Topic: Introducing mmMekitty

Morning, Mum Chris,

I hope you slept better last night.

I'm sure glad you were treated well, & you recovered. 😻 & gave them a hard time! I think they would understand, & accept some 'recalcitrance' from patients who are not feeling well, so won't be in good moods. I'll try, of-course, to not give them a hard time, but the way I am more easily irritated & grumpy/cranky makes me think I can't guarantee I'll behave myself all the time.

Thanks so much, What you explain about touching is so helpful. I didn't know that about the doctors touching feet. I did volunteer work at a hospital & some volunteer workers would go around & offer to massage feet or hands to patients. I understood for many it was most welcome. It was done gently with a little lotion, & always with permission.

*

Hey Croix, do you recall writing on 29 Oct:

"Dear mmMeKitty~
Of course I've longer teeth, after all the last puddy-tat with comparable dentition became extinct around 10,000 years ago.“
Oo did I tell you how old I am?
Or that I am not extinct?

I certainly will try to talk to my helper & emphasise how important my personal space is to me. I have to remind her already about boundaries. It is her way to make light, to even say things that imply I am not being nice if I refuse to allow her to cross professional boundaries. I am, in a way, glad to have to deal with this, because there is so much I do like about her. I would usually go away, find someone else or do without, not even attempting to resolve the problem. Just avoid it & be worse off as result. Even a failed attempt is of use to me; trying is better than not trying, eh? You are right about that.

😻 VIRTUAL hugs to both of you! 😻

more later, 'cause I write oo much, & have had to cut this one in half.

mmMekitty

Dear Not Sabre Tooth Tiger

In a recent post to you I remember I wrote in your place I'd grasp opportunities so as I had no regrets (or something similar)

It just occurred to me you might have been thinking I was suggesting a course of action in medical matters, I was not. Far from it, those sorts of decisions are yours alone and I'd be impertinent and unfeeling to suggest anything in that arena (and would resent anyone trying).

While I had something in mind it was more to do with things related to your abilities, things like getting yourself not to be touched when you did not want to.

Actually it may not even being a question of outlining professional boundaries with you carer, maybe just it has an adverse effect as you cannot anticipate, makes you jumpy or similar.

I don't think you write too much, fun and wisdom is combined

Croix

Croix, what you wrote is fine. & thank you.

& for Mum Chris & Croix, here is what I wrote earlier (now a little edited(:

Even though my memory is rather erratic, & I don't seem to be taking information on board as easily as I once did, I still feel a strong need to be informed, to know what is about to happen & why. If there's going to be adverse effects I might anticipate, how long, all of it. I suppose it gives me a sense of control, even if I don't really have any because I'm not the doctor administering the treatment. I'm not the pathologist, not the nurse, not the anaesthetist, not the pharmacist, physiotherapist, occupational theripist, especially not the oncologist, & I have to yield to their care, & trust, & that's difficult for me.

*
Last time I was in hospital, I couldn't maintain control of my usual meds, I got cranky when they came with them either very early, or late, & not in keeping with my schedule. & they didn't even want me getting up & going to & from the bathroom by myself, even though the two were just a few paces apart. I felt as if they thought I was thoroughly unable to do the smallest thing for myself without causing major damage or destruction.

I'm sure I will be in for some time, don't know how long, nor do I know how many people are going to be around all the time. I would love it if I had private health insurance, & could ensure I had a private room. I felt very uncomfortable in a room with only 3 other patients, & didn't sleep at all well, which was why I wanted to get up so often...anyone might think I had a bladder problem, but really it was 'nerves'.

I felt at sea, not knowing where everything was, how to call for help, how to work the tv, (& the sound was awful through the small speaker on the remote), & not knowing what people did with my things, no sense of control, that's what it comes down to.

I've been at sea before, without a dinghy, stormy weather & all, so fearful & uncertain, feeling things are out of my control. These experiences have shown me, storms pass & I get through.

Now, I need the support, but if I admit I will get through this storm, as I have before, I fear the support will disappear. & I'll have to go through this alone, too.

mmMekitty

P.S I have an appointment at the hospital for Dec 14!

Hi mmMekitty

How about asking your helper to make an appointment with the hospital social worker and you can discuss your needs and what happened last time. Hopefully they have an occupational therapist that can engage with you while you are in hospital and help with tv operation and getting around and with thins to keep you engaged.
Will sister visit?

