My experience with the Northern Hospital, Epping Melbourne in 2004

My letter to the Northern Hospital  dated the 16th July 2004

            

                                                           To Whom It may Concern.
                                                               ‘Without Prejudice’

 I am writing this letter because on the 30th January 2004, I was unlucky enough to require your services.  I presented at the Emergency Room after having a 600kg horse collapse whilst I was standing beside her, My husband drove me to the ER at approx 8.30pm, I was triaged quickly and placed in a consulting room to wait for the doctor.

 I was kept waiting for several hours and when finally seen by a doctor the doctor was going to discharge me, because it appeared that I was not in pain, as long as I was immobile.  But as soon as any pressure was applied to my leg, I went through the roof.  The doctor still said (with out X-rays) that the leg was severely bruised and rest should take care of. 

As I am a fairly docile person and have a high tolerance to pain, I thought okay, he is the professional, and he has studied and should know best.  But my husband being a little fierier than me requested X-rays.  The doctor thought these were unnecessary, but decided to shut him up anyway.  X-rays were taken and low and behold I had a broken fibula!

 The doctor was amazed that I was in so little pain, but like I had said from the time that I presented to the triage nurse I have a HIGH pain threshold due to previous injuries that have been on going.

So after a while the leg was placed in plaster and I was told to present tomorrow for a ‘plaster check’. No X-rays were taken after the plaster had been set. 

I presented for the plaster check mid afternoon the following day and was told that the plaster needed to be reapplied as the ankle had been set in the incorrect position.

I endured this with some pain, but kept my mouth shut. At this stage I was feeling useless and depressed at the fact that I was unable to earn an income and that I would be relying on people for everything from getting around to even cooking and cleaning (by the way those people that I refer to were my husband and children, 7 and 12) because I have no family within a reasonable distance who are able to assist me.

I was told that within the week I would receive an appointment card in the mail to attend the plaster clinic with the time and day on it. By the following Wednesday the swelling on my leg had reduced and I was able to get my fingertips to my ankle inside the plaster cast. The cast was offering NO support what so ever.

I presented back to the Northern to get someone to look at the plaster and replace it. I would have thought that this would have been a given, considering that I had a broken bone and the leg had not been in plaster for the 6 weeks that I thought was the norm for a broken bone. I presented at the Triage window again and requested that someone needs to look at the plaster as I believe that it is wrong and needs to be replaced. Considering I was in considerable pain and had been for a period of a week by this time, I was feeling useless, depressed and close to tears most of the time. When the triage nurse saw the plaster I believe that she agreed with me and sent me next door to the clinic within the ER.

I waited there for hours, and by this time I was crying because my leg was sore and I felt as though no one believed me.  Finally a person (a nurse)  I believe came to me, looked at the plaster and said I don’t think we need to replace this, when is your appointment with the plaster clinic? I said what appointment, I have not received any notification and I have not even had the plaster on for 1 week. In the end I had to demand that the plaster be replaced through the Doctor. Who also asked me how I was coping. I was not coping. I was unable to feed my children I was unable to wash their clothes I was even unable to have a shower by myself. When I mentioned this to the doctor he found a social worker, who after asking if I lived with anyone, I said yes, my husband. Oh well he has to help you, we can’t

This was news to me, as he was trying to supervise apprentices and stop them from presenting to the Northern Hospital minus a finger or two. Sounds funny? Well stand in his shoes and see how funny Workcover think it is when you are charged with lack of supervision of an apprentice.

 At this same appointment I was presented with a card to see the Plaster clinic doctors the following week.

 Therefore I was sent home to fend for myself,  and try and feed two children and not kill myself getting up and down the front door step to tend the animals and the children. During this time, I was still in considerable pain, and my GP thinks I may have re-broken the leg at some stage when my left leg gave out, as it is prone to do, due to previous injuries, (Which I notified the Hospital about!)

 I presented at the Northern Hospital at the Plaster Clinic had an X-ray and was told it is okay to walk on!  Haha I could not weight bear let alone stand on it and walk.  I went to my GP, a person I am sure you are familiar with.  He took one look at X-ray and put me straight back in plaster.  This time the plaster was neat and reasonably comfortable.  I waited for a further 5 weeks and then the doctor took the plaster off and was happier with the result, but due to the two weeks, without adequate support, the healing process was very slow to start.

Because of this and the fact that the leg was still very painful, I requested a referral to a Specialist, I go to see the specialist In March, 3 months after the initial accident. He was surprised, but non-committal to the treatment that I had received from the Northern Hospital.

I am writing this letter for many reasons; one is to complain about the service and the additional cost that I now have to incur because of the inadequate care that I received under the umbrella of the Northern Hospital. I am sure that when I initially presented I was seen as a hypochondriac because I was not absolute agony, once I was immobile. I am sure that when I presented to the Northern Hospital on the third occasion I was just looking for attention and I am sure that when I tried to talk to the Doctor at the Plaster clinic he saw me as a malingerer.

I am none of the above and have never been. After being involved in a car accident whereby my vehicle was rear ended by a 12 tonne truck, and not having ONE day off. I know I am not. I am by no means rich in fact; some days my husband and children get a meal of potatoes only, because there is no other food in the house.  I am no entitled to any government assistance because my husband owns his own business and because I work a taxable income. I receive NO children support, No family and no income assistance and of course no rental assistance because we are struggling to pay off our own house.

