A little over one week in from moving to my housing unit and I'm still a little uncertain whether I'm happy or otherwise in my new environment... there is certainly a lot more space and a pleasant rustic outlook, but that additional space seems to have created a lonelier atmosphere.
My team of support workers have done a tremendous job of helping me with unpacking and re-establishing all my goods and chattels and, in time, I think I will feel much better off... BUT there is still the feeling of not being 'complete' without someone special to share it with. Regardless of this, I'm stuck with it, so may as well make the most of my situation.
I now have a TEMPORARY phone/internet WIRELESS system, which will operate until Telstra have completed their cable work in this area (the date I have been given is July 4, would you believe?). The good news is that, until then when my landline is re-connected, I should be able to send/receive phone calls and emails as normal. At least that is what they tell me!
The bus system in this area is very different to that experienced in my previous area as I now have to make a longer trek to the closest bus stop in order to go into town for shopping, but on the credit side I have a good motel and restaurant close by.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Fresh Start?
I really thought that, when I left Geelong and moved into a housing unit in Bosquet Street, Bendigo, that my next move would be from there to the cemetary. With the onset of chronic renal kidney failure last year and the resultant need for regular dialysis treatment, however, came the suggestion that I should, eventually, seek home dialysis.
This would mean that, instead of going to hospital three times a week and staring at the ceiling for up to five hours at a time, I could have the treatment in my own home at times that suited my needs (even overnight if I could get a support worker to 'sleep over'). I would still have to have an equal amount of time on a machine (which would be on loan to me), but my exising team of support workers would have the responsibility - and be paid - to supervise the operation.
With this in mind I made enquiries and was told that, in order to have dialysis in the home, I would need to have a much larger residence than my existing one bedroom Ministry of Housing unit... I would need at least one extra room for storage of necessary equipment. Bearing in mind that I waited almost 18 months to get my Bosquet Street unit, I submitted my application with the assistance of my occupational therapist and prepared myself for another loooong wait!
Three weeks later, after ringing the Department and finding that my application had not arrived, I had a visit from an apologetic Housing Support Co-ordinator who assured me that he would do his best to speed up my application. Less than 24 hours later he rang and asked if I had arranged for a removalist. Laughing, I told him that I expected to have at least a year to make those arrangements, to which he responded "Not so, we have a brand new two-bedroom unit available in Strathdale (another suburb of Bendigo) and you can move in before the end of the week!"
This all happened two days ago so, with the aid of my support team, I am now frantically packing stuff into boxes, garbage bags and cases, etc., to move to Unit 1, 19 Gittings Drive, on Thursday (May 22).
Could this be the beginning of a new life... or more of the same at a different address? Being the eternal optimist I am obviously hoping it's the former, but will it just be a bigger house for me to live in on my own... it has been suggested that I now look for a live-in carer who can assist in the administration of my dialysis needs, but I'm not so sure about this. The initial arrangement is that two or three of my existing team will be trained to do this and I'm happy to go along with that... but this is still a few weeks down the track.
More about this 'adventure' after I settle in. In the meantime I will be without the use of my computer for a few days until telephone, broadband and power arrangements have been made.
WATCH THIS SPACE and please... wish me well!
This would mean that, instead of going to hospital three times a week and staring at the ceiling for up to five hours at a time, I could have the treatment in my own home at times that suited my needs (even overnight if I could get a support worker to 'sleep over'). I would still have to have an equal amount of time on a machine (which would be on loan to me), but my exising team of support workers would have the responsibility - and be paid - to supervise the operation.
With this in mind I made enquiries and was told that, in order to have dialysis in the home, I would need to have a much larger residence than my existing one bedroom Ministry of Housing unit... I would need at least one extra room for storage of necessary equipment. Bearing in mind that I waited almost 18 months to get my Bosquet Street unit, I submitted my application with the assistance of my occupational therapist and prepared myself for another loooong wait!
Three weeks later, after ringing the Department and finding that my application had not arrived, I had a visit from an apologetic Housing Support Co-ordinator who assured me that he would do his best to speed up my application. Less than 24 hours later he rang and asked if I had arranged for a removalist. Laughing, I told him that I expected to have at least a year to make those arrangements, to which he responded "Not so, we have a brand new two-bedroom unit available in Strathdale (another suburb of Bendigo) and you can move in before the end of the week!"
This all happened two days ago so, with the aid of my support team, I am now frantically packing stuff into boxes, garbage bags and cases, etc., to move to Unit 1, 19 Gittings Drive, on Thursday (May 22).
Could this be the beginning of a new life... or more of the same at a different address? Being the eternal optimist I am obviously hoping it's the former, but will it just be a bigger house for me to live in on my own... it has been suggested that I now look for a live-in carer who can assist in the administration of my dialysis needs, but I'm not so sure about this. The initial arrangement is that two or three of my existing team will be trained to do this and I'm happy to go along with that... but this is still a few weeks down the track.
More about this 'adventure' after I settle in. In the meantime I will be without the use of my computer for a few days until telephone, broadband and power arrangements have been made.
WATCH THIS SPACE and please... wish me well!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
I pass yet another milestone
On April 29, I passed another milestone in life. My age is still a delicate subject with me... depending who I am talking to at the time.
On one hand, I am pleased to have lived so long and still feel so vibrant in many ways (despite my health situation), but when/if I am discussing age with a member of the opposite sex (particularly one with the possible potential of becoming my next soulmate) I dread her reaction to finding out how ancient I am!
Why do women in general base their opinion of a guy on their age? Mentally, I'm on a par with the average 40 - 45 year old and, apart from arthritis affected areas (stiff in most joints), I am still in good shape physically (even my doctor says this), but tell a woman your age and you're immediately classified as being 'over the hill'! I don't want to be judged by my age!!!
My birthday was celebrated on Sunday, April 27 with a reunion of members of my old cabaret/dance band, the Impalas, together with members of my original social club, first formed in the early 60's. It was a good day, with over 100 friends and guests turning up to share a day of festivity with me and even I was still "revving" at 11 p.m. as the final guests left after singing and dancing the day away from 1.30 p.m. when the activity started.
Since then I have been kept busy sending out "thank yous" and photographs taken during the day to many of those who attended. I was intending this to be my final celebratory 'milestone', but - as in past years - several people have started to ask "when is the next one". If I DO have another one I intend to request "no birthday cards or cakes which indicate my age, please".
On one hand, I am pleased to have lived so long and still feel so vibrant in many ways (despite my health situation), but when/if I am discussing age with a member of the opposite sex (particularly one with the possible potential of becoming my next soulmate) I dread her reaction to finding out how ancient I am!
Why do women in general base their opinion of a guy on their age? Mentally, I'm on a par with the average 40 - 45 year old and, apart from arthritis affected areas (stiff in most joints), I am still in good shape physically (even my doctor says this), but tell a woman your age and you're immediately classified as being 'over the hill'! I don't want to be judged by my age!!!
My birthday was celebrated on Sunday, April 27 with a reunion of members of my old cabaret/dance band, the Impalas, together with members of my original social club, first formed in the early 60's. It was a good day, with over 100 friends and guests turning up to share a day of festivity with me and even I was still "revving" at 11 p.m. as the final guests left after singing and dancing the day away from 1.30 p.m. when the activity started.
Since then I have been kept busy sending out "thank yous" and photographs taken during the day to many of those who attended. I was intending this to be my final celebratory 'milestone', but - as in past years - several people have started to ask "when is the next one". If I DO have another one I intend to request "no birthday cards or cakes which indicate my age, please".
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