This Is How They Get You

I went to the doctor's this morning.

I was still amazed there's only chairs in the waiting room of a back clinic.

We looked at my MRI scans (an amazing invention) and found the bulges, one at the base of my neck, one near the base of my spine. The folks who scanned me concurred. 

Now what?

Some physical therapy (for an undetermined amount of time), steroids (cortizone) in the neck, more anti-inflammatories for the immediate pain, and maybe something else later.

And oh - nice touch - I'll have to see another specialist to determine if I qualify as disabled.

Great - meanwhile, I'm broke.

In just over a month, an ulcer and two back problems have reduced me from what looked like a financially secure future to mired in debt, and wondering how I'm going to care for myself.

I haven't been working.

I can't work now.

I have to hang my head and look up at the world, kind of like this (but without the scowl) just to get around with some kind of relief.

I've got a bipolar friend who's kind of moved in, cooks meals, hangs out, etc., but when it comes to bright spots, that's about it.

Meanwhile, there's chiropractors everywhere,...