Because of your treatment or lack of it. I am now faced with huge private medical bills and also the uncertainty that had I received appropriate timely treatment, I might already be walking normally on my leg, within the ‘normal’ six week period. I would not have lost as much income, because I would have been back at work already AND not spending time at Specialists along with the money for no reason. Because I am a contractor, I am not entitled to sick leave and was lucky that I did not lose my job. AT no point in time was ANY assistance offered to me. I get the feeling that because I was not ‘on the dole’ and I was not ‘single’ I was discriminated against.

I would like your comment on this letter as a matter of course, because I would like to see what your thoughts are.

 ------------------------------------------------------------

A follow up letter from me to the Northern Hospital dated the 24th September 2004

 

 

‘Without Prejudice’

 

Mr xxxxxx

 

I have previously written to you on the 16^th July 2004, regarding a problem that I have concerning the Northern Hospital, I have yet to receive a response other than ‘we have received your letter and are looking into the matter’ which was dated the 21^st July 2004.

 

It is now 2 months since the original letter was received and I was wondering when I might receive a reply?

 

I have enclosed both letters for your perusal and thought you might like to comment on them.

 

Since that time, I am still under the care of a specialist, the swelling in my leg is still quite evident and the specialist says that it is not normal.  Tuesday the 21^st September 2004 I tripped and managed to jar my leg again. This means that I missed another day of work due to the pain and I am now back on crutches.

 

Again I believe that had I received appropriate and correct treatment in the first place I would not be in this position.

 

I am still incurring specialist fees, I am still losing money due to the fact that I am sometimes unable to drive and consequently unable to attend work and this doesn’t take into account the fact that the house is a mess. Whilst we are on the topic of care or lack of, how many 7 year olds do you know that can make their own breakfast and clean up the mess afterwards? Because I have a little boy that has been forced to do this and that makes me very sad.

 

Should you require any further information please feel free to contact me 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I received a one paged letter, that said, sorry, we have implemented changes in the emergency department and something like this shouldn't happen again. Forget the fact I've paid $1000's if not $10,000's now in 2014, or forget the fact no-one wants to employ a 'cripple'........... Yup, forget about ALL that. As long as the hospital didn't receive any adverse media coverage.

Forget the fact I sat on an esky in the shower, for the time my leg was in plaster, forget the fact.............. Yeah, well, you know the story. You've read it.

Have any hospital horror stories? Let me know

 

 

In Memory of Joan Gillespie 1937-13th July 2012

Today I learnt that a dear friend had passed away. Nothing is as final death. Not illness, not sickness, NOTHING.

I've known Joan since 2002, May actually. I was working at the Austin Hospital at the time.

We seemed to hit it off straight away, age made no difference, nor the fact that she was wheelchair bound and using a respirator to survive. See Joan was a polio sufferer, yet suffer she did not.

She helped everyone, she had a smile for everyone. She was a beautiful person.

She always put everyone else's needs above her own. In fact when I saw her on Thursday, whilst she was an in-patient, she was more concerned with getting out and about again, than worrying about her health. She was worried people were missing her already (She'd been in hospital one week)

She would do the shopping for many patients, buying Tattslotto tickets and generally just being useful for those that couldn't get out. Being wheelchair bound made no difference to her.

Her lovely husband John, made much of this possible, John was Joan's right hand man, literally.

Joan (and John) would regularly present a Sunday session on Inner FM, Melbourne 96.5FM Much of the music was requested by Joan and Johns' friends.

Some of Joans' Milestones

1937 - Contracted polio and lived in an Iron Lung for the next 30 years

1967 - (approx) released from the confines of the Iron Lung

1980 - (approx) Met John, her partner

1990 - debut on radio

2011 - Victorian Senior of the Year Awards - Veteran Community Award

 Joan was an avid listener to 3AW Melbourne radio, as well as a prolific poem writer, which were often broadcast on 3AW radio.

I have previously written about Joan (and Charlie) here My Hero

Joan loved the work she did, it may have been voluntary, but to Joan it was work and very rewarding from what she always told me.

Joan, you will live in my memory forever. I looked up at you. My problems seemed like baby goldfish. Yours were the sharks of the world.

Thank-you for being my friend.

Thinking of you John at your great time of loss.

How Not to Answer a Religious Ed Quiz - if you are a Teen Boy.

1. Who was St Anthony and what was his relationship to monasticism?
WRONG:- St Anthony was the pope’s evil brother who tried to take control of the monastery
RIGHT:- Helped to spread the concept of monasticism, particularly in Western Europe through Latin translations.

2. In what ways did monasteries help people respond to gods call to know him better?
WRONG:- Monasteries helped people get closer to god by getting them high for them to believe they are able to talk to god.
RIGHT:- Monasteries helped people respond to gods call by giving them a place to pray and practise their religions.

3. Among other things what did monasteries develop into?
WRONG:- Monasteries mostly developed into churches buy some did end up turning into night brothels
RIGHT:- Monasteries developed into churches.

