Quote from: ChrissyRyan on October 29, 2024, 07:22:01 PMI hope it went well!

Chrissy

It did, Chrissy. Thanks. It was just a therapy check-in with my Psychologist, but we went overtime by 15 minutes.

My next big appointment will be on Thursday morning. That one is scheduled to be a 90-minute evaluation. It will be re-evaluating my VA disability claim for spinal injury, neurological damage, pain, etc. I probably won't know the results of any of these re-evaluations until next year. So, we will see.

Lori, I hope the results are exactly what you want and that you get them soon!

Lori,


Did you fix or upgrade your rock polishing tumbler machines?


Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on November 02, 2024, 08:29:34 PMLori,


Did you fix or upgrade your rock polishing tumbler machines?


Chrissy

I got the leaky seal repaired with Shoe Goo. I have yet to reassemble it.

The other one, I got the motor mount screws out, but still need to get some replacements (maybe tomorrow).

I haven't been in a rush to get it done because I'm not sure if I want to start another batch yet. The batch that is just finishing up may be the last for the year. I have plenty that are ready to go, so now I need to start making them into jewelry.

The problem there is that I have appointments almost every day for the next two weeks. So it might be a little while before I get to that. 

That is a busy appointment schedule Lori.

I hope they all go smoothly.

Chrissy

Today will be my last "day off" before my schedule gets busy, so today will be grocery shopping and laundry. Ugh.

Most of my appointments are just one-hour consults and check-ups. So I won't be totally AWOL all day, just in and out constantly.

Tomorrow, I meet with an eye surgeon for a consultation about fixing the two-year-old scars under my eyes from surgery. I am not sure what he can do or how he might do it. Hence the consultation to find out.

Wednesday is just my Physical Therapy appointment in the afternoon, so not a big deal. My mom is scheduled for major surgery on Thursday, so my mind will be focused on that while I babysit my phone for updates.

Next week will be fun [extreme sarcasm]. On Tuesday, I meet with my Dermatologist. Fortunately, that is early in the morning, because when I get home I get to start drinking five gallons of nasty stuff to prep for my colonoscopy first thing Wednesday morning.

Many, many years ago, humor columnist, Dave Barry wrote a story in the Miami Herald about his first colonoscopy. Definitely a must-read. It is hilarious.
Dave Barry's Colonoscopy

Quote from: Lori Dee on November 04, 2024, 09:21:06 AMToday will be my last "day off" before my schedule gets busy, so today will be grocery shopping and laundry. Ugh.

Most of my appointments are just one-hour consults and check-ups. So I won't be totally AWOL all day, just in and out constantly.

Tomorrow, I meet with an eye surgeon for a consultation about fixing the two-year-old scars under my eyes from surgery. I am not sure what he can do or how he might do it. Hence the consultation to find out.

Wednesday is just my Physical Therapy appointment in the afternoon, so not a big deal. My mom is scheduled for major surgery on Thursday, so my mind will be focused on that while I babysit my phone for updates.

Next week will be fun [extreme sarcasm]. On Tuesday, I meet with my Dermatologist. Fortunately, that is early in the morning, because when I get home I get to start drinking five gallons of nasty stuff to prep for my colonoscopy first thing Wednesday morning.

Many, many years ago, humor columnist, Dave Barry wrote a story in the Miami Herald about his first colonoscopy. Definitely a must-read. It is hilarious.
Dave Barry's Colonoscopy

It is work taking care of our bodies. Sometimes  the care can be little adventures themselves.  Wishing you the best.

Many hugs,
Leigh

I'll be getting ready for my Physical Therapy appointment this afternoon. The timing is perfect. On Monday while grocery shopping, I must have twisted my knee while loading a case of bottled water into my cart.

That knee has a torn meniscus and I had a cortisone shot in it back in March. Now it is back to painful to walk on. So I will let my therapist take a look and see if it needs another shot, or if we should just amputate it just above the shoulders.

If I can't type when I return, it is because the VA opted for the amputation. 

@Lori Dee
Dear Lori:
I am wishing you and your PT therapist success in dealing
with your knee injury and pain..
 
Take all the time you need to recover from the sometimes painful PT. 
Please keep us posted.
HUGS, and my best wishes,  ❤️
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Quote from: Lori Dee on November 06, 2024, 12:00:59 PMI'll be getting ready for my Physical Therapy appointment this afternoon. The timing is perfect. On Monday while grocery shopping, I must have twisted my knee while loading a case of bottled water into my cart.

That knee has a torn meniscus and I had a cortisone shot in it back in March. Now it is back to painful to walk on. So I will let my therapist take a look and see if it needs another shot, or if we should just amputate it just above the shoulders.

If I can't type when I return, it is because the VA opted for the amputation. 

I'm back from my Physical Therapy appointment. I got new hardware installed.

He fitted me with a new knee brace that looks like it was designed by a Department of Defense contractor. My old brace had plastic stays along the side like a cheap corset. The new hardware has steel braces with hinges, and 17 straps, (five of which have velcro), Kevlar plates, and lots of pockets to hold ammo and hand grenades.

OK, well it does have steel braces with hinges.

He said to keep my leg straight and elevated and use a heating pad as needed. I think he means only do that while sitting down. I tried it the other way and I just fall over.

Tomorrow, my mom is having surgery, so I will likely be "off the net" most of the day. I will try to check in now and then, in case you are having a party without me. 

