Lately I’ve just been living life as well as I can. I’ve been a bit frustrated as I’ve had some really bad days and my weeks off antibiotics have not been any better. My disability hearing is this coming Monday and I’m excited and very nervous. If I get approved it will change our family’s life and stress level tremendously. If I don’t get approved I’ll have to appeal which starts the one to two year process over again. I still need to stay with Mom as I can’t live independently yet. If I get approved I plan to start paying her some rent to help her be able to pay for re-flooring her home. It’s the least I can do to say thank you for all she’s done and still does for me. I plan to give Dad and
Bonnie my back pay which should be at least $20K after taxes. That’s not all I owe them but it’s a big chunk. I’ll be able to pay for everything including medical bills on my own if I’m approved. I’ll still want to house/dog sit and will need to financially to be able to pay for everything on my own.

My hearing was last week and we are 99% sure that I’ll be approved! The judge just heard my lawyer and my testimonies and didn’t even ask to hear witnesses or to talk with the vocational expert. My lawyer says that’s a sure sign we won. I just have to wait 30 days to receive the official letter in the mail. Then it will take two to three months to receive payment. We are so thrilled! It is a huge financial burden lifted off of us, especially Dad and Bonnie. I’ve estimated now that my back pay could be much larger than $20K, maybe even up to $40K. I AM OBSESSED WITH FIGURING OUT HOW MUCH IT WILL BE SO I CAN THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH I CAN GIVE DAD. HE IS INSISTING THAT I KEEP THE MONEY FOR AN EMERGENCY FUND, FOR A DOWN PAYMENT ON MY NEXT HOME, OR GOING BACK TO SCHOOL. I’VE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BECOMING A PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT. I PLAN TO FIGHT THAT HARD AS I REALLY WANT TO PAY HIM BACK. I FEEL LIKE HIS GIFT TO ME WAS THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO LOAN ME TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. EVERYONE HAS TRAGEDIES IN THEIR LIVES AND THIS IS ONE OF MINE. SO, IT’S MINE TO DEAL WITH AND HE DOESN’T NEED TO PAY FOR IT. SINCE I AM ABLE TO PAY HIM BACK, I SHOULD. JUST LIKE WITH MOM, SHE HAS GIVEN ME A FREE PLACE TO STAY INCLUDING UTILITIES, FOOD, CLOTHES, ETC. AND NOW I’M IN A POSITION TO GIVE HER A LITTLE RENT MONEY. SHE DOESN’T WANT TO TAKE IT BUT I WANT HER TO TAKE IT AND SAVE IT FOR NEW FLOORING FOR HER TOWNHOME. THAT CAN BE MY GIFT BACK TO HER FOR TAKING CARE OF ME FOR OVER TWO YEARS.

I RECEIVED THE OFFICIAL LETTER…I’M APPROVED FOR SS DISABILITY!!! FINALLY, MY FAMILY CAN BREATHE. ESPECIALLY DAD…WHEW!

IT’S THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER NOW AND I’VE HAD SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW NOW WHERE I’M FEELING PRETTY WELL. ENOUGH THAT I CAN HAVE LUNCH WITH FRIENDS, RUN ERRANDS, ETC. BUT IF I DO TOO MUCH I’LL STILL END UP WITH INCREASED FACIAL PAIN. MY NECK, SHOULDER, BACK PAIN IS BETTER AND I DON’T FEEL IT VERY OFTEN NOW WHICH IS AWESOME BECAUSE THAT IS AN AWFUL PAIN! I AM HAVING EXTREME LOWER BACK PAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE NOW AND AM GOING TO A CHIROPRACTOR. HE HAS EXPLAINED HOW MISALIGNMENTS IN YOUR VERTEBRAE CAN REALLY AFFECT YOUR NERVES, MUSCLES, AND EVEN ORGANS. HE REALLY GIVES ME HOPE OF BEING ABLE TO HELP ME. HE SAYS THAT MY CERVICAL C1, C2, AND C3 ARE OFF AND THAT CAN CAUSE FACIAL PAIN AND EYE PAIN.

NEXT WEEK I’M STARTING A DIET FREE OF GLUTEN, SOY, EGGS, AND DAIRY! I TESTED POSITIVE TO ALL OF THESE AND DR. DURHAM (MY HORMONE DOCTOR) SAID PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS MANY TIMES DEVELOP THESE FOOD ALLERGIES. I’LL DO THE DIET FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS! I’M ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AS DR. DURHAM AND DR. FOSTER SAY I SHOULD FEEL 50% LESS PAIN AFTER THE DIET…THAT’S WORTH DOING IT JUST FOR THAT! BUT I’M ALSO EXCITED TO BE EATING MORE HEALTHFUL AS I’VE READ A LOT LATELY ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT DIET IS TO OUR HEALTH AND ESPECIALLY A PLANT BASED DIET. I MAY CONTINUE A LOT OF THE DIET EVEN AFTER I FEEL BETTER AS I’LL BE USED TO EATING THIS WAY AND IT’S SO GOOD FOR MY HEALTH.