Just going through a bit of a weird time at the moment. My knee is very much at extremes from day to day. I get a few days when I am hardly aware of it and can trot about without a stick and feel good then WHAM I can barely put any weight on it and it is stiff and very painful and I am struggling to move without sharp pains shooting through my knee and down the leg. It is painful at the moment. The pain depresses me sometimes. Occasionally I just sit down and cry because I can't do anything without pain. I can wake up the next morning and be free of pain again - it is so unpredictable.
Generally my health is quite good and I have managed to get through the winter months with only one cold which lasted about 4 days. I have friends and family who have had the cough thing that lasts about a month or so and I feel sorry for them. However recent happenings have made me view my life differently.
I have to say something about the state of things in Japan. We see the pictures and videos, so many of them, of the incoming tsunami and how it just swept everything away in its path. It is hard to comprehend how many lives have been wiped out, and how the survivors will cope with losing homes, family, friends and their life's possessions. How on earth will the country recover and clear the debris and human remains? The infrastructure has been chewed to pieces making rescue and assistance very difficult. There is always the threat of radiation from escaping radioactive material into the atmosphere from the crumbling nuclear power plant. There is also the threat of further tremors or even another massive quake, bringing the danger of further tsunamis to endanger the rescue squads.
It gives me a different perspective on my own little problems.
My heart goes out to those who have survived and those working to clear and recover some semblance of normality. I watched a news item yesterday of some rescuers at work who were sent rushing to high ground by a tsunami warning. They were then told of possible radiation heading their way and told to go indoors, so they all rushed into the remains of a still standing building on the ridge. Then there was a minor tremor and a sense of panic - stay and maybe get injured in a collapsing building? or go outside and get contaminated with radiation? How can people work in these conditions? I have no idea how they do it but I admire their spirit and strength to at least DO something positive regardless of their own personal risks.
I have supported previous appeals from the DEC in the UK following disasters and I was surprised to find a statement from them saying they were NOT launching and appeal for Japan, as their primary aim was to support third world countries who are poorly resourced and have no emergency plans or funds to provide them. They state Japan is a wealthy country whose government has planned for such events and has many resources to call upon. Japan has not 'officially' requested international help so none is being provided by a governmental appeal.
If you wish to contribute something to help the stricken Japanese, the Red Cross DOES have an appeal fund and has agreed donations to the fund will go to the Japanese Red Cross to boost their resources.
Quote from the official Red Cross site:- http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/Japan-Tsunami-Appeal
"The Japanese Red Cross has been working on the ground since the disaster began, mobilising 85 teams, made up of more than 700 doctors, nurses and support staff, to provide first aid and healthcare and assess the damage and needs of the communities affected.
More than 500,000 people have been evacuated and are being housed in temporary centres set up in schools and public buildings where the Red Cross is distributing thousands of blankets.
The Japanese Red Cross has agreed to accept donations from the UK."
It does state that any surplus (??) donations will go into Red Cross funds to provide emergency support ready for the next international disaster.
I know we need organised help and support to help the affected people as quickly as possible, and it seems the Japanese government is channelling and controlling it's relief efforts in the way they deem best. But surely they should accept financial offers from other countries, and any specialist help offered to speed up the process. The sheer scale of this disaster must be stretching Japanese resources, no matter how well prepared they are.
Sitting in my own home. comfortable, warm, and safe, I cannot imagine what it must be like to have lost everything and yet survive yourself. It gives me a whole different perspective on my own trivial problems and needs.
On a lighter note... Honey is doing well and enjoying life as much as she can. She has steadily grown in comfort and confidence of being on the retractable lead, knowing she does not have to stick to my side like glue yet is still in contact with me. We met one of her old acquaintances yesterday and it gave me a shock. Baloo is a huge GSD (Germand Shepherd Dog) with very dark colouring and has always had an enthusiastic eye for the 'ladies' of the doggy world. He has a very soft friendly nature and welcomes attention from humans. I have not seen him for some months and although he seemed on the thin side the last time I made a fuss of him, he seemed generally in good condition. Now he is crippled with arthritis and was walking slowly with a stiff gait and a really sad droop to his demeanour. He did try to come and sniff Honey but she saw him coming, and an early soft warning growl from Honey told him he was wasting his time. He stopped and then headed back to his owner with a noticeable limp. He must be about 10 or even 11 now and obviously feeling his age.
Jenny's friend has just had to have the family dog put to sleep following a stroke or seizure. Tonic was about 14. It is still a distressing time for their family even though they knew he would not be with them for very much longer.
Oh I'm sorry this blog is all doom and gloom. But that's how life goes doesn't it, a real roller coaster ride of events and emotions. Good times and bad bringing mixed feelings.
Sometimes I just want to curl up and shut out the world for a few hours. Other times I adore being outside in whatever weather enjoying the beauty around me and just feeling good to be alive. I have no regrets about my life so far. Yes I've made bad choices at times but I've learnt from them. My only wish now is to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible and not be a burden to anyone. I just need to actually DO more, instead of just thinking about what I need to get done, and getting depressed at the mountain of outstanding things to be sorted. Oh for the body and energy of a 30 yr old!
Well I can dream still can't I?
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