School has started. My youngest does get bussed to and from school. The second week, I asked, as I do at the end of each school day, “How was school.” Finally he said “good.” I was glad to hear it.

I started a new medication for Primary Biliary Cholangitis. It took a while to get approved, and when it arrived, I read the papers that came with it. Hold the phone! Kidney issues and muscle weakness. What? So I messaged my heptologist and my primary doctor. Both were helpful. One side effect was only observed in patients who were on statins, which I am not. Muscle weakness only occurred in a small number of patients. So I am taking the new med, in hopes of lowering my liver numbers. Hopefully it works. I will find out after another blood test in October.

Vacation was great. We visited the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, a maple syrup maker’s store, and the Tioga County Fair. We opted for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the canyon. I carried a cane anyway, because we did a heck of a lot of walking between to town of Wellsboro and the fair. I’d never used a cane before, and it was a learning experience.

My Nimbao Cloud Walks arrived in time for school. Unfortunately they run small, so I couldn’t wear socks. So as soon as I could, I ordered a third pair a size larger. My feet haven’t felt so secure since third grade when I wore corrective shoes. It not miraculous, but my balance is better. I also realized I carry my nerve damaged arm high, and that wasn’t helping my balance either. I’ve only fallen once, and that was when I was following my older son on the sidewalk, and my eyes were on him instead of the uneven sidewalk. Oops. Still, it was an outlier. Overall, my balance is a lot better.

My hand is doing well enough that physical therapy has moved to every two weeks. My wallet is thankful.

My car needed an expensive part, of course. And the stupid check engine light came back on. I will go back to the mechanic for it eventually. After new tires and my MRI. Priorities. But at least the car has current stickers.

All in all, things are improving. That’s 40 percent fact, and 60 percent positivity. But looking on the bright side is important.