Bitz 'N' Blogs with CJ Cross

Hi! My name is Ceej. I like to write stuff!

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  • 2023.. Goodbye, So long and Farewell (Though It’s not without its Thank You’s)

    If there ever was a year that I am forever glad to see the back of – It’s 2023

    I can’t speak for anyone else but for me the year 2023 was the most emotionally exhausting, mentally draining, stressful, upsetting, soul destroying year I’ve ever had

    Highlights Include:

    The never ending arguments and battles with the NDIS – just to get my basic needs met

    The never ending battles with my body – just to get it to function on the most basic level

    The constant anxiety attacks over showering ( Yeah, sounds weird right? Trust me, it ain’t when it’s one of the most painful experiences of your day)

    My Grandfather passing away ( and finding out my Step-Grandmother on my Mother’s side is NOT the person I always thought she was)

    At a point where my (Internet) life hit rock bottom and came crashing down around my ears – coming to terms with the fact that people who swore they were my BFF - when they were in fact not – was one of the hardest lessons I’ve ever had to learn. That said:

    To Jo, Bonnie, Ginelle, Grace, Zig and Sharon (Shazza)

    If any of you read this- I just want you to know that I appreciate you more than you know. When I needed someone to listen to me vent and sob – you guys were there for me. ( Time Zones and IRL things aside) and for that reason, I am forever your friend – and should you need me I will always be there for you.

    Extra shout out to Jo and Bonnie who checked in on me nearly every single day. You two are the real MVP and even though I know I wasn’t exactly the easiest person to deal with at times - You still stood by me and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Speaking of thank you’s –

    I just want to thank my Husband, A. Without Him, this year would’ve been so, so much worse.

    He has held my hand all throughout this year . Listened to me vent, scream and rant only to turn around and hold me while I cried.

    He has been my Support (as frustrating, aggravating and downright exhausting as it is) and my rock. Been there when I needed him most and even when I don’t – been there with a reason to make me smile …. every day.  So, too my Husband, I love you. Thank you x

    To my Support workers – Miss B, Miss M and Miss C – Thank you for all your help and support this year. You lovely ladies are worth your weight in gold and your assistance in day to day tasks has been a Godsend! You have seriously gone above and beyond this year and We ( Hubby and I) cannot thank you enough for all that you’ve done!

    To everyone who has simply stuck it out with me this year. Who has read my blog, who has interacted with me online ( regardless of the platform) - I thank you . For making me smile. For making me laugh. For making me think and for everything else in between. It’s been lovely interacting with you . I hope to continue to do so in 2024

    As a final post for 2023 on FaceBook ( I refuse to call it META) I wrote:

    “In 2024- I’m not setting out to accomplish any goals. Nor am I going to chase my dreams or exceed any expectations… I’m way beyond exhausted and I just don’t have any spoons left to give that an ounce of thought. Instead, I’m going to use it to lick my wounds and heal. To say no more often. Dedicate some time for self care and comfort.

    I won’t be spending 2024 chasing after people or things that aren’t worth my time or effort and I certainly won’t be making an effort to rekindle any friendships lost over the last 12 months.

    I won’t be apologising for existing. I’m done trying to justify my reasons for being. I’m done caring about whether or not what I do is right for others . 2024 will see me being openly selfish – and I am not ashamed to admit to that

    I know some people will read this and they won’t like it one bit! And to those people I say.. as a wise woman once said “It’s not about you!”

    Goodbye 2023 you absolute fuck hole of a year. May I never have another year like you in my lifetime”

    And that’s all I have to say about that.

    Ceej

  • In The (My) Interest of Being Disabled.

    (Authors Note: Though I am a 46 year old Disabled person- I am not expert on anything. I do not have a degree or fancy letters next to my name. I simply aim to look at my situation (specifically) with the humor intended.

