Thank you all so much for your messages of support on my last post. It really did mean a lot to me. I'm not one to let those sorts of things out, I like to keep things all positive, all the time, but sometimes a girl's got to vent. So thanks for listening!
After writing that last post and hitting publish, it was enough for me to make the decision to get a little more proactive. I had been at that point of throwing my hands in the air and giving up. I've managed to track down a company on the Gold Coast that normally doesn't hire the batteries for the oxygen concentrators separately, but they have decided to hire them to me, at a fraction of the price originally quoted through the hospital. Not only that, the showroom on the Gold Coast doesn't actually have those batteries in stock, they are having them couriered up from Sydney for me, at no extra cost. As the machine I have is an older one, they only have 2 spare batteries, which will be an extra 6 hours plus the 3 I already have, which makes me feel a lot better about travelling. It will mean I will be able to have a small sleep without the fear of waking with a debilitating headache. It's nice to know there are some people out there willing to help you out.
Really, thanks again for the support, you guys rock.
XX
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A small rant....
Warning: May contain obscene language. Strike that, will contain obscene language.
I don't normally like to comment here about my health "issues" but this has really been getting to me.
As some of you who have been reading awhile might remember, I have cystic fibrosis. Now while most of the time I am well, and I choose to live my life as though c.f wasn't a part of me, events surrounding my trip have really brought it all to light. Not only is there the extra baggage I have to take for all my medications, it was also established that I need to have access to oxygen while on board the plane. I was told because of my c.f I had to have a high altitude simulation test (H.A.S.T) in order to be deemed "fit for travel" and in doing that test it became aware that I would require the use of oxygen. Now we're flying with Emirates, and according to my medical team, and a quick check of their website, it all seemed as though it should run smoothly, they would provide oxygen via nasal cannula and everything would be sweet. Obviously this is now where the rant comes in.
We lodged the forms downloaded from the Emirates website, ticking the box that said "needs pulse flow oxygen via nasal cannula". They rejected the first form because we lodged it one week too early. Resubmitted new form with the right dates, that one was rejected because it was the old form. In reading the new form we realised there was no box for oxygen via nasal cannula, only for a mask. According to my doctor, if I use the mask I will be worse off than not using oxygen, as I will just be re-breathing my CO2. Ok, scrap that idea. Another check of their website confirms that we can take a portable oxygen concentrator on board with me. Great, lets just do that. The machine comes with a battery lasting 3 hours, we'll just plug it in on the plane, and everything will be sweet. It turns out, we can't just "plug it in", there is nowhere to plug it in, I need to take all the batteries required to operate it for the duration of the flight. Do the math, 3 hour battery life, 22 hours total flight time, and also the batteries are the length and half the width of a brick. Not only that, I have been able to access a portable oxygen concentrator for free, the batteries, that's another story altogether. Trying to hire that many batteries will be the equivalent of half of my spending money allowance. Apparently my medical team have never experienced this much hassle before in trying to get someone access to onboard oxygen, and they have dealt with Emirates before with no problems either. Emirates informed me that they have done cabin upgrades and have had to change some of their policies. I also found out that they have an "inseat power source" but that is for recharging your laptops and mobile phones, and I'm not to plug my oxygen batteries into that. My first reaction to that was, what the fuck? My second reaction, WHAT THE FUCK? God forbid people can't send their friends and families emails of cats with fucked up text versions of words emblazoned all over it. How the fuck can anyone get by without chatting on their mobiles about the fabulous mani/pedi they got yesterday, or the inflight meal they just got served? Apparently all these measures have been put in place because some fucktard who didn't plug his oxygen in properly sued some airline, so now the rest of us have to suffer, literally. So basically the upshot is, I will be making a 22+ hour flight, with 3 hours of oxygen, saving it only for when I get back from the loo. I have been told this will not be detrimental to my health, but I am going to have one motherfucker of a headache. Let me also add, if I get in that seat and I have the right adapter to plug my battery in, I will be doing it. I'd like to see them try and stop me.
I don't normally like to comment here about my health "issues" but this has really been getting to me.
As some of you who have been reading awhile might remember, I have cystic fibrosis. Now while most of the time I am well, and I choose to live my life as though c.f wasn't a part of me, events surrounding my trip have really brought it all to light. Not only is there the extra baggage I have to take for all my medications, it was also established that I need to have access to oxygen while on board the plane. I was told because of my c.f I had to have a high altitude simulation test (H.A.S.T) in order to be deemed "fit for travel" and in doing that test it became aware that I would require the use of oxygen. Now we're flying with Emirates, and according to my medical team, and a quick check of their website, it all seemed as though it should run smoothly, they would provide oxygen via nasal cannula and everything would be sweet. Obviously this is now where the rant comes in.
