Slogging onward

My dog now lives in someone else's home. She moved today, along with all her accoutrement. Food, bowls, toys, beds and blankets, her entire wardrobe, collars and leashes, poop bags, stuff to clean her ears and lubricate her joints... all packed into a few bags and loaded into their car. She went willingly, tail wagging, oblivious to the major change that just occurred in her life. But they will love her and take good care of her. The young woman is a veterinarian so what more could I ask for?


Other than to be able to keep her.


But it is as it is right now. I will miss her (I do already) but it's not like she's died... she's just moved on to another phase in her life.


I have a (highly likely) buyer for my house, which means I won't have to list with a real estate agent and won't have to pay through the nose for a glorified salesperson. It also means a lot less work to do around the house, because it is someone I know well, and who has told me to not bother finishing the painting and other renos I wanted to get done. "Rest your shoulder", he said, "and I will finish all that." Not that I had been using my right arm much, but some things you just can't do with your non-dominant hand and so my shoulder is a bit (more) bothered.


I have found an apartment that allows me to keep my two cats. It's brand new... in fact, they are just putting the finishing touches on the building right now and earliest move-in is April 1st. I don't think I would be ready then, as I haven't really started packing and sorting yet, but it wouldn't be too long after that. But since I thought I would have to list my house when I went to see this place, I asked for as late a move-in as possible, which was June 1st. I talked to them today and they said to just let them know when I want to move in. I've paid the deposit so the place is mine. And it's nice. It's roomy - 943 sq. ft - a 2 bedroom with a large laundry room and comes with five appliances - fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer - all in the suite! How nice is that! Plus I have a southern exposure, a nice little balcony, and I am in a 50+ building, so no squalling babies to deal with at 3 a.m. (I have nothing against children... really I don't... I just don't want to live that close to any!) I am on the top floor so no one tromping around above me and only one suite away from the end of the building. And it has an elevator.... *happy sigh*


I do, however, have a fight now on my hands. The Workers Compensation Board has denied my claim for financial coverage while I am off work, saying that because I had a pre-existing condition in my shoulder and that since the 2nd MRI (the first was taken before the injury at work on Jan. 26th) didn't show much of a change from the first, there is no reason they should pay me anything. So the fact that before this incident, I had a fully functioning arm (albeit a slightly achy shoulder) and after this incident, I was (and still am) no longer able to lift my arm to the front or the side and have constant and sometimes intense pain seems to have no bearing on the case.


I still need an orthopedic surgical consult to find out what needs to be done with my shoulder. That hasn't happened yet and I have called the sports medicine clinic where I have been going to try and expedite that appointment. Because if it requires surgery, then I want to get that ball rolling as quickly as possible. Our surgical wait times are usually horrible, and the recovery and rehab period after that kind of surgery is lengthy, so I may be out of commission for months.


I've a plan for my vehicle too... I have to have a plan. Because if I have this surgery, I will not be able to drive what I currently own. It's a 5 speed Chevy Blazer, and shifting gears is a pain right now. It will be impossible if my arm is completely out of commission. So once the house sells, I will be trading it in on something with an automatic transmission, so I won't be without wheels while I'm healing. I know I could always use public transit, but I have always hated relying on the bus.


So some things are falling into place nicely, and so far it is just the financial end of things that I have to fight over. At least I am collecting Employment Insurance benefits, but it's a minimal amount. If I am off after 119 days, I will then qualify for disability through work, which will be more. But still... I just don't understand why government agencies are so happy to take the money you pay them, but so freakin' difficult to deal with when it is time for them to pay out! What a pain in the ass. 


Well, they don't know they are up against a Viking woman who will not back down. I'm fighting this to the bitter end!


Anyone got a left-handed battle axe? I'm needing a new set of cutlery, methinks...