4. Describe the two different ways of being in a religious order?
a) Monastic order
WRONG:- When they weren’t allowed to have sexual intercourse in a relationship with another woman.
RIGHT:- Living by yourself and only coming together for holy gatherings.
b) Apostolic order
WRONG:- When they are allowed to have sexual intercourse with women but they have to apologise and pray afterwards.
RIGHT:- Apostolic order is when you live with others all the time.

5. What is a monk or a nun?
WRONG:- A monk is a man that is not allowed to have sexual intercourse with a woman until married.
RIGHT:- A Monk is a man who takes the Celibate vow and a Nun is a woman who takes the vow.

6. What was the ideal that underpinned monastic life?
WRONG:- Pray, east, sleep, pray, eat, sleep and then pray again.
RIGHT:- Monastic life was underpinned with the ideal of celibacy.

7. In what ways was monastic life of service to others?
WRONG:- Because they raised finds for the poor.
RIGHT:- It helped them because it gave them a life to live free and closer to god.

8. Which lines from st Matthews gospel motivated the monks and nuns to serve?
WRONG:- Everyone for themselves.
RIGHT:- The short answer is the book of Matthew proves Jesus legitimate authority by highlighting His wise teachings and righteous life.

9. Describe each of the three main types of prayer to be found in a monastery?
WRONG:- The bored prayer, The sleep prayer, The food prayer
RIGHT:- Prayer, meditation and contemplation.

10. What is the message that is being suggested in the illustration in the top left hand corner of page 80?
WRONG:- People
RIGHT:- To trust other people and live in equality.

11. Describe the variety of books that might be found in a monastery library?
WRONG:- Theology, Bibles
RIGHT:- Theology and bibles.

12. Describe the scriptorium and list its contents.
WRONG:- Is where they re-write all old books by hand, onto newer paper
RIGHT:- A room in monasteries devoted to the copying of books by monastic writers.

13. What motivated such care in the copying of the scriptures?
WRONG:- They treasured the teachings of knowledge to others.
RIGHT:- Them being able to say “a person can hold the Bible in his hand and say without fear that he holds the Word of God, handed down from generation to generation through the centuries.

14. What was the chapter house and what role did it play in the life of the monastery?
WRONG:- Where they all met up
RIGHT:- The chapter house was a room where monks met daily, to discuss business and to hear a chapter of the monastic rule

15. What was on the daily menu in a monastery?
NOT ANSWERED
RIGHT:- In a monastery the daily menu was vegan food.

16. What is the cloister?
NOT ANSWERED
RIGHT:- A cloister was a monastery devoted to religious seclusion.

17. Why could it be said that monasteries provided the first hospitals and schools?
NOT ANSWERED
RIGHT:- St. Benedict required in the monastery an infirmary for the ailing, and to organize particular care of them as a special Christian duty.

18. What was the herbarium?
NOT ANSWERED
RIGHT:- A collection of dried plants mounted, labelled, arranged for use in scientific study

19. Describe one of the functions that needed to be fulfilled in the monastery?
NOT ANSWERED
RIGHT:- To offer a home to the poor and unfortunate

20. Name two monastic orders that can be found in Australians and say where they are.
NOT ANSWERED
RIGHT:- Third Order of St. Dominic – Ballarat
Anglican Order of Preachers – Warnambool

LETTER OF APOLOGY!

I’m sorry for you finding offence in what I wrote and it will not happen again. I have realised what I had wrote was inappropriate and it will not happen again.

Thanks,

The child has been punished, that I can promise.

When I received the letter from school, I had to try very hard not to laugh!!!!!!!! I mean seriously? Didn't you dream of doing something like this when you were his age?

Anyway, I doubt VERY much that ANYTHING like this will occur again, because next time.... he has been warned - you will be removed from the school, not because the school asks, but because I say so. (He loves the school, just not R.E.)

Life of a casual employee

For most of my 'career' I have been a casual employee. It's never really bothered me before, although you don't get sick leave, annual leave or long service leave.  The hourly rate does allow for sick leave and annual leave and with careful budgeting, you can make all that work for you.

My reason for being predominately casual, is that it allows for me to work around my family.

I don't let any of my employers down, ever, but often (in fact more often than not) they let me down, frequently at very short notice, frequently attempting to jib hours paid etc and many think they don't have to pay superannuation!!!!!!!! (Go figure)

I enjoy the variety of casual employment, I enjoy the  different tasks I get to do on a daily basis. Boredom is certainly not a problem!

Today for example (being Sunday) I was informed that my 'employment' at one place (for tomorrow)  was no longer required (well maybe in 1-2 weeks time, they'll have me back) but I can't wait for them. So I sent a text to my contacts. 6 hours later I have work for tomorrow and most likely ongoing!

So the life of a casual is not that uncertain, just requires a little lateral thinking!

So if you are looking for an employee in Melbourne's North, someone who is reliable and not concerned if the work is permanent or not, or ongoing or not, why not drop me a line via www.hsamsa.blogspot.com or use the contact details there!

You never know - I've been assisting some of my people in excess of 10 years in a temporary capacity!

Update on Long-Term Issues with Telstra Service - Good News!

This week I received a phone call from a staff member within the Telstra Faults area. She had promised some weeks ago to pull the archived faults reports for my phone line. I really didn't expect to hear anything back. It wouldn’t be the first time!

