Edging closer and closer to a new way of life. Assessment at Elk Run followed by a stack of legal documents requiring my signature. Lunch there, too.

Ginny and Janice got here around 9:15 on Tuesday. I was ready to go. Ginny brought up the walker, put it in their truck. They’re such sweet, kind women. Lucky to have them as chosen family.

At Elk Run Miguel, the executive director, met me at the door. Ginny handed my folders and phone to him and we went inside, the walker bumping on the metal riser, catching a bit. I felt odd using the walker again after so much time walking on my own.

Oops. Thought I finished this. Nope.

I imagined an infirmary setting, but no. He led me to the library. The library? My kinda place. Michelle, dressed in maroon scrubs pants and a cowboy/cowgirl themed top, smiled, offered me a seat in a wooden chair. She introduced herself as the director of health services.

She held a sheaf of paper. I have a lot of questions to ask you.

OK. The wooden chairs unforgiving seat ground against my bones. I’ll do my best. Post polio syndrome. Head drop. Metastatic cancer. Exercise.

We talked, too, about Shadow. The tattooed LPN who joined in just after we got started has an Australian Cattle dog, too. Name? Charlie. But wait. She changed his name to Charlie. His first name? Shadow.

After the assessment finished, Miguel came in and I signed a stack of legal documents and learned how to pay my bill. He offered lunch. Which I ate. Chicken Kyiv with a vegetable medley and pearled grain. Delicious.

Ginny and Janice came to pick me up. I slumped into the front seat exhausted.