doctors, although all the doctors I dealt with when I was inside were helpful and seemed to know their stuff.
He looked through my record of what had been wrong with me, and what had been done to fix it. He asked when I went in. I told him: February 27th.
He did a double-take. “After going through all that, how can you be sitting here like that?” Because, mind you, I was still pretty fresh and energetic.
“I have a good constitution,” I confessed.
Actually, that’s a considerable understatement. I have a titanium constitution. Or you’d be reading this on a Ouija board.
In other news, yet another of the heroic and astonishing friends with whom I’m blessed (trust me, for once that’s not hyperbole), Sara M. Harvey, has kindly launched a fund drive on my behalf on her LiveJournal blog, The Merry Adventures of Saraphina. I greatly appreciate this, as I do any contributions. it appears I’m out from under the truly crushing debt; things will till be tight for the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, you should pay attention to Saraphina and her husband Matt Schwartz. Along with being seriously good people, they’re gifted writers and always interesting.
And, pleased to be able to end on a happy note: my water floweth freely once more! Took replacing the old corrodo line, as mentioned. The new one doesn’t look likely to bust anytime soon. So: yay!
Thanks for hanging with me and caring about me. And to my wonderful friends: it can never be adequate, but than you.
Update: Yipes! Ten thousand apologies to Saraphina and her husband Matt, whose last name is Schwartz, not Simmons! Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea great big freakin’ culpa!
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Keep plugging away man, glad to hear some things are finally going your way. And ain’t it great having friends?