A lot has happened since my last blog. Where do I start???
Let's see, the essay I was fighting over....I passed with flying colours. I stressed and worried about that essay right up until the day the results came through. I was working in the ward that day when my friend came through to say that the results had been posted and I just couldn't look! So scared because if I did not pass that essay then I would not be able to graduate with my degree at the same time as everyone else and it might affect my chances of getting a job... I got my friend to look at the result....I just about fainted when she told me .....A2!!!!! Wow! Guess that was it then...I had a degree. All I needed then was a job!
Within a few days of the good news I was back down to earth with a crash. I was working the weekend, a private job doing respite in a family home. The child I had known since she was 3 years old and was now just before her 11th birthday. The condition was Epidermolysis Bullosa, in fact the most severe form of it, causing her skin to blister at touch.
There was nothing I could do....
I had a job interview a couple of weeks later at the hospital where I had undertaken most of my training. The job was for 50% care in the community of sick children and 50% children's ward work. Sounded perfect for me. Obviously because the hospital knew about what had just happened, there were questions at the interview specific to me, but nothing too difficult and a day later I was phoned to say the job was mine if I wanted it. What a relief!!! I had been worrying about how I was going to pay my rent and bills when January came round. My last bursary cheque had arrived and been allocated in december!!!! Start work 19th January....
A call from my daughter living in England, saying things weren't going too well down there, required family to do a rapid removal of her from that situation a few days before Christmas. She had to go back to live with her Dad on the farm which is not ideal for getting her a job or out socialising, but it's convenient for now and at least she is home and I see her more often.
My son's car...... doom and gloom, needed a new engine and is still not working properly. He blames us for finding him a lemon!! Never his driving...oh no, couldn't be that!!
Christmas came and went, I was ill as usual, then Steve, then his Mother, and then his daughter!!! We do believe in sharing. Had a few days down south before I came back up here to start work. Still haven't had the holiday I promised myself I would have when I qualified but.....I will.... eventually.
Started work and everything was going fine until recently when the children I looked after in the community took a turn for the worse and unfortunately didn't make it. They were twins with Infantile Battens disease, and in a way it was comfort for their parents that they came into the world on the same day together and left this world together on the same day. The funeral was on Thursday, call me what you like, but I couldn't face another child's funeral so soon. Since November I have known 6 people pass from this life. 3 Children who's lives were full of pain and struggle, 2 adults who lived full and long lives and one man taken early from his loving family unexpectantly. There is no way of knowing or saying who will be taken next, it's just life. we should live it every day as if it was our last, no regrets, no "what if's".
My holiday this summer was going to be visiting Canada again, my most favourite place in the world. Not just because of the scenery and the weather and the people, but because of my friends and family out there. My plan originally was to surprise Bob at the finish line of his charity bike ride in Seattle. I am so proud of him for doing this bike ride, it's an amazing feat, something I would love to, but never will do.
Alas it wasn't to be...
Finances just won't allow it. Not to mention my graduation ceremony is right in the middle of when I was going to be away. I thought I would just graduate by post, not actually be there...but then I thought better of it. I worked hard for this degree. Out of 15 original class members, only about 8 have got their degree. Not to mention I am nearly twice the age of most of them and have Fibromyalgia!!! So much has happened in the last three years, I am not the same person who started out at University in 2006. I am stronger and I deserve to get up on that stage and collect my degree...no matter how much my legs wobble!!! :)
So now it's April already, and I am looking forward to starting work with a new family soon. Meantime I am working in the children's ward in Ninewells. My Mum and Dad have just celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary on Saturday, and although I don't think Mum is aware of everything that's going on around her because of her Alzheimers and Parkinsons Disease, she seemed to liked the flowers I gave her and Dad, I think, appreciated the visit. Ashley, my daughter, celebrated her 21st birthday on Sunday, in Scotland like she always wanted to. She never enjoyed living in England. She went out with friends and family and I spent a lot of time with her in the week before her birthday because I knew I wouldn't see her on the day. I always wish for so much more for my children, I just hope the chances come for them in life at some point.
TTFN
