Dateline: two days ago -
A frigid desert night is in the making. Freezing. Below freezing. Our version of an Arctic blast. This winter has been cold. Colder than normal. Or at least, far colder than it's been (on average) in the past decade or so. But that's okay, as the chill is much more easily tolerated in comparison to those 110° days of the summer season. But at one point things were getting borderline ridiculous. I observed snow showers in the mountainous terrain 20 miles north of my location Monday morning. That was the day we never made it out of the 40s. Yes, cold happens, but I am not accustomed.
Above and beyond the weather, I shall offer an update of sorts. I will explain a few things. Or perhaps I will write things that'll make matters unclear. I'm not quite sure. It's 3:37 a.m. and I'm only awake because I'm having a few minor issues at this time.
Doctoring
There's currently an effort to coordinate surgical procedures at the same time. At least, that's my intention and my desire. If I'm going under, I want to go under only once.
The muscle biopsy should take place soon. I'm also scheduling to have a bladder procedure. By combining the two, the side effects from being under anesthesia will be limited to one instance. And that's my primary objective. Limiting things.
And Surgeon Number One explained that after my muscle biopsy, it will take several months under several microscopes across the land in order to determine what it is that's causing my debilitating muscle functionality problems. Or, as we like to say, me/cfs.
Well no, we don't like to say that. Probably no one does.
Homey
The fate of my official SSI claim is supposed to be resolved by June, at the latest. If my claim is approved, I will receive $800 per month. I will also receive a lump sum dating back to my first having applied for SSI during this round, back in late October. Therefore, my monetary reward will equal somewhere in and around $6,000.
Now here's the trick, assuming I am approved… the rewarded money must be spent immediately and promptly. If not, the state, or the government, or some combination there in, will take the money away from me and apply it towards expenses. So what I must do is immediately spend the money. My simple goal is to have things done to replace my missing teeth. I did find out, however, that I will not be able to afford implants. But my dentist said there are other more affordable options which could work for me.
So that's the goal. Fix my mouth. Make it chewable. This may be my only opportunity (forever and ever, amen) to do something with my mouth - to make it functional, just in case I'm able to eat food again, sometime in the future.
Departure
If —- I am approved for SSI, my plan is to leave the nursing home. Even if I am not approved, I do plan on leaving the nursing home. So either way, I plan on leaving.
By receiving $800 per month, I will have a few options. And my main objective will be to find a room, or maybe a roommate. Well really, to find someone who will let me live with them. Ideally, it'll be some place where I'll have direct access to the restroom. A restroom. A wheelchair accommodating restroom. Some place that I can fit my wheeled machine, so that I can take care of myself and my needs.
How likely is this? I honestly cannot tell you. On a personal level, I seem to be likeable enough, but finding a home that's wheelchair accessible will be quite difficult.
I shall also qualify for Section 8 housing (assuming disability is approved). The problem being, there isn't any Section 8 housing available in Phoenix. The waiting lists are all closed.
A group home could also be on the agenda. I think. But I don't know how much of that would be covered with my tiny amount of income. And really, I don't think my $800 per month contribution would be quite enough.
Fail-safe
If I am not approved for SSI, I will somehow get a job. I was thinking I could be one of those Greeters at Wal-Mart. I am surely personable enough to hold down that kind of job. And perhaps having a disabled guy at the front door would bump up the Walmart street cred.
I don't know how many hours per day I can physically tolerate. Sure, I can sit up for several hours at a time. But there are always complications because of my feeding tube, and the related hygiene/maintenance issues. And then of course, there's everything that goes along with my diabolical illness.
Besides finding a job, I could always find myself some kind of girlfriend who will support me. I don't know why anybody would want to do that, but you never know. So perhaps I could be a mail order boyfriend groom.
In reality, I don't cost much. My formula and related supplies are paid for by state insurance. Then again - thanks again to all who have helped supply me with gauze, bandages, medical tape, and other life-sustaining supplies!
So in this instance, not eating is actually advantageous. More simply, I just need easy access to a bathroom / shower, a single electrical outlet to charge my chair, and covered shelter from the elements.
Okay. I really don't need a shower. Perhaps running water would be enough. I didn't shower for several years running, and look at me now! I survived that ordeal.
The point I'm trying to make, is that I could give most of my money to somebody, or some entity, and live off of a mere dollar a day.
My freedom is most important, and also my main desire (I've mostly given up on being cured, so I've got to have an overall simplified objective, right?). The freedom to move around, to go out there, to move about… that's where it's at.
Y'all
Hang in there @Rufous McKinney (re: husband I'll). Ugh. At least it seems things are getting better. And as I alluded to in previous commentary, it's most important to keep yourself properly aligned. You can't take care of anyone else, or anything else, unless you take care of yourself.