The medication comes when it comes but this time you will have nurses that are quick with meds and will do more rounds than a regular ward. I got moved to isolation when I got infection and they kept forgetting the chemo pills that I had every 4 and 7 hours and I needed to have with yoghurt or peanut butter and they never did that. Soooooo slack.
There’s nothing good or easy and it’s frustrating being locked up and at their mercy 😩 it crap. It can take a while to get treatment booked in so you may have a bit of time to get used to it. Outpatient treatment is better you just have to sit and wait a lot.
im sure you will be able to pur your way to a reasonable treatment and if not the claws will come out.
I’m sure you’ll traverse this with thoughtful caring and be a support to fellow room mates.
🐈🐶🐸

Dear meeMekitty (wiht a wave to Mum Chris)~

Mum Chris has given good advice, and I've not that much to add except to say you do still have a modicum of control

Do you mind if I offer a few thoughts?

I always found its better to use honey than claws when dealing with most hospital staff -you can always go to claws later if you need to (I'm not talking real claws, one of your natural advantages, of course :)

Getting a clear comprehensive briefing is of course the to do in advance, and as has been suggested, a scribe or a recording might be usefull if the mind gets overloaded.

Even in public wards it can be really OK, I've been in medical, surgical and psych, so have had a variety of experiences to draw from. I've shamelessly used disability to import frowned on items, I'd imagine a phone and charger at least, unless allowed anyway. Not much good for the Forum with a small screen -any ideas?

A freind of mine had his carer come in as he had trouble eating, can you get yours in from time to time too?

Mum Chris' ideas of hospital social workers and OTs is a pretty good one, allies never hurt.

All the time you can reach here there will be support (cross flippers and ... etc). Hopefully sister too.

Croix

Thanks you tow - you would make an awesome team! 😺

Dec 14, is the appointment to meet the surgeon, actually, & I've already checked out her website, blog, & other info she puts out for her patients & carers & family. It is impressive, & up-to-date. The receptionist who had called mentioned how Dr 'Surgeon' also refers patients to a Breast Cancer Service. They are also up-to-date, even having n article up there about booster vaccines for breast cancer patients. Booklets & factsheets are also available, as well as an online support network, too.

I realised I hadn't ask what the precise diagnosis is, because breast cancer is not a single disease, it is important to know kOf ! Well, duh, I thought, I knew that , didn't I?

That's the first thing I want now, to know exactly what the diagnosis is. Then I could look at what path is ahead. No jumping to conclusions about anything.

*

Well might I fantasise about all sorts of things, which I doubt I would ever do, so the claws remain sheathed in this scaredy cat.

My phone & charger are sure to be on my list of items to take with me. As for coming onto the forum , if I am given some time & a quiet place, so I could dictate a brief essage, which would turn up terrible looking, no punctuation or anything, I might be able to work it. Would give me something to do? & if I get really frustrated with my Phone, some people may be entertained. OThat ould be a wonderful/awful challenge for me, too!

What could it hurt to try?

I could also try asking to see their social worker, & occupational therapist, (thanks Chris), & see how they might help.

There's other resources on the website, & when I know more I can go dip in & find relevant information.

Why can't I buy long sleeve, long leg length jammies in summer? The hospital will be cool at best. I'm going to end up wearing my long sleeve t-shirts, an over-sized t-shirt & leggings that don't fit, or have threads pulled?

I did discover that post-surgery, a supportive bra, wich is comfortable, is needed & the site mentioned where some can be bought, from $12, to nearly $100. mmm?

mmMekitty

Dear mmMekitty~

We've being talking about practical matters, one way or another. That's just fine if that is what you'd like to do, however not everybody does, at least not all the time.

So "dealer's choice", what would you like?

We can indeed go into what is facing you, that's one possibility, and some people really appreciate it.

From previous remarks I could take a guess at your origin, but will leave that for you to confirm or deny (just like the CIA). I found (as you can see from my happy memories thread) I found a fair degree of pleasure in casting my mind back to happier refuges from my past life. Is that something you'd like to natter about?

Nonsense in Croix Parler? Or even serious discussion on philosophy (yes I've discussed Sartre et al here)

I can see you help others here, would you prefer to concentrate on that?

Or a mix?

Croix (the obliging walrus)

I don't know what I want, Croix. Sometimes I don't want to think, but can't stop. I get so f***ing tired I don't want to eat, but must eat something, or I can't sleep.