    That said, not one Disabled person is the same. We are all different and each one of us has needs that must be met and it sucks balls that in the year 2023 (almost 2024) we’re all still here fighting for our right to be seen and heard. To be given basic access to day to day life. I hope one day that changes. I truly do. But for now I hope you’ll enjoy this blog and laugh along with me)

    This morning I woke up. Like every morning I hurt all over. My hurt seemed to be amplified . Radiating like some kind of modern day pain beacon. Come to think of it – if my pain becon made a noise – it would probably be ” Ow! Ow! Fuck! Ow! Ow! Fuck” but I digress …

    After grabbing hold of Penelope for support ( And before you lot get some idea – please get your mind out of the gutter! There is no Horizontal Blanky Dance afoot in my abode! Not for lack of wanting to mind! It’s simply due to the fact that my body is no longer able to perform accordingly *ahem* due to things hurting way to much) Penelope is my trusty bed pole that I use to help me turn over onto my side while in bed and, to help me sit up and get the legs out and the feet on to the floor in the mornings.

    Next, I grab Bert and Ernie . Burt and Ernie ( called so because they’re always together) my trusty el cheapo ‘got em from the Chemist’ crutches that I’ve had since Moby Dick was a tadpole ( My Father’s expression – Not mine. Although, Moby Dick was written in 1851.. which was inspired by a whale who died in 1838 -Which presumably was a Beluga Whale, which according to Google can live upto 50 years … means that technically speaking- and it’s one HECK of a stretch- Moby dick was legitimately a tadpole in the year 1788)

    Anyway…

    I use Burt and Ernie to help me go to the toilet. Depending on how difficult things are, Hubby may need to help me. I find that I am at my stiffest in the morning – So does my Husband funnily enough ( No… Not like that! Do we remember what I said about gutters?) and the two of us struggle to get me sorted before things get to the point of no return.

    As a rule Bert and Ernie are my main mobility aids to help me get around the house. I have Henry Rollins in reserve ( another pair of rather expensive, sleek, black , slimline, lightweight crutches) – but they’re no good when I need to open a door or turn a light switch on and off – as they have no cuff around the arm for support.

    I also have a sparkly blue walking stick that I’ve named ‘ The Doctor’ but I’ve not been able to use him for quite a few years. Now that i think about it – I’ve not used him since the very beginning of 2020. I hope to be able to use him again one day. He was always fun. He took over after Edna ( my pink walking stick) was retired after many years of use.

    (There’s also ‘Bernard- Brown McBlack’ my four pronged walking aid – but we never really gelled or got on so he just kinda sits in a corner gathering dust.)

    Thankfully I am not going anywhere today – but when I do I either take my red manual Wheelchair ( Bernard Barge-Ass) or Eleanor Wheelie

    One of the things I have noticed since becoming reliant on mobility aids ( and people) for support is the way society tends to treat you. You’re either invisible (not seen) talked at or over ( not heard) and it infuriates me when people assume I’m stupid because I’m sitting in a wheelchair. ( I plan to write a whole other blog on that subject soon. You have been warned)

    Whenever I do go out – I’m either with my Support Worker ( who can fit me, my Wheelchair and crutches in their car) or I require a Maxi Taxi ( shout out to Roy at 13cabs) to go somewhere. I am also the proud owner of a Taxi Card and a Companion Card – which makes travelling a hell of a lot easier.

    Currently, it’s 11:33am . Hubby has gone out to do the weekly grocery shop (I’ve tagged along a few times in Eleanor. So far I’ve not crashed into anything LOL) When he gets home he’ll make us both lunch. After which he’ll have to help me shower.

    Relax folks! It’s not as kinky as you think. ( Hello? Gutter HAHA) I know that when we Married we spoke our vows ” In sickness and in health” ” For better or worse” Yadda Yadda Yadda – but no where in there did it state that “When your Wife gets to her mid 40s she’ll be permanently disabled and you’ll be stuck washing her Foo-Foo McGoo for all eternity!” and honestly, the Man needs some kind of reward for doing it. (THE FOO-FOO- McGOO Award? Anyone?)

