Today is Black Friday, but I want to talk about We Are the World BlogFest (#WATWB).
The small story of humanity that I wish to share comes from our National Health Service in the UK, and more specifically, the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Why we Need our NHS #WATWB
Why we Need our NHS
I was born in this hospital back when it was known as the North Staffordshire hospital, and most of the old buildings are gone, replaced by new, modern structures that can cope with growing demand for healthcare, medical research and rehabilitation. This hospital has seen me through many surgical operations to treat my genetic eye disorder, it cared for my grandparents during their final days, and it saved the life of my father-in-law when he had a cycling accident that left him with an acquired brain injury.
I was referred to Manchester hospitals about fifteen years ago, but my family have all received treatment at the Royal Stoke during the past ten years and beyond. We have been visiting a family member in the hospital just this week. It is almost a second home of sorts.
Friendly and efficient staff
When I talk about the hospital, I do of course refer to the people within the hospital. I have always found the front of house staff to be helpful, polite and courteous. The nurses and doctors are very efficient and friendly, clearly devoted to their work. We can always ask questions and have them answered without dismissal. And let’s not forget the porters, cleaners and housekeeping staff, who will ensure our patients’ beds are properly made, that their room or ward is clean and well stocked and will offer refreshments and a friendly face to anxious visitors at the bedside.
I know that we have heard lots of bad stories about NHS hospitals in the news media, but my experience has been one of hope and positivity. We are all human, whether we are a doctor, a nurse, support staff or civilian. We all want the best outcome for patients that are treated in hospital. Sometimes those patients will not be going home, and all we can do is work together to make them as comfortable as possible.
Let us take a moment to say Thank You, NHS. Thank you to everyone at the Royal Stoke University Hospital. You are always there when we need you.
We are the World Blogfest
We are the World BlogFest (#WATWB) focuses on positive stories no matter where they’re found. It is all about spreading peace and humanity on social media. All participants post on the last Friday of the month, sharing a positive news story that contributes to making our world a happier, safer, and better place to live.
This week our American friends celebrate Thanksgiving, and I like to give thanks for my blessings as we slip into the dark season.
My family is experiencing more trauma, but it was expected, and we can get through this. I am thankful to have a large, loving family. We may not see each other regularly, but we keep in touch using social media and the “Nanna” hotline. When one of us is suffering, the others are there to offer love and support.
It might seem overbearing to some, but it is our way of showing that we care. And I send love to my mum, my aunts and especially my uncle at this difficult time.
Giving Thanks for Lessons Learned
Giving Thanks for Lessons Learned
We have almost reached the end of another decade, and as I look back over the past ten years, I realize that I have been through a lot. This decade saw me through my thirties (with a couple of years to spare!), and I have achieved many of life’s rites of passage. I got married to my long-term fiancé. We are still happily married, but it has been a rough ride. We like to challenge each other every day, even when we don’t mean to, but our love is strong, and we refuse to give up when events try to separate us. I have experienced two healthy pregnancies resulting in two very healthy, happy daughters. Having seen how fragile life can be in its early stages, I cannot express how thankful I am for my beautiful children. We have loved and lost several pets during the past ten years, including five turtles and our beloved dog.
The other challenges of life
Then there are the other challenges of life. My husband and I have battled through work and financial troubles. It is slowly improving, but the economy is tough and there is always room for improvement. I have developed my experience as a qualified Reiki practitioner, and I intend to continue deepening my practice during the next ten years and beyond. I have been steadily growing my small business, and while it is a long way off being a sustainable career, I can see the improvements and the results of my hard work. And then there are my books. I am still writing book 6 in the Redcliffe novels series. This will conclude a project that has taken ten years to write and publish, but which also took ten years to grow in my mind before I dared to write even a word on the computer. I was a reluctant author, but I am so very glad that I achieved a life-long dream.
Look forward to a fresh start
And so, we look forward to 2020 and a fresh start. We will say our goodbyes before the year is out, and we feel great sadness at this time. Life and death are so closely entwined, and we drift between darkness and light so frequently that we often fail to see it. Instead we look to the light. We seek the promise of a new adventure, a new experience, and a new challenge. We let go of what no longer serves us, and we move forward with hope. Love drives us to achieve and grow. I am thankful to be alive, and I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. I am thankful for you.