I do want facts & reliable information, but not sure how much I will retain, anyway. I don't like feeling so uncertain, & having to go with the flow, when I feel I should be taking some control of what is to happen.

There is so much I don't know. I would be very pleased if I do manage to share anything I learn along the way.

& I can't name my surgeon or her website, or the other website, which look very useful, with information for patients, carers, family, & friends. There is so much out there which is out-of-date, or not well informed,, I'd like to help people avoid going down the not so useful paths. So when I do come across information which seems particularly accessible & well researched,, I'd like to pass it on.

So, I need practical, to work through what I am thinking, done via writing TO someone, not just to myself, so I welcome feedback, comments & questions alike. Specific questions & clear comments that show if what I wrote is making sense, if I've forgotten anything, gone way off into too much speculation - I can see that in responses. I can continue to do the fun stuff, I think, but, as interestde in philosophy as I may be, I don't feel on solid ground, 'cause I forget so much of what I hear. & think this memory of mine is really getting worse.

These practical things I can do now help me to feel less like a cork in the ocean. Now I am a raft with a pair of oars. It's so big, wide & deep, I dare not look to where the horizon might be. Just what is immediately around me, what I can reach.

More later, again, my writing so much it does not fit.

Virtual hugs to all,, 'cause my virtual furry arms can reach all the way around, even with that Walrus in the mix! 😻

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty

The nursing staff in the hospital should have had training in caring for a sight impaired patient but I suppose it's a good idea not to count on that.

I googled it and Vision Australia should be able to give you advice if you ring them. The hospital should put labels on medication that you can read with your fingers, they should offer you a corner bed, orient you to the room, etc.

Can you take along music to listen to via earphones?

I have a friend who used to work in the garment industry. I complained to her I can't find full length pyjamas and she said this is to save fabric, they make the leg length short now, which is super annoying!!

I think you'll have to be outspoken about your nerds in hospital!

Phone and charger for sure!

It's not easy in your situation to have to deal with all this. Keep talking here and get as much support as possible. I see others such as Mr Croix are being most helpful!

It would be great if you could post here while you are in hospital.

Hugs from me and Sam here! 🙂🐕🐾💖

Hello Hanna & Sam so happy to see you here.

I suppose the ¾ sleeve is also a cost saving exercise. I don’t like them either.
I have had issues with VA, but I suppose I’ll phone them again. Really it depends on how long I would be there.

I will be using my iPhone, music, & I can listen to the few books I have on it. I do have to watch my data usage. I will try to see if I can manage to get onto BB logging in, navigating, & filling in the text box, these are things I have not wanted to do on my iPhone. At best, it is tedious. I will try to take notes anyway, & hopefully use them later.

Whether the nurses are specifically trained to assist blind people or not, I’m not sure they have the time. I’m thinking my helper will be able to come with me that first day, & I’ll ask her to help with at least some of that ‘orientation’ stuff.

Maybe the hospital has volunteers who would help? Something else to find out.

How’s Sam - the sweetie?

mmMekitty

Croix:

I think, you are finding I am jumping all over the place. If so, you are correct. My mind is jumping all over the place. One thread is good for one thing, another may be more suited for something completely different. This thread, I guess, is my dumping ground/journal, but with people & invited, to jump in with comments or questions. It is helping me to be clear or clarify some thinking, which I think helps to settle the unsettled mind.

It does take me a while & lots of words to get to what is deep in my mind.

*

I like being distracted. Moreover, I do not want every minute of every waking hour to be solely focused on my breast cancer, & what may lie ahead.

I'm trying to not slip into some deeper depression. I'm trying to not allow my anxiety take over & overwhelm me every chance it gets.

I want to help others, reciprocity, I guess, for the help I have found here.

I really don't like to see someone in need not having at least a welcome, even late at night/early morning. Perhaps more so then, because these people have so much going on, they are not sleeping, but posting onto BB. Like me!

I’ve had enough of people not even acknowledging my needs, so I don't want to 'ignore' someone else, tired as I might be, my eyes swimming & my mind feeling blurry too, I still want to say 'welcome'.
Some people manage to reach me more deeply. I feel I would like to be with them more, & respond whenever they need a response. It's not always possible, though, & I realise I might not be able to do that much for a while.

When this tiredness I’ve been feeling comes on, it does so quickly, & I can barely think, or so it seems. I know I can’t offer a quality response while I feel like that.

