The Blog from Bressay

Well have made trip down to Aberdeen and back again.  Main thing is that I don’t have Epilespy (which was kind of already known).  Other thing is I’m back on the Psychogical/Psychiatric roundabout again.  I’ve already been through this but they want to go through again as they think that my fainting could have a mental cause but they have ruled out panic/anxiety attacks.

Left for Sumburgh on Sunday after for the 17:00 flight to Aberdeen.  Dad took their car and drove Mam and I down to Sumburgh whilst Uncle had his car with girlfriend and Joe in it.  This was so that our car could be driven to Northlink Long Stay car park as Mam and Dad were back up on the boat on Monday night. 

The flight was lovely only 40 minutes as it was such a nice day.  We got a taxi from there to Red Cross House.  It was really nice and relaxing in there.  Mam and Dad went on the search for food so we had fish suppers courtesy of the Ashvale.  They were lovely :D.  After that it was in bed as early start.

Woke up Monday morning had a nice breakfast at Red Cross House and was taken by taxi to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in plenty of time to be admitted at 9am.  I’d gone in by McColls on the way up and purchased a 1.5lt bottle of water.  We had some waiting about and eventually I was seen by EEG technician who then glued all the electrodes on to my head and shoulders and fitted me up to the box of tricks I had to carry around with me.  I was in my room by 11am.  In the afternoon I still hadn’t been seen by my consultant and while I was at the toilet I heard folk talking in my room.  I came out expecting to see the Dr but it was Martin!  That was briiliant.  Of course first words out of my mouth were “what are you doing here”  I was gobsmacked couldn’t believe he was there.

He stayed for a couple of hours and took Mam and Dad to the boat and then headed back down South to get to work.

Tuesday I had a faint but all my brain signs were normal so no Epilespy but they wanted me to see a Psychiatrist before I went.  Wednesday I was up and ready to go at 9am.  Had electrodes taken off by Acetone (Nail Varnish Remover to you and me lol) and then the long wait to be discharged began.  The Psych Dr turned up at about 10:30 and I was with him for an hour and a half and will be writing a letter for my Dr.  After that I was chasing up when I was getting discharged and eventually was at 12:30.  My escort from the Red Cross arrived at 1:30pm and we took the Red Cross Bus to the airport.  Got plane at 15:30 and was thankful I wasn’t on the flight to Majorca as there were 3 Hennies  and 1 stag party on board and while I usually enjoy these things I was just too tired for all the fun.  The best bit was getting back to my own bed nothing like it and I slept very soundly that night.

Mam and Dad were Polling Clerks on Thursday (I hope you all voted!) so I had a visit from my Uncle to check that I was ok and see if I needed any help in the cooking department.

The main thing I’ve been doing since I’ve got back is meeting up with MLS in order to get the campaign against Scottish Water going.  We’ve enlisted the help of a councillor who has been immesurably helpful so far and we’ve hardly even started.  We’re writing to the Bressay Community Council, the Shetland Islands Council.  Scottish Water and getting a petition up and running.  We’ve also written to Tavish Scott who has been great also.  Will keep you updated on all the events and happenings with this.

The beginning of the week was mainly spent in my room printing more months for calendar.  Finished one month and almost finished another before handing it over to one of the other members.  Then only the front cover to be printed and the printing part is done.  After this we will collate it into the actual calendar and then do the punching and binding.  I probably won’t be doing the latter stuff as I was on the printing group.

Also been getting things ready for leaving on Sunday to go down to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a two day stay in Ward 40 for Video EEG monitoring.  The Big Brother of hospital tests I’d say lol.  I’ve got new wardrobe for the occasion as I can’t put anything over my head so front fastening things ahoy!

Wednesday had the CAB meeting that was postponed from a a fortnight ago.  We’re getting everything ready but still no word on when the actual Tribunal will be.  The thought at CAB seems to be July now if it is then it was be shy of a month to the year that I actually put the application form in.  I’m hoping that becuase I’ve had to wait this long that there will be good news at the end of it.  Because Dad was preaching at Edward Thomason House on Wednesday evening they left me at CAB and headed back to Bressay.  On Parental instruction I was then “looked after” by my Uncle and my Brother, although sometimes it’s me looking after them.  We had a lengthy discussion about who should take over at Aberdeen and then heard the breaking news on Sky Sports that Celtic were looking to speak to Owen Coyle which completely bemused us!

Before my Parents dropped me off we all went to the library.  Dad is still reading his book so had a perusal of other ones.  Mam went to look for a book on beetles to try and identify the one that we had in our house.  I got three books: Sputnik Caledonia by Andrew Crumey, Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger & the Unadultared Cat by Terry Pratchett.  I’m a huge Pratchett fan and had said I wasn’t going to get a Pratchett book this time but saw the cat one and had to get it.

Yesterday was getting clothes washed and dried so I had underwear, trousers etc for going to Aberdeen.  Last night MLS and myself went to the Scottish Water “Consultation” in the Bressay Hall.  Scottish Water are proposing to pump water from the mainland of Shetland over to Bressay and do away with the supply on the island.  Not really impressed with the “consultation” yesterday but as per usual in order to get real answers we had to press them to get them.  I still don’t see the need to pump water from the mainland to Bressay.  Because of where we are the pipe is certain to break as we found out when they laid the electic pipe to Bressay at the North Mouth of Bressay Sound, where they are proposing to lay the water pipe.  They do have a contingency but have not really answered about how long it will take to repair.  Water Quality does remain one of the big issues but the other is that it’s an amenity that is being taken away from the island.  Although I do understand the cost issue I still think we’re not getting the full financial picture as regards the financing of both schemes.  We were given a carefully worded leaflet yesterday and have gone through and a lot of questions have been raised by doing this.