#RedcliffeNovels LGBT Fantasy Book Series for Adults
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Santa Claus is super organised this year! My daughters received their letters from Santa early last week, only days after writing their Christmas letters.
Santa’s letters came from Lapland Letters. My girls had been to their Grandma’s house for tea, and when they came home, I showed them a very special envelope that had arrived from the North Pole. They went to bed a little late that night!
Letters from Santa at Lapland Letters
Letters from Santa this Christmas
The activity packs include a Christmas card that you can colour in and gift to a loved one, a postcard you can send to Santa, and even some Christmas Wish stars that you write your wishes on and leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve. As an added bonus, Santa had included a packet of reindeer food for each child, which they were very excited about.
Of course, it was the letters from Santa Claus that were the main attraction. Each letter is personalised for the individual child, and my elder daughter was very proud to receive praise for her leading role in the school summer play. My younger daughter was similarly proud to hear that Santa knew about her passing her first ballet exam earlier this year. These small touches make a huge difference.
Finally, my girls were delighted to discover that they are on the Good Child List for Christmas gifts, and they have the certificates to prove it. Staying good up until Christmas might be tricky, but my girls do like a challenge…
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Hello, my witchy friends, how are you? I am very happy to say good riddance, Mercury Retrograde today! Now, I’m not well educated on planetary alignments, astronomy and astrology, but I dip in and out here and there.
I hadn’t heard about Mercury Retrograde until a few years ago, when it came up in discussions on social media. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, this is a cycle where the planet Mercury appears to move in reverse alongside the other planets, Earth included, possibly affecting the gravitational pull.
Scientists will say it is a natural phenomenon and it doesn’t mean anything, but you can read about it extensively online.
#WitchyWednesday Good Riddance, Mercury Retrograde!
Good Riddance, Mercury Retrograde!
Witches and magical folk, however, believe otherwise. We have learned that during the cycle of Mercury Retrograde, which in this instance began on 31st October and ends today, 20th November, things invariably go wrong. We notice it mainly in the area of communication and boy have I learned the hard way this month! My internet connection has been dropping out randomly, working a lot slower than usual, and freezing completely on some occasions. My smartphone has had a few strange moments where it just doesn’t want to work, and everything goes blank. Even our TV had a little funny episode last night, and I had to switch it all off and reload it. I could go on and tell you about our dodgy WiFi doorbell, but I will leave it there. And it wasn’t only technology. A massive breakdown in communications left me feeling rejected and upset when I tried to adopt a homeless puppy for our family. I am still searching, still being told no by those in charge, still refusing to give up the search.
I don’t know why this is connected to Mercury Retrograde, but it is something I heard about in discussions and it made sense to me. It especially makes sense this month, and I will be very happy to move forward and experience some more joyful interactions and hopefully less stress with technology and communications. See you on the other side.
#WitchyWednesday Nature walk in the woods
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice earlier this year because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic pain. Today I have written a post using the November link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder.
Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.
Why I Need to Pay Attention to Myself #Spoonie
Why I Need to Pay Attention to Myself
Paying: Initially I was going to describe my experience of paying for medication. It was only last month when I discovered that the NHS offer a payment plan of just £10 per month, and you can order as many prescriptions as you need to. I currently use three different types of eye drops, so that is going to come in very useful. But then I thought about the issue of paying attention to my condition. Today, for example, as I write this post, my eyes feel sore. Yesterday they felt fine. I have removed a few ingrowing eyelashes, and I did cry earlier which made them sore, but I never can tell from one day to the next how they are going to be. All I can do is pay attention to my symptoms and try to correlate based on what I do, where I go, and how much medication I use, to record the fluctuations and flare ups.
Attending: I do not have any hospital appointments to attend for the foreseeable future. My doctor requested a nine-month check-up after my visit in September, but she wryly suggested that it would be more like twelve months before I return, such is the delay in processing patients at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Who knew so many people had so many problems with their eyes?
