vol.97 Leave of Absence Edition [Medical Support for Independence] Actually [Breaking a Bone] to Apply (Part 1) From Enduring to Depression ~A Memoir-like Record~

🦴A Thankless Task

A long time ago, Chise-senpai commented that she couldn't find any articles about my broken bone anywhere (how I came to call her "senpai" is somewhere in her vast comment section...🤗)
Well, that's true, I hadn't written about it.
Since I'm at it (at what?), I might as well write it down.
It'll be funny to look back on later, right?

Chise-sama⤵️

🦴The Beginning

I've been visiting a psychosomatic clinic since April 2022✨
The diagnosis is "depression✨✨"
I've been on a leave of absence for 1 year and 4 months, just dragging along✨✨
I added some sparkles for myself🤩
I found note, I'm doing my Gian pipe recital, so it's not all bad✨✨
The clinic I visit doesn't have a full-time herbalist, but they do have a specialist in Kampo medicine, so it's a hybrid of Western medicine, Eastern medicine, Kampo, and dietary therapy✨✨
Since the dizziness and vomiting that made me curl up in a ball subsided, I go about once a month✨✨← Don't need the sparkles
The cost, you know, it's not cheap at all...

🦴Reception

I had vaguely noticed that some people were being asked, "Do you have your management card?"
What could that be? Is it related to disabilities? People who hold a disability certificate? I just let it slide.
I shouldn't judge by appearances, but the receptionist? asks even people who "respond clearly and don't look like they have a disability at all."
If there's a beneficial system, I want to use it too.

🦴If only I had asked sooner...

I asked.
The name is "Medical Support for Independence (Mental Outpatient)."
It reduces the out-of-pocket cost from 30% to 10%.
They said, "But it takes a long time for the application to be approved."
Tell me sooner! I didn't know!
When I asked the doctor directly, they said, "We don't ask everyone, but would you like to apply?"!!
What are the criteria for asking?
I will!! I will!! Of course I will!!

🦴Procedures

The application requires a specific medical certificate (paid, non-insurance).
Since the clinic I go to is a designated facility, they had the forms in stock, but if not, you get them at the municipal office.
It takes 1 to 2 months for the doctor to prepare the medical certificate.
It takes another 2 to 3 months after submitting it to the municipal office to get approved.
And here is the painful part.
Even if you've been paying 30% without knowing like I was, there is no retroactive application!!

I wrote this while crying (lie!!🤥) Past article⤵️

🦴Hurry up~!

The receptionist called before noon, saying, "Your doctor's medical certificate is ready.
Is it okay if you pick it up at your next visit?"
🎶No! No! No, no, no! As the Pink Lady sang (from SOS).
Since approval takes time, I have to pick it up quickly and submit it to the municipal office.
Even without that, I didn't know for nearly a year.
The clinic is closed this afternoon, and I have plans tomorrow, Friday.
But if I miss this, it'll be after the weekend!?
I'll pick up the medical certificate first thing tomorrow morning, submit it to the municipal office, and then go about my plans!!
Even though I have depression, I'm full of motivation.
You have to be careful at times like this.

🦴Next is the government office

Since I stopped driving a car, a human-powered bicycle has been my only means of transport.
On the morning of 4/14, the way to the clinic was an endless uphill climb, taking me a good 20 minutes or more.
I thought, 'I got here first, so take care of me first,' but I had to wait until the outpatient reception calmed down before I was handed the documents and given an explanation.
Alright!! Next is the government office!! From here, it should take about 30 minutes on my own power, right?
No matter which road I take, I have to cross a hill.
I searched for a better route in my head.
My past experience driving and working in field sales came in handy.

Bicycle LOVER💘⤵️

🦴Haste makes waste

The uphill slope is tough, but I chose the shortest route.
Because my schedule for the rest of the day is packed.
Before that, there is a road with little traffic that curves gently and slopes down, with good visibility.
If I were in a car, I'd probably want to speed.
While riding on the left side of the road, thinking 'Be safe when you're in a hurry,' a car came from behind at quite a speed—see, I knew it.
I didn't want to get clipped, so I moved even further to the left.
The edge is dangerous for bicycles, you know.
I really don't want to get too close to it.
Things like gratings and seams, you know.
The moment I thought that... my body was floating.

🦴A flash before my eyes?

Both hands were still gripping the handlebars.
My bag was strapped to the front basket.
Recovering from this position was impossible.
How can I avoid hitting my head and face?
I'd be in trouble if the bicycle broke.
My schedule is packed, after all.
It's amazing that I could think of all this in an instant.
Actually, when I broke my ribs falling off my bike two years ago, I was also thinking about how to land safely while in mid-air.
Did I write about that somewhere on note?
The road from that time was repaired later, so I've convinced myself that my rib fracture wasn't in vain.

🦴The fall

As a result, I threw the bike to the left, slammed both knees onto the asphalt (the right one harder), and braced my upper body by putting both hands, which I had released from the handlebars, onto the asphalt on the right (the right one harder).
With the remaining momentum, I slammed the right side of my jaw and lightly tapped the right side of my forehead.
Ugh, ouch!! It hurts!! The car didn't stop!! I can't get up!! My breath!! My breath!! You cars behind me, you could have stopped and helped me, you know~~

🦴Recovery

Any external injuries? I don't know... it hurts... I can't breathe... but I have plans... I have to go to the government office...
While crawling on the ground, I dragged the fallen bicycle to the left to get to a safer spot. Ugh... it hurts...
For now, stand up, Joe!!🥊
Using the curb as a step, I tried to stand up using my left leg as an axis... wait? I can't put my right foot on the ground? But there's no blood on my beige pants!! It's just my imagination!! Come on, pick up the bike!! Ugh... it hurts... I can't breathe... the government office... my plans...
It seems that between the asphalt of the road and the concrete at the edge, there was one spot that had caved in.
That's where my front wheel got stuck.
I didn't know because I don't usually take that road.
Hey, Civil Engineering Department!! Do something about it!!

🦴Ah~~~ I have a feeling this is going to be long.
I write too many unnecessary things.
I'll write it in parts.
Please read the rest tomorrow👋👋

🦴Acknowledgments

Thank you for letting me use the image...Wait, that was my own image😆

#HopeForBookAdaptation #Depression #OnLeave #MedicalSupportForIndependence #PsychiatricOutpatient #PsychosomaticMedicine #Bicycle #Fall #Fracture #NonFiction #SeeYouTomorrow