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Exo's Exposé

Exo's Exposé

Looking for somewhere to hide in the Forum, no offense to anyone, I'm just kinda used to my own space - it feels safer to me. I often feel like I'm 'butting in' on other threads, I want to say something but it isn't 'in-line' with the current flow of conversation.

It rained here yesterday, dogs & cats weren't falling from the sky, but the grounds wet, there's puddles in my driveway & it's soooooooo sooooooo much cooler 😄 Guru Google even promises more!! After this weird wet stuff stopped dropping from above, I took the dogs for their walk, I do this almost every afternoon, but after a storm with close lightning strikes, my main purpose is to check the fence is still upright everywhere. I'm happy to announce it was all in tip-top shape 🙂 I noticed new puddle spots all the way around, I was sad that some trees had to be pushed over for the fence line, but the dip of their absence looks quite beautiful with a drop of moisture shimmering within. When I had completed the usual circuit I by-passed returning into the house-yard & wandered through to the dam. I think I may have been a little rain-drunk, I was hoping to see water in it, there wasn't any. I even went & stood in the very center of it's base, I think I was expecting to sink in mud - I didn't; but the cracks are gone . . . & they were huge. So if the Guru comes through with it's promise, there may yet be a puddle for my Staffy to play in 😉

I've decided to leave my camping trip to the beach for another week, rain wouldn't stop me - it rarely rains 24 hrs a day, but storms have - they often have devastingly strong winds that can break off & pick up reasonably heavy objects, that become dangerous ammunition. I've been emailing with the owners of this place, I'll still be in the off-peak season if I leave it another week - though I worry being so close to the Easter holiday, there's a more likely chance of more people. I keep telling myself I've just got to 'get over' that, that that would be all part of the experience - but I know I'm lying to myself. I picked this spot mainly because of the dog-friendly off-lead beach, but also because on the satelite view of Google maps I could see that there's no towns around it. It's one of the most isolated camping parks I've seen {that's within 5 hours of home, well - maybe just a little more}. It also admits it has old amenities, I saw negitive feedback about the place for those reasons - I think if you want to go to a resort . . . that's where you go - not to a place that describes itself as a rustic, old fashioned bush camping park 😉

Missing you Mazy Loads of love & support @Mazarita

1141 replies

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In response to: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

@Exoplanet

For an urgent situation there should have been more attention and understanding of the consequences of delay..

I love your highlighting of unprofessional terms; "squashed" lungs are not good anyway you term it.

HHhhmmm about broken medical system. I did read that Singapore has a better system than us, despite our supposed privileged country status.

I liked your trips and they gave my stay at home life a lift. I do not feel good about driving long distances (crook body and crook car) but who knows maybe it was you that gave the inspiration to go on a trip last weekend, by train, and with walking but worth it.

Good to see you again.

Apple

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Is there a counsellor working at the hospital that you can ask to see @Exoplanet ? I think it would be good for them to see they have left you struggling.

You have been so self-sufficient for so long, and are not one to really complain, but they shouldn’t presume, and you reaching out for the support they ought to have offered you might wake them up a bit ….. but more importantly you might receive the support you deserve ❣️

sending hugs n hugs Hon xxx

In response to: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hey @Exoplanet,

I am surprised by the time that passes for people waiting in the public health system. It feels really wrong doesn't it? And also surprised by some of the terminology!!

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hey @Exoplanet - You are a valued member of the forums.

We are certainly here with you. I hope you find some answers soon, and the pain doesn't sound pleasant.

Please take care. I look forward to hearing how you go with it all.

I'm here if you need a chat.

In response to: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

@Exoplanet , it is soo good to see you and sending you lots of hugs my friend ❤❤

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Sorry that I have not been here for you.

I have not been travelling that well and randomly appearing on the forums.

Writing to people who literally pop up in front of my face.

No excuse.

You have already been given much advice.

I want to let you know that I still remember our friendship and hang onto that.

I want to remind you of so very much that you have given others over the year.

I want you to be able to reflect on some beautiful memories in your life as you have to deal with such a dire medical state of affairs.

Leaving a past photograph I sent you I believe.

Sopphia1

In response to: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

@hanami ❤️ ❤️❤️ {whoa, the emoji have changed & are a little harder to work out!}