    Not many Men would wash their wives Foo-Foo-McGoo I’d wager. He is a wonderful help to me, (despite his constant complaints to Management that his role in things was to remove me of my clothes …Anyway, never mind! The way we do our laundry is none your business! LOL!) so in that respect, I’m very lucky.

    Thankfully, thanks to my new NDIS plan, which comes into effect in January next year – I’ll have Support Workers in to take over helping me shower – so that’ll be one less thing he’ll have to do – which will hopefully mean we’ll no longer have to get up at 4am every day and get some extra sleep!

    We’ve got a quiet day planned ( at least in theory anyway Most of the time my Husband is running around like a blue arsed fly getting all the things done.) Tonight we’ll have dinner, then watch another episode of LOKI -Se 2- while I sit with my feet on Mr. Wilson – The mean, green, peeing machine – for 30 minutes so I can work on improving the circulation in my legs.

    Now, because I know you’re going to ask – Mr Wilson is my Revitive machine. It’s a Circular Disk that you can put your feet on and it sends electric currents up through your legs ( which are at a 30 degree angle mind) in order to stimulate circulation and stop your legs and feet from swelling. I got it on the advice of my Physiotherapist who suggested it might help and so far, he’s right. It certainly hasn’t solved all of my problems – but it has helped. The only drawback is that the electric current tap dances like Fred Astaire across your bladder and *Surprise!* You need to Pee! Hence my name for it.

    You know, I had started out with wanting to write this blog with my thoughts regarding how I found Disabled Access to places and to start a discussion on whether it’s reasonable to discuss your needs with a venue or not – But this blog kinda went in a different direction and that’s OK .

    I hope by reading this blog, people will have some understanding of what my day is like.

    The other blogs will be happening over the coming weeks

    Thanks for reading

    Ceej

  • The One Where The Day Chair Finally Arrived (And Other Chaos This Week)

    Like last week, the featured image I’m using for this week’s blog has nothing to do with anything – other than its something nice to look at. In fact, If memory serves me right – I took it from the 22nd floor from 180 Lonsdale St not long after my place of work moved in. It’d been raining all morning and when it stopped- a rainbow appeared thus the photo that’s currently the image for this blog.

    Enjoy.

    Where to begin?

    My mental health fell into the toilet this week and has pretty much remained like an unflushed turd in the bottom of the bowl. With everything that’s been going on .. I simply wish to cease to exist for a bit, until everything goes away and/or I stop hurting.

    Since losing my Psychologist from the NDIS ( and if you wish to read about that – you can do so here: https://domainsaredumb.blog/2023/12/03/the-one-where-the-ndis-was-still-taking-the-piss-regarding-my-allied-health-providers/)

    I’ve not exactly been feeling like I could take on the world head on. It’s affecting my job ( I’m beginning to feel like I am a burden and am letting the team down) and I am constantly exhausted and tired. I’m finding it difficult to concentrate and want nothing more than to nap in the middle of the day. I take vitamins every day ( including extra Vit C and Vit D) and it makes little to no difference to my energy levels.

    Even writing this blog is a struggle. I mean I just sat here for 15 minutes watching tik tok videos for no apparent reason. (And please, don’t throw “You’re Neurodivergent” at me. I’ve not had an official diagnosis of anything of the sort and if I’m being perfectly honest, the fact that people just throw that word around like it’s nothing or as an excuse to justify really shitty behaviour – really gives me the shits)

    But yeah, I’m just not feeling much of anything at the moment and it’s really getting me down.

    That said, I have taken steps to help myself by reaching out to E.A.P ( Employee Assist Program) which is the free counselling service provided by work . 6 sessions at no charge – at anytime you see fit. It’s not the first time I’ve used them and I very much doubt it’ll be the last .. But anything is better than nothing.

