Friday

Long week it seems like. I haven´t been feeling all that well this week. I´m not sure why. As usual when I don´t feel well these days I immediately think it is something to do with my liver but really I have no idea. Just lots of nausea. Sort of sick and shaky feeling for most of the week.

But I had a busy 3 or 4 days which always does me in plus when i was at the hospital last week the fellow that saw me was sick with the flu. He kept apologizing. I asked him if he had his flu shot this year and he said no he never got around to it!! Working in a hospital with sick people and he didn´t get his shot............

The weather is warming up somewhat so I´ve taken Miss Lacey out walking a couple of times this week. I can´t wait for full blown spring to hit. My spanish is going ok. It gives me something to work at. It´s at my own speed so that works.

I´m hoping when this is all done that I can afford to finally get moved into my own place. That is what is keeping me moving forwards these days. As much as my son has been very good about sharing his place it was always meant to be temporary while i got my money situation sorted out. I just have to wait till this all gets settled and then I´ll know where I´m at. Most of my stuff is in tubs and stashed either at my mom´s or at a friends house. So many times I have gone to get something only to realize it´s in a tub at mom´s (an hour and a half away). I want my own dishes. I want space whre I can lay out my crafts and leave them for a few days if I feel like it. Just a place for me and the cat and dog. I was thinking about it the other day. In all my life I have only ever lived by myself for a total of about 6 months when I was about 18.

Ahh well. Soon.

Where is the sunshine??

Here we are at the middle of March and it still feels like winter most of the time around here. It is warmer today but the rain wants to fall still. I've spent the last few days watching the horror in Japan unfold and I should not in any way be complaining about our weather. I hope they get some warmth there too. So many people without homes and the weather is still so cold there too.

I went to the hospital in Vancouver last Thursday and saw one of the study doctors. My regular study guy was out sick and I had a new fellow. He didn't have the ultra sound results from November in the file with him. He didn't know about the ascites either so got all the info from me and said they would call my family doctor and get them to send a copy of the ultra sound. I told him the request for the ultra sound came from them not from my doctor. He was confused as my guy wasn't there and this wasn't his gig but he was very nice and sent me off for blood work and then followed me downstairs as he had forgotten to get me to sign stuff and asked me to come back up after the blood.

We had a chat then and he said he thought I should be seeing the specialist (Dr. E) there more often that I am. It seems like that when Dr. E saw me last time and told me there were no drug trials and no new drugs right now and so there was nothing they could do for me at that time that my doctor (Dr. C) at that point stopped forwarding on any test results etc. The fellow on Thursday said I should be coming in at least every 6 months to see the specialist etc. so to follow up with my doctor (Dr. C) and ask to go back to the specialist (Dr. E) and in the mean time Thursday's doc would let him (Dr. E) and the other drug follow up doc know what was going on. Ok well that sounds totally confusing but there ya go. That's how it happened and that's what he said.

I have heard from Disability to say they have received my application and so far it has been accepted and now it goes to the medical team to decide if I fit the criteria. That could take another 60 days. I have also had to apply for social assistance which I totally dreaded and felt horrible about having to do. As it turns out it is mostly done online. You then get a phone call and an interview on the phone. She then tells you what documents you need to have to show them and gives you five days to get into the office and give to girl who photocopies it all and gives it back. Then you go home and within a few days they call and let you know if you have been deemed eligible. I did what was asked and was deemed eligible. Then they called and wanted me to fill out a disability form for the province as well. If I am deemed eligible for everything it will give me just barely enough to live but I'll have to give up my car. I am not stressing yet and still trying to take all this one day at a time.

My grandson is a gorgeous little bundle of snuggles. He has chubby kissable cheeks and they get kissed lots. I get to see him a couple of times a week and am loving it. Taking tons of pictures. I'll include one or two before I close off.

I'm tired and all of this worry and trying to keep paperwork together and separate for different claims or offices is tiring. The diuretics are still working and that makes me happy. I have a hard time now keeping weight on and am eating several small meals or snacks a day. Lots of fresh veggies and fruit too. Grapes were on sale this week along with California strawberries and oranges so I have stocked up on all three. I've been making lots of homemade soup and it works out well for me. I can throw it all in a pot and snack at it for a day or two and then freeze what is left for a soup dinner one night. No fast food and I am trying to stay away from all processed foods. Cereal in the mornings to take my pills. Brain power is cloudy on some days and some days are better. I worry some days that I am losing it. I have started taking a Spanish beginners course and am enjoying that although the concentration is iffy some days.

Well that's me somewhat up to date. Pray for the people of Japan.