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New Challenges, Infection, Apprehension and a Suspicious Lump!
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I feel like my feet haven't touched the ground since I came home from Vietnam. What with one thing and another, I have really had a packed week; some of it good, some of it not so great. Despite everything, I am still alive and kicking, and looking forward to more challenges. After returning from holiday, I had a lot on my agenda, but nothing ever turns the way you expect, does it — this was certainly a week, where nothing went right — or rather, as planned!
Friday was the last day in my present job; I have worked for one of Australia's largest bedding companies since January 2023 and have decided to move into a different area of retail. This was a rather heart-wrenching decision for me, since I have enjoyed working for this uniquely Australian, heritage brand, since I have been there. More than anything, I will miss the amazing people I have worked with for the last fifteen months. I was welcomed as Manager, and will leave having learnt much about the business and the people who keep it functioning on a daily basis.
My future projects are very much centred around the same parent company I am with, but will be moving to another subsidiary of the business, once again as Store Manager. This will be a complete change from my current role, but a position that allows me to focus on a different aspect of the retail trade.
It has been an incredible, productive time working with the team at Midland, and I am sure I will continue to achieve success in a new setting. Surrounded by the support of new colleagues, who like those at Midland, have been invaluable to the success I have achieved in Australia, I am looking forward to new challenges in 2024.
Friday was the last day in my present job; I have worked for one of Australia's largest bedding companies since January 2023 and have decided to move into a different area of retail. This was a rather heart-wrenching decision for me, since I have enjoyed working for this uniquely Australian, heritage brand, since I have been there. More than anything, I will miss the amazing people I have worked with for the last fifteen months. I was welcomed as Manager, and will leave having learnt much about the business and the people who keep it functioning on a daily basis.
My future projects are very much centred around the same parent company I am with, but will be moving to another subsidiary of the business, once again as Store Manager. This will be a complete change from my current role, but a position that allows me to focus on a different aspect of the retail trade.
It has been an incredible, productive time working with the team at Midland, and I am sure I will continue to achieve success in a new setting. Surrounded by the support of new colleagues, who like those at Midland, have been invaluable to the success I have achieved in Australia, I am looking forward to new challenges in 2024.
My last day in Midland was on Friday — it was an emotional time, as I cleared my desk, ready for the new incumbent to take charge. Saying goodbye to staff, now friends, has been a wrench, but I know this business will continue to flourish without me. As I left the building, preparing for my new job starting on Tuesday, I wasn't prepared for what happened next.
Since returning from Vietnam, I have been suffering from an infection of unknown origin. After grazing my arm on day one of the holiday, I did what I thought was the right thing, and covered it with a plaster. You can never be too careful when travelling in a tropical country, and I didn't want to cause any more problems; unbeknown to me, that's exactly what I was doing.
I left the band-aid on for a couple of days, but by the time I removed it, not only was there an inflamed graze, but there were also a number of new lesions growing around it. I had a shower, cleaned the wound, and covered it once again, changing the dressing every few days. Sadly, whatever was going on, was getting worse, and by the time I returned home, this infection was looking pretty bad. By Friday, after saying my farewells to colleagues at work, I was in so much pain, I went to A&E at St John of God Hospital in Midland, hoping to be seen.
Now this is a good hospital, but the Emergency Department was a nightmare, with up to six hours waiting ahead. I may well have been in pain, but I just wasn't prepared to wait for that length of time, in a particularly volatile and charged environment. After three hours, I decided to leave and work on a plan B.
On Saturday morning, after a terrible nights sleep, I decided to go to St John Urgent Care. This is a privately run agency, where you can pay up to $250.00 for an appointment. Admittedly, the clinic is top class compared to ED, so I wasn't too bothered about paying the fees involved. I was first in the line and seen within 2 minutes by a Doctor. He took one look at the lesions and lump under my arm, and immediately referred me to Hospital, since this was too complex for them to deal with. He explained it shouldn't be too busy at this time, and I will probably go straight through. Reluctantly, I left, and headed back to Hospital a short walk away.
The Doctor at the Urgent Care Unit was right, I went straight in and through to see a consultant, who looked at the two problems I was dealing with. After checking the lump under my arms, she said that it should be removed ASAP. Now, judging by British NHS standards, I was expecting this to be carried out in a few months. However she explained, I would be taken down to theatre within the hour, given a general anaesthetic, and it would be 'whipped out' straight away. Shocked at the expeditiousness, I signed the consent form and waited to be taken down.
