Midweek...

If you've ever seen the film, Groundhog Day, you've a pretty good grasp of life here at the moment. After hauling out three bags of trash on Monday, my low back was a wee bit unhappy until ice was assiduously applied. Today, two boxes and a small package containing food and litter for Lukas were maneuvered into the doorway and pushed inside. Once unpacked, the boxes were cut down and taken to our community recycle bins. Then, I also cleaned out the litter boxes, his bowls and our refrigerator and disposed of the household refuse before drying and putting away the dishes from last night. My sleeping and eating schedules have been unusual to say the least as I found myself fully awake and hungry at 3AM.

I actually fixed and ate an entire frozen skillet meal of vegetables, rice and chicken, and washed the dishes before returning to sleep. A couple of hours ago, I had a late lunch of two poached eggs on toast with steamed spinach and a slice of Gouda cheese. Last night, rather than spend $15 for a sandwich and a cookie, I enjoyed a third and final meal of vegetable korma and rice from the weekend. While the fresh groceries are now thinned, the freezer will see me through to next week, as will the pantry.

The cat has been re-stocked with his favorites and though he is definite in his preferences for rabbit, salmon and beef cat food, he is a sloppy eater and one who sometimes leaves a bit behind for later. I wonder whether he worries that food and feeding will once again become inconsistent in his life. He also likes to lick plastic. As long as he does not try to eat it, I can put up with his version of feline quirkiness. He certainly and very gamely puts up with mine.

Apart from food for the furry one and me, I've spent $19 on a pair of pajama bottoms, mostly because I need to wear loose fitting pants to PT and my one pair of sweat pants gave up the ghost months ago. No additional clothing purchases are planned unless something else dies. Cab fare and co-pays to the DPT now total $260. A small pillow to place between my knees when side sleeping was $8.00. Doing this takes pressure off the back and it is easier to use than a full length body pillow. It is also something I can keep for years, providing Lukas does not steal it.

As I use Medicare, the most recent plans and schemes of our so-called leadership which involve gutting this as well as Medicaid and other safety programs, leaves me beyond horrified. There are no other affordable insurance options for me, even with Obamacare. When I last had private insurance, the company wanted $925 per month for me, and no other company would even talk to me, even with an insurance agent. Why? Because of my original disability which dates from birth. That also renders me unable to apply for any long term care insurance. If Medicare as we know it is gutted, there will be many who will suffer and some who will die.

Welcome to the wealthiest and most greedy country on the planet.

Today...

After a night of broken sleep, Lukas and I awoke to barking dogs. I took the opportunity to clean Lukas's litter boxes and vacuum with a hand vac to remove excess litter from the bathroom and a corner of the bedroom before both of us returned to bed. Upon rising for the day, I readied myself for more physiotherapy, gave Lukas a cuddle and a snack, tidied the apartment and then realized my keys were missing---the entire ring!

Normally very organized and neat, I do not often misplace anything and found myself in a bit of a panic as I checked and re-checked the entire and very picked up flat. It was not until I opened my wallet that I spotted them. With Lukas stashed in the bedroom, I rolled to the front door just as the wheelchair taxi parked and after the strap down, we soon found ourselves in lunchtime traffic.

The roadway from my community is a main artery between the north and south parts of my city and the further south one travels, the number of lanes decrease until there is but one lane each direction. With a veritable sea of retail establishments, restaurants and assorted businesses on either side of the street, there are also numerous lights to contend with, as well as stop and go which worsens with what is commonly referred to as rush hour.

I watched the whole scene rather dispassionately, remembering what it felt like when I was behind the wheel and how happy I was to finally, after being rear-ended and left with a chronic back issue, to sell the car and trade the License for a State ID. On average, since 2004, I've seen a physiotherapist every two years for this problem. Added to my original disability and several other chronic diagnoses, and as I get older, balancing and caring for myself takes precedence over other things. My misalignment has been corrected three times this go round and the physio wizard is teaching me a few better ways to move about with an eye toward relieving or preventing strain. Core strength is also important and always, it seems, where I fall short, no matter what I do.

We shall see how it all ends up soon. Another ice pack and an early night fill the bill for now.