    As well as my mental health being in the toilet – it’s entirely possible I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist. I’ve had a clicky weird thing going on in my right thumb and very recently pain began to radiate from my thumb down to my wrist so yeah.. That could be a thing.( From using the crutchers I suspect) I’ve also pulled/pinched a muscle in my back ( Right side – because of course) so that’s a thing as well. Thankfully, I am taking celecoxib.. A really strong anti inflammatory for all the things so hopefully it helps.

    On the NDIS front – My DAY CHAIR arrived! I mean, it arrived out of the blue, with no warning after 6 months .. Completely the wrong colour and a slightly different design to the one that I ordered – But, it arrived nonetheless. And given that it took 6 months of asking, emailing back and forth, invoices being lost, found, lost and then found again, payment being made and finally have it turn up on my doorstep in a truck just before lunch on Wednesday – I was hardly going to complain about it.

    The funny thing was, I was talking to my Support Coordinator about it that morning and we were discussing pulling the pin on my entire order as by that point, we’d both agreed that it was ridiculous and the company we were using had dicked us about long enough.

    Funny how things work out huh?

    As well as this, I’m still in discussions with my OT ( Occupational Therapist) regarding a lightweight wheelchair ramp and modifications to our bathroom. Will keep everyone posted about how that goes. As I’ve mentioned before, I live in a rental and anything that needs to be done requires permission from the Landlord .. Invisible man that he is.

    On the homefront, the alternator went to god on Wednesday afternoon and so we had to get it replaced. It was all pretty easy – thanks to the RACV – but yeah, happening just after we’d paid rent? Not ideal to be sure. Oh well, what’s done is done and there we are.

    Tonight we’ve invited my Dad and my Aunt over for a Roast Lamb. So that’ll be a nice way to end the week at least.

    Until next time

    Ceej

  • The One Where The NDIS Was (still) Taking The Piss Regarding (my) Allied Health Providers

    To start with – The header of this blog has nothing whatsoever to do with the the subject matter – it’s simply a cool pic ( thanks to IG for the filter) and frankly describes how much I wish I could drink – Given just how much stress the NDIS has caused me in the last 5 days.

    Five days ago I received an email from the NDIS regarding the outcome of my S100 application and then, everything went to pot.

    (For those playing at home a S100 means a “Review of a Reviewable Decision” in NDIS terms. Frankly, after I read it, I thought someone was playing a cruel joke.. Although, to be fair… The NDIS is a governing body; ergo run by clowns .. so I really shouldn’t have been as shocked as I was)

    The NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme is designed to support Australia’s Disabled and Chronically ill – giving them access to all the things, all the time with a minimum of fuss. It’s to ensure that the Disabled and the Chronically ill have a fair chance at life and oh.. hang on.. That’s on paper..Heh. Oops!

    In reality however, it is a ginormous, twat-berking shamozzle of a shit show- that not only leave those of us who are disabled up shit creek without a paddle – but also our able bodied full time carers with nothing more than a leaky canoe with no lifejackets to help us out.

    At time of writing this blog, the NDIS is going through a massive overhaul of how it does things, why it does things and when it does things which means .. everyone and their dog is confused!

    Hooray!

    Here’s my story. ( And the reason behind today’s blog)

    So, I got to the NDIS in 2022. My funding was just over $75K for two years.

    Pretty much straight away, I began a “Change of Circumstances” because there was no way I could stretch $75K over two years.

    At this point though, my Allied Health providers( My Chiropractic, my Remedial Masseuse, my Podiatrist, my Psychologist, my Physiotherapist, my Occupational Therapist and my Exercise Physiologist) were being covered by the NDIS as enough medical evidence has been provided in my original application for them to be so.

    After almost a year of pushing for a Change of Circumstances – it gets approved and I end up with just over $159K over two years . This allows me to purchase Eleanor Whillie ( my Electric Wheelchair) a DAY CHAIR ( that I am STILL waiting on) and a pair of shoes from Dr Comfort. *

    On this plan however, ALL of my Allied Health services have been dropped..well, nearly all of them. They’ve kept my Occupational Therapist and my Physiotherapist in. This is great and all but… Hello? Really? Are you kidding me? They’ve also included ( as a money saver, they tell me ) a Therapy Assistant.

