Day 16 - When life throws one lemons

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Day 16 - When life throws one lemons

Dear fellow ABB friends

 

A time to be very thankful for the Medical Profession and those associated with it who one meets through ABB.

 

Life has thrown me a few challenges recently.

Some of you will recall I took a tumble on the way home from visiting the animals at Cornwall Park, Auckland which resulted in my first ambulance ride to the hospital and a palm of stitches.

 

As luck would have it, the morning before my tumble I received a booking from a Guest who turned out to be a " Hand Therapist."

My next Guest that arrived was here for a Conference, yes a Medical Conference, for Doctors who specialise in 'Facial and Hand surgery, plastics" - his speciality is hands.

 

The Guest after that was a "Doctor" and then a Retired "Nurse."

 

What more could one ask for when one has injuries?

 

 

Well blow me down, as I was tending my wee garden and roses I received a **bleep** from a thorn.

I once more became known as the Michelin lady - my finger swelled up like an ocean wave.

 

A trip to a local A & E clinic resulted in a local anaesthetic with minor surgery, however the pain was unbearable so I popped into my own Doctor who changed the dressing/ bandage and gave me strict instructions I was to contact him if it didn't clear up and go see the Hand Specialists at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland.

 

I tolerated the pain overnight & popped into my local A & E clinic to get the dressing changed during the day.

Thankfully the Doctor on duty was alerted to my state and ensured, drum roll, an ambulance ride to Middlemore Hospital to see the Hand Specialists with view to surgery.

 

That was last week, unfortunately, White Island had erupted the day before, for those who may not be aware there's been losses of life and horrific injuries to those who were on the island and some of those people were admitted to Middlemore Hospital Burns unit with burns etc to their hands.

 

In between these Medical Specialists other patients who are understandably high needs priority I was slotted in for and had hand surgery.

I'd never had a General anaesthetic before, nor had I spent more than one night in hospital for anything.

As for 2 ambulance rides in the space of 6 weeks I felt so embarrassed.

 

Here's a classic, I was assigned a room with another local lady who so happened to be named Helen.

Naturally we had a few little fun & games antics between ourselves and staff.

She checked out soon after I arrived but not before she had gone to a shop in the Hospital and purchased a soft toy lamb, who is now called Helen!

 

Helen the lamb has provided some fun and lighthearted humor to all who were involved in Duty of Care including those who have carried out some very serious operations during the week.

 

I'm very thankful for the care I've received and have great admiration for those whom work in the Medical Services.

 

May we all stop and spare a thought for those in the service who will be working through the Christmas / New Years period and the sacrifices they make for us all.

 

 

Meanwhile all 3 Helen's have checked out.

 

Enjoy the blissful viewsBliss views across to Waitakere Ranges, One Tree Hill, Mt Hobson, AucklandBliss views across to Waitakere Ranges, One Tree Hill, Mt Hobson, Auckland

 

The awesome views across to the Waitakere Ranges, One Tree Hill, Sky Tower and Mount Hobson with the Middlemore Golf Course to the foreground that I was blessed to have during my convalescence. Helen the lamb is to the right on the window ledge.

 

Remember when life throws one lemons, there's always people who are going through equally as challenging times in life.

 

To all those who work in the Medical Profession, you do an amazing job!

34 Replies 34
Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Thanks @Miloud0 for your thoughtful words they are very much appreciated

Giuliana142
Level 10
Toronto, Canada

@Helen427  You are very brave, going through all the mishaps, and fortunate to be surrounded by lovely people. I wish you a speedy recovery . “On the other hand” (as they say), I was thinking, if you glue a couple of googly eyes and draw a big smile on your bandage ... well, just a thought.

 

The tragedy that struck New Zealand echoed in Canada too. My sympathy goes to all.

Helen, stay strong, I wish you plenty of health in the coming new year. We’re here for you.

Cheers, Giuliana 

Thanks @Giuliana142 , that thought did go through my mind to draw a smiley face but my bandage was  getting changed a couple of times a day...

It's when they first wrapped it up like a mitten / boxing glove a few friends knew they better steer clear!!

 

Thanks for the kind words in relation to the White Island tragedy - the Burns/ Doctors/ Surgeons will no doubt have Volcanic Burns as a key topic on next years conferences agenda.

I've planted that seed with the Doctor who ensured my hand was operated on promptly.