Organising: This is beginning to overwhelm me, and I’m not even thinking about Christmas yet! We receive a lot of letters from school regarding various charity events, PTA events, special outings or visits that require parental consent, and all sorts of random stuff. Last week I felt quite stressed trying to collect enough pound coins and fifty pence pieces to send in with each of my daughters, along with the correct forms. Then I had to remember school photographs this week, which meant the girls needed to look neat and tidy (which they do anyway, of course!). And now I’m organising several family birthdays that crop up close together. Phew!
Plunging: I don’t feel much like plunging into anything right now to be honest. I feel depressed because I miss my dog, and I recently had a very traumatic encounter with an animal charity that I tried to re-home a puppy from. They decreed me unfit based on a brief telephone call. Now I am sitting at home alone, missing my therapy dog. Fortunately, I have access to my friend’s dogs, and I got to go for cuddles and a walk with my Labrador friend Echo last week, and my Cockapoo friend Mabel this week. My friends know how to look after me. And yes, I am still searching for a dog. I will happily plunge into a new relationship with a pet, but especially a canine one.
Knowing: I have ignored my intuition recently, and it bit me on the backside. As my reiki journey continues, and I prepare to embark on 3rd Degree Shinpiden training, I will make time to reinforce my spiritual practice. I know when I need to slow down and rest. I know that it is ok to admit defeat and step back from societal demands. Daily life is stressful, even when we do regular, repetitive tasks. As we approach the Christmas season, I know that I will take time out when I need to.
#MummyMonday Chronic Voice blog link-up for November
Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
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My family is recovering from serious trauma. Nearly six years ago, my father-in-law was seriously injured in a cycling accident. He was training for an event where he would cycle from one end of Ireland to the other, having previously cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats, the Coast to Coast from West to East England, and many more epic cycle rides to raise money for local cancer charities. He is now a shadow of the vibrant personality he used to be, and it hurts every day.
My mother-in-law retired from work and became his full-time carer once he was released from a rehabilitation facility. He is disabled, and he has a brain injury. His short-term memory is damaged, and he has no interest in activities. Or at least, that’s what I thought.
Sometimes You Just Need a Hug
Sometimes You Just Need a Hug
I had almost given up hope of him ever recovering even just a speck of his former self, but his wife remained stubborn in her task. She sends him to day-care facilities where he has access to gym equipment, he can interact with other people in similar situations, and he has trained professionals to help him with general care. She takes him out to social events, to the pub, to visit family and friends, for a walk. She also fought to have speech therapy with him, and it appears to be taking effect. During the past few weeks he has begun to respond more during conversation.
Although his speech is very limited, and he has three or four sentences that he repeats, he does occasionally surprise us with glimpses of his old self. He is in there, but he is trapped. And one evening, as they visited us for a casual chat, he walked into the kitchen to find me, and he gave me a big bear hug. It stopped me in my tracks. Normally he would tell me he is tired, or he wants to go home. But this time he wanted to convey that he cares, that he knows me, and that he is with us. And that means everything to a broken family struggling to mend. Keep fighting, Steve. We haven’t given up on you yet.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
Samhain greetings, my witchy friends! The veil is thin, and this week we celebrate the end of the witch’s year and the start of a new one.
For the past week I have been feeling very depressed and fed-up. I know that part of it is grief for my lost dog. I miss him so much and it hurts deeply. He was my constant companion while I worked at home, we walked together almost every day, he took the children to school with me, he was always there. And now he is gone. There is a gaping hole in our lives, and our home feels empty and sad.
Samhain Greetings – Learn to Let Go
Samhain Greetings: Learn to Let Go
I even struggled to get in the Halloween spirit, not feeling the urge to dress up or attend Halloween parties like I usually do. So, I sent the children to stay with their Nan for the weekend, and I had time alone with my husband. We have drifted apart during his busy transition into a new job, and I feel resentful because I am stuck at home running the household and caring for our family single-handedly. My grief has twisted into something resembling self-pity, and I need to shake it off.
