I am by now staying at my kid brother’s house and trying desperately to get myself to the point that I can leave. Not that I dislike my brother or his family; but I feel ‘in the way.’ Even more so than I did at my friends’ houses, mostly because while their homes were set up so that I did not interfere with their day-to-day routines, in my brother’s home, I am in the same living space as he.

I have had, over the past five weeks, two medical emergencies while staying down in Maryland. First, after having run out of my heart and blood pressure medications, I had an incident of dangerously high blood pressure, bad enough to send me to a local ER. I was given a temporary prescription for lisinopril and losartran, and having visited the cardiologist here in Philly, found that my blood pressure had been reduced to 120/72 (though part of that might also have to do with the intermittent fasting I have been attempting for the past couple of months). I also apparently have a slight ventricular anomaly peculiar to about five percent of the population, but which is not immediately life-threatening. Since I do not have insurance (only a “MediGap” policy to cover drugs), the doctor suggested that I wait until March, at which time I will be able to enroll in an insurance program, and then he will order the tests required to confirm what medications I need based on my current condition.

The second emergency was lacerated corneas. I became unable to see one day, my eyes felt as though someone were stabbing them with needles. My friend rushed me up to my ophthalmologist’s office in Philadelphia, and they in turn sent me to the ER at Will’s Eye Hospital (now a part of Jefferson, apparently). I was examined, and given antibiotic eye drops, and pain relief cream for my eyes, and told to stop wearing my contact lenses for the time being. I was not able to return to my ophthalmologist the following week (because I was staying down in Maryland at the time), but my eyes seemed to have healed well enough, and I have not attempted contact lenses since.

This entire medical misadventure cost me close to USD$1000.00 in fees and bills. Ah, America. Also, after five weeks, my new glasses finally came in from the lab– good thing, too; NOW I can see.

While down in Maryland, I had a second phone interview with the Greater Philadelphia Health Association, a follow-up for an interview I’d had two or three weeks prior. There is a facility in Chinatown Philadelphia that needs someone to help with patient intake and tracking, and they were impressed with my facility in Mandarin. I received a provisional offer, and am now going through security checks, and background checks, and have begun looking for an apartment in town. I also purchased a used car from a friend, so that I now have transportation.

So far, things appear to be going well. Heck, I even garnered several “engaged readers” over on Wattpad regarding the fanfiction I’ve been working on. Things seem to be going well. I hope events continue to prove themselves efficatious to my purpose. That said, I am always mistrustful of good news. When I have officially begun work, and have passed the first month probationary period, I will feel more comfortable.

Stay tuned for the next turgid episode!