Thanks for your thoughtful words

 

 

 

 

 


@Giuliana142 wrote:


@Helen427  You are very brave, going through all the mishaps, and fortunate to be surrounded by lovely people. I wish you a speedy recovery . “On the other hand” (as they say), I was thinking, if you glue a couple of googly eyes and draw a big smile on your bandage ... well, just a thought.

 

The tragedy that struck New Zealand echoed in Canada too. My sympathy goes to all.

Helen, stay strong, I wish you plenty of health in the coming new year. We’re here for you.

Cheers, Giuliana 


 

Heather133
Level 10
Stowe, VT

@Helen427 I'm glad you're on the mend! Reading about all the human connections in your story reminds me there is a thread that ties us all together and sutures wounds to boot. All the best to you and those around you!

Heather

 

 

Thanks @Heather133 
Helen the lamb giving things a kick along!Helen the lamb giving things a kick along!Yes my wee new friend Helen the lamb kicked up her heels when I was in hospital.

Helen the lamb giving inspiration & things a boot along..

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

 

 

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 A picture tells many words, if a lamb can get up after a tumble, so can we!

Have a delightful day -

 

These are of Helen the Lamb and the fabulous view I had from the hospital bed I was confined to - it was quite different from Hosting Guests and to have a room attendant come in to ask what I would like for breakfast, lunch & dinner and morning and afternoon tea, not having to do laundry and be waited on , been woken up to have my blood pressure, temperature and IV and all those Doctors and hospital staff come by to check up on me!!

5 star service

 

@Heather133@Sarah977@Giuliana142 @Miloud0 @Robin4 @Cathie19 @Lizzie @Stephanie @Quincy 

@Laura_C @Anna @ everyone-else

Francesca
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

 

 

 

Hi dear @Helen427 

I adjusted some of the wanderful photos you posted. The little lamb was having problems staying upside down for so long 😉 I wish you a prompt recovery. Go, Helen go!

 


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Grazie  @Francesca for fixing the photos up.

There's always one cheeky lamb that will get up to mischief 🙂

 

Are you visiting London for Christmas?

I hope the London staff are looking after you well with Christmas celebrations.

 

Thanks for the kind words, I'm missed visiting the Invictus Lambs as I call the injured and special lambs at Cornwall Park ..I mIght have to take Helen the Lamb on a walk for some fun photos 😉

@Francesca

I hope you can share these images with those in Italy who are still going through challenging times.

 

I wore my Italian print t-shirts/singlets over summer in support of those in Italy and to create an awareness of what was happening in your home country.

 

 Here's hoping things are on the way to recovery in Italy with summer on it's way as we all must go outside to play.

 

There's hope & light in the world for us all x

 

 

Francesca
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

 

Hi @Helen427 today in Italy is the first day of the eased lockdown. Hope everything will be fine. Thanks for your kind thoughts! 

 


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Pubblicala cliccando >>QUI<< troveremo la risposta insieme.

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Anna
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

@Helen427 what a cute and courageous little lamb! I'm glad that you had such a lovely companion during your hospital stay. Get well soon!!!

                             

 

Vielen Dank für die gemeinsame Zeit im Community Center! Begrüßt die neue Community Managerin Juliane HIER.  Klickt HIER, um eine Unterhaltung mit anderen Mitgliedern zu beginnen. 

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

thanks @Anna , I thought she was cute to.

It was Triple Trouble when the lamb arrived as my roommate was called Helen so it was only appropriate the extra Guest was named Helen.

The funny thing is as a child I had the role of a Lamb in the Christmas Nativity play 😉

Thanks for your kind caring words.

I hope I get well soon to as I'm missing swimming, and my lambs  (and cattle and calves ) at the Park

Clara116
Level 10
Pensacola, FL

@Helen427  Dang so sorry you have had such struggles but seems you have an amazing way of learning to cope and search for that recipe for good lemonade.  Bizarre how the people fell into place around you and this whole medical adventure. 

We do all need to be grateful and thankful and thanks for reminding me of all this.

I wish you all the best and much better health in the months and years ahead. Blessings to you Helen, Clara

 

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Thanks @Clara116 

Yes it was incredible how it's all unfolded with Medical People as Guests and crossing one's path.

I've had that before with the flow of Guests on another very personal matter to.

It certainly enriches one and helps with healing in life.

The Doctor who made sure I went straight to Hospital and got operated on and I shared a laugh about the Medical people and wondered if I had attedend the Conference to know what I did - haha Medical People need down time to.

Kind regards

Helen

Branka-and-Silvia0
Level 10
Zagreb, Croatia

Get well soon @Helen427  🙂