My usual method for dealing with these mood swings is to meditate and work on improving my perspective. I have had lots of free time to meditate, and yet I simply could not bring myself to do it. My Tarot cards are sitting on a shelf waiting patiently for my return, and I don’t know what to do with them. I feel lost, confused, and I don’t know how to change this mood. I want some financial independence, but despite all my efforts, it is eluding me. I know there is a part of me that is lost, and I don’t know how to find it.
For now, all I can do is wait. I must allow myself to grieve for my dog. I must continue to care for my family. I will accept that sometimes all I can do is sit still and rest. Eventually I will heal and grow strong again, and perhaps then I can address the areas of my life that feel broken, and I can work towards repairing them. Are you feeling broken, my friends? Is there a part of you that needs care and kindness? Be kind to yourselves and understand that we have no rules to follow. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you. Samhain Greetings, and Happy Halloween.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
I know, I know, we haven’t even celebrated Halloween yet! I have been asked to review a luxury Christmas hamper from Prestige Hampers, and how could I resist?
I received a hamper about two years ago, so I knew the quality would be fantastic. I was not disappointed (although this time my hamper was alcohol-free). Read my article to see what I thought of the latest Christmas Hamper from Prestige Hampers.
#ProductReview: Christmas Hamper Review by SpookyMrsGreen
My Review of Prestige Christmas Hamper
The hamper arrived packaged in a cardboard box, so it was secure and safely delivered. The box has now been requisitioned by my eldest daughter, who has turned it into a prop for her barbie dolls. I don’t know what it is now, possibly a camper van?! Anyway, once we got the hamper out of the box, we set about rifling through it. My children absolutely love receiving parcels to open, and they squealed with delight helping me to unpack the food.
The luxury Christmas hamper contained a bottle of Mulled Winter Cordial from Belvoir Fruit Farms, a Christmas pudding and a Yule log cake. There was a box of luxury assorted chocolates, a smaller box of stem ginger chocolates, and a bar of fruit and nut chocolate that melted in my mouth when I tasted it. For chocoholics this Christmas hamper is a great idea.
The hamper also contained a box of English Breakfast tea bags and a box of Raspberry and Blackberry tea bags from Taylors of Harrogate. They taste delicious, both warming the belly and refreshing the mouth. To accompany my breakfast tea, I discovered a small jar of Mrs. Bridges Fine Cut Orange Marmalade, and a jar of Mrs. Bridges Scottish Raspberry Preserve. These are perfect to slather on your crumpets, toast or scones on a chilly morning. Finally, I found a box of organic All Butter Oat and Raisin cookies. They taste very nice, if a little dull for my palate. I also pulled out a tin of Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Yorkshire Crisps, which made a very welcome accompaniment to my mummies’ night in at the weekend.
#ProdcutReview Tasty Tea from Prestige Hampers #ProductReview Tasty treats from Prestige Hampers
Nice Christmas Gift Idea
If you are seeking a nice little gift for family members and friends, these hampers are a great idea. Whether you want to please the foodie in the family, offer up some tasty treats, or simply bring a change of products to the table, you can find a lovely choice of luxury Christmas Hampers at Prestige Hampers. Their customer service is professional and efficient, they deliver quickly, and the products are of the best quality. Prestige Hampers also offer a range of corporate hamper gifts, so take a look and see what you like the look of. Happy Christmas shopping!
#ProductReview Prestige Hampers
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Note: I received the product in return for an honest review.
I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice earlier this year because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic pain. Today I have written a post using the October link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder.
Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.
Just another Hospital Appointment: Living with Rare Disease
Just another Hospital Appointment
Waiting
My eyes had been sore for a very long time. My last hospital appointment was in the new year and I was not expecting to return for twelve months. Eventually I couldn’t take the pain anymore, and I decided to phone the Manchester Royal Eye hospital. It was an ordeal! It had been so long since I had to call my doctor that I couldn’t decide which department I needed to see. I tried to phone the secretary of the consultant that I am currently in the care of. She was very abrupt, did not give me chance to explain my situation, and transferred me directly to the admissions department.