    I have no idea who or what that is.

    I ask around .

    No one has any idea of who or what a Therapy Assistant is. Like, literally nobody!

    No one on my team has a clue. There are questions asked :

    Are they a T.A.F.E Student? A Support Worker with benefits? Who or what are they?

    Eventually we turn to Google and look up this mysterious profession. It doesn’t take long to realise that a Therapy Assistant is a person who comes along attempts to be a whole lot of Allied Health providers all at once – (while getting paid less than an Allied Health provider, I might add – hence the “Money Saver” angle they try and sell you) and their job is to try and implement all the things your Allied Health provider does without all the experience that goes with it.. Or, something like that anyway.

    Joy.

    At this news I completely lose my shit and have a breakdown. I am at a loss as to how I am going to cope with having to pay for all of these services ( I mean, I have my Allied Health team for a reason, guys! And while I’m at it.. What in God’s name I am going to do with this Therapy Assistant funding??) given my Husband and I are not made of money and have only just managed to clear up our last lot of debt. I lodge a complaint with the Office of The Honorable Bill Shorten MP and a representative from his office advises me that my Allied Health invoices can continue to be submitted and paid for under the NDIS

    In the meantime my Support Coordinator and I take steps to lodge an S100 – A Review of a Reviewable decision. We have 100 days to gather all the required information to support our argument that my Allied Health providers are imperative to my continued well being and continuing to function etc etc

    We began that process in August this year. It’s now December. Five days ago I got the email. In this new, new, new plan I now have just over $206K over a two year period.

    As far as my Allied Health Providers are concerned – They’ve kept my Podiatrist, my Physiotherapist, my Occupational Therapist and 2023’s Money Saver of The Year – Therapy Assistant– in … While giving my Exercise Physiologist, my Psychologist my Remedial Masseuse and my Chiropractor the ass claiming either that “Not enough evidence was provided” or “We believe an Occupational Therapist will suffice in these areas” which is an absolute load of bull-twang. There were 40 very heavily worded, exceptionally well written documents submitted for my S100 .. and, frankly, what it all boils down to is one extraordinarily lazy NDIS person by the name of Neerusha who skimmed the whole lot because they couldn’t be bothered to read it properly.. Thus here we ( my Support Coordinator and I) are again. Another 100 days. Another round of reports and supportive letters explaining why these things are important to my mental health and general wellbeing .. Etc Etc Ect …

    It just never seems to end.

    Thanks for reading

    Ceej

    *I wish there was some kind of sarcastic font for this.

  • The Cafe With No Cutlery.

    This blog is a little late.

    Have not long gotten home from doing the grocery shopping with Hubby and running a few errands down at Chirnside Park.

    For those not familiar with Chirnside Park, it is one of many local shopping precincts near my house ( I live near 4 such places) and while its smaller and doesn’t boast as many shops as the others, it is the most disabled friendly by design and thus I get to zoom along in Eleanor Whillie and join in the fun.

    Today I also purchased a new handbag ( one that’s easier to carry while going out and about) a new hat ( more about that in a moment ) and a quick pit stop at SpecSavers to get my glasses adjusted, cleaned properly and get a quote on some potential transition lenses or sunglasses.

    Todays weather has been nothing short of spectacular and to be able to go out in it – despite the obstacles I currently face (and believe me, there’s a lot) makes me very happy.

    However, I digress. Today’s outing is not the purpose of today’s blog. By now, I would wager, you’re probably wondering what the title of today’s blog has to do with my shopping extravaganza and the answer, dear reader, is nothing. Absolutely nothing.

    It has everything to do with what I got up to yesterday!

