The day of my planned housewarming (on July 20) dawned bleak and showery... as it continued throughout the day. This, however, did not deter 22 resolute and faithful friends from turning up, armed with enough food and refreshments to quell the appetites of three times that many!
22, as it turned out, was just a nice number of buddies to enjoy the indoor activity which included barbecued meat cooked outdoors under shelter and lots of reminiscing, not to mention the singalong lead by my brother/guitarist, Geoff James, together with my old singing partner, Olive Bice.
Just two days earlier my computer spat the dummy for no apparent reason and refused to function. Even my learned brother, who is somewhat of a computer guru, could do nothing more than tell me my 'motherboard was stuffed' and it could cost upwards of $1000 to replace it. As it turned out he was spot on, except it cost $937! I now possess a nice new shiny black motherboard and a few less programs... which I hope to have restored as soon as possible.
It has been said that "to make money, you have to spend money', so, in an attempt to pay off my computer expenses, I have launched into becoming a buyer/seller of online jewellery. I bought three items at low cost on eBay, before discovering www.Bidz.com, which is an authentic online jewellery auction site. My new pastime sitting, eyes glued to the monitor screen and my blood pressure going up as my bank balance goes down, has cost me on the region of $400 so far.
I am now the proud but confused owner of one pearl necklace and seven diamond rings of various shades and sizes... proud of my ability to outbid several other would-be jewel collectors and confused as to what to do with my haul! Will I try to flog it to other buyers of jewellery throughout the country or sell it on eBay? Will I make a profit or end up chasing my losses? Or will I end up learning yet another lesson and give it all away as Christmas presents? Watch this space for the answers to these and many other intriguing questions!
In an earlier Blog, I referred to my problems with ambulance transport and my team of support workers. The ambulance situation remains unresolved, but I DO have a new support worker by name of Samantha, who is working out quite well despite her comparitive youth (she is 29) and inexperience.
Dialysis treatment of yesterday was a yucky experience as, following a hearty morning tea at the hospital and a lunch of chicken sandwiches, I developed a nagging headache which preceeded a "technicolour yawn of great proportions" and an early taxi ride back home.
Meanwhile, I am firmly entrenched as captain of the Captain Cook Darts Team. I still 'blow' my darts from a blowpipe instead of throwing them in the normal manner. Our team has two reasonably strong players (Bernie and me) and four inexperienced, inconsistent, but improving players (Jackie, Angela, David and Cook). We have won three of the first four weeks to date by the narrowest of margins, but have not yet played the two strongest teams. My personal tally sees me undefeated at this stage, but - luckily - I have not faced very strong opposition in my games.
This suits me as I am fairly tired after having dialysis treatment earlier that day (we play each Thursday) and I usually play the last game of the night... which could end up as late as midnight!
My life may not be all that wonderful at times, but it's never dull!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Another Mess of the Blues!
They (whoever 'they' are!) say that things happen in threes. Well, the following has happened in my life over the past ten days...
My dialysis treatment days were changed from Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning on July 3 (two days ago). This has been done to enable more patients access to the dialysis machines on what were the 'quieter' days and allow new patients to commence when the majority of staff are available.
With this change, the ambulance service which has transported me (free of charge) to/from dialysis treatments since January of this year has 'pulled the plug' as I am no longer considered to be in "need" of their services. The head nurse of the dialysis unit is of the opinion that I can travel in a wheelchair taxi to/from my appointments (at my own expense), thus freeing up an ambulance for more urgent cases... and, of course, the manager of the ambulance service has agreed to this suggestion as a means of cutting costs.
While this sounds quite reasonable, I have now been placed in a situation where I must travel to/from the hospital in my wheelchair, sitting on an ulcerated leg, whereas before I was conveyed on a stretcher (without pressure on my leg) and transferred to/from the hospital bed by the ambulance officers upon my arrival/departure.
The resultant extra work on hospital staff, I believe, outweighs the need of a wheelchair taxi. For example, the nurses must transfer me from/to my wheelchair to/from the bed and change the dressing on my leg before I go back in my chair and wait for the taxi to take me home.
The cost factor is another issue. Each visit will cost me in the vicinity of $14.00 which, at the moment, I really cannot afford - moving house has already cost much more than I anticipated, so this added expense has come at a bad time.
My support workers, doctor and ambulance officers are in disagreement with these new arrangements. They believe that I should be able to continue using the ambulance service until arrangements for my home dialysis are in place, which should be completed in about two months. The ambo's (ambulance officers) tell me there are two Code 3 ambulances set aside for non-essential transport (people like me), so they see no reason for any immediate change.