I hope the new knee brace makes your life easier and your mom's surgery went well.

Thanks, Emma.

Surgery is tomorrow, so we will know something later in the day.

I have a recliner sofa, that helps my knee and back. Also good for an afternoon nap!

Quote from: davina61 on November 07, 2024, 03:45:46 AMI have a recliner sofa, that helps my knee and back. Also good for an afternoon nap!

I have one of those electric lift recliner chairs that was given to me ages ago when I hurt my back.
It is getting old and wobbly but I often fall asleep in it, so it must still be comfy.

One of my goals for next year to is get a new chair and/or sofa like yours. I have been hesitating because I might be moving next year.

When I was at the VA yesterday, the MAGA hats were in full bloom. Everyone proudly showed off that they belonged to the winning team. Normally, in a Red State, that is not cause for alarm. However, South Dakota was ranked the most unsafe state in America for transgender people due to anti-LGBTQ laws and FBI Hate Crime statistics.

Under the next Administration, I do not expect it to get better. Probably much worse, considering Queen Kristi Noem will do anything to please Trump. So I am scouting new locations to park myself.

Quote from: Lori Dee on November 07, 2024, 08:32:51 AMI have one of those electric lift recliner chairs that was given to me ages ago when I hurt my back.
It is getting old and wobbly but I often fall asleep in it, so it must still be comfy.

One of my goals for next year to is get a new chair and/or sofa like yours. I have been hesitating because I might be moving next year.

When I was at the VA yesterday, the MAGA hats were in full bloom. Everyone proudly showed off that they belonged to the winning team. Normally, in a Red State, that is not cause for alarm. However, South Dakota was ranked the most unsafe state in America for transgender people due to anti-LGBTQ laws and FBI Hate Crime statistics.

Under the next Administration, I do not expect it to get better. Probably much worse, considering Queen Kristi Noem will do anything to please Trump. So I am scouting new locations to park myself.

Lori,

Were these veterans or staffers wearing these hats?  Were they wearing them at prior visits?

I know some who are MAGA and they are as nice and accepting as can be of transgender folks.
I do not widely socialize but I know a lot of people.  These people are not pretending to be accepting, they are accepting.  No issues with trans adults. 

They just do not want kids getting trans surgeries or medicines without their parent's consent.  They did say that counseling is fine to receive but parents still should be aware. Many non MGA people likely think the same way.  Transgender acceptance seems to be waning though in our country.

I would not let the hats bother you.  Just wear what you want to wear, they are exercising their rights to choose too I guess.  If anyone attacks you, regardless what they were wearing, that would be another matter.

I do not think those hats mean they hate us.  At least try not to make that assumption they do.

Maybe there is the familiarity issue.  Many people are negative of congresspersons but they like THEIR congressperson.  Maybe people are not welcoming of transgender people they do not know, but they are welcoming of me because they know me, there is a relationship.

Getting back to the hats, try to not let them bother you.  If you get to know some of them, maybe your feelings would change at least for those persons.  Share the love, be kind.

Chrissy

These were veteran patients in the waiting area, waiting to be called for their appointments.

It is not the hats that bother me, it is what they represent. And you are correct that I am prejudging them by what they are wearing. However, given what the hats represent, that causes me concern.

In Germany, it is illegal to wear a swastika. Why? Because of what it represents. One person, the leader of a country, who committed a multitude of atrocities on innocent people.

Here, we have people who are proud of being part of a movement whose leader is a convicted felon and has committed numerous civil rights violations during his first term. A leader who has stated publicly that he will end gender transitions and other "gender ideologies". By himself, he is powerless. But I saw what happened on Jan. 6, 2020, at our nation's capitol caused by his supporters. And now, he has the power of the Senate behind him and possibly the House as well.

I'm not worried about the Average Joe on the street. He doesn't care. I'm not worried about the people who know me. As you said, they know I am a good person. I worry about a group of red-hat fanatics who want to strip my right to medical care and who wish us physical harm. Most of them will not physically attack me personally. But it only takes one to end my life.

Most will attack us through the media and legislature. It has already started, and with their hero in the White House, they will only feel more powerful. The FBI Hate Crime statistics do not lie. I am currently in a place that ranked worse than Texas or Florida for violence against transgender people.

What is that old saying, "It's not paranoia if they really are after you." 

My mom's surgery went well and she is now home and resting.

Thanks, everyone for the well-wishes.

Quote from: Lori Dee on November 07, 2024, 10:13:44 PMWhat is that old saying, "It's not paranoia if they really are after you." 

And as the old (alleged) graffiti put it:

"Just because you are paranoid, it does not mean that they are not out to get you."

Good news your mum is doing okay.

   Glad your mom is doing well, Lori.
   Now that the election is over, I hope the media will get over getting everyone worked up and scared and just go back to reporting the news! I live in a Red county in NJ and many of my friends are Republicans. Most support me. I don't think things will be as bad as everyone worries. We must just keep on our paths to happiness as before. The media has everyone so worked up that some have even tried to kill the man. Its time for everyone to calm down and breathe. I had a customer who in 2016 went to New Zealand to live just because Trump won. She came back a couple of years latter.
  I was thinking of you the other day, I saw a shirt that said, "Just a girl that loves rocks". How goes the rock hounding? I had a vibrating polisher given to me. Can I use this to do stones?