Well I got a phone call!!!!!!!!!

I received the phone call and the caller, advised that yes, faults directly affecting my phone line over the past 10-15years was unacceptably high. I was advised that the delay in returning my call, was due to the fact that the Telstra employee wanted to ensure that works on the phone lines and exchange were completed before I was advised of such.

Things had previously improved slightly when we switched over from the old house to the new house and consequently by-passed the underground pit outside the property, but faults were still too common. We moved into the new house, on the same property in 2003. But even so, there were too many faults as outlined in these posts:-

27.11.09 I've Never Been So Scared (Not Telstra equipment fault)

13.11.10 How Many Faults and How Many Deaths?

16.11.10 Update on Telstra fault of 13th November 2010

17.11.10 Update No. 2 on Telstra fault of 13th November 2010

30.03.12 Most Recent Fault 2012

Noting that no posts have been made to any prior incidents, but the most memorable are listed in the post dated 30th March 2012.

I would just like to say thank-you the anonymous Telstra employee who actually did her job (Anon - to protect her identity) But thank-you, hopefully all will be rectified and I won't have to use that number written on the back of handset any longer (Fingers Crossed)

Thank-you Telstra for having an employee who cares!

Responsibly or lack of it – Police Chases – do we or don’t we?

I am so sick of people looking for more ways to stop people doing things that previously common sense dictated were stupid and life-threatening.

In the 10 days of the year 2012, several things spring to mind. The first being the incidents on New Years Eve, one resulting in death, another possible blindness in one eye and another resulting in broken ribs. These fireworks were illegal. Fireworks in the state of Victoria have been illegal (note the word illegal) since 1985. 2003 - Fireworks Every year, people are warned to avoid ILLEGAL fireworks, they are dangerous and they cause noise pollution, which in turn frightens animals nearby.

Add to this the risk of scrub/bushfires in the vicinity of the illegal fireworks and you have a mixed bag that when shaken can cause death. At about 6minutes after midnight on the 1^st January 2012, the CFA website listed approx 12 fires that were thought to have occurred after fireworks were lit. 30 minutes later exactly the same thing happened in South Australia o the CFS site.

Now, the most recent event, which will involve more laws aimed at curtailing the power of the authorities and giving more power to the hoodlums of Australia are police car chases, which most of the time involve stolen vehicles, mostly male occupants, mostly under the age of 25, and often affected by drugs or alcohol or both.

QLD
2011 - Editorial - Qld police lose faith in car chase laws
“Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the average penalty was inadequate.”
“Nineteen people have been killed and 737 injured during police pursuits since 2000,”

2011 - LNP (Political) CMC highlights Police Upset with Car Chase Penalties
“criminals had a green light to evade police on our roads under this Labor Government and its anti-pursuits stand”

NSW

2011- 2 Car Chases, One Car, 100's KM Apart
“RTA checks found the vehicle had a cancelled registration and was not fitted with number plates.”

2010 - Horror Car Crash Sparks Call for Police Chase Ban
"It almost invites people to flee and to avoid the police after potentially having committed very serious crimes,"

2010 - Police Want Tough Law on Car Chases
"Highway patrol officers have called on the State Government to introduce a mandatory three-year sentence for people who force the police to pursue them."

VIC
2011 - 19yo Dies in Tree Car Crash After Cobram Police Chase
"It is a concern as to why young people don't want to pull over,'' Commander De Santo said.

2011- Spikes Fail to Stop High Speed Driver
“but called off the pursuit after the driver turned off the headlights and the chase was deemed too dangerous.”

2012 - Man Dies adter Police Chase in Stud Road, Dandenong
“Police said they started a pursuit after trying to stop the allegedly stolen and speeding car in Stud Rd about 3.50am.”

Add to the above with blatant speeding and alcohol and drug impaired driving, again (often but no always) involving the same gender, age and stereotyped driver. There seem to be few penalties if ‘Little Johnny’ screws up and kills a couple of mates. There is little consequence if ‘Little Johnny’ is 23 years and hasn’t held a full license, since the day he sat his driving test.

Some posts I’ve written about personal experience/exposure to the youth of today and why I’m scared for them and why I’m scared for you the road user, the public.
2010 - Why Hasn't he lost his licence yet?

2010 - Flashing Lights and Drink Drivers

2009 - Road Rules and Laws

2011 - 1 Weekend and 8 Dead on Victorian Roads

2010 - Youth and Alcohol, are we Killing our Kids

Please add your thoughts.

Melbourne's Crazy Weather on Christmas Day 2011

Here are some photos I took near Whittlesea as the storms progressed across the city and suburbs - Noting that the sun set at 8.44pm on the 25th December 2011

Melbourne has had some pretty rough weather this last week - these are some of the shots I've managed to capture - noting that each frame is dated and timed AND in date order. just to give you an idea!

18th December 2011 - 22.09hrs - Lightning to the West of Whittlesea

24th December 2011 - 23.11hrs - Lightning to the West of Whittlesea

24th December 2011 - 23.20hrs Lightning to the South East of Whittlesea

24th December 2011 - 23.20hrs Lightning to the West of Whittlesea

24th December 2011 - 23.26hrs Lightning to the South East of Whittlesea

25th December 2011 - 18.13hrs - Now this is interesting - I posted a tweet at approx 6pm "#melbweather - cloud forming in round 'shape' over Greensborough -lightning seen 2B coming from it - Could get interesting/could be nothing" Not long after - reports started coming in of a 'tornado' in the Epping area and the BoM issuing a tornado warning for the Fiskville area!