There’s a few people I want to be here for, no matter what, so is it ‘good enough’ to simply say ‘hello’ -I’m not really happy with that, but rather than risking saying something inappropriate, maybe missing the point of someone’s post, because I’m so tired I am not comprehending what I’m reading, I would rather just let them know I’m not far away/someone IS here.
*

I know, there’s more than you’ve asked. I’m trying to organise my thoughts.
mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty

I was a nurse long ago and we were trained in helping vision impaired people in hospital, but I admit the training was different then and much more patient care based rather than technical as it is now.

Interesting you had issues with VA, recently I had them contact me about my monocular vision and the girl I spoke to was rude and no help at all.

Little Sam is well and as I write this sitting at an outdoor Cafe he's busy snuffling down pieces of my raisin toast! At least he will stop me from getting fatter!

Do you have a date for your hospital admission yet?

There is lots of wonderful music and talks on utube, I use that a lot now.

Sam wants his walk so I must go. Thinking of you! 🙂🐕🐾🐾👍

I have the first appointment with the surgeon, in two weeks, & I suppose she will tell me more then, when & everything, I hope.

*

Monocular vision could certainly restrict your visual field to one half, & effect depth perception Have you seen an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist? I'm not sure they can do anything about it, but probably refer you back to VA!

*

Raisins huh? I'm not sure dogs should be eating raisins/sultanas/grapes. I think they were on the list I once had, warning of all sorts of food & plants unsafe for cats & / or dogs.

Great to be getting out & to a cafe, though. 😸

mmMekitty

Dear mmMekitty (with a wave to Hanna3)~

I guess having a mind jump from one thing to another is not such a bad thing at the moment, quite apart from the fact it is to be expected.

My local public hospital has free WiFi, not great but good enough for email and things that are not graphics intensive. Maybe you'll strike it lucky. Talking of email I find it easier to compose in email and then paste it into the text box, the predictive text and editing seems better.

Naps are necessary, don't begrudge the time , it is well spent.

Just a greeting is most useful, though I suspect you are going it be able to do more than that, you have a pretty good grasp of matters (if paws can grasp that is) even when tired.

Remember if you make hash of something just report your post and ask the moderators to delete it (explain why)

Forgive me if I side-track a bit. Talking of paws I remember as a kid arriving in France to go to school. I boarded with a family which had the most peculiar cat, it was a tiny tortoiseshell, but had truly impressive sized feet, dunno why.

Actually Paris seemed inundated with cats, all over the streets and markets. You would think they would be scarce, after all the war had not been over all that long.

Parisians ate better than British just then. I remember coming down the breakfast with the radio going. The everyday French language was far removed from what I'd learned at school in Britain, which was essentially useless, had to start from scratch.

Still breakfast was a treat, soup bowls without handles full of milk coffee, bread and butter AND jam! Even better were chocolate sandwiches -though they were not breakfast fare

Another glimpse another time perhaps if you want.

Croix

Hi mmMekitty

I had a bit to read to catch up. I’m tired too but I have had fatigue at various times and it seems you may be experiencing fatigue. Time for kitty to have a full physical and look for reason. Not good to blame stress for everything but if nothing found then time to listen to some smooth jazz music. I know you mentioned that you liked jazz.
Cabin fever is a real thing have you been inside avoiding the rain and floods. How’s the weather in your area. Good for ducks here.
Hope you have a restful evening 🥰

Hello everyone,

Not feeling so tired, I thought today was better.

Later I went out shopping with my helper for a few things I saw online. I need to try on the clothes, & you can't do that online. Maybe one day, there will be Virtual Reality Fitting Rooms where you can try on from your own home! That could be cool, if it works, but not goo accurately, or you might get stuck in a virtual top much too small for you & not be able to turn the thing off!

I did find a few things, for when I do go into hospital,& won't feel embarrassed about my tatty clothes. 😼

We were both surprised how long this took. I thought we'd have time for two shops at the one location, but didn't.

& it was near the end of our shopping that I became tired again. I felt like I hadn't slept in three days, & thought I must be babbling while she drove me home. & I was hungry again, so I had to eat, before trying to rest, (& I had a bowl of vegies at lunchtime.). I enjoy a few late afternoon/early evening tv shows, & 'FOMO' happens, I guess. While I was trying to rest, at least, & listen while putting my legs up, I kept dozing, & startling myself.

