I returned to work on 10/21. I got 30.5 hours for each of my first two weeks and for the week starting today (Monday 11/4) I have 36.

There was one bump in the road: I had a diverticulitis flare that started around Monday 10/21. At first it just felt like trapped abdominal gas, so I was taking Gas-X. It only slightly worked. Then I felt constipated. So, I took extra magnesium, which seems to work as good as flax seed on me. That, also only slightly worked. it had subsided significantly. Thank God.

Then I realized the pain had moved to my lower left abdomen—right where the colon is. Shit! So, I became vigilant about checking for fevers, chills, or both. Most flares are uncomplicated and don’t need antibiotics. I got no significant fever, and my chills could be due to my thyroid issue.

This was my second one in about 2.5 years. And, gee, it started when the $198 Duke Energy electric bill was do. I’m the only bread winner in our little household right now. Stress!!

And, right now, Rose (how she wants to be called in my blog posts) is in the hospital for the 16th time since 5/30. The spina bifida she was born with really did a number on her bladder and her kidneys.

Sunday of last week, I got to talking to one of the Sprouties (our sometimes nickname for each other at Sprouts) who our store is borrowing—we have 9 open positions at our store right now—about our rough patch with money and that we could be being evicted on November 1st. She told me about the hardship loans Sprouts offers employees. It’s up to $2,000, and it’s not credit based; it’s need and employee status based. That gave me a dose of hope.

I submitted my application on Friday. I’m asking for the full $2000. We owed for October’s rent ($1300, that includes $50 late fee), snd I wanted to get November’s because I have to reach the point at which social security money is paying MY HALF of the next month’s rent. As it is my WHOLE SS deposit has gone for late rent for the month it comes in. Rose hasn’t worked since June, or July.

I stand a very good chance of getting the loan. My medical bills for AdventHealth are over $3,000, and we owed our landlord $1300. In filling out the loan application I finally looked at the hospital charges for both my knee replacement and the ER visit because of the allergic reaction to the bandage glue.

The knee replacement surgery totaled $176,843.19. After insurance I owe $1,509. The ER visit totaled $48,519.68. After insurance I owe $1,625.00.

Yep, the US needs universal healthcare. However, I am so extremely grateful that I have the second best thing: private insurance via Obamacare. I would have been screwed otherwise.

My store manager agreed that I stand a very good chance of getting the loan, so we made a deal with Rose’s brother. He loaned us $1,300–I only expected $1000, cause I have the $300–to pay the landlord so we wouldn’t get evicted. I’ll repay him with loan money and the remainder will go towards November’s rent. At first, he did, “No,” but the next day he sent her the money via Zelle. That was a happy surprise. The money got to her before he told her he was sending it. We got it on Halloween.

It’s been a stressful, rollercoaster week, so it’s no surprise my colon went on the fritz. one day I had to go home an hour early, and Wednesday I had ti call out. The pain was horrible and standing fir eight hours takes a real toll.

It was a big sigh with relief to pay rent, but we are still playing catch-up. We are just not totally desperate.

I should be getting the loan with my next paycheck on 11/8. The landlord knows about it. We’ll still be late.

I’m looking at this as a new start. Lifestyle change is in my future. I feel positivity in the air.

Well, I have to sign off. It’s 1:01 am. I work at 9am.