My five year bucket list

As mentioned before, I've been working on and implementing a five year mini bucket list -To complete from ages 30-35 (I'm now 31). I like the idea of a short, temporary list, rather than one big, long list... 

Being ill means I don't always have the luxury of knowing what's around the corner, and planning anything can be hard. Life is very much on a day-to-day basis. So no laughing at some of these rather silly, and small hopeful accomplishments! Or nuggies all round! They may not be a big deal to a healthy person, but as I sometimes need help to the toilet these days, they are milestones in comparison. 

It was reeeeeally therapeutic writing this! I suggest everyone does one.

⊱❤_____________________________________❤⊰

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,

The longest hour

Recently I have been researching ways to go about getting the much needed hip surgery that I require. I will inevitably need a complete replacement, there is no way around that, although there are also surgeries I can have which could save the hip for a little bit longer. If I lived in the UK, or anywhere but Ireland, I would have began this treatment as a child. I wouldn't be on an ortho waiting list for years, given bad physio which made my condition worse, and basically told that I need to shut up and put up, I am "meant to be in pain", and good luck trying to get those surgeries in Ireland... a little more on that ---> here, as not to repeat myself.

Me and Bicky had recently decided enough was enough. we would somehow save and go to the UK and just get the new hip that my body needs. I'm nearly 31 and

"I'm not qualified for this" -A tale of a fragmented and centralised health system

Chapter 1.

The Clicky Hip That The Doctor Missed 

Once upon a time, there was a girl, and this girl lived in a land of infrequent and inconsistent health care. As the girl grew, she slipped through the gaps -Being told treatment was too late, there were other issues at play, she was "wonky" and they weren't qualified to help... Just beyond this place, in various reaches of the further land, many children with similar issues, and many adults too, were receiving regular health care. Surgeries, rehab facilities and specialists galore. They lived quite a different life because of this... It was only at the age of 30 that the girl finally realised the truth. The truth being: National healthcare was a lie; her circumstances had resulted from her address.

I have always had hip dysplasia. Always. Doctors may have thought I was a dumb child, so referred to it as being "wonky", or being "slanted". Many hear of it and comment "Oh yeah, clicky hip I think it used to be called?" and generally follow that up with how it's no big deal, loads of babies get it... etc., etc., and this can be the case. When found at birth or shortly after, a harness is usually fitted. Annoying for the parents and child, but extremely vital for the child's correct growth. The issue is that the hip, usually either in the womb or at some stage during the birth, comes loose of it's socket. Generally treatment begins straight away -with a harness, regular check ups and x-rays and possibly surgery starting around 2 years of age, sometimes before, depending on the patient. Some don't need any surgery or just one surgery, others need several surgeries, throughout their life spam. These surgeries are to help the hip be more stable, to save the hip from replacement for as long as possible. This can include strengthening the joint and deepening the socket so the hip will sit better in place. Now, without this treatment -as in my case (as the doctors refused to even look at me until I was older and walking funny/ limping)- the body creates