Feeling Joyful

Perhaps the 19 degrees above zero has stirred some joy within.  I believe that it was more getting an expected text of several sentences that totally tipped the joyful meter.  Special.

Dennis decided that the patio porch dwellers needed to have fresh linens.  Baskets were emptied, cats were evicted to points unknown.  There were several carpet rag rugs that were in the mix.  A small bag of quarters and Dennis was off to the downtown laundry.  Our washer dryer isn’t built to take those rag rugs.  They weigh a ton when wet.

I had several loads of laundry of my own.  Stauffer Avenue’s laundry will be done . . . for a short time.

There was a huge packet in the mail for me.  It was from Med-A-Care. It contained all of the medical claims that had been filed in my name since July of 2019.  I sat down and got an education.  The claims began when I needed a preop physical for the cataract surgeries.  At that same time I had also made inquiries with my family doctor as arthritis was jerking me around.  I had requested a physical therapy prescription. 

Not wanting the physical therapist to be working blind or even not having it be safe to do the physical therapy, the family doctor began ordering tests.  A CAT scan on my back, x-rays for both hips and an MRI for the brain as balance seemed to be an issue.  

I am hear to tell you, there was nothing life threatening from the tests but physical therapist Mike had a lot of info to work from.  There is progress being made for this ole body that seems to be an incubator for arthritis.  The balance issue was actually the long tendon that runs from the pelvic along the thigh, along the knee and right down to the foot.  I was not putting full weight on that right side . . . because it hurt.  For myself the tests brought me assurance that though my body may be a bit more fragile that I would like it . . . if I do my part in self-care . . . life will continue to be good. 

I took the time to look through all the paperwork that had come in the mail.  To date with the two hospitalized cataract surgeries, tests, blood work, and physical therapy, the bill was tallied at $26,176.00.  What was my portion . . . zero.  Dennis and I do have the higher end of the Blue Cross, Blue Shield supplement.  With all the ads recently about people having to re-enroll and then perhaps being able to change their coverage for 2020.  Of course there were many promises of getting something for nothing . . . we are automatically carried over with our coverage remaining.  Oh yes . . . or premiums did go up $13.00 for each of us.  Big deal.  We feel secure that we can and do receive health care that goes over and above what would be the bare minimum for others.  Security at our age is the ultimate. 

Dennis has returned with baskets of fresh linens for his three cats.  Whenever I look through the east house window, there is always a pair of cat ears that I can see sitting on his lap.  Priceless.