Suddenly I hear a sound, & I'm not sure these are real sounds or from my brain, or from how sound distorts when on the verge of sleep, & that startles me. Sometimes a flashing light, cool & white like that from a phone, in synchrony with a few sounds, (I don't recall what sounds), or I simply see flashes of light & think it's my phone, even though the phone doesn't repeatedly flash light in short bursts like that, & I've reach for my phone, only to realise it is not actually where the light seemed to come from.

That's really annoying, like imagining I've heard my phone's ringtone, as if someone is calling, but no one did. That's when I change my ring tone.

Mum Chris, didn't you suggest 'smooth jazz' in another post recently? Yes, I like smooth jazz & don't have enough on my phone.

I'm not at risk of being flooded. The heavy rain last night wasn't washing in at the base of the doors. It sure was loud! (I'm so glad I am not upstairs. I think that amount of noise would've been intolerable for me last night.

I've made a time to talk with my GP tomorrow, & will ask about this tiredness, & if she said what sort of breast cancer I have.

Not much more tonight, I think. & I'm not promising I will be around much tomorrow, after talking to GP & PDr.

Warm regards, to you all, including Sam & other furry friends. 😸 hugs all round!

mmMekitty

Oh, Croix, I like the little happy moments. 😸

When I started high school, my (ex-)stepsister almost three weeks younger than me, decided, we were not going to share classes, & put herself down to learn French & me to learn German, thinking that would do it.

Her plan didn't work very well, because of the school's own administrative mess up, & we ending up in some classes together. She'd be at the back with her friends trying to be as disrruptive as they could, while I was expected to sit at the front, so I might have a chance to see the writing on blackboard. some classes I could just read it, other not at all. For science wewere a class of 52 kids to 4 teachers in the one room, & no teaching got done. I borrowed one of the teacher's books to learn anything. My (ex-)stepsister held onto the books we our parents told us to share. Not that she wanted to learn, but thinking I would not, & therefore I could not get better grades than her.

She learned very little of (possibly the same useless ) French you learned, while I had done quite well learning what may have equally been as useless a form of German.

For younger people reading, I was in high school in the mid 1970s, & no other language courses were offered.)

*

At the Migrant Hostel we stayed at when we first arrived in Aus, we were sometimes given sandwiches with chocolate sprinkles. Good on a warm day, when they had melted - sort of My parents were not thrilled we were given these, & were perplexed by having warm milk on those 'wheat Soggies' as I call them. Made them go soggy in an instant, while cold milk let you have a few bites that crunched a little. & we didn't put warm milk into our porridge either, just cold & preferably, brown sugar. Other people thought we were strange.

Thanks Croix. I'd be happy to hear more. 😻

mmMekitty

Hi,

My mum was a migrant and she used to eat slices of apple and sultanas on white bread maybe she got that at the migrant accommodation they were at for about 9 months I think. I never ate any of her weird sandwiches and I dont like chocolate hazelnut spread on bread either. I ws never one for fairy bread which is closed to what you were fed I suppose. Now cucumbers and butter on thin white bread YUMMY.

I am having a sooky day today. I want to curl up in bed and hide from the world.

Happy cat icon emoji here (i cant find them)

I have my days when I want to curl up awhile, not so much all day anymore, but still, oddly it is usually a Saturday or Sunday, & I could easily spend most of the daylight hours just resting, perhaps listening to soft music, or I'll leave a book playing, but not really listening to it, & drift in & out of sleep - until I have to get up for one reason or other. I risk being up way too late when I 've allowed myself to do this. Living alone, I don't have to consider anyone else, so it is really easy to allow myself to not face a day.

Some mornings, when I know I will have to get up, but when I've waken & immediately feel miserable, I will tuck myself in again, & say, try again, & snooze a little longer, & begin my day again. Often it works to 'start the day again', because when I wake the next time, I don't feel so miserable

*

😺If you are using Windows 10, & bring up the Emoji panel, just begin typing: cat, & you will see the various cat faces & others below. Or you can borrow mine, by selecting, copying & pasting what you copy wherever in your own Reply to a post text box. That's how I do Jo's red hearts,because somehow, . the red hearts in my emoji panel don't turn up looking red. So I use Jo's. I think Jo doesn't mind my spreading them around.

In fact, I think I would like to find some for you know.

