I Got This ...........

I live alone. I've lived alone for over 20 years now. I like it, especially since most of my time now is completely free. I've reached the point where my doctor appointments are few and far between. In fact, I only had 3 between the end of April and now.

Monday, April 25th, I had a 10:15 appointment with my Radiologist in Rahway. It was a little later then I usually liked but I've been sleeping in lately because of spending my nights awake due to insomnia. I got there early, of course, and they called me in right away. I knew there was nothing he was going to do because of the ONJ problem but it was reassuring to know that there'd been no change to the size of the tumor inside by my right ear. He told me that he'd spoken to the Oral Surgeon that I'd seen and said that it sounded like he had a plan. I left there feeling a little better and took the long way back through Metuchen to see if they'd opened their library yet. I saw this woman coming towards me. She was an older woman moving briskly on her way back, I assumed, from shopping.

I didn't see a mask but I wasn't in the mood to do anything. I stopped at the library but they were still closed to the public.

Not much happened over the next week or so. I was spreading out the chores and errands I had to do so that I had something to do every day. The weather continued to be changeable - going from cold and cloudy to sunny and warm pretty quickly. One day on my way back down Amboy Avenue I came up behind this guy. He had his head down as if checking something on his cell phone. He wasn't wearing a mask.

We were right by the train tracks, a pretty wide open but desolate area. I didn't see anyone around so I took the chance.

Point, press, Flash

I continued on Amboy, turned left on Main, then bore left onto Rahway and headed home.

Tuesday, May the 4th, I had an 11:15 appointment with the Oral Surgeon in Edison and my Daughter drove me. He pulled a really loose tooth and gave me a couple of prescriptions but had no further news for me. He explained to my Daughter and I what the prognosis for ONJ was, that it would probably require bone replacement surgery, and that he was going to contact someone he knows in New York. The same stuff he'd told me before but at least this time my Daughter was there to hear it too. I agreed to a follow-up in a couple of weeks but felt frustrated again.

I got up the next morning still feeling frustrated and every little inconvenience was starting to annoy me. When I went out to my car, there was another one parked behind me - illegally. That just added to my mood until I saw that he'd been ticketed.

Good. That made me feel better.

My improved mood lasted until I went back to the Oral Surgeon on Thursday, May 13th. My problem is definitely ONJ and he'd passed on my information to his New York colleague. I asked if he knew of anyone out here who could do the same thing - after all there must be at least 5 hospitals in Middlesex County alone. He demurred and gave me the contact info for New York. Now I was annoyed again. I tried to calm myself down by driving back through Iselin. It was a bright, warm day and the music on the radio was cheering me up. That's when I noticed this bike rider without a mask.

I couldn't resist.

Point, press, Flash

I was in a better mood the rest of the way home.

I fell back into my daily routine pretty quickly. I'm a creature of habit after all and there is some comfort in routine. I was still annoyed that the Oral Surgeon was reluctant to name anyone in Middlesex County who could help me so I spent some time researching it online. I found an Oral Surgery Group in New Brunswick whose website specifically mentions Bone Replacement. I contacted them, discussed the problem, and made an appointment for Monday June 14th at 12. From what I could see on the map I have an idea of where they're located but I may ask a friend to drive me anyway. 

To hedge my bets, I contacted the guy in New York that was recommended by the Oral Surgeon I saw. The Office Administrator was vague but I did make an appointment for Monday June 21st at 1. She said that initial visit would cost about $400. I'm hoping that New Brunswick comes through.

Thursday the 20th, the Township started milling and paving Rahway Avenue right in front of my apartment. This meant that there would be no parking allowed along a 3 block stretch until they were done. All those cars would now be looking for spaces where I usually park. I wasn't happy, but I had places to go. I ran my errands for the next couple of days but was rerouted on my way home. 

I had to get off Rahway Avenue and make a series of turns to get back to Claire Street and look for a space.

They didn't work on the Saturday or Sunday but Monday they were back and had the side streets closed off again. 

There were no large trucks out front but the police had the all the access roads blocked.

They were there for the next 2 days and I was out, adapting my route based on what street was open. I found a decent parking spot each day which surprised me. What surprised me more, however, was that I wasn't frustrated but was doing things on my own to solve my problems.

Yesterday, I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and this young guy came in without a mask. I was annoyed but I was inside already. I waited in my car until he came out and got into his work van. I was going to do something but I noticed this woman. She was sitting on a bench out in front, maskless, with a wide-open view of the whole lot.

I would be seen, I was sure. Instead, I followed him up into Avenel where I saw him park in front of a house where he appeared to be working. I drove around the block and parked across the street. I was going to take out the van but, looking around, I saw this jogger in my side-view mirror. She was closing quickly.

I changed my plans and followed her.

Point, press, Flash

I went back to running my errands for the day.

This morning I was out a little later then usual but I was feeling lazy and the weather was good. I noticed that my front, driver's side tire looked low so I stopped at the Quick Chek to use their air pump. Either it didn't work or the tire was really bad. I tried the air pump at Wawa's with the same result. I wound up going to Atlantic Tire in Avenel. The guy took a look and found a nail imbedded and he said he'd fix it instead of selling me a new one.

He wasn't wearing a mask - in fact, none of the people at the shop were - but I kept my distance and he did save me some money. I paid for the fix and tipped him $5.

Driving back through Avenel  I saw this guy jogging in my direction.

No mask and wearing headphones so he can't hear if anyone comes up behind him. I was feeling good about the tire and passed him.

I drove around a little longer with the windows open and the music on. I was feeling at peace with things. I was feeling good now. I've proven to myself that I can veer from my routine without frustration. I can adapt when I need to. 

I know I have some things coming up in June but they're weeks away. I'll deal with them then. 

I got this.