 Raised bed - thought through and actually labelled
For about a week the medics were insistent that the pain in my back was a muscular strain and demonstrated some stretches to practice and advised to take over the counter pills. It was only when my mother threatened to call 999 that I visited the medical centre for the fourth time and convinced someone to take blood tests. Thank goodness … a day later the blood test results breakdown explained the urgency in which the surgery contacted me saying “can you get into us to see the doctor in the next hour or so?”.
The ‘sick note’ from the doctor gives an official diagnosis as “pyelonephritis and as a result hyperglycaemia’ . Basically, it was a pretty bad kidney infection which affected my blood sugar levels- I experienced a few scary ’hypos’ which is when the sugars are very low. Thankfully I haven’t had many of these in the past but some of the symptoms are distressing – especially if you don’t know why – and I had all of the following or a variation on a theme, on several occasions:
Last summer my diabetic nurse had advised that should my BGLs go below 5mmol/L then this was getting serious and to take a high glucose something-or-other. My readings went down to 3.2mmol/L – and it was awful! Apparently, if you have severe low blood sugar levels there is a danger of having a seizure or fit or becoming unconscious. Also, diabetes means that one is at a higher risk of future kidney problems, Deep joy. Anyway, the heavy-duty antibiotics kicked in after a couple of days and obviously worked as things have calmed down significantly over the past week. Thank goodness! As an aside, I am convinced that I have had a low-level kidney infection for months. As some of you are aware, I was off work for a number of weeks prior to Christmas and looking back I was suffering from many of the symptoms – including back pain – from October at least. Unfortunately, no blood tests were taken at that time and the focus was predominantly on anxiety because I was so tired and “not right” and certainly “not myself”. In the future I will insist on more tests! BUT to add insult to injury; on Monday last (26th Feb) I visited the dentist and was subjected to four or five attempts at anaesthetising the lower left jaw and then – when that eventually kicked in - to an hour of tugging and yanking and the triumphant removal of a large molar tooth! AND, I had to pay for the privilege…a snip at £200.00 (!) Still, I figure, that’s it – all the problems are over and done with and the rest of the year will be hale and hearty and healthy! Onwards and Upwards! I'm not a religious person but I do subscribe to the regular updates from a church in Sydney as I have supported a campaign of theirs in the past. Their charitable arm helps many homeless people, amongst others, as well as those with substance dependencies, mental health issues and social problems. I think the Pastor really knocks it on the head sometimes - and he is always interesting and often entertaining - so I thought I would copy his latest missive here, as food for thought:  "Perhaps one of the reasons that discontent abounds stems from a Greek-influenced cultural legacy that idolises perfection in everything, and we always come up wanting. This deep-seated comparison is a sure recipe for misery. Growing up, I measured myself against the 120 kids in my small primary school by height, colour and aptitude, and frequently felt lacking. Now, technology allows children to compare themselves with everyone worldwide, intensifying feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. What if we sought other understandings of goodness, similar to those embraced by some ancient near east cultures and still practiced by many to this day, where goodness is found not within objects themselves but in the spaces between them? Imagine if we defined goodness by the quality of connections and relationships in our world between things in our beautiful creation? That’s a narrow, but far more rewarding path, where our well-being is indelibly interwoven with others, our Earth, and our universe. Our community gardening groups that gather each week, celebrate such a connection when they work together in nature. Observing the shared healing journey led by our beloved community gardener, Jon, and witnessing his expertise in action is a sight to behold. When the blue banded bees attract the other native bees and they both pollinate the rooftop plants, we’re offered a vivid glimpse into the tangible interconnected nature of all living things. A disaster is to be literally “disconnected from the stars” which happens in the cut and thrust of modern urban life, and even more so for those sleeping on concrete beds. Yet the simple act of plunging hands into the soil and curling toes into the earth can offer as much healing and grounding as a session with a therapist. I can’t help but wonder if my psychologist would agree. A woman twirled around our community cafe today, reeling from the place that ice had taken her. She danced freely about our group, and we momentarily paused our attempts to solve the world’s problems, to look upon her transfixed, in a moment of affection and understanding. Then one man, who had once walked her path but was now sitting clear eyed whispered, “I love you, my dear sister,” as she sashayed past. In that instant, there was goodness. No thought was given to personal worth. For a fleeting second, the world felt one step closer to healing, and we were all the richer for it. Thank you for being part of our Inner Circle, Jon Rev. Jon Owen CEO & Pastor Wayside Chapel, Potts Point NSW 1335" Wayside Chapel | Love Over Hate = website
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