So as another year comes to a close, I wanted to just take a moment to reflect on this past year and express my gratitude for some amazing people in my life.
It's been a rough year.
It's been a tough year.
I'm not sure where to start but I guess the more challenging stuff has been what has been going on this fall.
It started gradually - that walking was becoming more and more difficult. I bought a rollator months ago that was purchased with the intent of helping me get out of the house and since November, I've been having to use it as a wheelchair (which is not recommended by the company who made it :( but I gotta do what I gotta do to get around!)
After 2 ER visits (and one shameful need for the Fire Dept. to get me down and up my stairs) the early diagnosis is an auto-immune disorder. I've still go to give more blood for testing/labs and I have an appointment to see a Rheumatologist in 2 months.
So in the meantime, I'm so grateful for all the help and support I've been getting from friends and family.
Starting with here at home - E has proved to be a great housemate so far. I didn't intend on her taking on caretaking duties but she's been so great about helping me...getting me water, occasionally making me food, running errands and also she's great about keeping the kitchen "under control" (loading/unloading dishwasher!)
Taking on a tenant/roommate was definitely one of the wisest things I've done lately. Financially it is helping and she's awesome to boot!
I've got to give shout-out's to DJ R and Pop for helping me get back and forth to the ER's and home.
And then there is the receipt of funds from both B and Santa S to help me stay afloat while I deal with the challenge of being unable to work all of my hours these past few weeks.
And there is N, who has helped me shower and wash my hair.
And EB, doing the cooking and waiting on me on our visits. And always being willing to come to me here for our monthly dates.
And T, for making potatoes and BR for bringing the ingredients for mimosa's to the brunch E and I hosted a few weeks ago.
And my manager, MS, has been incredibly supportive and understanding. I hope I'll be able to hang on to this job. They need someone FT and we're hoping I will be worth the trouble (I think I am! :) ) in spite of the reduced hours and amount of work I've missed.
I'm sure there are others but those are the ones at the top of the list.
When I think about how much I have to be grateful for, it helps put the medical stuff in perspective.
I've been able to keep my home and keep food in the fridge. Important stuff! And knowing I've got so many great people in my life is such a blessing/gift.
So another year is around the corner and I hope it will find me getting some real answers about what is going on with my body and getting hired on permanently at my job.
Onward and Upward.
