Tag: scooter

It’s Here!

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Yesterday my scooter arrived!!!  I took the day off to make sure I was there to sign for it.  It came midday and the guy didn’t make me sign for it.

I’m so happy to have this.  Now I have to figure out how I’m getting it in and out of my car so I don’t end up with sore body parts, dirty clothes, or damaged car.

It folds differently from my previous scooter so I can’t slide it in like I did the old one.  I’m going to look for options at some point this weekend.

This means I can go places and not feel like a complete burden.  I’ll be able to get around and it will be better than before because my old scooter was sporadic at best towards the end.  I have independence and confidence in being able to get around and do things.  I don’t have to feel as anxious about going to new places or being left out of things because I’m concerned I won’t be able to get around.  My new scooter means I am able to get around any store – maybe even multiple stores!

The struggle with the insurance and the process to get the new scooter was difficult.  I’m glad it’s over and I can put it all behind me.

I’m actually looking forward to doing errands this weekend.  I have two stores I need to go to and I should be able to get around and do the stores without a problem.  I should be able to take care of the things I need without there being any issue.  I’m almost excited to shop – and I don’t like shopping.

Drawing to an End

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Errands are run.  Coupons are clipped.  Ken will grocery shop tomorrow.  Once I get up, we will prep the meat we got for the freezer and hopefully prep stuff for breakfast and lunches next week.

A headache has settled in the last few days.  At times, it is migraine level and at others it is just there.  I’m hoping it will go away soon.

If the headache stays at bay tonight, I’m going to work on getting the edits in the last  manuscript I have to do.  Hopefully tomorrow after we get the chores done, I can work on publishing.

For my to do list for my vacation, I got most of my stuff done.  I have a couple of items still on the list but this is how my to do lists go.  I’m closing in on my last day off.  Going back to work won’t be hard but at the same time I’ve enjoyed having the down time and getting writing projects done.

At this stage, I’m waiting on my scooter and hoping it arrives at the earliest date rather than the later.  The week will be difficult when it comes to pain level while I use the manual wheelchair but I don’t have the option of not going to work.

Having said that, I’m going to put all of this behind me and try to focus on enjoying the last of my vacation and down time.

A New Scooter!

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

I ordered my new scooter yesterday!  My DVR counselor pushed the paperwork and got all of it done so I could get my scooter on order!  The scooter should be here in a week to ten days.

I still have to go back to work with the manual wheel chair next week but there will be an end in sight for the pain I’ll have to cope with.

This morning I slept late again but am now tackling my to do list.  I’ve gotten a couple done and am now working on the computer.

Last night I finished watching Land Girls which is a BBC show based during WWII about the women who relocated to work on farms while the men went to war.  It was an interesting show and highlighted some interesting aspects of life in the 40s.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be more seasons of this.  Now I’ll have to look for something new to watch.

I did get some writing done yesterday afternoon.  There’s a story I’m playing with which is coming in spits and spurts rather than waves.  I’m not sure it will amount to more than an outline / rough draft.  Normally I can see or feel where the story is going, with this one I can’t.  Time will tell on this one.

I made progress with some of my other projects.  One of the publishers got back to me with a tentative yes on two articles.  Progress all around on many things.

Scooter Update

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

When it comes to medical / health care stuff, I find myself annoyed, frustrated and distrusting.  Over the years, I’ve had doctors do stupid things which have adversely affected me.  However, I try to go into these situations with a positive attitude.

Two weeks ago, the insurance turned me down for a scooter.  I could fight it but it would take time.  My doctor said he would write me a letter so I could get a scooter if the insurance turned me down.  When I found out about the insurance, I immediately called his office.  He was on vacation.

Last Monday, I called talked to his triage nurse and gave her the information on which scooter I wanted to buy.  In order for DVR to pay for the scooter, this information has to be in there.

Starting last Wednesday, I called and left messages to see how long it would take to get a letter.  I’ve called every day since then.  I mean, really how long does it take to write a damn letter?  If he couldn’t get it done in a timely manner, I would have been happy to write it and send it to him for his damn signature.

I called this morning.  I was firm but polite.  Yesterday they said someone would call me as they put my message as a high priority.  Right.  That didn’t happen.  I spent twenty minutes on the phone, ten of which was before I even spoke to someone.  Once I got someone, they put me on hold.  Finally they came back to say my letter was ready.  I made sure my husband could pick it up.  He will hopefully get what I need and I’ll be able to move forward.

I’m relieved about finally getting the letter but to be honest, I’m nervous as hell about what the letter says and if it will satisfy what DVR needs it to say.  Ken won’t be home until this afternoon.  I’ll be working on editing until he comes home.  Once he’s home, I’ll scan the letter (if it says what it needs to) and send it off to the counselor at DVR.  I will at that point look for the three quotes she will need to approve the purchase.  I’m hoping it only takes her a couple days to approve.

