I will be calling unemployment this morning as my unemployment check didn't post (thus putting our checking account into the negative). It wouldn't be so bad if we at least got a written heads up, but the government does what it does without regard for people's realities (and most certainly does not show any pro-active communication despite the fact one can be emailed or texted or called so easily nowadays).
I can only assume it was because while I was certifying for the past 2 weeks last Tuesday, I indicated that I had filed for Social Security (which I did).
It would seem one is supposed to financially harm oneself while trying to apply for benefits. I answered the certification process honestly, and we're being punished as a result. Better to ask forgiveness and repay any overpayment as a result of any overlap it would seem.
Well, the damage has been done and on Monday, we'll reopen the SSI application and try to fast track that.
In the interim, Penny got some unpleasant news yesterday that her testing came back and she is borderline diabetic (Type II). So once the surgery is complete today (and depending on that result), she will be testing herself daily regarding her blood sugar. And the hits keep on coming.............
I don't know whether to laugh or cry........... but somehow (through God's grace), we will get past this major hurdle.
9The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalm 9:9,10)
We were preparing for our drive to Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, so I logged into our account and pulled up our schedule. Apparently, it has been moved up to this Friday instead of next Monday. So today involves a lot of testing and tomorrow, Penny will be scoped.
Normally, we would wonder why the change but in this case.... we take it as a sign that God wants us to have a reasonably quiet Anniversary (so we are getting everything done this weekend).
So, this is it. Our future will be known within 24 hours and it will either be remission or more radical treatment. Penny is showing herself to be very resilient (as she is handling this better than I am). All I know is that we've given it to God and at this point, the die has been set (we just will see how this progresses). Maggie (our long time companion) senses that Penny is leaving and is showing her usual closeness during this time right before we leave.
Travis is in good hands regarding our friends (God has provided compassionate friends to be sure), but we can tell he is worried also. His mother is his entire world, and he so wants there to be peace in his mother's life again (as do we all). We are stronger in our faith than ever, and so we leave you with this thought:
"Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." Luke 8:48
Well, we are so tight on our finances, that we don't go anywhere anymore (and haven't for a while). Given I go to group therapy twice a week in McHenry, that is the extent of my traveling anywhere (and I try to fit in other stops when driving back and forth to those sessions to keep gas usage down). The only other thing we do is go to Church functions (or to Church). The past 4 days of weather have been blissful and we've had the windows and doors open to let in the outside air (A.C has been off all 4 days). With the rear patio screen installed, the dogs love walking in and out of the house all day (and are much more interactive instead of laying around). "Shangri-La" (our back porch) has been enjoyable to lounge around for hours at a time with music playing in the background and we've enjoyed the leftovers of our cooking up a lot of meat on Labor day on the grill (the wafting smell of BBQ lingers on as a result).
So, we are trying to enjoy our time before Penny goes in for her Cystoscopy (which is not easy to do considering her pain is to the point now that she needs to use her medication quite often). September 9th cannot come soon enough.
This afternoon, Eco-shield will be stopping by to discuss the siding and roof (USAA has approved all of the work.... especially after last week's hail storm), so Penny is looking forward to picking colors for the house. This in itself is surreal, considering we are on thin ice regarding our finances and the mortgage is being mostly covered by Illinois Hardest Hit until next April. The roof HAS to be fixed though regarding the leaking, and since that does have to be done, we need to do the rest also (even if in the long term, we may not be the ones to enjoy it long term). It is the right thing to do (and the insulation issue in the house will get resolved also).
In the interim, we keep praying a job will come along that (despite my recent medical maladies) I will be able to work at least enough to pay our bills. We have 4 weeks of Unemployment left (unless Tier 4 is approved), so this is of major concern. In the interim (in addition to waiting for my disability rating from the VA... which can take up to 2 years regarding the backlog), I have applied for Social Security Disability and Travis will be applying also (given his hours are reducing at work and there are no jobs he is eligible for elsewhere). It is weird it has come down to this as I thought I would be working until I died or turned 67, but the economy is in shambles..... nobody is hiring High School educated former IT guys over 50.... and my body is betraying me much sooner than I ever thought possible.
