If you happen to play Keno, the Lottery, or partake in any kind of betting/gambling, you know that numbers can absolutely change your life. This isn’t a post about Keno numbers although I have recently become quite the fan of Keno. But there are other numbers that can change your live. Specifically, the 3 numbers that make up a date. . A long time ago I heard a celebrity in an interview say “There are days where your life was one way when the day started and another when the day ended. Days where the after will never be like the before.” At the time, the words stuck with me, but it wasn’t until my journey over the last two years that I fully began to understand what that person was saying. I wish I could remember who to attribute the quoted wisdom to, but let’s be honest, the fact I even remember the quote at all with my brain stuff is a serious win.

I have dates where the after will never be like the before.

8-7-22.. the day a faint pink positive line popped up on a Covid test and life hasn’t been the same since.

11-1-22…the day I resigned from a job I love and I haven’t walked back into a workplace since.

11-4-22.. the day I was officially diagnosed with Long Covid.

3-28-23.. the day I found black mold in my apartment and had to move in with my parents.

5-18-23.. the day every single thing I owned was thrown into a dumpster due to the amount of black mold and how sick I was.

3-12-24.. the day I nervously walked into the massive complex that is Mayo Clinic hoping for more answers and help. I did get help, more answers, and severe nausea from their elevators. I don’t know who controls the elevators at Mayo, but I am convinced they used to work at a an amusement park. The elevators at Mayo are literally the Midwest version of the Hollywood Tower of Terror, which is a Disney ride that leaves riders feeling like they are free falling in a haunted hotel. Great amusement park attraction, not so great of an idea at a facility full of sick people, but I digress.

The above dates are the milestone dates that have marked my journey, so far. 3 numbers that have changed my life. Recently, I added a new milestone date.

10-22-24.. the date my application for disability was officially approved. This date was marked with joy and celebration. Yes, I celebrated being labeled as disabled and will continue to celebrate it because that label comes with needed benefits. I will receive back pay from the date of my disability and will receive monthly benefits going forward. Disability opens the door to more financial independence, a door that’s been closed and nailed shut over the last 2 years. A door I seriously wondered would ever be opened again. The label also comes with validation that what I feel, experience, and live with each day is disabling. I’ve known this because I have seen and experienced how completely my illnesses have taken over my life and made it difficult and some days, impossible, to function like a “normal” person. For some reason though, to have an independent body of people look at all my records over the last two years and come to the same conclusion is incredibly validating. I also celebrate because my application was approved within 6 months while there are people who get several denials and have to spend years fighting the system.. that’s a whole other post.

Numbers have certainly changed my life and I have no doubt there will be more numbers along my journey that will change my life. Those of you reading this have also had numbers that have changed your life. We’ve all had those milestone life moments that are marked by the 3 numbers that make up a date. While those milestone life moments are a part of our journey and have shaped us, they don’t tell the whole story of our lives. Each of them are a chapter and there are always more chapters to be lived, written, and shared.

PS: If you’ve never played Keno, you should start! 3 numbers in Keno can change the amount of money in your wallet, which can also be life changing. Fair warning: Keno is a lot like life. You have to ride the losses and keep showing up and playing to win. Showing up and playing in Keno equates to spending money, so spend wisely. Also, I can’t be held responsible if you start playing Keno and win nothing.