The fact that it took ten days to get a simple letter is appalling to me.  It was a matter of one sentence – it is medically necessary for this patient to have this scooter.

The only blessing in all of this, I’m off work this week so my pain level is down to a reasonable level but starting on Monday I’m back at work and having to struggle with a manual wheelchair which will raise my pain level significantly again.

Vacation!

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Friday Ken and I drove to Indiana to spend the day with Vicki on Saturday.  We returned late Saturday.  Friday was also my last day of work until August 8.  I printed off several manuscripts to edit while I’m on vacation.  I have the edits made on paper but need to put them on the computer.

It was a tough drive for me on Friday.  My pain level was high and I was tired.  We had detours, construction, and impatience.  The drive which should have taken five hours took six and a half.  On the way back, we came a different route and it took four and a half.

This morning I finished the manuscripts and I’ve been working on bills, budget, and a variety of other things.  Sitting at my desk, being organized, and getting stuff done is necessary but I’m antsy to get back to the recliner to enter the edits in my files and work on covers, descriptions etc.

The nice thing, I noticed yesterday my pain level was down.  I didn’t have swollen ankles, sore knees, or sore hands.  I might even be able to manage to crochet again.  I can make fists with both my hands.  Now whether this is from the drugs or the inactivity – no clue – but I’m feeling better.

Next on my list is to keep grumbling at the doctor’s office.  I have called every day, left a message, and not gotten a call back.  If they don’t do a letter for me, I will end up paying for a new scooter on my own.  This is disheartening because I really can’t afford the new scooter on my own.  I’ll figure it out if I have to but… I’d rather not have to.

Good news for the week – I went to defer my student loans in order to afford the scooter and discovered I’m paid up until February.  This means I don’t have to make a payment and I’m not going into deferment.  Both good things.  Also, Ken is going to visit the girls in October.  I went looking for a ticket for him and got it for under $200 total.  This is a great price!  It makes it much more affordable.

The rest of my week will involve a lot more writing tasks.  I am hoping to spend some quality time getting items out and promoting them.  Fingers crossed!

Updates

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

The insurance came back early and not with good news.  They aren’t going to pay for anything with my scooter.  I could fight it but don’t really feel I have the time.  I’m waiting for my doctor to get back from vacation to see if he will write a letter for the folding scooter in order to not have to do anything to my car.  He’s back tomorrow but I don’t know if he will call me as it’s his first day back.

Meanwhile, the rheumatologist prescribed drugs to help with the pain but it’s a steroid.  I’ll see how well this goes.  I don’t normally do well with steroids.  She did come back to say she thinks my arthritis is inflammatory.  Part of me is like – see I told you.  Part of me is relieved it isn’t something worse.

My pain levels been through the roof.  I’m still trying to manage and get to work.  I hate missing because I’m in pain but this last week I’ve spent a lot of time laying in the recliner in the dark.  It’s unproductive and a waste of time but when I can’t close my hands, put weight on my legs, move my shoulders without pain searing through me, there’s little else to do.

I have to keep reminding myself to do what I can, to keep looking forward.  There will be an end to this high level of pain and I’ll get back on track with writing and working.  Plus I’m making progress just not at the rate I would like.  I remind myself to give myself a break.

This weekend has been all about errands and a little fun.  Yesterday Ken and I ran errands – pharmacy, post office – and then we went to see Star Trek Beyond.  It was good.  I enjoyed it and there were some great lines – Dammit Spock from McCoy as well as others.

Vacation!

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Ken, Vicki and I took vacation to go to Florida for one of Vicki’s conferences.  On the way we stopped to see Virginia and Stephanie.  It was good to see them and have time with them.  When we were with them we kept it low key and hung out at their house.  We grilled out, played games, and just spent time together.

Florida was hot.  I can’t say I was impressed.  It was hot and muggy.  The hotel staff were rude and the manager was no help.  The conference was interesting.

We did see the ocean, we didn’t make it to the Gulf.  We spent a morning at the Kennedy Space Center.  It was very interesting but a bit overpriced.

On the way back, we stopped to see the girls again which was again another low key day.  We needed it before the long drive back to Indiana.

By the time Ken and I got back to Wisconsin, we’d put over 3000 miles on the car, visited with our girls, and done some sightseeing.  One thing I am very proud of is we saved up the cash to take this trip.  None of it went on credit cards.  We came home and had a little money left over.  

Ken had to be back to work on July 1 but I had off until July 5.  I went back to work yesterday.  It was odd.  I had vacation brain by 10 am I was ready for a nap.

I got my article in to the crochet magazine.  Now I wait to see if they print it.  I got the crochet pattern in to the other crochet magazine, I have to mail off the project for pictures.  I think – maybe – I’m all caught up on emails for both home and work.  I need to finish the wedding gift I’ve been working on.  I have it about half done.  I’m printed two patterns I want to use so I’ll work finishing the gift this week and over the weekend.  I need to pick buttons and sew them on.  Next step will be to buy a gift bag to put them in.

