Tuesday, June 12, 2012

THE BACKSIDE OF LIFE!

Over recent weeks, I have experienced both sides of the spectrum - the highs and the lows. Let's get the downside out of the way first.

It’s times like these when you wonder whether life is worth it all.

First came the pressure spots under my legs which have been there for several years now – no doubt a by-product of being seated in a wheelchair for over sixty years. This condition has fluctuated in intensity over recent times until, right now, small ulcers have developed which makes being seated on them rather painful. Additional padding and a brand new cushion on a brand new wheelchair have done little to ease this. But, as always, keeping my mind occupied on other things has made it bearable.

Remember, I live alone with just 2 – 3 visits per day from my team of support workers and am seated ALL day in my powered wheelchair, which acts as my only means of mobility.

Next came the flu – first time in three years. I had bragged to my carers that my thrice-weekly dialysis treatments (which began three years ago), whilst being very time-consuming, had developed my immune system to the point where I didn’t pick up any of the usual bugs or nasties that came floating around me, particularly at the onset of winter.

Now, however, sniffles became snuffles, followed by a dripping nose and hacking cough – not nice! At this point, my dialysis doctor prescribed an antibiotic called cephalexin – one I had taken before with some side effects which I couldn’t recall. Then I developed an extremely irritated and itchy skin (ah, NOW I remembered!) which kept me awake and scratching most of each night.

One has cause to wonder where our medicos get their training as, a few days later, I looked up the medical dictionary on my computer where it clearly states (quote): ‘Cephalexin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu’.

My dialysis nurses told me to stop taking the cephalexin, hence my dialysis INTERN doctor switched me on to another antibiotic called nufloxib.


Then came the diarrohea. Definitely the backside of life!

A few weeks back, I took delivery of my first new powered wheelchair in more than eight years. Valued at $12,000 when new, this was a demo model from a company in Geelong. Fortunately for me, the government provides funding for special equipment such as wheelchairs, so I was more than happy to accept it. This new model has four speeds, tilt-back mechanism and enables me to raise the seat to a new high where I can actually look down on most people who are seated!

I will try to get a photograph of the new 'rolls' for my next blog... stay tuned.