25th December 2011 - 18.13hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 18.13hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 18.13hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 18.14hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 18.15hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 18.15hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 18.17hrs - "Tornado"

25th December 2011 - 19.07hrs - Lightning over the CBD - noting that it is quite hard to capture lightning on film during daylight hours - this was taken at 7.07pm and sunset was 8.44pm

25th December 2011 - 19.09hrs - Lightning over the CBD

25th December 2011 - 21.21hrs - Lightning over the South East Suburbs

25th December 2011 - 21.23hrs - Lightning over the Eastern Suburbs

25th December 2011 - 22.14hrs - Lightning over the Outer Northern Suburbs (Upper Plenty)

25th December 2011 - 22.41hrs - eastern Suburbs

25th December 2011 - 22.43hrs - eastern Suburbs

25th December 2011 - 22.53hrs - eastern Suburbs

The weather Chaser - sequence of radar images, showing the storms moving across Melbourne and Victoria http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-loop/IDR023-melbourne/2011-12-24-23/2011-12-25-18

Youtube - flooding in Eltham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOqi3lH4Xzw

Fitbody Fifty Blog - Blogger lives approx 15km south of me and took a belting http://www.fitbodyfifty.com/2011/12/dear-santa-thats-not-what-i-asked-for.html and Kek's public album on facebook https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150548048993023.441440.728803022&type=3

My hero

.................................................. ..

Joan and Charlie ......................... .............. .................. ....... Sally!

Some 7 or 8 years ago – I met a lady. I took one look and realised she was something special.

First and foremost, she loves animals, in fact had a companion dog that went everywhere with her. Secondly, she volunteers at the Austin Hospital a minimum of 5 days a week and is there Christmas Day also, loving, and laughing with the patients. Thirdly, she endures the after-effects of polio, which means she relies on a ventilator for every life-giving breath. Thirdly she is confined to a wheelchair.

Every day of every week, she is lifted out of bed and every day she is thinking of someone other than herself.

Her name is Joan Gillespie and she is my hero. Joan was born in 1937 and in that same year contracted Polio. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that Joan left the numerous hospitals she called home and moved in with her partner John. Soon after full-time employment was no longer an option with the worsening effects of polio taking a toll on her body. About the same time technology caught up with Joan and allowed her to continue to work full-time in a voluntary capacity, with the provision of a portable ventilator.

Joan volunteers once a month at Inner FM (96.5FM) radio in Melbourne, along with her partner John. Joan is also a member of the Polio Advisory Committee, who meet once a month and discuss and advise on issues relating to Polio.

Joan goes shopping for patients at the Austin Hospital and the adjoining nursing home, because (as Joan says) ‘They can’t get out, like I can.”

As we have both have a love of animals, Joan asked me to do her a favour. Joan knew that her dog Sally was struggling to keep up with her and she asked if I could perhaps find a dog that might replace Sally when her time was near.

I asked around my network and was offered two brothers, little Chihuahua Crosses. I couldn’t make the choice for Joan. So I organised for the dogs to be bought to the Austin Hospital for Joan to see if she liked either dog. After much debate and what ifs and maybes, Joan settled on the less dominant of the pair. This little boy had been abandoned and was a little timid, but had a lovely temperament. I organised for this little guy to come home with me on the weekend.

He spent a week at my place, where I tried so hard to stay remote from him, but alas 6 years later it appears that I failed.

He was named Charlie and helped Joan with the loss of her Sally and is trying hard to fill the space that Sally left.

Today Joan and I were laughing at his antics, and I realised that Charlie helps Joan and Joan helps Charlie. The two are a match made in heaven.

Joan is my hero. If you are ever at the Austin Hospital and you see a lady in a wheelchair with a little dog walking beside her. Say hello and remember that without people like Joan, the world would be a sadder place.

Thank-you Joan for giving me permission to publish this.

The truck the Commode and the Fallout #Finale

Post 58

On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

Dated - Today
2 car accidents, 1 bruised and battered marriage, no long-term job, A decade missing from my life (I don't remember much of this period), 2 children now young adults, who grew up with a missing mother. $2,500 from the TAC as 'compensation', but in the good news we've managed to keep the house, even though the debt collectors were knocking.

I gather the reason that I never received any more money from the TAC was because the arsehole boss, never filled in the paperwork, the doctors didn't honour their oaths, and like always I'm left swinging in the wind.

I have trouble walking most of the time, even 13 years later. I still have many aches and pains and when things get beyond that I chew on painkillers, which are never far away. The only benefit (which is also a disadvantage) is that somewhere in a Melbourne Hospital there is a patient admission record that has the words "Severely Bruised" crossed out and the word broken inserted. Due to this event and the subsequent post as linked. Yeah or Boo for high pain thresholds. Not sure which is better.