Unfortunately, my scooter isn’t working.  Ken says there is a broken wire and he can’t fix it.  This makes it impossible for me to go to work.  I can’t walk the distance to get into the building.  I’m taking today and tomorrow off.  I have an appointment with DVR to see if they can help me.  If they can’t, the next step will be to see about a loan to purchase the scooter I need.  Hopefully they can move quickly so I don’t have to miss too much work.  I’ll know more tomorrow – I hope.

Ups and Downs

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

My scooter broke this week.  This meant I had to walk much more than I’m supposed to which has resulted in me being in a lot of pain.  The scooter new costs $1500 and I was panicking a bit but after a bit of research, I don’t believe we will have to pay that unless we come to a worst case scenario.  Fortunately, I called a welder and he was able to weld the frame together.  Now I just have to hope it stays together until I can go through the process of getting the doctor to prescribe one for me so the insurance will pay for it.

It’s been a busy weekend.  Saturday Ken and I ran errands.  We went to a variety of different places including a craft store (Ken’s least favorite place to go).  I got the three things I needed for the three projects I wanted to do and saved $31.  I love coupons.

It was a practical day.  I spent time paying bills, working on budget, running errands and so on.  Nothing momentous happened but stuff got done.  I worked on crocheting last night but was tired.  I spent a bit of time on the phone with my daughters.  This was the best part of the day.

Today has been just as productive.  I made a new breakfast thing to take this week.  I also made lunch for today and for the rest of the week.  Ken did the shopping and saved $22 in coupons.  I’ve been working on the computer a good portion of the day.  It’s writing related things but not writing.  I also worked on two crochet projects.  I got two done so I will be able to write up the one pattern.  The other is just making dish towel with terry cloth and crocheting around the edges.  I made one.  Ken is supposed to try it to see if he likes it.  I’m hoping they work well so we don’t have to buy the one from the store.  I like them better but I never know whether Ken will or not.  The dishtowel is just under 2′ square so you can dry those bigger dishes.

I published a short story today.  Journeys is a about lifelong friends who come together for a weekend away from family.  The two women share their frustrations and joys of being mothers. The short story is only 99 cents and is available on Amazon and Smashwords.  http://eileentroemel.weebly.com/short-stories.html

Pride?

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

I hate asking for help.  It has been three months of relying on others for assistance, and people are so kind and willing to help.  Yet I hate asking for help.  Yesterday I was stubborn – ridiculously so. 

We had a storm here in Wisconsin.  I was up and on my way to work just as the rain was turning to ice / snow.  I should have at that point said – it might be wiser to just stay home.  I know I thought it.  However, I have missed so much work and have stuff to do at work that I wanted to go in and just get it done.  I went to work, drove cautiously to work and got out in a stinging rain.  I unloaded my scooter and it was dead.  No power at all.  I felt defeated.  It was surely a sign that I should have gone back home.  Part of my brain told me to but then the stubborn part said no. 

I called my sister and asked her to come help me.  We put the scooter on freewheel and she pushed it up while I walked in.  This caused my foot pain and to swell.  I took it easy at work.  My student workers got me water and helped out wonderfully.  The snow started as Alicia and I were walking into the building. 

My husband text me to let me know the roads were getting bad and my stubborn self said I’m sticking it out at work.  I am pretty sure he wasn’t happy about it but I stayed at work.  By early afternoon the snow had stopped, when I looked at the radar online though it looked like we were going to get hit again (and we did just not as bad).  At 3:30 I opted to go home before it all started.

My student worker helped get my scooter (now charged) unplugged and lined up with the door.  I hobbled over with knees, legs and a foot that hurt.  I got within 10 feet of my van and got stuck in the snow.  I was still on the sidewalk.  There was a spot on the sidewalk that had about 3 inches of snow for about 3-4 feet.  My scooter is good and goes through a lot.  I wiggled and rocked and tried to get through the snow – all to no avail.  

I was sitting on my scooter getting colder and trying to figure out how I was going to manage to walk through the snow to my car and drag my scooter with me when a young man stopped and asked if I needed help.  I wanted to say no – I think I’ll be fine.  I said “maybe”.  It was my one concession yesterday.  The very nice and kind young man asked what he could do.  I wiggled the scooter to a clearer spot so I could stand up and walk to my van.  The young man carried my scooter to the van.  I thanked him and told him to have a nice day.  He was polite, helpful, and kind. 

I know if I had called up to my office my student worker, chair, or almost anyone in my office would have come to my assistance.  My sister would have come down to help.  Yet I was too stubborn to ask them.  This young man – a complete stranger – helped teach me a lesson.  I have to let go of some of my pride and let people help me.