@Appleblossom ❤️❤️❤️

My Sister, who is my only support, though her support has its limits - she doesn't come here,
she says it's too far away, although she tells me she's planning a holiday to England next year
so obviously that's not too far; finding that out has upset me, I'm likely entering a stage
in my life where my health is going to deteriorate rapidly & if that happens, I'll need the most
help I have ever needed, then there's the fact that it's a high percentage chance that I may end next year: anyhow, what I was going to say is that she knows some nurses & was told that a collapsed lung is not life-threatening, so I'm guessing it's not urgent - but I've got to say
it's extremely uncomfortable. What upsets me the most about it is that I can't walk the dogs, as the fluid builds, I can only go shorter & shorter distances . . . until I can't go at all. My
Staffy won't go on his own, I've tried opening the house gate for him to go, but he won't leave me.
The unprofessional terms are, I know, just words & perhaps the Doctors are just trying to
explain things in a way I can understand. I have thought & emotional differences, I think
anyone that declines whatever treatment is recommended {e.g., chemo & radiation} is considered to have a 'mental health' issue. I have a long list of 'issues' that have been professionally recorded over many years, the nurse brought my file into the last telehealth appointment {there's a room with a big screen at the local medical place, so I don't have to go into the city unless there's a procedure involved. They can also do the x-rays at the local medical place, so they just get sent to the city & then I get a telehealth appointment to discuss them after} & I was surprised with how very thick it was! I do think though, that since she received the file, she has treated me a little differently. It had already come up in conversation that I'd been though childhood traumas & that anorexia was one of my titles. She's a lovely, caring woman - I don't think it's stigma, I think it's just human nature. She got me a telehealth appointment with a dietician who gave me a prescription for nutritional drinks, which means I don't have to pay for them. I think those drinks are the only thing giving me any energy & strength. I miss my camping a great deal, I want to go again - I know the puppies would love to, but I'm sick. I have medications to help with the nausea & vomiting, but they seem to be becoming less effective. I worry that if I did get myself out there, there would be no enjoyment because of the discomfort. I'm thrilled to hear you went on a trip last weekend Apple 🙂 Have you written about it, could you remind me what thread it would be in?

@Faith-and-Hope ❤️❤️❤️

I don't know if the local medical place is a hospital anymore, perhaps it is again now. The
Doctor left & our area didn't have one for a while - I think the medical place then became a
center & I don't think there are any counsellors there. The respiratory Doctor, where it takes
a month at a time to get in, is in the city. I don't like going there, that hospital is like a city unto itself! The reason I'm not really one to complain is that my thought & emotional process won't let me, things have to build up until I explode. I hope I don't do that with the Doctors, because then they might just put me to the very end of the list. The Doctor that made the appointment for the drain for me, I think he really pushed & I was lucky to get in in a month. The community nurse knows I'm struggling, I asked about any meal or laundry service that
might help, before the drain last time, I couldn't even stand at the sink to wash up (I now
have a tall stool to rest on while I do it) but it seems I'm just a bit too young. I think that's
why she wants me to get a official diagnosis as soon as possible, so I can go on a palliative program & then she can help.

@Former-Member ❤️

I was shocked at how long it took to be seen, after I had the x-ray that showed a very large
pleural effusion. But I'm now guessing that because it isn't life threatening, that's why it
took so long. I'm aware that my anger toward the doctors is just fear, fear that I'm going to
get lost in the cracks like I have my whole life, fear that I'm going to suffer more than is
necessary. The public health system was already broken before covid hit, now it's crushed.
When I went for the drain, there was no nurse {that's in the city}, I actually got 2 doctors,
but they didn't seem to know where anything was, they were so very disorganized. . . but
they were there & they did help. I've heard that %25 of nurses have left the profession, or
at least the public sector, I don't blame them, but when I think of it, I feel I should be more
appreciative of the medical professionals that are still there & still trying to help.

@tyme ❤️

There aren't many places that would declare you a valued member when you hadn't been there in a very long time. I don't know what my value is, but I feel more important here on the Forum then I do anywhere in the real World.

@Shaz51 ❤️❤️❤️

It's sooooooo good to hear from you too Shaz, sending back extra love & hugs to you ❤️❤️❤️

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

What a beautiful place, I want to sit there ❤️

You have nothing to apologize for, I haven't been here for you either, we all ride the rollercoaster up & down, round & round, here & not here.

So much love to you Sophia ❤️❤️❤️ Sending wishes of feeling better, feel free to send them back, I've been this teary, screaming at the nothingness, wreck lately!!

So good to hear from you, though I'm a little worried that my situation is pretty negative & I don't want to bring you down.

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Ohh sitting with you my awesome @Exoplanet❤❤❤

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hey @Exoplanet

Good to hear back from you.

I have never experienced what you are coping with, not being able to breathe properly. I can imagine you want to get camping again and walking with the dogs, but to me it is beautiful that being with you is more important for your staffie, than going for a walk.

I have felt similarly about the overseas call to some family members being more important than keeping family together. It sadly, has become the way of the world. Do not let it get to you. Treasure your staffie moments. Good thinking about the stool. I do hope the nurse can organise more help soon.

My trip was by public transport. I left car at local station went to CBD then regional. A lady in a little buggy came and picked us up to take us from a train to a bus half way. It was very different in style to what you do. I stayed at a motel a block from the station, and all the concerts in the festival were within a few blocks so easy walking. I think it was the fact that you just did it, going away, that inspired me to do my version of a little holiday leaving Fri and returning Monday and my car was still at the station! It is pretty beat up, if someone stole it they would be desperate...lol. For me it is very peaceful travelling overland and looking out the window, or reading and jotting notes. It removed a lot of the stress and left a little adventure but a walkable one, dragging my little case on wheels. Just the right level for me.

The music festival was help at a church with a lovely organ and a stately home renovated by the rector, which was wonderfully quirky and had a lovely garden. The ballroom had an organ, harpsichord, harmonium and grand piano. There were great pianists, violinists and cello and double bass. A silly conductor I knew played a drum set with a beat box on the final dinner kind of cabaret style, which had all styles of music. In the church were 3 real sheep while we listened to a Bach piece "While sheep safely graze." Not sure what you think of the music but it was beautiful and calming to be saturated in it for 2 1/2 days. Celebrating live music in the regions by top performers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83oc3qc1SBg

I love @Sophia1 's picture too.

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