    ( And if you’ve read you’ve read this far, then I congratulate you for sticking it out with me)

    Yesterday I went here:

    Park Orchards Market
    Park Orchards Market is held the 3rd Sunday of every month 10am -2pm at the local Primary School

    It was my first time at a local market and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. It was also my first trip back to Park Orchids (it’s literally 15 minutes from my house) since 1995. Back then, it had one bus that travelled there every hour and it was one of those small *blink and you miss it* places that no one really paid any mind to – unless you had to go there.

    In the 20 years since it has grown to be quite the affluent suburb where the locals know everyone ( and their business apparently .. but you didn’t hear that from me) and houses are worth in the vicinity of $1 million dollars + on any day ending in Y .

    The people of Park Orchids seem to be quite the snobs .. what, with their fancy cars, designer dogs ( in lieu of designer children) and the suspected illicit affairs taking place right under your nose – just as you sit down for lunch. (Long story, I’m getting there, I promise)

    That is, except the lovely folks at the Park Orchids monthly market. As I have already said, it was my first time at a Market like this and I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw there.

    Through my NDIS plan, each fortnight I am granted Community Access with a support worker. I have an allocated 5 hours whereby I can go out and do some small activity independent from my Husband -who is also my full time carer – and give him a break from taking care of me. I can pretty much do as I wish – Go to the movies, do some shopping, visit a reserve, go out for lunch, visit a friend – any number of activities as long as it’s none to costly and can be completed within the allocated 5 hours

    Yesterday’s choice was the Market. There were plenty of things to look at and peruse as well as live music from a local musician. Entry was free (bar a gold coin donation) and plenty to eat and drink .

    Members of the CFA popped in ( For my American Readers – CFA stands for Country Fire Authority. They are a group of volunteers who are trained as Firefighters to assist during our Summer bushfire season) which kept the little ones entertained for hours!

    Myself and my Support Worker “Miss B” spent a good few hours there . I went away with a lovely scented candle, some homemade Baklava and Turkish Delight and a jar of Christmas Pesto (your basic basil & pine nut mix combined with sweet chilli and cranberries – Bloody delicious!)

    Pleased with my purchases, Miss B and I decided to go and find a local Cafe for lunch.

    We found a small place just down the road and around the corner (Eleanor Whillie and I had an interesting time navigating the wee bumps, cracks and dips in the pavement) and although they had no disabled access to speak of – they were soon able to rustle up an extra table from inside and bring it outside.. which was nice of them.

    We placed our order ( Two Chicken Schnitzel burgers) and waited. ….. And waited ….. And ..waited. Almost an hour after we placed our order our meals finally arrived. We thanked the waitress?? Owner?? I dunno .. and began to eat.. Only to discover we were not given any cutlery! Not a knife. Not a fork . Not a spoon. Nothing.

    Thank God for fingers .. am I right?

    So there we were eating our meager meal, with our fingers, in the well do to suburb of Park Orchards, surrounded by snotty nosed well-to-do’s with their designer doggo’s (OK, so the one we saw was cute AF and super friendly) all the while listening to ( not deliberately I might add) a guy who spoke a few too many decibels above fucking reasonable – discuss his vacation plans with his (future ex – I could just tell. Girl was bored and annoyed as hell) Girlfriend/ Wife/ Fling to Singapore over a cup of coffee.

    While I won’t go into anymore detail – because frankly, it’s none of my business but ….Some things are best left discussed in private, you know what I mean? Not loudly at a Cafe with no cutlery ( did they even get a spoon, I wonder?) on a Saturday afternoon in a place where everyone gonna be knowing your business by the time you ask for the cheque.

    Over all, it was a lovely afternoon and I am seriously thinking of going back. Everyone was super friendly there and I was so sorely tempted to buy one of everything!

    If you’re ever in the area – do check them out.

    Who knows what you’ll find

    Ceej

  • The One Where I Was Tired ….