We’re really opposed to this so we’re going to do something about it and get the community joined in.  A lot of people are against this but the majority don’t know where to start (and some are just lazy).  It only takes a couple of people to get the ball rolling and hopefully we’ll get to keep our lovely water.

BTW if you know anyone that is served on their island by a mainland water connection I’d love to hear their views on how it is going for them.

Thanks in advance.

I posted this elsewhere and had a quite a few emails & IM’s about it so I’m posting it in other places in order to hopefully help a few people and open peoples eyes up:

Since it’s ME/CFS Month and specifcally week this week it’s made me have a think about my situation and including the whole fainting thing. The below is based on my knowledge of things and how I’ve been treated.

I’ve told quite a lot people about my condition and the people most ignorant of it seems to be the Drs (although I’ve got a really good one at the moment). Like many things in order to get a diagnosis most people have to fight to get it and when I say fight I meant FIGHT. There are very few people that manage to get a diagnosis without fighting. It took me quite a few years to get mine.

What hapens after diagnosis? Mostly nothing. You can get referred to various places, there are a few ME/CFS clinics but I and a lot of others have not been able to access them. As well as the ME/CFS I had the fainting as well so first place I went was to evaluated by a Psychiatrist who told me that I obviously couldn’t be that ill as I’d made it to the clinic, doesn’t matter that I fainted afterwards or had to spend the rest of the day in bed, I’d made it there so obviously OK.

I’ve lost quite a few folk that I thought of as friends mainly because I didn’t go out and party with them as often as I used to. I became a drag because I fainted the whole time so I “ruined” thier night or I cancelled at the last minute because I just didn’t have any energy to go. It became easier just to make up an excuse not to go and isolate myself. Conversely there are people that were just aquintances that have become very good friends and there are also true friends that have stuck by me and helped me out innumerable times.

What’s the point in this rant? Well think about folk that you know that aren’t well or you haven’t seen for a while. As an aside just because someone looks ok doesn’t mean that they are. Do you know how often people with “invisible” illness get “Oh but you don’t look ill”? I do have to stop myself from saying “well yeah, but you don’t look like an ignorant bastard/bitch”

For many people having to explain their illness and how they live from day to day can be hard but for a lot of people The Spoon Theory cetainly does help. With illness like this how you feel can vary from day to day and even minute to minute. I know I can be haring about like a blue arsed fly for a day or I’m just too ill and need a week in bed. If you do know someone that has an “invisible” illness just a quick phone call can cheer up their day, just five minutes maybe arrange to meet them. Yes there is a chance they may cancel but it’s not like they are doing it on purpose just to piss you off.

I’m not wanting to start a chain letter thingy but if you want to pass this on to others please feel free especially if you recognise any of the above in relation to your life.

Thanks for all the kind wishes and hellos!

Well it’s been a busy couple of days here.

I have a condition that makes me prone to fainting a lot.  I tend to call them wobbles or any such euphemism that I can think of at the time.

Monday night walking to the kitchen to have tea and fainted.  I didn’t have much of a warning that was going to happen and unfortunately landed on my Mam and knocked her into the cooker and units.  I couldn’t believe what had happened when I came round, it’s bad enough me hurting myself but hurting someone else (esp. my Mam) is more than horrid.  Needless to say I was in a complete state for most of the night, even though everyone told me it wasn’t my fault.

Dad took her to the hospital on the next ferry as she was in great pain and it was confirmed through an x ray that she had broken one of the bones in her arm.  She is now in plaster for the next 6 weeks and is trying to do most things on her own.  (Now I see where I get my stubbornness from when it comes to not listening when I’m having bad days).

Yesterday was busy as I was at the Citizens Advice and then Mam had an appointment at the Dr’s.  After this we went shopping at the Co-op and had our dinner there.  We all had the braised lamb chops and they were lovely.  Had another few bits and pieces to do and then came back home on the 3:30 ferry.  Just about made it home and I hit the deck again because I was so tired, so ended up in bed and resting, which I’ve been doing for most of the day as well.

Today apart from resting, I was printing off the Charity Word Search that I’m doing.  Thankfully everything is my bedroom so not far to go!  It’s the first time I’ve done anything like that but the Charity in question is one that has helped me a lot, so fingers crossed that it goes well. 

Tonight also spoke to my friend from Michigan in the USA, who has a similar condition to me.  It’s great being able to talk to someone who understands and we’re hoping to go across and see her at some stage.  She was hoping to come across to Scotland this summer but can’t make it now because of her illness.  Hoping it’s just going to be a postponement until next summer.

Woody saw snow here for the first time today.  He’s learned that if I go to the back door he might get let out.  I went to get some veg from the freezer and he came running up behind me.  Let him out and to be fair he stayed out for longer than I thought he would but then came running straight back into the warmth.  He does like his home comforts our Woody.

Sorry for bumming people out.  Hopefully the next blog will be full of much cheerier news.