Oh, WC. This having to deal with a massive bureaucracy is just so unappealing. When they get something wrong, it's like trying to stop a fully loaded supertanker in a hundred yards. It seems almost not doable, to me.

As one of the requirements of receiving benefits from one of my private disability carriers, I had to apply for SSDI many moons ago. Everyone who knows my story said I was a slam-dunk. Two gigantic private insurers had deemed me 100% disabled after invasive probes. Time passed and then, three and a-half months after applying for SSDI, they sent me a note stating that my claim had been denied.

The woman managing my in-force claim at Berkshire just shook her head and said: "We see this a lot." Anyway, because SSDI denied me, Berkshire has paid me the monthly amount the federal govt. would have paid had my claim been approved since 2006.

All of which is just to say, that I know how challenging it can be to deal with these people. It's not the best-run organization. Sending you positive vibes and support!!

Very glad you are seeing your PA, RTS. I hope the visit goes as you wish. As I've said before, lithium saved my life. I don't really have side effects, except for a dry mouth. Good luck to you!

I, myself, am okay this morning. Slept horribly, as per usual. God, what I would give for a night with, like, 6 or 7 hours of actual sleep. It seems unattainable. My sleep is just a freaking joke.

I am very tired, anyway, and am hurting physically a fair bit. I generally don't take nonsteroidals anymore, because of the elevated stroke risk. But I may have to today. We shall see.