I did once consider ending it all (insert here the forbidden words:- suicide, killing yourself, selfishness, self-hate, self-loathing and so much more) - it would have been so much easier and so much less painful (for me), but I realised that wasn't the answer. I just had to suck it up and deal with it.

If you are wondering where our families were, my husbands parents have passed on and my parents weren't interested in either their grandchildren or daughter. so it was was sink or swim.

I am lucky, I still have a husband, even after 13 years of hell and plenty more to come. We've been married 23 years this year (2011)

I can't sit in a car for longer than 4 hours and that decreases the longer I sit in said car, so sit for 4 hours, next break to be 3 hours etc etc. This rules out international air flight and many other things people take for granted.

We still have wood heating, but we have fairies and sometimes I don't know who those fairies are, but they deliver trailer loads of wood when we are not home. None of the neighbours admit to anything nor claim to see anything. Mostly the wood comes in whole pieces and still needs to be broken down (Split) which I can't do, but hubby can do this as the wood is dropped in the driveway and we have lights there.

We still collect wood, but with the Victorian Bushfires, we now have access to private property which we have exclusive rights to access fallen timber and cut and bring home, or even cut and leave to be picked up at a later time.

We no longer need to cart water, as we managed to replace the old broken tank with several new ones and increase our water holding by 500%.

I can still smile about lots of things, and now the kids are considerably older, life is certainly easier.

Housework still doesn't get done, but I've learnt that sometimes a dirty floor is not a cardinal sin and if you don't like it - you don't have to visit.

I no longer believe in the medical system, the justice system or even government. I have come to realise that the bureaucracy is bigger than any of us and if you allow it - you will be gobbled up and spat out if you even go near them.

You may have noticed that there were huge holes in this story and that is because I have thrown many pages out, or recycled the paper for other things when times were tough. I don't know where those entries are and I'm not going to pretend they exist when they no longer do.

The whole 'event' almost didn't see the light of day, I almost throw it out also, but then decided that a decade later maybe I should share it, to show people that a life-changing event is not necessarily a life ending event. So that is what you see before you in the previous posts.

If you are reading about this for the first time, you can start reading HERE - THE BEGINNING

The TAC did say to me at one point in time, that Hubby is meant to care for me, but they failed to take into consideration (even though I told them this) he employs apprentices and if an apprentice hurts himself whilst unsupervised, he (my husband) can go to jail for lack of care. That's Workcovers rule and why he hasn't been able to help much. He has to work, to generate income and supervise idiot apprentices, so that they too can also still have a job.

It hasn't been easy sharing these posts, there have been many tears and thoughts of 'what if' and 'if only' but I have learnt those words mean little unless you help yourself.

Take care out there. You're here for the long-term, life isn't always fun, but you can learn from it.

I would like to say that my darling husband deserves a medal for all the shit I've put him through and still to put him through. I look around and realise that a lesser man would have abandoned me in my time of need. I love you darling.

~When given lemons, make lemonade~
~Squeezing the lemon juice into the eyes of others, only brings temporary relief to your pain~

THE END
(Imagine the Bugs Bunny Ending about here)

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #58

Post 57
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

10th December 2000

….. Hubby gets frustrated when I can’t carry water or the feed, but I am beyond caring in the sense it’s been like this for 2 ½ years and if I can manage then he can put up with it. He doesn’t have to put up with the pain and the mental anguish that this shit causes. He doesn’t have to worry when he’s been working all day and organising the kids, then half way home knowing that you should stop because you are so tired or that the pain killers that you’ve taken to ease the pain to continue are making you sleepy. You know that you should not be driving. I do not have a choice. I have to keep going. There is nobody to hear me scream, there is no-one to taxi me around when I get like this. And I have to keep going.

Tonight my leg is really sore, probably something to do with walking the dogs and kids on bikes. Daddy works so mummy is left to hold up the kids entertainment.

I am going to pop a couple of pills and see if that reduces the pain and then try and get some sleep.

Goodnight

The Last Post

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #57

Post 56
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

12th September 2000

For the last week things have not been rosy. My shoulder has felt as if someone is trying to remove my arm from my shoulder. My right side has been painful along with my ankle but I have been managing with minimal pain relief. The nights are the worst, they only way I can sleep if I place a heatpack on my back over the affected areas (my shoulder) and watch the TV or listen to the radio until I fall asleep. By this time I am exhausted.

Besides that the ‘new’ job is excellent. There are no put downs and my work is appreciated, I get the work done the same, but there is no underlying threats or fear.

I saw a neurologist last weekend and besides my doctor is probably the only professional who agrees with my plan of action. What I mean by this is that the ‘other’ doctor was only interesting in treating me if he didn’t have to fill in any reports and I would take anti-depressants. Another one was only interested if I took anti-depressants. I did try them but they made me so tired that I could not keep up with the kids and I lost my drive. My doctor has attempted to prescribe anti-depressants, which I took, but even though they were of a different variety, they still made me tired and I could not function properly. My doctor and I had (prior to seeing the neurologist) agreed that it appeared that anti-depressants weren’t for me, simply because they did not appear to agree with me.

Anyway, the neurologist has put in writing that the treatment I am receiving from the chiro and minimal pain relief and continuing the best I can is the best approach. Rather than attempting to medicate with prescriptions that appear not to be working.