    I had plans of writing a blog today .. Instead I have no energy and my eyes are all puffy and itchy

    Anyway, I do apologize and we’ll try again next week

    Ceej

  • The One Where Eleanor Whillie Showed Up! ( And other things!)

    For those playing at home, I have a Floof sitting on my desk …Well, I did have until I moved a whole bunch of stuff off my desk for her to sit next to me and she moved on … Pfft! Cats!

    But I digress.

    I apologize for not writing a blog last week but I had all the things happening all at once.

    For a start I had my 1 week off in October ( I had an appointment with a Rheumatologist mid week so it made sense to simply take the week off ) The good news is, I DON’T have Rheumatoid Arthritis .. The Bad news is .. We’re still no closer to figuring out the cause of all the things that are wrong with me .

    That aside, In some absolute epic news .. After 7 months of waiting, wondering and a new OT later – ELEANOR WHILLIE is finally here! I’ve had her a week and my god she’s awesome!

    The Picture I’ve posted doesn’t do her justice but It’s just so you can see what she looked like

    She’s got

    • A horn
    • Sensors ( for when you’re too close to something)
    • A convenient carry basket ( that can carry 6kgs of stuff)
    • The ability to become a manual wheelchair – for a brief period of time if required
    • The ability to be controlled via an app on your phone
    • The ability to lock down completely when I am away from the chair at any point
    • The battery can be removed from her to be charged ( requires only a standard powerpoint)
    • She’s occasionally passive aggressive and will tell you off if you try and do something its not made to do .
    • She has 4 speeds ( and three levels of sensitivity for the control stick) and at full speed can go 8kms /5mph
    • Distance before battery dies – 18kms /12 miles (Which, according to Google is from about my house to Menzies Creek)
    • She’s pretty much an all terrain dealo – can go anywhere within reason.

    Eleanor Wheelie. C2 Whill Electric Wheelchair.

    So, as you can see – she’s a wealth of fun and activity!

    So far, I’ve taken her out to the following places:

    A Cafe

    A Reserve / Mini Museum

    The local shopping precinct

    And so far, things are going OK. There are still a few things to tweek and fix

    (such as the seating and back support) but other than that – she’s a dream to use!

    In other news – I seem to have injured myself. At time of writing, I have torn a groin muscle on my right side. About a week ago I lost my balance in the bedroom while trying to turn off the bedroom light. My right leg slid out sideways and the rest seems to follow in a game of 1-player -only – Twister that left me doing the splits. Suffice to say that two days that followed were some of the most painful I’ve ever experienced and my ever loving but long suffering Hubby had to stay home with me for two days just to see me to rights.

    I’m currently taking Prodeine every 6 hours for the pain and so far… It’s taking the edge off .. but that’s about it. The only saving grace is the Wheelie Walker my Physiotherapist gave me – I can sit on it and be pushed from the toilet to the bathroom or my office if need be. ( Ironic really when you think about it – Given it was given to me to assist with walking. I found the frame to large and the wheels to cumbersome for turning corners)

    Will keep you updated on my progress

    On that note, it’s almost 5pm and I should post this before I forget… again

    Thanks for reading

    Ceej

  • The One Where Life Got in the Way

    *Blinks*

    Ok then, so it appears I have missed a week. Apologies about that. It seems I was required to Adult for a bit. I promise it won’t happen again.

    To be perfectly honest, I don’t really have much to say at the moment .

    Things are moving along ( as far as the NDIS is concerned) and hopefully, I’ll have my new Day chair soon.

    I have no idea what’s going on with Eleanor Wheelie – That’s my electric wheelchair for those playing at home- but after weeks and weeks and weeks of stressing .. I’ve decided not to worry about it too much at the moment.

    In fact, on advice from just about everyone – I’m going to stop stressing about a lot of things. I’ve been doing it for about a year and a half and I’m exhausted.

