A pain in the...

[rebeccmeister]

Back in 2015 when I was gearing up to ride the Paris-Brest-Paris, I started having leg pain in my right leg caused by a chain of muscular imbalances, and that was eventually enough to get me to find a primary care provider and start up physical therapy. (scoliosis is likely an underlying contributor, too)

This time, it appears to be my left leg that is the source of troubles. I can sit and stand without horrible discomfort, but it sure feels like it's the piriformis or one of the piriformis's close neighbors that's unhappy. Attempting to sleep has become miserable, and when sleep is poor, well. Self-administration of PT exercises used for the right leg, and lower back strengthening/stretching exercises haven't helped so far, so it's time to finally hie me to the doctor.

I could point at at least 6 different things as potential hypotheses for how things got where they are. I wish I could say I'll learn my lesson from this, and do better when it comes to general stretching and strengthening. But previous experience suggests this is an arena that's hard for me. It's one of the first things to fall by the wayside when life gets busy. I also basically fell off of the "Health Care Item of the Month" when I moved away from Texas and have struggled to get back on that wagon ever since.

Sigh.

I'll get Miss Kitty in to the vet for a checkup today, will get the ball rolling with a doctor's appointment, and somehow or another life will go on.

I still haven't filed my taxes yet, either.

Edit: First place I called, "Oh, we aren't scheduling new appointments until mid- to late-June. No, we don't have our calendar up for August yet." Cue flashbacks to trying to find a vet for Emma / why I'm still dependent on friends/S to make a 17-mile drive out to the vet.

Second place I called, listed as the hospital a mile from the house, bounced me up to a clinic in the Resort Town 30 miles to the north. Uhh, yeah. If that had been listed on the insurance company's "Find-a-Doc" site I wouldn't have called you, now would I?

I should just find a patient advocate and pay them to find me a doctor and appointment. Thanks, US "health care" system. Now it's an hour later and there's still a stack of exams and lab reports to grade. Ugh.

Comments

[graydon]

Sympathy.

Hope it's uncomplicated once you know what it is!

(I used to get lie-on-the-grassy-verge-and-put-whole-will-into-not-screaming leg cramps when cycling. Turns out I needed longer crank arms and more calcium. That kind of uncomplicated.)

[threemeninaboat]

The medical system is in shambles.

[rebeccmeister]

I've managed to successfully avoid it for a while, but I guess there are no guarantees when it comes to personal health.

I have to admit I continue to be glad I am not a healthcare provider myself. I feel like I'm sending a lot of amazing and inspiring students off to their doom these days, but I don't know how to warn them.

[annikusrex]

Solidarity! I have been really happy this year that I chose (and was able to choose, thanks fed gov) Kaiser, located a few blocks away from me, for my healthcare. And then that they were able to do video PT appointments! It's so worth it though, especially if it's affecting your sleep.

I have a TurboTax referral I think, if you wanted to use that.

[rebeccmeister]

TOTALLY worth it!

Hopefully once I can finally get in, I'll have the option of telehealth PT appointments, too. That would definitely make a huge difference for me! Biking to and from the PT place in Lincoln ate up a lot of time each week, on top of the cost. (but I absolutely agree about PT being totally worthwhile for things like this!)

[mallorys_camera]

I hesitate to mention this to you because I think you already know I do this, and if you were interested, you would have asked.

But...

I provide free tax services through a community service called TaxAide: https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/

We're as good as any H & R Block taxpreparers. We have to pass an exam to get certified by the IRS.

Anyway, if you don't want to invest in TurboTax software, I'd be happy to do your taxes for you. It's free-ee-eeeee! 😊

[rebeccmeister]

Awww, thank you! I really appreciate it! My taxes are dead-simple, I believe. I have two sources of income - employment and like $100 in bank interest - and I don't own any property, so I believe I just need to fill in the right information in the right boxes for the IRS and NYS and I'm good to go. I've been using the Free File Fillable Forms for that purpose.

Unless I'm wrong and charitable donations make a big difference for 2020. But even then I don't think my charitable donations are going to add up to a huge chunk of $$.

TaxBawana (sp?) advice appreciated!

[mallorys_camera]

Charitable donations do make a difference for 2020! Even if you don't itemize, you can write off $300 worth of cash charitable contributions; they're not a refundable credit, but they will decrease the amount of any tax liability you've incurred, thereby increasing your refund (assuming you're getting one) or decreasing your debt.

Also, if you did not receive one or both of the first two stimulus payments ($1,200 and $600 respectively), make sure to note this because these are a refundable credit.

Also, if you are making contributions toward a 401(k) plan set up in your name by your employer, you can get a credit for that.

And if you paid back any school loans in 2020, the interest on those is deductible.

[rebeccmeister]

You are a font of tax-related knowledge!

I remember hearing about that $300 write-off, and I should figure out where to find info about 401(k) contributions, because I am doing that, too.

Thankfully no student loan repayments!!

[mallorys_camera]

The credit for the 401(k) contributions will be one of the entries in Box 12 on your W2 form, as will any out-of-pocket contributions you may be making toward your healthcare plan. So, just make sure not to forget to fill those in.

[rebeccmeister]

Noted!

See, still pretty simple compared to what it could all look like. I wouldn't generate any fun stories for you at all! :^)

As I think about it, though, we should have some sort of Zoom meetup at some point. Could turn it into a blog Zoom party. Hmmmmmm...

[mallorys_camera]

Ohhhhh! A blog DW party sounds like fun! 😊