For starters, I’m not depressed, sure sometimes I get upset, but everybody does, if the kids are playing up and you don’t have enough money for the basics of life. But that is not depression that is life.

…. Life must go on and since no-one is willing to help me, then I must help myself.

……… Night.

Post 58

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #56

Post 55
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

11th July 2000

Oh what to do?

I feel like my whole life is up the shit.

The house is a little better than what it has been in the past.

My leg is killing me and has been for weeks.

……… Since I left work I have at least felt better emotional. Simply because the bastard can no longer ride me. ………..

I was made to feel as though I was being selfish by not helping him. I wanted to help him, but was physically unable.

Anyway, things are looking better now. At least I’m working and seem to be in demand. After I finish this job I take on some private work, which is permanent casual, the rate is higher, but there is more risk of losing income, if I have to take time off work. I doubt that TAC will give a shit. They will probably say that it was my choice to move and therefore why should they care. I can imagine them saying that I should take shit-head to court.

Anyway, like I said before, if I don’t look after me, then nobody else will and that has been proven time and time again.

Enough bullshit. I’m not writing anymore tonight.

Post 57


Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #55

Post 54
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

16th June 2000

I feel better now that I have left. At the same time I feel sad, because I liked the people and wanted to stay, but the pressures being placed on me were unbearable.

………. I had to take the heat pack into the car this morning because my shoulder was sore. The heat eases the pain and makes it more bearable to drive the car. I think the reason it was so sore was because of the stress of trying to finish work in an atmosphere of unspoken threats and veiled comments and also the cold. I have been finding that the cold increases my pain levels and other than sitting on top of the fire, nothing relieves it………

…….. No matter what I did the boss was always unhappy. At the same time he was unfair. No matter what I did he was not happy. At the same time he would not fill in the paperwork from the TAC. I was in a no win situation. If I was to go public about this he would deny everything and I would still lose. He is a slick speaker when it suits him and when he is pushed into a corner.

Good night

Post 56


Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #54

Post 53
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

4th June 2000

I resigned from work on Friday. Unlike last time where he told me to leave. I beat him to the gun. Both him and her have been getting shitty because I can’t help on the production (I’m a fucking bookkeeper) Both have been saying it would be easier if you could help. We can’t afford to employ anyone else and things like that.

I’m getting sick of it. …………

I saw the doctor on Friday and he finally received the specialists report, which said that yes, she is suffering pain, but I don’t know what is causing it and because I don’t know, I can’t help. She’ll just have to live with it.

I have been living with the pain for over two years and nobody is able to help me.

I try not to think about what I will like in twenty years time.

Post 55

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #53

Post 52
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

30th May 2000

I feel like garbage. My shoulder, leg and side are really sore, even pain whilst I breathe has returned. I’ve resorted to heat packs again.

The temperatures have been terrible. It’s been raining a lot and between the damp and the cold, I have been in agony.

A couple of nights ago I was washing the dishes and before I had finished, I was doubled up with pain. I had to stop and lean on the tap and wait for the pain to subside.

Can you imagine how horrible that is?

I hate feeling like this. I just want to get on with my life. ………

I’m still having trouble sleeping. Lying down in bed is an unpleasant experience at the best of time. As for ‘other stuff’ forget it…………..

…………………….

Good-night

Post 54

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #52

Post 51

On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

11th December 1999

Like I have been saying for the entire 18 months of this bullshit. TAC are not interested in helping. I don’t expect someone to wait on me hand and foot, but it would be nice not to have to vacuum the floor and then suffer the pain, or try and hang clothes on the line once again and suffer the pain. It would be lovely to have someone mow the grass around the house area. I’m beginning to get paranoid about the risk of snakes and many times are not letting the children out, because I if I am not there then they might not see a snake. I would never forgive myself if one of them got bitten by a snake.

Hubby can’t do everything. You know what? Believe it or not! I miss mowing the lawns. I miss not being able to take my aggression out on a piece of wood. I miss not being able to see the fruits of my labour. I walk out of house and the lawn looks shithouse, the dirty washing is piling up. I don’t look forward to the pain generated by hanging the washing on the line. Even folding the washing causes pain. ………….

There is at least one good thing about the kids getting older. My son is in the middle of potty training, which means the only time I have to lay him on the floor is first thing in the morning to take off his wet nappy and then last thing of a night to put a nappy on for the night. That is definitely a benefit. It means not so much bending and lifting.

I’m starting to get goose bumps from the cold, so I’m going to bed………..

Good-night.

Post 53

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #51

Post 50
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

10th December 1999
(Somehow I've ended up back at the workplace from hell. I don't remember. I seriously don't remember!)

…….. My leg has been pretty good for nearly a month. It gives me twinges occasionally, but not like it has in the past.

My whole right side has been the worst. At times my breathing has been affected. My bra has been giving me the shits and my back when I stand is stiff and makes me look like and old woman.

One good thing is that the boss has stayed off my back. It has been like a dream. The only problem is that the TAC were supposed to be sending paperwork regarding time off and it was supposed to be sent to work. The paperwork has not turned up. There are two reasons for this and that could that it has been sent and the boss is hiding it OR that the TAC have not sent it. Take your pick.

We had to buy water last week. At least we had the money for it.