💨mmMekitty

Here I am again, with armloads of these ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️for you,Mum Chris. Keep thee in various places, such as, under your pillow, in your pockets, in your desk drawer, amongst the lounge cushions, anywhere where you might need some love & care.

mmMekitty

Dear mmMekitty (wiht a wave to Mum Chris)~

Mum Chris I wrote you a serious post on your thread, here I'm not going to be so deadly earnest:)

And if you want to follow mmMekitty's excellent advice on cutting and pasting emoji characters look at Grandy or Demonblaster's posts, They have rich seam of icons throughout.

Actually I fondly remember cucumber sandwiches, thin, on white bread with butter, sliced into triangles and served on three-tier silver serving trays - together with Indian tea in porcelain cups and saucers. One lump or two - or would you prefer lemon? A civilized way to take afternoon tea.

As my father was a vicar we often had such occasions with parishioners or the bishop. Actually his being a vicar helped when we came to Australia, no camps, straight into a rectory as he had a parish to go to after a short stay in a hotel.

All very disappointing, no kangaroos at all and boiling hot days and nights plus giant mosquitoes that needed a runway to take off and land. I had to go to school of course and on the very first day there was a geography test - which I pointed out to them was completely unfair, who on earth had heard of the Tasman Sea -argh! Sadly I did not do well :(

mmMeKitty, you and your (ex) step-sister were lucky to have German and French to choose from, in Britain the languages were Classical Greek, Latin and (optional) French taught by a gentleman who flew over France during the war- his closest French experience. To be fair the masters for the other two languages had never spoken them either. As it turned out all three tongues were pretty well useless.

I invented so many excuses for not doing my homework in these subjects I was dubbed to have the 'Croix book of excuses'. The 'dog ate my homework' was nothing on my tales of woe:)

As an aside the French schoolchildren, who went to an école nationale d'état spoke marvelous English, a sad reflection on the English public school system.

I guess that's more than enough for now

Croix

LOL! Shortly after our arrival in Australia, our class was given an outline map of Australia & asked to indicate where the capital cities (including Darwin & ACT? I'm not sure). I got every one wrong. So much laughter; I was so embarrassed. Another day my nose had begun to bleed, & I called out, innocently, "I have a bloody nose", which is a perfectly acceptable thing to say in USA, but not here!

*

Since I discovered my text-to speech reader would say a word or three, to describe the emojis it encountered in documents people might send me, emails, & on websites, such as this, I like them more than I used to. Then I found I don't have to go into the upper menus or even to use the Windows key+full-stop to bring up the emoji panel. I simply use the application key or my right mouse button where I want to use an emoji, within these text boxes, if I want,or in a document, & there is the emoji panel, type to find one, or select from what is already showing. I have kept my panel showing he most recently used. The only thing that bugs me now, (& I am sure Croix will be delighted) is that I can't select a whole bunch all at once!

I've said before, & I will say again, there are not enough cat emojis, & no walrus.

I wonder, Mum Chris, if you thought how you would like to represent yourself, possibly for your avatar picture one day? In a sense it does not matter to me, because I can find you easily enough. Just another casual curiosity about avatar pictures, & when people don't choose one.

I only wish I could see Croix's picture better. For a while I wasn't sure at all what I was seeing, then someone said something about Croix being a Walrus....😺 & I was happy with that info. Avatars are not described by my text-to-speech reader.

*

I've had the idea that learning Latin would be useful in the sens that it would inform the student of the origins of so many of our English words, suffixes & prefixes, certain common phrases, things like that.

I did snooze a bit earlier, but making lots of typing errors is getting on my nerves, so I'll , it's goodnight from me. 😸❤️❤️❤️❤️💤& happy dreams to you

mmMekitty.

Dear mmMekitty~

Well I guess Latin does have some uses, particularly in legal circles and naming natural specimens, but in every day speech not that much.

If you want to see my avatar I guess it will need enlarging, and Beyond Blue avatars do not do that successfully as they are too low a resolution. Mine is an altered part of an illustration called The Walrus and the Carpenter (or Briny Beach) from Lewis Carol's Though the looking Glass, an illustration done by John Tenniel in 1971

Actually the poem and illustration have been seen as a social allegory with the walrus as 'the fat cat' -if you will pardon the expression -and the clams as the exploited. masses This however is not why I selected it.

