Back on the road

Hi all, long time no write! Unfortunately, as those who follow my Facebook page already know, I've had several health issues impeding my typing and so have had to take an unexpected break (including good ol' peripheral neuropathy, an ongoing issue worsened by the long-term affects of chemotherapy). Hopefully the end of this is now, and I can start writing more regularly again.

So, to keep everyone posted -My latest health news, on the road to a real, full diagnoses... Or at least, the road to finding any form of doctor/ specialist/ consultant who will take me on, who I don't scare the bejaysus out of, who will not look at me with sad eyes and tell me "I'm sorry... I'm not qualified to deal with your case". 

I recently had yet another appointment with a physio -this was my third physio appointment as an adult, although this at least was in a Dublin based hospital, and was a sit down/ office appointment to review me for possible hip surgery. Like a pre-pre appointment before seeing an orthopedic surgeon.

Unfortunately, (as with the two previous physio appointments that I've had in the last 10 years, and the neurology appointments, and a couple within an rheumatoid department a long time ago) I heard those same words... "I'm really not qualified for this".

I'm not upset, or angry, I went in with little expectations. However, the next part hit me a bit hard - "A surgeon won't touch you... you're too unstable, you have no core strength or balance and will not recover well from surgery. I'm sorry". It was a blow, but an honest one, and perhaps it's something I should have considered....

Overall the appointment went well (yes, really, haha). She did all the relative and usual strength and balance examinations on me, before hitting me with these two bits of disastrous news... they're so embarrassing, I can't do them at all and feel like a massive idiot, I don't think

Eye can't even

Me with two of my fur babies -Emily & Louis

So, a couple of health updates...

1. Hipster's Love Lists

Bicky rang the hospital for me, the one I was in the A&E last time, where "Dr. Jane" said I needed an emergency appointment with the orthopedic doctor (and that I could get one in 6-8 weeks). Well, as I should have known, that was all lies.... I don't think she lied on purpose of course, not at all -As I've said before, hospitals here are very much compartmentalised and one doctor does not know what is happening in another department.

Anyway long story short -Receptionist, bit of a cranky bitch. They hate being annoyed (hence why I do not ring and inquire about these things anymore, but Bicky wanted to try, as the A&E doctor told us to ring in).

...About 18 months she said, and that is that. There's not really such a thing as an emergency, like we were told it was. Then I received a letter a couple of days later saying

To Dublin hospitals, with love... Etc.

As many regular readers will know, I have not received correct medical care (for any of my ailments really, which are mostly linked somehow, but first and foremost for the hip condition present at birth) because...

A.) Where I live the local hospital is basically closed (no A&E, they borrow equipment and staff from other hospitals, etc.) and the other "local" hospital is incredibly understaffed, underfunded and under-equipped in general (It is the main and only hospital for a very large populous, also).

B.) I was born in 1980's Ireland -That's like 1950 everywhere else, in relation to medical care (and of course in relation to other social issues: such as owning a vagina, enjoying the relations of someone of your own gender, etc., etc., ETC.!)

C.) I do not "scream loud enough"/ I have been incredibly unlucky (referrals going hay-wire, doctors not admitting fault at my birth, etc.) / I avoided doctors for a huge proportion of my adult life/ and a combo of the usual Irish "sure it'll be grand" inside of me that prevents the "screaming loud enough".

And you may also remember that I've recently sent off my referral forms to Cappagh for the much needed hip surgery that I should have probably started years ago, after advice from a lovely, fellow Irish "hippy" that I met online... Well, it turns out,

From neuro to zero

As long-term readers will know, I was attending a neurology clinic in Beaumont hospital... Well, kinda. Over three years I had about four appointments. Extremely slow, asked the same questions each time and with... well, lets just say the term "neurologist" is used quite loosely here in Ireland... Rather than repeat myself too much, here's some Facebook posts and links on the subject:

⚚ Click here to read about my very first neurology appointment ⚚

⚚ Click here to read about my second neurology appointment ⚚

I don't think I've really any other posts detailing them... the third appointment was not only quick, but a disaster, and not something I really like to discuss:

Firstly, the absolute prick, gawked at me when I entered the room, like a bully in the playground staring at the cripple kid -"What's the cane for??" he asked, sounding grossed out (seriously!). Like he hasn't seen a disabled person in a neurology clinic before. 

He hadn't looked at any of my notes and instead a few minutes later asked, "what's wrong with you?" -again, sounding pissed off... I replied that was the reason I was going to these appointments (duh) and hadn't been fully diagnosed yet (except the birth defects, obviously). He then got really flustered and