We lodged the forms downloaded from the Emirates website, ticking the box that said "needs pulse flow oxygen via nasal cannula". They rejected the first form because we lodged it one week too early. Resubmitted new form with the right dates, that one was rejected because it was the old form. In reading the new form we realised there was no box for oxygen via nasal cannula, only for a mask. According to my doctor, if I use the mask I will be worse off than not using oxygen, as I will just be re-breathing my CO2. Ok, scrap that idea. Another check of their website confirms that we can take a portable oxygen concentrator on board with me. Great, lets just do that. The machine comes with a battery lasting 3 hours, we'll just plug it in on the plane, and everything will be sweet. It turns out, we can't just "plug it in", there is nowhere to plug it in, I need to take all the batteries required to operate it for the duration of the flight. Do the math, 3 hour battery life, 22 hours total flight time, and also the batteries are the length and half the width of a brick. Not only that, I have been able to access a portable oxygen concentrator for free, the batteries, that's another story altogether. Trying to hire that many batteries will be the equivalent of half of my spending money allowance. Apparently my medical team have never experienced this much hassle before in trying to get someone access to onboard oxygen, and they have dealt with Emirates before with no problems either. Emirates informed me that they have done cabin upgrades and have had to change some of their policies. I also found out that they have an "inseat power source" but that is for recharging your laptops and mobile phones, and I'm not to plug my oxygen batteries into that. My first reaction to that was, what the fuck? My second reaction, WHAT THE FUCK? God forbid people can't send their friends and families emails of cats with fucked up text versions of words emblazoned all over it. How the fuck can anyone get by without chatting on their mobiles about the fabulous mani/pedi they got yesterday, or the inflight meal they just got served? Apparently all these measures have been put in place because some fucktard who didn't plug his oxygen in properly sued some airline, so now the rest of us have to suffer, literally. So basically the upshot is, I will be making a 22+ hour flight, with 3 hours of oxygen, saving it only for when I get back from the loo. I have been told this will not be detrimental to my health, but I am going to have one motherfucker of a headache. Let me also add, if I get in that seat and I have the right adapter to plug my battery in, I will be doing it. I'd like to see them try and stop me.
Monday, March 21, 2011
This week.....
....I am obsessed with all things Paris. In particular finding my way around the place. I am by nature not a very organised person, but when it comes to being in unfamiliar territory, I prefer to be well prepared. I have been planning routes and google mapping directions like crazy! With only 2 weeks until my trip, I hope I don't send myself insane!
Check out Vic's new meme and see what others are doing, or planning to do, this week...
image source
Sunday, March 20, 2011
This one's for Jess....
The other day Jess showed off her latest creation, Doug, on her blog and I must admit, I was completely smitten. I want him. More than I have wanted anything I have ever seen on any blogs I follow. Now that's saying something. It almost makes me wish I wasn't going to France in 2 weeks so I could afford him (well, maybe not quite!)
The name attracted me at first. You see, my childhood "best friend" was named Dougie, or the more dignified name he has been getting these days is Douglas. Dougie went with me everywhere. I'm sure he even came to Hong Kong and China with us when I was 11 (correct me if I'm wrong Mum). He would come on every road trip, every hospital visit, every camp. He's not looking the best these days. He has started to fall apart. I even tried bandaging him up! But look at his little face. Is that not the face of someone who has received a lot of love in their time? I think it is.
The name attracted me at first. You see, my childhood "best friend" was named Dougie, or the more dignified name he has been getting these days is Douglas. Dougie went with me everywhere. I'm sure he even came to Hong Kong and China with us when I was 11 (correct me if I'm wrong Mum). He would come on every road trip, every hospital visit, every camp. He's not looking the best these days. He has started to fall apart. I even tried bandaging him up! But look at his little face. Is that not the face of someone who has received a lot of love in their time? I think it is.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
my creative space....and a confession
This is literally the first thing I have crafted this year. I know right, crazy! I was actually a little worried my sewing machine would have seized up in my absence, but those old Pfaffs, they just keep on going! She did come together beautifully though didn't she?
Now my lack of crafting is not actually my confession. Do you remember back in Blogtoberfest when I held my last giveaway for a custom bunny? Well, this is it! I'm really quite embarrassed about how slack I was in getting this made, but El seemed pretty happy with her bunny, even though it took me forever! Remind me next time I host a giveaway, to actually make something first.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Flea Market finds
Trying very hard not to spend money at the moment, saving every cent for the ultimate flea market adventure (eeep! only 3 weeks until we fly out!), but I have been op shopping looking for clothes. Having said that, I couldn't go past the linen section at my local op shop as they price their linens very well. The little shamrock scone cover doily (Mum, what's its technical term??), 50c, the cotton pillowcase with the very pretty purple trim, $1, and the gorgeous scottie dog doily, 50c. They were a bit discoloured, but with a little help from my laundry friends, they have all come up beautifully. $2 very well spent.
For other flea market goodness, pop over to Sophie's.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Having a clear out...
Another very quick post to let anyone who is interested know that I am having a bit of a clear out of some chenille and have listed a bit on ebay, here. I got some gorgeous pieces from my chenille dealer recently and she told me of some more gorgeous pieces she has coming, and of course Mr Vintage has a silly little rule that I have to get rid of some before I can get some more. Argh, men.
If you make a purchase, mention the blog for an extra 10% discount on the sale price of all chenille (not including postage)!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Bears...again
Just a quick note to let you all know that I have just listed my bears, again, here on ebay at some ridiculously low prices. Get 'em while they're hot!
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