14 May 2024
Lunch with John yesterday at Casa Frida was better than we expected. The food was always good but the last time the service was terrible. There was only one waiter yesterday but he was efficient and attentive. We’ll go back.
After lunch, John wanted to go to Costco. I agreed to help him because he wanted to purchase a 65 inch tv. I told him it was iffy that I could help him carry it up the stairs to his apartment but we could test it out at Costco. While there I renewed my membership and replaced my broken Costco card. I figure I could get my over-the-counter meds, particularly the vitamins, cheaper at Costco and the same for my next pair of glasses. It’ll also get me out of the house. I’ve become something of a recluse when not on a trip.
John selected a tv and we managed to load it into the Jeep. On the way back, he got the brilliant idea to unpack it on the ground level and move only the tv – not the stand and the box. Even so, it was still 45 lbs and his stairway is very steep. I managed OK and didn’t slip or fall but that’s not something I need to do every day. I did manage to scrape my paper thin skin and bleed all over everything.
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For you veterans out there, while researching something else, I found that if you are a veteran of a war (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf) you can receive Aid and Assistance for assisted living, home health care and more. Since the VA doesn’t have enough assisted living facilities on their own, approved assisted living facilities and local home health care can be provided. There are conditions, of course. You basically have to be living on social security and not be able to complete certain daily/weekly functions. It can apply to the veteran, to his or her spouse, to the both of them. Here’s the financial possibilities.
| Benefit Table | |
|---|---|
| Status | Monthly Benefit |
| Surviving Spouse | $1,478 Monthly / $17,743 Annually |
| Single Veteran | $2,300 Monthly / $27,609 Annually |
| Married Veteran | $2,727 Monthly / $32,729 Annually |
| Two Vets Married | $3,649 Monthly / $43,791 Annually |
| Tax Free | |
As a veteran, I know I have access to medical care through the VA (albeit only after everyone else is treated) but it’s nice to know if the Florida Retirement System goes bankrupt I’ll have a backup.
Today is a Herceptin infusion. I have to be there at 10:45 for an 11 am appointment. I must say that I like the new time frame better. I don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to have coffee and breakfast, bath, shave and get on the road by 8:30 for a 9:15 am appointment. I used to allow 45 minutes because of rush hour traffic on I-95. With the new 10:45 time, I don’t have to rush.
I always pack a lunch. Today is pimento cheese sandwich, ginger ale, peanut butter cookie and apple slices. Of course, I have Tootsie Roll Mini’s for the front desk and nurses.
I should get through around 1 or 2 pm. That’ll be just in time for my nap time.
Stay tuned!
