About Me

My photo
I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.

Friday, November 08, 2019

Insurance Exchanges

It's that time of year again. Open Enrollment is now live for insurance policies offered through the Affordable Care Act Insurance Exchanges. Open Enrollment is only open until December 15th, so if you are interested in reviewing your insurance options through the ACA, you need to act quickly.  

Dave and I recorded a podcast earlier this week reviewing the insurance exchanges. As an individual with a limb loss, it is important to consider your projected prosthetic needs when deciding upon a plan. We included lots of great information to consider.  

This time of year becomes very hectic, and December 15th will come and go in the blink of an eye. If you are receiving your insurance through the ACA, or if you are considering opting into the exchanges, don't delay.  Check out the podcast, and become an educated consumer.

On a completely separate note, it would be disingenuous if I didn't admit to having a heavy heart this morning. Today would have been my Dad's birthday. I miss him everyday, but it stings more on days like today.

Thursday, November 07, 2019

Cleaning

Well, my ankle still hurts. I keep hoping that it will suddenly feel better, but I suspect that the recovery will be so slow that I will only realize it happened in retrospect. I'm able to get around, so I probably shouldn't be complaining, but the discomfort is starting to wear me down. If the swelling doesn't deflate in the next few days, I'll have to just bite the bullet and go to the doctor.

Despite having a sore ankle, yesterday was extremely busy. Between working and chauffeuring Robby to his classes and guitar lessons, I managed to clean the house. It has been awhile since I focused on both decluttering and deep cleaning and the house definitely needed my attention. 

It feels fabulous to be able to sit in a clean and tidy living room. I had forgotten how comfortable and stress-free I feel when the clutter and dirt are purged. (Of course, I'm sure it won't take Timmy long to reclaim the territory.)




Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Hobbling

It has been more than a week since I fell and my ankle and limb are still sore. While my limb is tender, especially in the morning as I take those first few steps in my prosthetic, it is manageable and causes few issues during the day. I am only reminded of the injury when I am walking up and downstairs, or when I stand up after longer periods of sitting.  

My ankle, which has remained swollen since I took the tumble, has definitely taken the brunt of the injury. It hurts with every step and the aching and pain frequently wakes me up during the night. I can bear weight without issue, but the pain stabs as I try to bend and flex the joint. The pain that arises when I move my ankle in circles is omnipresent and has not waned. 

I've started to wrap my ankle, both to provide compression and to support the joint when I'm walking. Although it hasn't given out on me, I worry about my stability. I'm really hoping that it heals soon because hobbling around in pain is beginning to wear me down. 

If it doesn't subside soon, I think I'm going to have to get it checked out. While I don't think it is broken (I wouldn't be able to walk at all, right?), I am beginning to worry that something is amiss. Hopefully, everything will settle down soon. The prospect of schlepping Timmy to the doctor with me is not enticing!


Tuesday, November 05, 2019

Obstacles

After a week in Texas, my Mom is returning tonight. She has spent her week helping my brother get settled after a lengthy stay in a rehabilitation program. From getting ID to finding a place to live, he had nothing set up when he was released. 

Throughout his experience, my eyes have been opened to both the insane red tape as well as the lack of resources available to assist those who are striving to start anew. The path towards a healthy and functional lifestyle is riddled with unnecessary obstacles, obscenely long lines and a complete lack of regard for the human condition. I'm so glad that my Mom was able to travel to Texas to help him navigate through the red tape of resettling his life. If my Mom wasn't there to hold his hand and to help him sort through all of the papers and requirements, I don't think my brother would stand a chance against relapsing.

I worry about my brother on his own, but I feel more secure knowing that he has a safe apartment as well as the necessary paperwork and identification. I'm hoping for the best, but I am also a realist. Drug addiction is a beast of a disease and I realize that his chances are slim. I'm not one to give up- ever! I am choosing to believe that he is starting his life anew and that he will overcome his demons. 

This is not a great photo, but it makes my heart happy.


Monday, November 04, 2019

Halloween pics










Trick-or-Treating

My weekend was filled with giggles, marathon trick-or-treating and a generous helping of chaos.  Friday night the entire Cousin Crew, including an ecstatic Timmy, set out on the annual quest for candy. After they went up and down my Mom's street, I put the bowl of candy outside the door and we hopped into the car to visit other neighborhoods.  

The kids took full advantage of the short 120 minutes allotted for trick-or-treating. With careful planning and well-honed precision, the Crew managed to visit four neighborhoods and a Trunk-or-Treat event hosted by the local fire department. By the end of the night, each kiddo amassed a whopping five pounds of candy each!

The Cousin Crew was halved when my nephews went to their Dad's house for the weekend. Although the house was quieter, Robby and Tiffany had a great evening. I loved hearing the squeals of laughter roaring from the basement. (Timmy, exhausted by the trick-or-treating, fell asleep in record time.)

Saturday evening the kids donned their costumes one more time and we headed to a neighboring town for their Trick-or-Treating. Again, they stayed out for the full two hours. By the end of the night, they had accumulated another 6-7 pounds of candy (each). 

The kids had a fabulous time, and we now have over twenty pounds of miniature candy bars. If you ask me, it was a win-win for everybody!  Today we are back in Virginia and returning to reality. I know that it will take a few days to get back on track, and even longer to get rid of the obscene amount of candy on my counter, but it was worth it. 

(I have been trying to upload photos but the platform is wonky and I can't get it to work.  I'll keep trying!)