Since returning from Vietnam, I have been suffering from an infection of unknown origin. After grazing my arm on day one of the holiday, I did what I thought was the right thing, and covered it with a plaster. You can never be too careful when travelling in a tropical country, and I didn't want to cause any more problems; unbeknown to me, that's exactly what I was doing.
I left the band-aid on for a couple of days, but by the time I removed it, not only was there an inflamed graze, but there were also a number of new lesions growing around it. I had a shower, cleaned the wound, and covered it once again, changing the dressing every few days. Sadly, whatever was going on, was getting worse, and by the time I returned home, this infection was looking pretty bad. By Friday, after saying my farewells to colleagues at work, I was in so much pain, I went to A&E at St John of God Hospital in Midland, hoping to be seen.
Now this is a good hospital, but the Emergency Department was a nightmare, with up to six hours waiting ahead. I may well have been in pain, but I just wasn't prepared to wait for that length of time, in a particularly volatile and charged environment. After three hours, I decided to leave and work on a plan B.
On Saturday morning, after a terrible nights sleep, I decided to go to St John Urgent Care. This is a privately run agency, where you can pay up to $250.00 for an appointment. Admittedly, the clinic is top class compared to ED, so I wasn't too bothered about paying the fees involved. I was first in the line and seen within 2 minutes by a Doctor. He took one look at the lesions and lump under my arm, and immediately referred me to Hospital, since this was too complex for them to deal with. He explained it shouldn't be too busy at this time, and I will probably go straight through. Reluctantly, I left, and headed back to Hospital a short walk away.
The Doctor at the Urgent Care Unit was right, I went straight in and through to see a consultant, who looked at the two problems I was dealing with. After checking the lump under my arms, she said that it should be removed ASAP. Now, judging by British NHS standards, I was expecting this to be carried out in a few months. However she explained, I would be taken down to theatre within the hour, given a general anaesthetic, and it would be 'whipped out' straight away. Shocked at the expeditiousness, I signed the consent form and waited to be taken down.
The standard of service and speed of the treatment I received was exceptional. I was allocated my own private room before and after the operation, given a rather large hot meal that tasted delicious, and free access to television while I recovered. I was obviously a little alarmed at how quick this lump was removed, thinking the worst, but I have been reassured that this is standard practice here in Australia. Everything was so fast, it was impressive. Now, I just have to wait for the results of the operation to come back. Then I should find out what the infection is and what the lump was; until then it's another waiting game.
I have been given a week off work and have delayed starting my new job until next week. At the moment a carer is attending every morning to dress the wounds, which appear to be fine, healing nicely and certainly not giving me any pain. For now, I need to spend the time recuperating and recovering, from this impromptu operation.
I will be walking every morning as part of that recovery, having been told it will be good for convalescence. Physical exercise accelerates the healing process by 25%, so that gives me the excuse to continue with a good, healthy exercise regime.
I have to say, this has knocked me for six a bit, but it does go to show, that sometimes the health anxiety I suffer from, is a good thing. Something told me what was happening to me wasn't normal, and pushed me to get it seen too immediately, and thankfully I did. Since losing so much weight and looking after myself, I have become far more bodily aware, and that is welcome, because for the first time in my life, I am actually doing something right! Today I may well be feeling under the weather, but because I am fitter and healthier, I am able to deal with whatever comes my way, that much better. Looking after yourself shouldn't be a chore, it should be a life enhancing experience.
I have been given a week off work and have delayed starting my new job until next week. At the moment a carer is attending every morning to dress the wounds, which appear to be fine, healing nicely and certainly not giving me any pain. For now, I need to spend the time recuperating and recovering, from this impromptu operation.
I will be walking every morning as part of that recovery, having been told it will be good for convalescence. Physical exercise accelerates the healing process by 25%, so that gives me the excuse to continue with a good, healthy exercise regime.
I have to say, this has knocked me for six a bit, but it does go to show, that sometimes the health anxiety I suffer from, is a good thing. Something told me what was happening to me wasn't normal, and pushed me to get it seen too immediately, and thankfully I did. Since losing so much weight and looking after myself, I have become far more bodily aware, and that is welcome, because for the first time in my life, I am actually doing something right! Today I may well be feeling under the weather, but because I am fitter and healthier, I am able to deal with whatever comes my way, that much better. Looking after yourself shouldn't be a chore, it should be a life enhancing experience.
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