Lived Experience Forum

[outlander]

hoping your recovering well @Owlunar

[Owlunar]

Hi @Emelia8 

I have figure it out - it took me a while I will admit but my life has been anything but boring lately

I found the wonderful owl pic you sent for my belated birthday - actually - I had a sucky birthday - the pain in my shoulder went out of control and I was sent to hospital in an ambulance - I was there fo a week for pain management - I could think of better ways to pass the time esp in the middle of a panademic when I was desperate for something to read I read the newspapers - and got a serve of COVID-19 news everyday - well no one made me read that

It's so good you are back - and yes - you have had an interesting life - 

I hope you are okay - take life as it comes - 

Dec

There is something good in everyday - we just need to watch out for it

[Emelia8]

@Owlunar  😊👍💕

Glad you figured it out.  By the way, thanks for your support and advice on my old thread.  Regarding phone security I have taken your advice and now my phone is locked with a pin needed to get in it.  So thanks for that.  I am really not good with technology. 

Oh I am happy that you found my post to you on the birthday thread.  It took ages to find an appropriate picture, so its pleasing that you appreciated it.  So sorry though, that your birthday was so sucky.  I'm sure there are more exciting and pleasurable things you would have liked to do, other than a trip to hospital in an ambulance!  Although an ambulance ride is something not everyone gets to experience.  Thank goodness! 

Anyway the important thing is that you got through all that, and have now had the procedure on your shoulder.  I read that you were pretty much pain free in the shoulder after the procedure.  Is that still the case, and is it likely to be a permanent thing, or something which needs to be repeated periodically?  I am unsure of that the procedure was that you had done, hence my confusion.

Are you receiving any home help now, or are you being all independent and refusing help again?  I did have a giggle about the person you had in there a few weeks ago who cooked for you ... something you could not eat.  And the shopping you had ordered in, with 2kgs of potatos and carrots (I think I have that right) instead of a quantity of 2.  At least carrots and potatoes are relatively inexpensive items.

I wont bang on too much about the coronavirus ... I expect all you good Victorians are thoroughly fed up with the whole issue. But there is some positive trends starting to emerge.  I see on todays news that finally the number of daily infections seem to be going down over the past several days. Unfortunately there is a time lag now where high infection rates from up to 2 weeks ago, are now adding to the death toll.

Thank you for welcoming me back ... certainly I am very happy and relieved to be back.  An interesting life you say?  I think the same of yours, 😊 only yours sounds so much more varied and exciting in many respects.

I look forward to talking again soon ... or next time you're up to having a chin wag.  Stay safe, stay well my friend.  By the way, my little doggie will be known as Abbie from now on.  Have you given any further thought to getting a kitten to share your life with?  I know you had considered it some months back.  You really cannot beat having a beloved pet.  Although they are a responsibility and can be an encumberance to people who like to get away on holidays a lot.  I know you like to travel as and when you can, but any travel is looking very unlikely for a long time with the virus as it is.  So it could be a fabulous time to get a dear little pet.  Does your daughter like cats?  Perhaps its possible she could take care of a pet if you ever needed to get away for a few days or weeks in future.  And there are more and more very good pet resorts (pet holidays) to leave them if there is no other alternative. Worth considering I think Dec.

Emelia 🌸

[Owlunar]

Hi @Emelia8 

It's great that you came back - I did read a lot of your posts when you logged in again - and it seemed you knew a lot about us but it took a while for the penny to drop - and I am glad it eventually did 

Like most people it seems I have a lot on my mind - yes - Victoria has fewer new cases of coronavirus today and many more have died - and these are old people and this is difficult for the families - sure they are reaching their end-date anyway which is something I have been through with my parents both dropping off the tree in their 90s - but rotten to have our frail-aged dying alone esp suffering so much - who would want that?

