Sunday, May 25, 2014

(rest of) Day 57

Day 57 (continued)

Saturday, May 24, 2014

After getting a morning rant off my mind, the rest of the day was mostly good.  TGF got here just before 11:30, and we went on to town.  First of all was a big disappointment … the small item I had left at a local shop quite a long time ago to be painted was not ready.  The lady was not there, but told her husband via phone that she was behind on orders and thought I had wanted it in June.  Well, she had told me clearly it would be ready by MAY 20th.  I suspect since it was a very small item it just got over looked, though obviously I can’t prove it.  This is the only time anything ordered has ever not been ready by a promised date; and since it’s for someone else, I have no idea when I’ll get to town on a weekday, or when I’ll see my SIL again.  She had thought she might want to get more done as gifts … but with this happening, I’m thinking she’ll not want to be ordering from this shop.  And truthfully, the lady is really busier than she seems able to handle by herself anyway.
Then we went to the pharmacy.There I got a very big shock … the pills that were ordered for me had a co-pay of $92!!!  I did NOT get them.  That’s insane.  I’m on a limited fixed income.  I’m sure the doctor had no idea how expensive they were.  The young man at the counter said he will contact the doctor’s office to see if another version of the pill (the very annoying version that would have to be taken 4 times a day) would be significantly cheaper.  But, he won’t find out until Tuesday, so it probably won’t matter .. I’ll be travelling before I can even find out, much less get them.  Anyway,  I’m not actually convinced they are *that* necessary.  It’s the anti-inflamatory (steroid) drops that seem to make the pressure go upp.  But without the drops, the inflammation comes back.  Clearly, the inflammation is the big issue.  I have an appointment on June 11th with some sort of specialist to see what can be done about the inflammation.  Meantime, I have all these drops to deal with.  Also .. I have developed a cold.  It seems there are a lot of things I don’t “do well”, and a cold is another one of them.  My sinuses seem to be producing gallons of mucus (WHERE does it come from???), and it’s not illogical that could be influencing the pressure.  Maybe.  (and I’m just miserable enough to assume it could, because it seems to be affecting everything else).

When TGF and I got to the pharmacy, there were some shelter people set up with rescue pets that need good forever homes.  There was one dog there I absolutely fell in love with.  He’s a 2 year old yellow lab/blue heeler mix. (all I could really tell was his size and color).  He was very timid, seemed afraid of all the people and activity.  His foster mom got him out of the cage, and he was clearly affectionate with her.  We were told he’d originally had a sister, and both dogs were surrendered for adoption; the sister was more “outgoing” and adopted, but no one seemed interested in him since he’s so timid.  The more we talked to the people, the more he sounded like a good match for a nearly blind old person living way out in the country alone.  But, obviously, there’s a lot of things to consider.  I don’t think getting him food would be a major issue; but getting him to a vet once a year could be (an expense).  And he could have health problems as he ages … no way to know on that.  And what about when I travel … sometimes a dog could go with me, but not always.  TGF thiks he might be able to become a “service dog”.  He’s obviously not a “seeing-eye” dog, which I do not need; but he could be trained to help keep me from bumping into low objects; and also trained to be a guard dog (cats are not good at warning against unwanted intrusions!!) … or at least be able to scare off any possible intruder.  It’s never been a problem out here, but the family next door knows I live here alone now; so who knows who else knows that?  I’ve never felt “scared”, but it is a bit innerving.
Anyway, we got a caard from the shelter people.  If the dog (Jay) is still needing a home when I get back from the upcoming trip, I will think more abouthim. There’s an awful lot to consider.  It makes me sad to realize that it’s just one more thing that I want (I’ve always wanted a big “golden”, and he’s close) that there’s a good chance it just won’t happen.  I’m at a time in my life when the loneliness and sadness ought to be balanced a bit by getting to go out and do things I want to do .. but instead, I’m *trapped* by failing vision, and limited to what other people think I do or don’t or should or shouldn’t need to do.

After 2 disappointing stops, we stopped at the grocery store.  I needed cat litter, and got a few other things .. very little … just to get through the weekend.

When we came back to the house, TGF was gathering up what was completed of her laundry when DSS called.  He had not gone to work (for a change), so she told him to come on over.  When he got here, they took the rest of the trash off.  It was only one bag (including from changing out the litter boxes); a box of old magazines; and the 2 outside cans that were full.  They just took the cans, emptied them at the dump, and brought them back.  Then they went back and worked a little in the bedroom.  DSS duct-taped a board to the wall … that isn’t going to keep anything from pushing it, but it will slow them down.  He’s trying to figure out how to nail something up .. seems whatever studs were originally put there have rotted away.  There’s not much of anything holding up that wall!

After they left, I exchanged a bunch of emails.  I ended up asking my sister & niece about helping Cndy drive to WS .. and they said they could!  I’m so relieved.  She still has to get here;   but it’s only a 2 hour drive.  She will come Monday and stop as many times as she needs to.  It’s a shame DS can’t come, but there are valid reasons why; and DIL certainly doesn’t want to have to wait another 3 months for another appointment!

By 10:00 I could barely hold my eyes open.  I still had the TV on, and “48 Hours” was on.  I heard the first few minutes .. and then I thought it sounded strange.  And I thought to myself “that sounds more like Criminal Minds than 48 Hours … so I looked at the clock.  It was a little after midnight!  And, I was wide awake.  I couldn’t stop coughing and was stopped up and so miserable.  I got up and put a frozen dinner in the microwave (had only eaten a baked potato earlier .. all I wanted at the time).  While it cooked, I went into the bedroom.  Where DSS had taken a lot of the stuff out, there was bits and pieces left on all 3 tables.  I consolidated to one table.  Then I moved the big chair (which DS will get eventually) to infront of the box in front of the taped up board over the hole in the wall.  I figured the critters will have a Much harder time moving that chair .. that the truth is, they don’t have to move anything.  The wall itself moves. L

I also got all my boxes of candles out of the closet and put them on the tables I just cleared.  Perhaps today (Sunday) I will change out to my summer colors.  Or I may wait until tomorrow for DIL to help me .. it’s getting really hard to tell some of the colors apart.
I turned the TV on, and watched Castle; CSI Miami; and one other but I can’t remember what.  I got so frustrated though .. I was sooooo tired, and couldn’t sleep, and coughing so much.  So I started searching to see if I had anything at all to help.  I know within the past year or so I’d cleaned out cabinets and thrown out a lot of out of date OTCs,; but I was so desperate.  And, I did find a bottle of liquid Tylenol.  I can’t tell if it’s for cough or cold or just for children (don’t know how old it is, but it hadn’t been opened).  Whatever .. it helped, and around 3:00 or so I was able to turn the TV off, be reasonably comfortable, and get back to sleep.  I got up about 7:00 .. time to start today’s round of drops.
I rarely just throw on old clothes without showering, but I did this morning.  I feel lousy, and I MUST either get over this cold, or get something to get it under control before I go travelling.  I’m not “contagious” .. no fever or anything, it’s just an ordinary cold.  And in all likelihood, the cough will linger on awhile and drive me crazy, so I have to find something to control it.

I’ll probably change my mind in awhile.  But it’s getting later, and I need to deal with the cats at least. I took another dose of the liquid stuff, so hopefully the coughing and sniffling will ease off soon for at least a few hours.  I wonder if I can buy it by the gallon?

I know there are things I need to do today; but between the cold and lack of sleep, right now I don’t feel like bothering.  Maybe by this afternoon.

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