A couple of days ago, my blood pressure was up the creek. I went to get into the shower and I was in the middle of shampooing my hair (Hubby wasn’t home) Anyway, because my blood pressure was low, I didn’t know if I was going to throw up or pass out. I ended up sitting on the floor of the shower to get the shampoo out of my hair. I managed that. I managed to stand up and turn the water off. I got out of the shower and managed somehow to get back to the bedroom and crawl into bed. I shut my eyes and prayed it would go away. It took nearly an hour. In that time the kids were having a party, eating sweet biscuits and watching TV. I managed to get the kids to school and crèche (late) but since then things have been going down hill. The pain levels have increased and today has been the worst.

What am I meant to do? Hubby’s in the middle of his busy period and with me being like this is a noose around his neck. If I call him and ask for help, he is often out installing and can’t help.

Post 52

Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #50

Post 49
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

3rd November 1999

That’s it. I’m officially unemployed. The bastard finally got the better of me. I can’t help it if I am unable to help him on the production line. (I was employed as a bookkeeper) and yet he continues to ask and in doing so makes me feel like a heel. …….. He said I had better re-evaluate my position within the company. My response as that I quit. He said put it in writing so I did.

………. In some respects I feel relieved that I no longer have to say no and that I am no longer being pressured into doing what I can not. I still haven't assessed to what extent I feel guilty, but I do. I also wonder why I feel guilty. Why should I feel guilt about a pig who doesn’t seem to care about anyone but himself?

……. Since I am unable to do process work and that cost me my job (remember I’m a bookkeeper) and I am unable to do continuous data-entry, then that limits my ability to find work. The doctor agrees and as such has written a certificate, which I took immediately to the TAC. Supposedly the TAC will cover my wages, but I have to wait and see. They may determine that since I have been working all this time I am not eligible. This is not really the solution I have been looking for as previously discussed. But I have no other options YET.

I’ve spent the day at the CES applying for a job seeker number so that I can look for work………..

The doctor has given me a month off, It would be kind of nice not to have to rush everywhere. I would not be sore and tired if I didn’t have to work. But I can’t afford not to work. Regardless of where I am working or not, I would be travelling the same amount of kilometres, I would be getting up at the same time. The only benefit would be that I would be able to go a little slower with the housework and not continue when the pain was so bad that I need to pop pills.

At least for the moment the tears have stopped. I was feeling some self pity earlier ……….

I was sick of the verbal abuse. Which I received on almost a daily, certainly weekly basis. Many of these instances have been documented here. Not because I have a grudge, but because it made life a lot easier to deal with once I had gotten the poison out of my system.

Can you imagine what it is like being told you are useless, that your body is a machine and if it doesn’t work throw it out, can you imagine how demoralising this can be coming from your boss?

I put up with the abuse for as long as possible. It’s not my fault I was involved in two accidents in six months. I took as little time off as possible and I get kicked in the teeth for it.

…………….. All I can say is that I tried and it wasn’t enough.

Can you imagine what it is like going to pick up your youngest child to find him cowering under the kitchen table screaming for his mother. I felt like a heel, all because I tried to organise an appointment after hours and they were running late. It took me two weeks to recover and my son three weeks to forgive me. Everytime I left him he screamed blue murder, thinking I was leaving him forever. I felt like picking him up and taking him right back home where he felt same.

Now, because I have no job, the holiday (two nights) we had booked we are cancelling. We can’t afford to go, with the finances under such a cloud. ……… It would have been the last weekend before Christmas that we would have been able to go. …….. It’s no use crying over spilt milk, I just screwed the family over AGAIN. I feel like it is all my fault. In some respects it is. I shouldn’t have let the boss cower me like that. I feel like the dog that has run away from his master after being flogged for two years.

Post 51


Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #49

Post 48
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

2nd November 1999

I feel like an old woman and I’m moving like one too. My ankle is killing me and my right side is sore. My shoulder is tender and my right arm if I lift anything. At least for the moment my neck is pretty good and Stormin’ Norman has not moved back in.

As long as I am sitting still, the pain is not too bad. If I try and move, then my legs don’t want to work. It takes a long while of thinking about it before my legs want to move. I have to will them to move and the pain is severe.

The cramps on the right side come and go. At least they are away more than they are here. I don’t think I would be able to cope with not being able to breathe.

.………. Enough bullshit I’m going to bed.

Post 50


Post 1 - The Beginning

The Truck, the Commodore and the Fallout #48

Post 47
On the 15th May 1998 I was involved in car V truck accident, that saw a commodore shortened by 3 foot either end. The following entries are from a diary I kept at the time.

It’s now 13 years later and the pain is still here – the TAC of course have wiped their hands of me. I learnt a long time ago that the only person you can rely on is you and it’s something that has stood me in good stead for longer than I can remember.

1st November 1999

From being pretty good on Saturday, things are on the down hill slide. My ankle and leg are very sore. ………. Stormin’ Norman has moved back in. My neck was really sore and I think that was giving me a headache.

I actually managed to feed the kids, then left daughter in charge, popped some pills and went to bed. After an hour I actually felt a lot better.

Stormin’ Norman moved out and left me with my life, once again

I really don’t know what to do. Why am I being punished like this?

………………. Good night.

Post 49


Post 1 - The Beginning