As a family we are all doing the right thing and this can be hard - on the day I had the procedure on my shoulder I had to stay with my daugher over-night or not have the procedure and I was at the end of what I could stand with the pain - the up-side was that we were not supposed to visit but these were acceptable circumstances to do so - I got extra time with my daughter and son-in-law which was good - even though my daughter is in a lot of pain - and she has two slipped discs - and a special permit so she can go out 4 times a day for short walks rather than walk for a whole hour at once

And right now neither of them are working - it seems really rough to be closing down so much of the economy but people's health is so important - and there has been extra funds allocated to Mental Health - I am glad of that - just reading the posts coming in from new contributers here does show that many people are battling so much - 

I get hayfever and there are blossoms coming out around where I live but I see no point in getting a test yet seeing as I had one and it was negative - if I felt ill that would be different and I learned today that people who are unable to get out and have a test can let the appropriate people know and it will be arranged for people come and test us at home - and that would apply to me - all we need is a letter from our GP and I think I should make an appointment to see him again - I haven't seen him since he did my COVID test a week before my procedure and it used to be twice a week

The procedure - yes - that is called a "Percutenous Radio-Frequency Neropathy" - it means an electric change is sent through the nerve carrying the pain from my damaged shoulder to my spine to my brain and I have very little pain now - if this works I can have it repeated when it comes back otherwise I need to have a shoulder replacement and the prognosis isn't good and it would be a year out of my life. As soon as we can I want to get back to travelling before I get too old - it will be much easier since I have the painful areas of my back - knee, back and shoulder, feeling more comfortable - I am so glad I had two weeks in Cairns next year - I am looking forward to doing that again - it was starting to be an annual event. I enjoy planning my trips and enjoy my memories - lthe next time I go I am planning to take a fixed wing air flight up the coast or a helicopter right out over the reef for much longer than the one I had last year - I had a taste of the Great Barrier Reef and want to do it again

I didn't get a pet - not yet anyway - and I would love a kitty called Misty or Smoky - depends on the cat - but just getting out to find a kitten isn't exactly essential shopping - and if I do get one it will have to get used to staying at a cattery when I travel - and I am not sure about that but I know I could use a bit of feline company around here at times. I miss my old cat a lot but I also know that another cat is not that cat and also - she was getting too much for me - in her old age she didn't always pee in the right spot and it would get under the litter tray and - phewie - I am not sure if I want to do that again - still - it's something to think about

I'm glad you have little Abbie - great name btw - that means "Child of Joy" and I am sure she gives you a great deal of that - I am glad you knew you could still read the posts even without logging in - and also that you have a PIN for security - no one can open your phone but you - and it must have been really horrible to realise you had been hacked. My sister hacked into the web-site I used to be in and I remember my heart sank with a crash - I still don't know why she felt the need to do that - there is no need for me to talk about that further except I know what it feels like to have someone snooping into your private affairs - it feels like betrayal

I love the pics you send - I love that little kitty with the owls you have posted today and also the birthday card owl - I am actually trying to draw and owl of my own with a mask - not easy but I am thinking trying something new is never going to go astray - I am gifted in many areas I know but art is not one of them - 

And I am glad you are back and that the penny actually dropped - it's great to chat again

Dec

Just keeping tabs on COVID-19 - just trying to keep my mind busy

[Emelia8]

I'm glad the penny dropped too @Owlunar .. but I figured it would, because you are very astute.  I gave you a thumbs up in the Thumbs Up thread last Thursday as well ... did you see that one?

It is so sad .. this coronavirus thing ... bad news every single day.  NSW have started getting some worryingly higher numbers of new infections too now, some of which they do not know the source.  So NSW could go the same way as VIC soon.  Hope not, but who knows.  This damned virus is so contagious, and the bad thing is that its so mild in many that they dont even know they have it. Thus it spreads so quickly, and before you know it ... its out of control again. But thankfully the trend is improving in VIC.  But gosh the cost is so high with so many people suffering mentally, financially, etc.

I am sorry that your daughter is still in a lot of pain.  I can sympathise .. I had two slipped discs (L4/5 and L5/S1).  The pain can be excrutiating, with the slipped disc material pressing on the nerve.  At least she is able to do some gentle walks which is a good thing.  I remember when I had that in the acute stage, I couldnt move my legs at all.  And for about 2 years afterwards, the calf muscle became so wasted that I could barely walk.  But when I did, I walked with a distinct limp.  Still do I'm told, although I no longer notice it much myself.  I do notice the muscle wastage in one leg however, its still there and pretty obvious.  I hope your daughter has a good treating team and that she is able to make a full recovery.  

I was very happy to read that mental health funding was increased markedly for Victorians. Its much needed. So many people will be needing that support, for all sorts of reasons.

Hayfever is a curse .. truly.  I dont get it badly, but I often react to some grasses.  Usually notice it in windy weather, which makes sense of course.  I tend to get the sniffles and itchy eyes, but mostly very mild and more of an annoyance than anything else.

