Well, here I am again and I suppose I should wish you all a Happy New Year. I know, I know, but I've not posted at all this year yet, sorry about that! I expect you're waiting for another story too but once you've read through you'll see why I haven't had time to write one lately, apologies for that as well.
So what about all my New Years Resolutions? Just for a change they are all on track and I have stuck to them. I also have some fantastic news.............. I have got a new job! I start in my new role as a Clinical Governance Administrator at a small GP Practice in Ventnor on Tuesday 16th March, that's just over a week away and I am excited and nervous all at the same time. It's purely an administrative office based job and doesn't involve any direct patient contact which I would have liked, but it still draws on my Nursing skills and knowledge to enter appropriate medical codes to patients computer records. I'm responsible for audits and chasing up targets in all the clinical areas for the Practice. it is a lovely feeling to know I'm not on the scrap heap and I was quite confident after my interview which was a very relaxed and laid back affair. Everyone there was lovely and I think I will settle in well. Wish me luck!
Right. back to the resolutions....
Walk the Wight
Am up to about 5 1/2 miles now once or twice a week. We really need to be able to walk 6 - 7 miles by the end of this month, that is a bit more difficult though as we need to find a walk where there are toilets somewhere along the route - with the MS, if I need a wee, I REALLY need a wee. The walk from Shanklin to Yaverland has 5 public loos along the route so is ideal, and it is a 5 mile return trip, I think we will extend the journey a bit next time by walking past the car park and along Shanklin seafront and back - with luck that will add another mile. Walk the Wight flat walk is 8 miles and takes place on Sunday May 16th. I will put my details on Just Giving a little bit nearer the time. All money goes to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Island. Thousands of people take part in various walks on the Isle of Wight that day ranging from the "easy!!!!" one that Big Ron and I are doing, to the 26 mile walk across the Island. All proceeds go to the Hospice and it is the biggest fund raising event of the year. (I hate asking for money and will probably take the easy option of making a donation instead of begging for sponsors)
Voluntary Work
Obviously this is now on the back burner at the moment now I have got a job, however, as that is only 15 hours a week (over 3 afternoons - I can't do mornings due to severe drowsiness which is possibly due to the MS or the 10 pills I have to take every night, not to mention the beta interferon injections three times a week too!) Anyway, I am still going to see the Nursing managers at the Hospice to see if there is anything I can do on a voluntary basis to give me some hands on patient care maybe once or twice a month. I am going there on Thursday 11th March, they already know I've got a job now so may not be able to do what I had hoped to initially. What would be nice would be if I could help in the hydrotherapy pool, I'm thinking that, that could even help my backache after sitting in my office chair for 3 days a week!
Open University Course
I'm on track with this too now. I started my first course in Psychology this week. It's only a level 1 Openings Course so I can get to grips with studying again. It seems quite hard going but it's a matter of time management and getting into a routine. I am finding it hard to retain information that I am reading but I am trying to use some of the techniques they suggest by using iconic thoughts to reinforce semantic facts (haha - I'm even using some of the lingo now!)
So, there we are, that's how my 2010 is shaping up. I have tried to maintain a positive mental attitude and it seems to be working. I have even booked our cruise for later this year. My 50th birthday is hurtling towards me and I have decided to embrace it rather than dread it - after all, isn't 50 the new 30?
Right, that's enough for today. For the MS'ers out there keep well and upright, and for everyone else take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Toodle pip for now -x-x-x-x-x-
