Finally we can say goodbye to 2020.

 Well, 2020 is almost over. Just a few hours now until we can finally say goodbye to what for many of us has been a dreadful year.

I think if anyone had thought a year ago on the eve of a new decade that we would end up in a national lockdown due to a virus pandemic that has killed well over 72,000 people, you would have been accused of having a fertile imagination or having too much to drink on New Years Eve!!!

It has been a tough year for a lot of people; from those cancer patients who have had treatment postponed to others who have had long awaited surgery cancelled. The many people who have been working on the frontline in the NHS and the countless people who have lost loved ones to this pandemic.

We face more of the same in 2021 unfortunately unless things change dramatically. I'm not going to get too political here but most right minded people can see only to well and clear that this whole covid thing has been handled disastrously by those supposedly in charge. From the lies & corruption to the total disregard for the value of the lives of the young, the elderly, the disabled and other vulnerable members of the population.

Hopefully things will improve soon but it is going to take everyone pulling together and doing their bit. Standing in the street and clapping for the NHS is not enough, 

Let 2021 be the year that people stop being selfish and start having some compassion and respect for others. It only works if enough people do it. How many more people are going to die before we say enough is enough? 

Those off us that care will continue to care but we can't do it all on our own. We all need to care for each other. 

Goodbye 2020. Please close the door on your way out.

Diabetes & Me.

 If you read my last blog post, you'll know that my ongoing health issues are causing me problems yet again.

I was taken into hospital over on the mainland back in the beginning of October and spent 2 weeks there. 

On the morning I was released, they told me that a blood test they had done when I was admitted had shown that my blood glucose levels were quite high but it seems that they had somehow overlooked this fact and only noticed it at the last minute.

So instead of leaving hospital thinking it was going to be good to get back home, I spent the whole journey back worrying about how diabetes was going to ruin my life.

Three weeks on, and I'm a little less pessimistic about the future. I am on drugs (metformin) and have altered my diet and have managed to loose some weight.

I was recomended a book by one of the GP's - The 8 week blood sugar diet by Michael Moseley - and found it quite interesting. He advocates a mediterranean diet to help reduce blood sugar levels and says that it is possible to come off medication in the long run which is exactly what I want to hear.

I eat a healthy vegetarian diet anyway which is full of fresh fruit and vegetables so basically it was just a case of cutting out the carbs and 3 weeks later I can definetly see the weight loss.

It is taking some adjusting too though as its hard to find recipes that are low carb, vegetarian & diabetic friendly but I will stick at it. At the moment, I'm eating lots of salad but it's getting a bit chilly for that now so I need to look for some alternative meals. There is also the issue of availability as the choice of fresh fruit and veg here on the island is often quite limited. I've not been able to get my hands on any radishes for ages!!!!

Until next time.

Kaz 😎

Air Ambulance, Antibiotics and Atrial Fibrillation

As some of the people wh read my blog may know, I have long term on going health issues as a result of being diagnosed with womb cancer at the end of 2009.

On 8th Oct 2020, things took a turn for the worst and I was taken up to the local hospital here on Bute and then transfered to the mainland where I stayed for almost 2 weeks.

Due to living on an island, some patients are taken off by air ambulance rather than by ferry, which is usually the only way on and off the island, so I had what turned out to be a rather nice trip over to Paisley in the big air ambulancc helicopter. Probably not the best way to experience your fist ever flight but I was accompanied by a couple of rather young, good looking medics so who am I to complain!!!

After being assessed and covid tested, which was defenetly not a pleasant experience (and was negative by the way) I was rather surprised to be admitted to the coronary care unit. Turns out I have something called atrial fibrilation or an abnormal heart rhythm which means I am now on heart medication. Took a while to get things under control in the hospital but after lots of tests and a good Consultant I am now doing ok and happy to be back home. 

I also had an infection, which was the reason I ended up in the local hospital in the first place. 10 days of anti-biotics which played havoc with my tummy but did the trick.

Whilst that was all going on, covid 19 hit the ward I had been moved to and we all had to be tested again (another negative thankfully) This all added to the issues I had in getting home but after 3 false alarms I finally escaped on Wednesday and am now back home.

It is going to take some time for everything to sink in but I will go with the flow and see where it takes us. I used my time in hospital to raise some awareness of womb cancer and also lymphoedema so a bit of good came out of it.

If you are still reading this, then thanks for sticking with me. 

Until next time.  😄

Kaz

What day of the year is it?????

So,  how is every one coping with lockdown, isolation, boredom & not having anyone interesting to talk too?

To be totally honest with you, nothing much has changed for me as I'm virtually housebound most of the time due to various health issues. Up until lockdown became official I'd only been out of the house 5 times since last September.

The only thing I am missing is the hour or so to my self that I got each weekday morning when hubby used to pop into town on the bus to the shops. That was his little routine and it gave me a chance to sit in absolute peace and quiet (apart from noisy neighbours, barking dogs & lawnmowers!!) and just chill out.

My mental health hasn't been all that good for the past few years since cancer came into my life but I've tried hard to not let it get to the point where it totally controls my life. I have my ups & downs like most people but the fact that I can sense the darkness descending means I am able to work through it and not let it take control.

Thankfully there are a lot more people being open about their mental health issues (at least online) which is good. Seeing posts on social media about awareness is good but that only works if you walk the talk. If you have friends who have mental health issues then it is important that you really are ready to listen to them if and when they take the huge step and open up to you.

I've seen so many posts on Twitter from people with mental health issues who have said they tried to open up to someone they thought would listen to them only to be met with indifference or getting the brush off and told to "man up". 

There are so many people who are really struggling at the moment during the current situation; many were already close to breaking point before this all started and it is only going to get worse.

Please, if you know of someone who has mental health issues or who you think may be struggling - let them know you are there for them and mean it. 

If you are the one who is struggling then please reach out. There is always someone out there who will listen. You are not a burden. You are not worthless.