Meanwhile, my existing team of support workers (formerly known as 'carers') is being put under pressure by the fact that one (Julia) is going on extended leave next week. With this in mind, interviews have been taking place with potential candidates to be added to my team. Problems have arisen and many of those who would have been considered have dropped out due to delays in getting the essential paperwork (e.g. police checks, birth and qualification certificates, etc.) finalised by my service provider (ParaQuad) in order for them to start work with me.
I have had to call on past members of the team to come back and fill the gaps brought about by Julia's departure. Thankfully, this appears to be falling into place, although I will still need at least one new team member to come on board, so the sooner ParaQuad can get their act together the better. To be fair, ParaQuad are going through a transition of new staff who are still learning communication skills, so people like me have to be patient!
On top of all this, a close friend has been diagnosed with cancer and is about to undergo surgery.
On a brighter note, I attended the June 29 wedding of my nephew Nathan, to his lovely bride Jacquie, at the beautiful (but extremely cold) Tatra Receptions in Lilydale. It was a very happy occasion and did much to (briefly) dull the 'blues' surrounding me at the moment. My partner for the event was Barbara, a lady I met on one of the dating sites - very pleasant company and, hopefully, we will remain friends... but she has made it clear that's as far as our relationship will go!
I now look forward to July 20 when I am hosting my Housewarming Tea Party at my new residence in Strathdale. The 60+ invitations I mailed out have attracted only two responses at this stage, but RSVP date is not until July 12, so I'm hoping everyone is leaving their decision until the last minute (as they do!).
Such is (my) life!
My dialysis treatment days were changed from Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning on July 3 (two days ago). This has been done to enable more patients access to the dialysis machines on what were the 'quieter' days and allow new patients to commence when the majority of staff are available.
With this change, the ambulance service which has transported me (free of charge) to/from dialysis treatments since January of this year has 'pulled the plug' as I am no longer considered to be in "need" of their services. The head nurse of the dialysis unit is of the opinion that I can travel in a wheelchair taxi to/from my appointments (at my own expense), thus freeing up an ambulance for more urgent cases... and, of course, the manager of the ambulance service has agreed to this suggestion as a means of cutting costs.
While this sounds quite reasonable, I have now been placed in a situation where I must travel to/from the hospital in my wheelchair, sitting on an ulcerated leg, whereas before I was conveyed on a stretcher (without pressure on my leg) and transferred to/from the hospital bed by the ambulance officers upon my arrival/departure.
The resultant extra work on hospital staff, I believe, outweighs the need of a wheelchair taxi. For example, the nurses must transfer me from/to my wheelchair to/from the bed and change the dressing on my leg before I go back in my chair and wait for the taxi to take me home.
The cost factor is another issue. Each visit will cost me in the vicinity of $14.00 which, at the moment, I really cannot afford - moving house has already cost much more than I anticipated, so this added expense has come at a bad time.
My support workers, doctor and ambulance officers are in disagreement with these new arrangements. They believe that I should be able to continue using the ambulance service until arrangements for my home dialysis are in place, which should be completed in about two months. The ambo's (ambulance officers) tell me there are two Code 3 ambulances set aside for non-essential transport (people like me), so they see no reason for any immediate change.
Meanwhile, my existing team of support workers (formerly known as 'carers') is being put under pressure by the fact that one (Julia) is going on extended leave next week. With this in mind, interviews have been taking place with potential candidates to be added to my team. Problems have arisen and many of those who would have been considered have dropped out due to delays in getting the essential paperwork (e.g. police checks, birth and qualification certificates, etc.) finalised by my service provider (ParaQuad) in order for them to start work with me.
I have had to call on past members of the team to come back and fill the gaps brought about by Julia's departure. Thankfully, this appears to be falling into place, although I will still need at least one new team member to come on board, so the sooner ParaQuad can get their act together the better. To be fair, ParaQuad are going through a transition of new staff who are still learning communication skills, so people like me have to be patient!
On top of all this, a close friend has been diagnosed with cancer and is about to undergo surgery.
On a brighter note, I attended the June 29 wedding of my nephew Nathan, to his lovely bride Jacquie, at the beautiful (but extremely cold) Tatra Receptions in Lilydale. It was a very happy occasion and did much to (briefly) dull the 'blues' surrounding me at the moment. My partner for the event was Barbara, a lady I met on one of the dating sites - very pleasant company and, hopefully, we will remain friends... but she has made it clear that's as far as our relationship will go!
I now look forward to July 20 when I am hosting my Housewarming Tea Party at my new residence in Strathdale. The 60+ invitations I mailed out have attracted only two responses at this stage, but RSVP date is not until July 12, so I'm hoping everyone is leaving their decision until the last minute (as they do!).
Such is (my) life!
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