As you may or may not be aware I developed what I thought was my annual bout of sinusitis. It usually starts with cigarettes ‘tasting’ odd, so they get put on the shelf. This is then followed by extreme congestion of every sinus in my head. Not this time. Not only did it develop into pneumonia but I encountered two family friends who are in much worse shape than myself. More of that later as it is for them that I am writing this blog.
People still don’t believe me when I tell them that I had never suffered a cold or the likes whist spending the first twelve years of my life in Scotland but it’s true.
This recent bout of sinusitis developed into a chest infection requiring two lots of antibiotics (which I’m generally opposed to) countless hours in bed, rigors, aching all over and generally feeling out of sorts. Added to this is that major infections and antibiotics interfere with some of the medications that I take for manic depression. I suspect that my extremely low mood during this, lower than just ‘feeling a bit flat,’ was brought on by this. I was also extremely irritable, particularly to auditory stimuli. I didn’t want to hear anyone talking or going about what they do.
I didn’t even listen to any music for two weeks let alone attempt to record any. I was, however, able to get a truckload of lyrics penned as I always have a pen and paper sitting by my bed. I’m almost 100% out of the woods so shall be giving some attention to them and sorting them in the next few days.
During my bout of pneumonia I had two trips to the Doctor. As I knew that I was ‘contagious, I sat outside of the main sitting room. Next to me was a lady with whom I began chatting with. Our chatting ended up with laughter. I coulod tell that she had cancer by her head scarf and the blood tests that she told me she was about to have. She then said; “You don’t remember me, do you?” I looked her in the eye and could almost place her but not quite. She then told me her name. I was almost shocked….almost. She and her husband were good friends of my parents some 20 years earlier. They moved away and returned to the area 5 years ago after she was diagnosed with cancer. On paper she is supposed to be dead.
My second visit to the surgery saw me sitting alongside one of my first friends when we moved to Tasmania. I know his history. He too has cancer. A virulent form that also has him dead on paper. His condition is now such that he has been advised that he has 3 months to live. It was one thing that always annoys me when a Doctor will give a time-frame on someones life. My Uncle was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and given 3 weeks to live by a ‘specialist.’ He died late in 2005. Three years later.
The main factor that I noticed running through these people and people with cancer that I looked after whilst a State Registered Nurse was their sense of humour. They are/were gifted in the department of humour. Outstandingly so. Sometimes their humour would be viewed by some as ‘black.’ As far as I’m concerned, anyone with terminal conditions can have whatever type of humour that they like.
So….the next time that you’re feeling out of sorts, just remember that there is always someone worse off…..Always.
