After weeks of fighting a tenacious flu that kept coming back after each course of antibiotics, I finally got a chest x-ray which was clear (phew!) but my dr seems to think it was probably a case of pneumonia treated with the wrong antibiotics (I saw another dr to begin with because mine wasn’t on duty). So now I am on a fifth course of two different antibiotics and already feeling a lot better instead of a little bit better. It is such a relief because, despite being well enough for my mama’s 80th b’day and well enough to visit Ants most days and to do some volunteer work, it is only now that I am beginning to feel normal well ha!
As my role as ‘care-giver’ has become most of my identity now, I have a bit of a terror problem when I get sick because I am so needed by Anthony so to have been given the gift of a clear chest x-ray is like gold!
I’ve been trying to catch up and re-connect with blogger friends but have now decided to simply read blogs in a from-now-on mode rather than go back to see what I might’ve missed. It’s been a bit of a relief, too, to let go of the self-imposed feeling of obligation to blog every day if I just don’t have the time or inclination. Perhaps someone should write a book about blog psychology because I get the impression that other bloggers often suffer the same kind of ridiculous guilt. Interesting.
My volunteering at the nursing home, though interrupted by this flu, because you are not supposed to go in there if you are sick (paradoxically, this is probably where I first got infected), continues to delight me and I have now sent an ‘expression of interest’ email in response to last week’s advertisement for a “lifestyle assistant” in the dementia wing. This is a permanent part-time position from 3-6pm for someone to provide activities while the nursing staff conduct the evening showers. As I have already been volunteering in this wing from 3-4pm on the weekends, I am familiar with each of the ten residents and have developed a bit of a rapport. Tomorrow I will fill out the application form and hope for the best. I think this kind of arrangement would be a perfect match and hopefully there will be no perceived conflict of interest as Anthony is not in the dementia wing. I am quite excited about this job possibility and the money would be a relief!
Ming has a job he loves at a restaurant called ‘Corners on King’ so he is gradually becoming independent financially and in other ways. He hates for me to make him any food so my tactic has been to make him a smoothie every morning into which I pack a punch of secret ingredients (if you want to know the secret ingredients you will have to email me!) For those who don’t know, Ming has, from birth, had a rather extraordinary unhungryness – long story which I can’t be bothered telling now but my best illustration of this is the 40C degree day, when he was about one, in which Ants and I had to use a syringe to push a bit of milk into his ungreedy little mouth.
The last few years have been enormously challenging with me having to resign from my job as university lecturer; Anthony’s permanent admission to the nursing home; my mother’s horrifying injuries after falling from her bicycle; the car accident and court case and cousins’ heroic recoveries; Ming’s two scoliosis operations; some friendships rekindled and others on hold; peace, joy, guilt and wretchedness in equal amounts; Ming’s short-lived, but loved, dairy worker job abandoned due to his spine; finding out that you really love eggs on toast; and that if you don’t like what you look like, you need to stop looking at yourself and look away…..
…. and finding out that the width of hope is immeasurable!
Catchya later….
jmgoyder 
So glad you’re feeling better. ❤
Me too!
So am I!
Love this post Julie. You are an inspiration! I can relate to the dropping of careers due to many ‘challenging times’ and I feel we have a bond there because of the events we are going through on the opposite sides of this country. I LOVE your positive attitude to the caring role you are fulfilling and good luck with the job. 🙂
You are such a wonderful friend Elizabeth and I really appreciate this! Jxxx
So glad you’re over the ‘flu’, Julie. Good luck with the job application. It’s rather weird that your son who doesn’t really like to eat much food, is now working in a restaurant. Maybe he’ll enjoy watching other people eat instead. 🙂
Very weird!
It is almost impossible to catch up when a whole bunch of things happen … I know. I came to the same conclusion you did at times like that…. that you just can’t catch up and remain sane… so you have to start at square one.. and just do what you feel able to do.
I think I caught what you had… I’ve been sick for the past few days…. hoping I don’t have to go to the doctor but it will silently creep away like it crept in…. HOPE you get the job.. It seems so right for you… Diane
Get well!!!!!!
I remember when my girls where little and wouldn’t eat, I would make them egg flips of a morning often it was the only thing they would have all day……………..be great if you get the job at the nursing home
Eggs are a godsend – so easy to hide ha!
Good luck on the expression of interest. Sorry to hear you’ve been so unwell! I had a similar flu as well, thankfully mine didn’t spread fo my lungs like with my partner. I must be getting a pretty good immune system.
Onya!
Glad you’re over the worst. Keep those bugs away now.
Trying!
Julie, you are amazing. Thank you for your words. x
You are the amazing one!
even if I do not comment you are a constant in my life and my hero after all you have been through–I think :if Julie can do it so can I
i’m happy to read you are starting from where you are now, and not trying to go back. it’s really the best way i think. live in the now and move ahead. just like life )
It has, indeed, been quite a ride for you guys Julie, glad your lungs are clear and good luck with your application!
Diana xo
Some years ago , one
Of my sons had pneumonia and we didn’t know it was. Since then he’s had it again so take care.
Sometimes illnesses drag on for so long, its depressing, but feels great when you get well again. At least you are coming into summer so all that sunny weather will make you feel great.
I wish I was living near Perth WA instead of Perth in Scotland. Winter is almost here with the dark mornings and evenings and the cold and damp weather.
So there you have it – nice sunny warm weather to help you get back to normal. How fortunate you are.
I am so happy the chest x-ray showed clear. That illness hung on way too long. Now you are on your way up!!!!
It’s hard to stop looking at yourself with a critical eye (especially if others are looking at you with one too.) Tale care with your recovery from pneumonia. It can come back and bite you if you try too much too soon.
Good to hear you’re starting to feel much better, but beware of all those antibiotics. Essential for some bacterial infections, I suspect they get over-prescribed sometimes.
Love the quote in the image – so very true. Vicki x.
Your words do my heart such good…so proud of how far you’ve traveled that oft times lonely road. The width of Hope is not the only thing immeasurable…so is your strength. Love you xo
The last few years have been so full and eventful, it’s a wonder that you haven’t keeled over, I would have keeled over. You are an amazing lady Jules. 😀