Since I didn’t have a letter with an upcoming appointment, they couldn’t help me, and said I had to speak to my consultant’s secretary. I explained how unhelpful she had been, but they advised I could only speak to her. So, I tried again. This time I spoke on her level, in her tone, and made sure she listened. She then exclaimed that I should visit the emergency eye department, to which I explained that they refuse to treat me because they do not recognise my condition and do not want to interfere with my consultant’s treatment plan. After all of this, the hospital phoned me back within half an hour inviting me to an emergency appointment two days’ later. That was some relief!
Parting
The pain in my eyes had increased dramatically throughout August. I knew that it was partly caused by the stress of our family dog falling ill and subsequently dying. He was old, and he lived a good life. We miss him terribly. I miss him all the more because he was my nurse when I felt ill. On days when I sat at home trying to rest my eyes while the children were at school, he would be there to cuddle me and keep me company. When I had eye surgeries over the years, he was always there to help me recover. And now he is gone. I cried a lot during August, while he was in the pet hospital, and during the weeks afterwards when he faded away. I still cry for him now, and it makes my eyes sting. I knew we could not keep him forever, but I was hoping for at least a few more years with our boy. Alas, it was not meant to be. Nurse Baxter has passed over the rainbow bridge, and we must let him go.
Persevering
My next challenge in the hospital drama was how to get there. We live in a small town about 30 miles away from Manchester, where my hospital is located. There are no direct train routes, and I had to factor in getting my children to school before I left home. There was nobody available to drive me to Manchester, so I had to do it myself. This is a journey I have taken numerous times, both as a driver and a passenger, and is also my old commuting route from when I worked full time. Yet for some strange reason I panicked about getting to the hospital. I think perhaps I just needed a bit of moral support, a shoulder to lean on.
My eye condition leaves me feeling very lonely, even when I am surrounded by friends. As I grow older, I feel like I am dealing with it more and more on my own. My mum used to be the one that helped, but her health is worse now, and she physically cannot help me in the way that she used to. Anyway, I persevered, and I made it to the hospital safely, having left my children in the care of friend who would take them to school. I was fine. I could drive.
Affirming
I always visit the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital with some sense of trepidation. Nowadays there is nothing the doctors can physically do other than monitor my condition. They cannot discharge me because they cannot cure it. I began to feel like a nuisance patient, one that just won’t go away. On this appointment I met another new doctor, and as I entered the consulting room, I thought, “Here we go again. I have to explain my condition, she will pluck out a few ingrowing eyelashes, and she will send me away.” I will admit my heart sank a little bit, and my anxiety increased.
This doctor was different, however. She looked at my notes, she asked how I was feeling, and when I explained about the pain she nodded. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “I understand that your pain is real, and I can explain it to you. We do believe you.” The relief I felt was indescribable. I could have cried! The doctor explained that as medical research has progressed, they now recognise that there is a chronic pain condition in the eyes.
My nerve endings have become sensitive after years of treatment for the ingrowing eyelashes and the dry eye syndrome. Now the nerve endings are constantly inflamed, in a permanent state of alert, and that is what causes my pain. It made perfect sense! All those times I had been desperately trying to pull out eyelashes that weren’t there, and I wondered why I couldn’t ease the pain with my eye drops. The doctor suggested a way to help, beginning with the use of some new eyedrops that have a more gel-like consistency. She also said we could consider a pain management clinic if I continued to struggle. She listened.
Loving
My fellow spoonies will understand how I feel when I say that I could have kissed that doctor. I almost hugged her when she confirmed that I wasn’t a hypochondriac. After at least ten years of chronic pain that possibly wasn’t caused by ingrowing eyelashes, this doctor had an answer that made sense to me. She showed me that the NHS does care, that our health system can work, even if it sometimes takes a while, and that there is hope for those of us who suffer in silence. I know that I am surrounded by loving, caring people at home.
My family and my friends are wonderful. Those that have seen me through all the surgeries, hospital visits, new treatment plans, trials and more do understand my condition. But sometimes I wonder if they forget, because I always put a brave face on it, and I never let it get me down, at least not publicly. The loving care of my friends and family is invaluable on those days when I am struggling. Even the simple act of taking the children for a few hours or taking me out for a distraction can make a huge difference. Loving care keeps us strong.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green
Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England. Click here.