In the interim, the Pingree Grove FVC church soft launch is this weekend and we'll be missing it while being at the Cancer Treatment Center of America. We are honored to be part of the launching of a new church, it's just frustrating when one cannot be "all-in" when distracted by medical issues.
So, another week in our journey will come to pass and we pray we will have good news next week. Either way, we are blessed that God has provided for us and that we are doing so well despite adversity.
So, this morning started off with adding a magnetic screen to our rear porch door (so we can have our rear door open and the insects stay out while the dogs can go back and forth between the outside and inside). Given that the previous attempt ended in failure (the included Velcro tape tabs were used and which failed horribly), I drilled out holes in the frame to attach the screen via screws/washers. This worked fantastically. =)
We cleaned Shangri-La, put the Kingsford Charcoal BBQ Grill onto the rear deck and kitty cornered it, and then did "indirect grilling" where the chicken and sirloin burgers were grilled/smoked to perfection. Travis' friends Laura and Jared came over to celebrate Jared's 24th birthday (and our friend Lydia stopped by also). =) We did so while listening to 95.9 (the "River") in the background and the water fountain/feature bubbling it's brook-like background also.
We then watched Men in Black III plus Riddick:Pitch Black (and did a Bonfire in between movies). A fantastic labor day and we hope Jared enjoyed his day with us and the family. =)
Well, we did it. We just turned in our 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander
GT. The over $640 a month was too much for this unemployed yokel and disabled damsel (we had almost 2
years of payments done and had 3 more years to go). We took it to the $3 car wash and
also vacuumed it out plus cleaned the interior. This was so it was handed over
in the best condition possible, and because Mitsubishi allowed us the dignity of
handing the car off to the local dealership instead of a fly by nite auto repo
guy coming to our house in the nite and dragging it away in front of the
neighbors (so we wanted it in clean condition to show we cared and were
responsible owners).
Penny was understandably verklempt (picture
forthcoming). Our sales guy for the past 4 of 5 Mitsubishi's was nice to us as
we said our goodbyes (the Sales Manager walked into the floor vehicle
appraiser's office and told him who was handing in a car.... a gentleman who
then immediately stopped what he was doing despite being busy with another customer, walked out and then comforted both myself
and my wife.... and then walked out to the lot to get the miles off of our now
former car. They formalized the handover by having an appraisal document filled
out documenting the miles and condition of the vehicle (and us both signing it).
Since Penny and I are long term customers, they are going to try and look for a
cheap high mile low value (but good running/maintained) vehicle and if they get
one in that will get them a couple of hundred at auction, they will offer it to
me instead for that price so I can have a backup vehicle. We'll see if that happens, but I have hopes they will keep their word.
Their final
words to us was that we tried our best (and that it was "only a car" and that Penny's
health was much more important. I agreed. A class organization (even if they couldn't
help us in the end). It looks like it would sell for up to 19k (and we'll be stuck with 13k plus fees in regards to the difference between our payoff and the auction amount). We have no idea how we can cover that cost at the moment. Alas, it is what it is. =(
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The reason for the lack of almost daily blog posts is due to my recent problems with my left hand. Last Sunday, it blew up into a meat cleaver (my immune system attacked my left hand's joints). The swelling was so bad, I couldn't use the hand.
Penny took me to Sherman Healthcare and I was prescribed Prednisone. 2 days later, I went to my General Physician and was told after all of the testing was completed the previous week, that I am being recommended to see a Rheumatologist. After he saw my hand and how swelled up it was, he definitely can see how bad my joints are. At this point, the effort continues (I can now use my hand again at least).
Penny's pain got worse on Friday and after calling Cancer Treatment Center of America, we were told to go there immediately. We did so and there was no noticeable obstruction after they did a bunch of testing and an ultrasound.
With the pain killer Rx prescribed, we went back home.
One week until the cystoscopy and we are hoping for the best and fearing the worst. It cannot come fast enough.........
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