@Emelia8
Hi Em
Thanks for your message to me, to other people, and also for your regular updates on your situation. You have been through so much yet still post so many imformative updates - this is so uplifting and inspirational for me - no doubt for many other people
I have been lucky that I have not been physically assaulted as you were - as other people have been. In the past though I was sexually harrassed by a man at the church I used to attend regularly.
Rather than tell an old story I deleted what I had already written but I do know the confusion and despair trying to get someone to take this seriously. The police told me it was a church problem, the diocese said it was a parish problem and the minister did his best but wasn't able to do much at all about it. After a number of women in the congregation has to have their say about it I left - for a long time.
I do hope to return after the pandemic has settled. I will be vaccinated soon. A lot has changed in the church and society since then. My point in writing this is to say there was no support back then. It was not my fault - other women might have been affected by similar issues - it's never pleasant. I really think it was really hard to be criticized because I spoke out against it.
In truth - if we can - we need to speak out. This is not easy. I have done some tough things in my life and speaking out about 20 years ago was "not the right thing to do". I am glad to this day that I did and know how hard it is to do so. It could have been worse for me.
I'm so sorry your were assaulted as you were Em - I am sorry about any woman or girl who has been assaulted in any way. I am very glad to read about the ME TOO movement. I am glad I can return to chuch after the pandemic.
And it is humbling to read other people's experiences. Encouraging to know their stories too
It is a pity that I have had to step back from the forums for a while. The pain is not as severe as it was back in October/November before my last ablation. It was certainly not the best time in my life to spend 10 days in hospital when the only personal items I had were a comb, my toothbrush and my phone. At least I was in a private hospital and had a private room. I don't want a repeat performance of that. So I have gone pretty much from day to day hoping the pain doesn't escalate to the point where it is so severe I can't think - and that was the case twice last year.
Tomorrow I am seeing my pain specialist. I am pretty sure he will organise another ablation - perhaps even some of the other procedures we talked about. What he might do and I hope he does is okay my taking more of the special medication. I was prescribed more that I am taking now - I know this was the case and there was some kind of mix-up - I can be pretty tough about thing and not at all inclined to have another conversation about this on the phone. So I have lasted the distance - I am so glad for that and also for the support I have had from you and other members here
But it remains true that we all need to take time out when life itself tries to push us to the wall - we can make decisions like this - as hard as it can be. It's okay to put ourselves first when necessary. I am always sorry when people take on more than they can - here especially.
I can say it very quietly so they don't hear me - the rats have gone for the time being. The gardener cleared the gutters and cut back the vines - it's nice to be able to sleep later than dawn without having rodents squeezing in through a narrow space into the roof void and fighting with each other. One actually had a litter in the wall cavity - I didn't need that. One died near an air vent and phew - it lasted about three weeks. I really hate rats and mice - my cat brought a live mouse in once and I could hardly believe the high-pitched squeal I made - my GP assured me that's normal and men do it too sometimes
I have had my hair cut this morning. I am so relieved. It was so hard to manage - harder with my left shoulder so limited. It was interesting with my natural stripy hair - I could enjoy that - but there were spilt ends and I would sometimes be cutting tangles out with scissors. Not a good scene. And I am thrilled to bits to have my hair short and tidy and stripy still.
I felt so good after being at the hairdressers that I thought I would walk home - I got as far as the bus stop and waited - walking with my shoulder is actually painful but it was mild and breezy and I would have liked to walk - perhaps after another ablation
This has turned into a long and newsy post. I need to tag other people in. It's strange how fast summer went - in Melbourne we didn't have the long spells of very hot weather we usually have and it seemed to be autumn early.
All the best Em - you really are an Aussie Battler - you deserve a meddle
Dec
@Anastasia @Clawde @BlueBay @Zoe7 @Appleblossom @utopia @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 @outlander
