Another productive day learning new things, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and getting on with my #conferenceknitting at ANZICS Regional Scientific Meeting, superbly organised by the team at MMH Critical Care Complex. @anzics.bsky.social

Eek. Commiserations from the future. I hope you get to escape today (tomorrow) and that things are onwards and upwards from here!

Sometimes you have to just embrace the insomnia and go for a predawn walk at the river.

Refreshing for the soul 🥶 and what a gorgeous sunrise

Aw honey. Sending loves to you both. She will always exist in your heart and mind x

Boundaries don’t cause conflict. They are there to keep you safe. They highlight a conflict that was already brewing under the surface.

If you get that uneasy feeling everytime you interact with someone maybe it’s time to start listening to your inner wisdom.

Is it time to move on?

There will be complaints. In triplicate. And there has better be TREATS tomorrow in recompense

No feeding zone?! What outrageous situation is this!!

Reminder to self as I see some patients again after a few days off work... people with chronic health conditions don't get a 'day off' from having to cope, to manage, to think about how they are, how their treatment's going... important to remember this.

I suspect many/all patients with chronic or complex health conditions feel this way, they are just trapped in the power differential & don’t know that they CAN ask for answers. It sucks. & I’m sorry. You’re not difficult, you’re trying to look after yourself. Hang in there. I hope you get answers.

Also - WELL DONE FOR ADVOCATING FOR YOU!!! This chronic health thing is a tiring full time job. Sometimes it feels easier to just not ask questions because you’re just so tired of everything (speaking for me). So I know it’s taken courage and energy. Well done.

Email is good. You can always shorten it later. I frequently edit and re-edit emails to my health team 🙄

Also, if he calls during work, talk with him and then ask him to email you a summary. Also not unreasonable.

Nope. You should understand the reason for your treatment change and have the right to ask questions and get answers. Question - if one of your patients had questions would you want them to ask?

Have you tried Valerian or a combination of hops and oats (in tablet form)?

There’s something to be said about the gentle rhythm of growing. Of planting a seed, and watching it grow. Of nurturing and time invested. Of patience and sunlight on your cheeks.

Take some time today to appreciate … what work went into growing & roasting the beans for your coffee.

#LearningToBe

Is it really progress that we expect things to be available when we want it?

There’s a peace & satisfaction with waiting for things to be ready. At the time they’re meant to be ready.

If u just see things & take them when you want them, without consequence, do u ever know the true worth of life?

After 6 weeks or so you change to the final curing solution and then wait 6 months.

So some time in November I will be eating these olives. Future self thanks current self for her hard work. Current self thanks past self for planting olive trees.

It made me think about life and society.

I sat at the dining room table this morning splitting olives to go into a brine solution for curing.

You split each olive with a sharp knife and then put them into a jar with water and change the water every day for 3 days.

You then switch to a 1:10 brine solution and change it weekly.

I’m sort of sad my tomatoes and peppers are done for the season. I’m not a huge fan of summer (too hot), but the garden has certainly been productive. I spent today making tasting green tomato salsa to eat later in winter, reminded of the bounty, that will return just around the corner …

Following on from #RareDiseasesDay a few weeks ago, I’d like to bring your attention to a group called IgG4ward, and IgG4 awareness day on 4th April. They do an incredible amount of advocacy for this rare disease.

Yup. Sounds about right. We stayed a little way out of the city and caught the metro in

I’m sorry to find out you’re in hospital - that sucks. I hope you’re being taken care of and that you have answers and plans soon. A window is good. I always would wake up before dawn and lie watching all the colours change. Looks like your night view is interesting too. Take care x

You can have 'lived with' a chronic condition for years, doesn't mean it's all OK.

There can still be times when it's so frustrating, upsetting, & just something you could do without. Important to find a place for these feelings.

'Acceptance' doesn't mean everything's acceptable all the time.

For those of us in healthcare used to being on the other side, it’s particularly difficult.

For anyone who’s struggling being on the patient of the stethoscope today, may you treat yourself with compassion and grace. May your treating team be patient and kind. And may today be a one IV kinda day.

Instead of being able to risk stratify and being risk averse, I minimise and gaslight myself, downplaying symptoms at every turn.

I recently found out a colleague was in hospital. I’m sending them lots of extra good vibes. It’s tough being a patient, it really is.

I’m generally ok when it comes to planning and progressing. I describe myself as process oriented. I’m good at risk stratification. The devil is in the desolate. That is … until it comes to my health.

I am a terrible patient. I can’t handle being on the other side of the stethoscope at all.

I’m so so sorry you’re back there again. I imagine part of it sucks because you’re sick. But most of it must suck because it’s hospital.

Sending good vibes

Sending hugs

Trying to resist pressing “add to cart” for the squishy yarn I’ve just discovered on sale …

I DO NOT NEED MORE YARN

EVEN if I’m under the weather & knitting is about all I can manage right now, I may have one or two surplus balls of squish already …

Now seeds on the other hand …