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 views
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!
Thanks @Heather133 
Helen the lamb giving inspiration & things a boot along..
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
