A little over a month ago I decided it would be a good idea to climb up on the IKEA chairs in front of my living room to trim back the star jasmine that was growing out of control following recent rain. I was in a dress, flip flops, and being careless; naturally, I fell.

I knew immediately I had fractured some ribs, and likely could do nothing for them. I cried and crawled my way back inside my apartment, and it took several weeks for me to finally suck it up and go get X-rays. It was confirmed I’d broken two ribs, and the CT scans showed some other issues so now I get to follow up with some ultrasounds next week. Yay me! I am also now on meds for hypertension, though my goal is to be rid of those pills as I address some of my other issues.

I’m glad I’m doing this all now, while I have this insurance plan and can milk it for all its worth. Volunteering and being around unhoused people and their pets helps remind me that I should not take my health or benefits for granted. The last two years I’ve not shown myself the love I deserve, and my new friend Michele Wolf reminded me yesterday that I owe it to myself to be healthy.

If I want to rescue more Dog Dog’s and Zorro’s and Frieda’s, and take trips with all them in the van to Prescott with Ryker and Ted and Zsusi, then I need to know my limits and take care of me.

I’ve been going back and reading old posts of mine and am reminded how much happier and healthier I am when I’m writing and giving thanks. I wanted to go to Bunco tonight, but I’m tired from getting up early and taking Georgie to the vet to get her tumor removed.

And that’s okay. I’m going to take it easy and go for a walk with the dogs, and watch some Ted Lasso.

And then sleep like a baby…but first:

❤️ I am grateful Melissa gave me a reference for her OBGYN and next week I get this damn BC outta my arm after way too damn long.

🧡 I am grateful for Dr. Erickson who not only referred me to Dr. Holly but taught me something new and I always appreciate when people do that.

💛 I am grateful my Pap smear was normal, even if I have to go in for an extra mammogram and have a cyst on my left ovary and a fatty liver. All of this is manageable and none of it means I’m dying.

💚 I am grateful I get to see the ENT for the first time and find out some options for sleeping better at night.

💙 I am grateful for Monique who started Dogs Day Out and has given me a way to help others and now I realize I don’t have to do it all alone. I can go out to her house and get everything I need to help people, I just need to be patient and wait for the right day.

💜 I am grateful for Natalie, Tuesday, and Scotty for allowing me to join them every week for Gay Bowling and Bingo once a month. I had no idea how much fun I would have or how much I needed friends like them.