    Even writing this blog – I’m tired …

    My husband has the weekend off work so we’re just spending quality time together

    My apologies this is short – but sometimes that’s all there is

    Ceej

  • The One About The Time I Was Late

    Tuesday .. 10.45am

    As I sit here and prepare to summarize the week that was – the rain falls steadily outside my window – washing away a weeks worth of dust, pollen and all manor of allergies with it.

    On Sunday – the day I usually set aside for writing about me week, Hay fever had well and truly owned my ass – to the point that i blew my nose so hard and so much .. I made it bleed.

    Therefore, I had concluded that I was in no fit state to write anything.

    Thus, here I am.

    Normally, at this time I am just about ready to jump into an hour long session with my Psychologist but today’s session has been moved back till 2pm. ( That actually works out kinda well TBH – It means I go straight into my PT session afterwards. It also means I don’t have the time to sit and dwell on things that were discussed either- Yay doing the things back to back)

    So, to begin….

    Workwise it has been pretty quiet – not the norm for an 8am -4pm shift but this week it was rather dead. Whether it was due to school holidays or the buildup to a long weekend ( Victorians had a long weekend due to the AFL grand final, QLD had a long weekend due to it being their turn to celebrate His Majesty’s Birthday and NSW for the NRL grand final) or that people were just not wanting to deal with my workplace this week – who knows.. but it was quiet nonetheless.

    On the personal front – the body has been rebelling quite a bit and my pain levels being almost unbearable. I have cut back on a lot ( So long “Holiday diet!”) and am currently going through a process of elimination regarding what foods/ drink causes pain flare up and what doesn’t. The most recent victim was lemon, lime and bitters. Yep. Turns out 3 lemon,lime and bitters is enough to make ones feet and legs swell -So they also end up on the “Nope, you can’t have that” pile.

    *Sigh*

    On that note – I am off to get some lunch. Apologies that this blog was late (and short) and hopefully, with the help of the Good Lord and a poke with a sharp stick – my next blog will be on time.

    Cheers for reading

    Ceej

  • Holiday Wrap Up

    Sunday.

    10:31am. It’s the last day of our Holidays and I’m eating salted caramel crackers and chocolate mousse dip.

    It’s lovely outside. I should be outside getting a decent dose of Vitamin D .. Instead, I am inside at my desk and writing this blog ( interspersed with watching Tik Tok videos of the recently reformed BackStreet Boys – and honestly,it’s the best thing I’ve ever seen – and didn’t know I needed) They’re old – and they admit it with no shame whatsoever. And, TBH I respect that.

    We got a lot done over the last two weeks. All the things that we kept putting off due to work and other commitments that are part of our daily routine. However, all but a few of those things have now been ticked off the to do list. Which I am very happy about.

    We celebrated our 17th Wedding anniversary over the break. A low key quiet affair. Hubby purchased a new guitar and I got a fancy new foot massager . Both of us have been using it and it’s done wonders for our feet!

    I spent a large chunk of my holidays chasing up NDIS stuff – in particular my Day Chair and Eleanor Wheelie ( my new electric wheelchair) as well as getting everything prepared for my S100 review. At time of writing this blog – the quote for the Electric Chair has been put forward, the quote for the Day Chair has been received but not submitted ( yet) and all documents required for my S100 review have been filed and prepared for submission.

    Side note: I was able to get my shoes from Dr Comfort. However, they don’t fit *grrr* so I am wanting to see what I can do about that. Stay tuned for updates on that.

    I have no doubt whatsoever that upon my return to work – It’ll be spent chasing up aforementioned things to ensure they are taken care of ( Will it ever end?)

    Speaking of Return to work – another thing I was able to complete was my extension of Work from Home. So, there’s that done and dusted.

    This two weeks off was for the sole purpose of getting all the loose ends tied up and I am glad we were able to do that. No, we didn’t go anywhere ( minus that one day where we went out to breakfast) and we didn’t do anything FUN per say however, what we did do needed to be done and now we no longer have to worry about it .

    For now though I am going to enjoy the rest of my day

    Cheers for reading

    Ceej