Actually you can find out on this page

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/welcome-and-orientation/what%27s-my-name-avatar-mean-

About the fifth post down

Croix

-sigh, that's 1871 of course

-C

mmMekitty

avatar not chosen as I was a tumble weed didn’t think I belonged

Something to think about my eyes are 1/4 open so maybe for another time. I love the soothing ocean but never get there. Something be achy as my ideal.
My bones are painful and I’m being careful to not do more injuries.
Super busy at work and 8 hours a day i need to focus outside of my emotions.
Take care mmMekitty and enjoy the morning restarts.

Thanks Croix,

That will be a nice little diversion to go into. 😸

I think my BMI would qualify me as a 'fat cat', but only in the physical sense. I am not a rich & snobby hob-nobs wot's hob-nobbing looking down my nose - that's gross!. 😺

& I never have eaten a shell fish that spoke to me either.

*

Yesterday:

I'd made my appointment for my GP to phone me for 11:45, but she didn't phone until 12:45 - just when I'm getting ready to phone my PDr. That's why I had agreed to 11:45! But I did ask her if she had given a precise diagnosis, what sort of breast cancer I have, & she said something I didn't recall just five minutes later. Something about it being in the milk ducts, carcinoma in situ, I think she said, & one may be invasive, but there nees to be more investigations to know more. Oh, & something about being positive for two hormones, oestrogen & one of the others.

I admit, I don't know what this means.

Then, the motor mower people deciding that the time to mow our place, & to take more time going over the grassy areas (hardly what I'd call a 'lawn'), but going around the rubbish people leave in places, during the entire time while I was talking to my PDr.

& they didn't cut back the weeds outside my back door again.

& I made a mistake while paying him, not a terrible mistake, but I was just telling him I fear I will make a bad mistake one day, even after checking what I'm doing 2 - 3 times over.

*

I got some sleep, woke, then wanted for more, because I'm not getting enough. & managed 2 more hours. So, late start, messes what minimal schedule I want to keep. It was worth it.

Later I walked up the street. Hot & humid. The local pollie put on an Xmas thing,, mostly for kids, with an energetic woman magician entertaining them, & loud music.

I come for the sausage sizzle. There were not too many people there, at the start, so, maybe more came by later, for Santa & turning on the tree lights.

I went to Woolies & picked up a couple more things & also got some non-talking calamari, & came home.

The dogs behind their fences startle me so, I fear them getting out too, I think one day I'm going to be so startled I'll trip up & fall.

I ended up feeling hot, sweaty, my hip & back hurting, cranky about the dogs, but full up with 2 sausages on bread, & onion, For some reason, I can't make taste so good at home.

*
His long break is all too soon away, now. 😾

mmMekitty

Dear mmMekitty~

Non-talking calamari? OK, unusual but I believe you, though I have had chocolate that went snap crackle pop in the mouth

As for "rich & snobby hob-nobs wot's hob-nobbing looking down my nose", I'm afraid my parents fell into that category, which ultimately led to my disinheritance after I fell in love with an "unsuitable" person.

Best thing that could have happened.

I'm sure your test results will be made clear in time, well before you have to make decisions, it's just a pity you have to wonder in the interim. I ask my GP for printouts of test results, which can be a help to the memory afterwards. Perhaps if they were emailed to you then you might be able to read them.

You are being inscrutable again, does "His long break is all too soon away, now." mean there are only

20 days till Xmass and associated seasonal breaks?

Croix

I didn't mean to be obtuse. I phone my PDr Next Thursday & the next after that, then he is on his break until January, when I see him Wednesday,19th, in person, unless circumstances mean more lockdowns, or, what if I'm too ill? Because I don't know/can't predict, - we are all living in these uncertain times, but they really feel more certainly uncertain for me now.

Just as well I am txting this to you from The BB Cafe - it's bucketing down, with lots of lightning & thunder & neighbours out there! (I think they're on something).

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty

I had a whole post to send you then got interrupted now it’s gone. I was going to say I hate dogs charging the fence it scares me a lot

Now I have had a fall and waiting for dr can’t handle emergency room although I probably should have. Hopefully just sprained but it’s bad I can’t walk at all. Stupid mistake. Rushing instead of taking care.

🤦🏼‍♀️👻🏥

Oh, I've just missed you... hope it is okay, a sprain, & nothing worse. It surely is uncomfortable waiting in A&E.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️sending these on after, hope they find you & warm you

mmMekitty