There's always someone worse off ...

[SootyB]

Well, I was in the mood for a really good moan yesterday. A proper moan. I'd had a cranky morning, full of slightly grumpy patients (who were also in the mood for a moan!), the admin team for my department were getting on my wick, and the door never stopped knocking. Add to that mix the aching and fatigue, and I was all ready to offload a few gripes.

Then, I went for a one-to-one with a girl in my team; I arrived to find her in tears. Her Mum had just been diagnosed with a grade 5 (aggressive) breast tumour, and she was panicking about not being able to get the time off to be with her for appointments and surgery. I never did have that moan, but I did sort out her leave, send her home, and treat the rest of her patients for her. It made me feel better than a moan!

[sylvi]

Sooty its things like that that put into perpective for us doesn't it.Due to your effiencancy you got the young girl organised and sent on her way and it wiped out all you wanted to moan about. You should be proud of yourself sooty, i am proud of you. sylvi.xx

[SootyB in reply to sylvi]

Thanks, Sylvi - I try to do my best for people. After all, teamwork is what it's all about, isn't it? xx

[Ella32]

Sooty

I agree, sometimes perspective hits us right in the face. Did you read my post yesterday about 'Can I take any more?' well i have just been told that te other girl who was going to have surgery on the same day as me has just cancelled as she has just officially gone into Renial faliure!.

It makes you realise and stop moaning

Love Ella xxx

[SootyB in reply to Ella32]

I did read your post - it certainly sounds like you're going through it with that ankle! But yes, sometimes, other people put our gripes right into perspective for us. xx

[Hidden]

It must be a day for these salutory moments I think Sooty. I forwarded my update on my rheumy apt to my sisters who are both profoundly deaf. One got back to me saying I was lucky at least not to be deaf with RA because her best friend has advanced MS and can't always access an interpreter for her consultations so she has to take her mum with her who writes it all down but she's in her late forties and her mum has cancer so it must be hellish. This sort of annoyed me about my sister because I don't feel that lucky but on the other hand, after chatting about it with my husband - communication is the most important thing we have and deaf people are extremely disadvantaged so being deaf with pain and unable to understand the health professionals must be terrible. I'm lucky really I concede!

Well done for doing good - it's far more rewarding than simply moaning I agree - although feel free to do both they aren't mutually exclusive you know?! Tilda xx

[SootyB in reply to Hidden]

Well, I do enjoy a good moan, so I may take you up on that! xx

[Rsheepy]

I think that everyone experiences high and low points, everyone, and some peoples highs are higher and some peoples lows are lower. Of course you read some stories and you think "give this guy a break, thats a horrific life!!!" but you normally read those stories because they are exceptional, most lives run a little wobbly. All things are relative too aren't they. And when you find out someone is dying you just keep going - just like when you find out you have a chronic illness/disease. Some people ask how we do it - but you just do don't you!!! Because you have to. Its just people like you and all the people on this blog who really help each other to keep plodding along.

Sounds like you were really nice about the girl's mum, I hope shes ok.

Rach x

[SootyB in reply to Rsheepy]

Fingers crossed, Rach. This website is great, really, because it means that we all have contact with loads of people in the same boat, even if we're feeling too rubbish to get out and see them! And we can support each other, and hopefully compare issues to find common problems. We're practically RA research! xx

[Hidden in reply to SootyB]

Sooty, that is so true, we are RA research. It would be terrific if someone or more scientists in research would tune in to this site and see for themselves the results of their drug research, how it affects various people, and also to see the emotional, psycological aspects of living and dealing with RA on a long term basis.

Wonder if anyone in NRAS would want to pursue that possibility? L xx

[thekeys46]

You are so right Sooty. I went to the GP yesterday hoping to have a reason for my extreme fatigue-doing something I enjoy one day seems to give me a hangover feeling the next. He has come to the conclusion its a combination of RA and the medications I am on for that and my other illnesses and he could give me some medication for depression if I wanted. Tried to explain that I was down because I wanted to be able to do things without the tiredness etc. I do try to keep positive. Made me realise that I have made the right decision to apply for IHR.Anyway I had to pop into the hospital to see my mum as she had collapsed on thursday whilst at the swimming pool with my 12 year old nephew who is over from America(he is now staying at my house). Mum is OK but now on CCU. When I called in she was in the ultrasound department. I went round to see her there and was talking to my colleagues. Spoke to my manager and told him I was unlikely to be coming back. He told me he thought I was wise, but I want to enjoy life while I still can. I learnt that a colleague of mine who had been diagnosed just after me has just had a 3rd op as she now has breast cancer. Just makes me realise things aren't too bad for me. xx

[Hidden]

Yes too true there is some one always much worse off xx