I have not heard of that particular procedure you had on your shoulder.  But it sounds very effective for you at any rate, and thats what counts.  At least you know that you can have it again if you need to.  So let hope that any shoulder replacement will not be needed at all.

Yes I recall your Cairns trip, it sounded lovely.  And I also hope the Coronavirus is soon beaten and the States all open up their borders .. thus enabling holidays once more.  We already missed a wedding in WA, and hubbys family are all over in WA. His Dad is 94 and beginning to fail health wise.  So we really would like to get over there sooner rather than later.  But its not possible right now, and likely not until mid next year according to the WA premier.  We have our unused flight tickets to WA (for March wedding) converted to a flight credit.  With the intention of visiting hubbys Dad asap.  But the way things are going, it may expire before they even open the border. Lets hope not.

I have been on small aircraft a couple of times, like 2 and 4 seater. Once in Zimbabwe over Victoria Falls and once around Kakadu in NT.  I loved it, it was so good.  But I have never been in a helicopter.  Not sure I am as keen to do that as I am to go back on a small plane.  Speaking of planes ... my brother has been training as a pilot. He hopes to get his recreational pilots licence.  I would love to go up for a flight with him, so one day I hope that happens.  He has to travel a fair way to where he is doing his training, so its not easy for him to do. Especially when he is so busy with work and other family commitments.  But I am so proud of him to be doing something for himself for a change. This is something he has wanted to do for a long time. Then of course the accident put so much on hold.  On 22nd August it will be 5 years since little Emma died in the car accident.  How time flies, and how little really changes in that time.

Yes I too am so glad I have Abbie.  Thanks for the meaning of her name too ... I didnt know that. Child of Joy ... nice and very appropriate for my baby girl. I hope one day soon you will feel able to get yourself a little kitten. Misty or Smoky ... sounds like you would like a grey cat.  I know someone who has a cat called Cinders, she is grey too.

Yes very true, any invasion of privacy is very much a betrayal of trust. I am being so careful now and really hope it doesnt happen again.  I was beside myself when it happened last time and I dont think I could deal with it all again.

I'm glad you like some of the pictures I send you. You are definitely very gifted in many ways, so good on you for having a go at drawing as well.  Perhaps you will discover a new prevously hidden talent. I would love to see your efforts if you would like to share down the track.

Okay I must go ... time to do some dinner preparations. Catch you again soon. Keep well and stay safe.

Emelia 🌸

[Owlunar]

Sigh - I will be glad when the lock down is over - I'm having an owl of a time

[Owlunar]

I am no artist but I have made an effort to sketch and own feeling fed up with the lock down - I am okay btw - I have been getting my life in order after taking more time than I could afford letting things in my life go - and so this week I am been attending to something every day but also taking time to get myself used to using muscles I have ne=ot used for a long time 

So the story is that I had a worker here helping me and we were chatting about the lock down and I said I wanted to draw my own owl - and I did one for her and then one for everyone here - well - we can all see it

I hope to be back later - it's nearly time to cook dinner - I hope everyone is the best they can be

Dec

[Zoe7]

That is one good thing about lockdown @Owlunar - you can get to things you have been putting off or not wanting to do. Good that you have been taking care of yourself as well. I had a giggle at you using muscles you haven't for sometime - that must feel both good and not so good - good because you can do those things now but not so good because they would be aching. 

[Owlunar]

Thanks @Zoe7 

Yes - years of not using my shoulder properly and I still have limited movement due to joint degeneration - but I can move it further than I used to before the procedure.

I certainly practised self-care before the procedure but I really had no choice but to sit it out. I am really glad I had several weeks of disability and the COVID crisis at the same time - I want to do more travelling in the time I have left - maybe with my pain specialist's magic needles and can travel a bit longer. It's marvellous how they work

Victoria still has several weeks of Stage 4 Lock Down to go - I am feeling as tired as my owl about the press reporters nagging about the release of the conditions but I understand them - I feel like yettling - just put up with it guys - asking the same questions to get a different answer - but I just turn the volume off and wait until they have finished

But although I don't know about today's numbers we have less positive tests over the last few days which is encouraging - and people are not getting the flu - yet - anyway

I hope you are okay Zoe - I think you had time off work - whether that was just you or lock-down sitation rules I don't know but I it is my wish that you get through this winter well - and I know you must be cold in Tassie - icy day in Melbourne today - and lots of rain - 

In this weather I usually plan a trip north - this year I think about it

Dec

[Owlunar]

I can think about Queenland