Be well,
Howard
Sun-seeking Bundled Cold -
Snow Showers -
Post Urologist/ Hanging Out -
Downtown Chair Repair Adventure -
A frigid desert night is in the making. Freezing. Below freezing. Our version of an Arctic blast. This winter has been cold. Colder than normal. Or at least, far colder than it's been (on average) in the past decade or so. But that's okay, as the chill is much more easily tolerated in comparison to those 110° days of the summer season. But at one point things were getting borderline ridiculous. I observed snow showers in the mountainous terrain 20 miles north of my location Monday morning. That was the day we never made it out of the 40s. Yes, cold happens, but I am not accustomed.
Above and beyond the weather, I shall offer an update of sorts. I will explain a few things. Or perhaps I will write things that'll make matters unclear. I'm not quite sure. It's 3:37 a.m. and I'm only awake because I'm having a few minor issues at this time.
Doctoring
There's currently an effort to coordinate surgical procedures at the same time. At least, that's my intention and my desire. If I'm going under, I want to go under only once.
The muscle biopsy should take place soon. I'm also scheduling to have a bladder procedure. By combining the two, the side effects from being under anesthesia will be limited to one instance. And that's my primary objective. Limiting things.
And Surgeon Number One explained that after my muscle biopsy, it will take several months under several microscopes across the land in order to determine what it is that's causing my debilitating muscle functionality problems. Or, as we like to say, me/cfs.
Well no, we don't like to say that. Probably no one does.
Homey
The fate of my official SSI claim is supposed to be resolved by June, at the latest. If my claim is approved, I will receive $800 per month. I will also receive a lump sum dating back to my first having applied for SSI during this round, back in late October. Therefore, my monetary reward will equal somewhere in and around $6,000.
Now here's the trick, assuming I am approved… the rewarded money must be spent immediately and promptly. If not, the state, or the government, or some combination there in, will take the money away from me and apply it towards expenses. So what I must do is immediately spend the money. My simple goal is to have things done to replace my missing teeth. I did find out, however, that I will not be able to afford implants. But my dentist said there are other more affordable options which could work for me.
So that's the goal. Fix my mouth. Make it chewable. This may be my only opportunity (forever and ever, amen) to do something with my mouth - to make it functional, just in case I'm able to eat food again, sometime in the future.
Departure
If —- I am approved for SSI, my plan is to leave the nursing home. Even if I am not approved, I do plan on leaving the nursing home. So either way, I plan on leaving.
By receiving $800 per month, I will have a few options. And my main objective will be to find a room, or maybe a roommate. Well really, to find someone who will let me live with them. Ideally, it'll be some place where I'll have direct access to the restroom. A restroom. A wheelchair accommodating restroom. Some place that I can fit my wheeled machine, so that I can take care of myself and my needs.
How likely is this? I honestly cannot tell you. On a personal level, I seem to be likeable enough, but finding a home that's wheelchair accessible will be quite difficult.
I shall also qualify for Section 8 housing (assuming disability is approved). The problem being, there isn't any Section 8 housing available in Phoenix. The waiting lists are all closed.
A group home could also be on the agenda. I think. But I don't know how much of that would be covered with my tiny amount of income. And really, I don't think my $800 per month contribution would be quite enough.
Fail-safe
If I am not approved for SSI, I will somehow get a job. I was thinking I could be one of those Greeters at Wal-Mart. I am surely personable enough to hold down that kind of job. And perhaps having a disabled guy at the front door would bump up the Walmart street cred.
I don't know how many hours per day I can physically tolerate. Sure, I can sit up for several hours at a time. But there are always complications because of my feeding tube, and the related hygiene/maintenance issues. And then of course, there's everything that goes along with my diabolical illness.
Besides finding a job, I could always find myself some kind of girlfriend who will support me. I don't know why anybody would want to do that, but you never know. So perhaps I could be a mail order boyfriend groom.
In reality, I don't cost much. My formula and related supplies are paid for by state insurance. Then again - thanks again to all who have helped supply me with gauze, bandages, medical tape, and other life-sustaining supplies!
So in this instance, not eating is actually advantageous. More simply, I just need easy access to a bathroom / shower, a single electrical outlet to charge my chair, and covered shelter from the elements.
Okay. I really don't need a shower. Perhaps running water would be enough. I didn't shower for several years running, and look at me now! I survived that ordeal.
The point I'm trying to make, is that I could give most of my money to somebody, or some entity, and live off of a mere dollar a day.
My freedom is most important, and also my main desire (I've mostly given up on being cured, so I've got to have an overall simplified objective, right?). The freedom to move around, to go out there, to move about… that's where it's at.
Y'all
Hang in there @Rufous McKinney (re: husband I'll). Ugh. At least it seems things are getting better. And as I alluded to in previous commentary, it's most important to keep yourself properly aligned. You can't take care of anyone else, or anything else, unless you take care of yourself.
Be well,
Howard
Sun-seeking Bundled Cold -
Snow Showers -
Post Urologist/ Hanging Out -
Downtown Chair Repair Adventure -
