Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 5 - Trying to recover from the pandemic

Buffythedebtslayer

I am not sure, but I am wondering if we are feeling quite similar. I am a bit political in reality because I really see the damage done to children in my classes, the lack they have at home and school and this insane future we face, I mean there was climate change - but I felt i could encourage students to be environmentally friendly and be aware. Then covid happened and that was crushingly unknown and confusing and now? Well now we aren't allowed to mention it any more because it is over and has not had a long term impact. Ok.......And in the background.....the "government" which is truly scary and sometimes chills me to the bone (the Post Office scandal) I can't even bear to write the name of fool who is leading us. It is wrong, all wrong. And we all carry on consumed by what is in front of us - the cost of living crisis, the fear of losing the NHS,  and then finally the war. We seem to have run out of good people who are driven to do the right thing. I understand politicians want to make money and have status, ambitious people are driven for many reasons,  but now with a couple of exceptions it seems to be the right and normal thing for them to do. oh yes of course they have second jobs and vote for their own pay rises. Of course it is perfectly acceptable for family members to get government contracts. Of course it is ok they broke the rules they made - are we not getting the message clearly enough - they are better than us because they are rich. Just shut up peasants. 

And we have no opposition. There is no one who has even some of the answers. And that is what we are left with. So depressed is sometimes where I go - I also think this time of year is tough, the year 11 we lose - we know who will succeed and who will fail more or less (always some surprises!) and it is at this point I know who I could have helped more but never managed to. 

In terms of all this I try to look forward to the  relief of the summer and hope of September - a new year, a resolve from me to do better. It is a hard old hamster wheel but it is worth it. There are many students we help CCL. 

I am horrified at the cost of the holiday!! and feel your pain re vets also, one of the rabbits is ill. Made me rethink my whole finances! He unfortunately is not insured...... I am really glad the bank sorted the money. 

The timer has gone off for dinner. I think the roast potatoes are on fire 

Take care lovely XXXX 

crazy_cat_lady

Thank you Buffy - it's so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in feeling like this - even though it's a horrible feeling to have.
I think you're right. Doing the job we do we see the reality of our 12 years of Conservative government, the aftermath of the pandemic and everything else. It's hard - and there have been days I've just cried at the frustration of the world that these children (including my own) are growing up into. 

QueenJess

@crazy_cat_lady you are definitely not alone (oh and hello... I think I usually follow quietly..).  I am currently restricting my news intake to the headlines I can read in under 5 mins a day and that's it.  Anymore and it gets too depressing.  I need my energy just to get through life at the moment.

mothernerd

Thank you both. I deleted a post and a half this morning because it was 'too political' (and also a bit whiny). I am all too aware of the mismanagement in high places. I am a pacifist but sometimes I just want to grab hold of people by the neck and shake them saying "Why can't you see what's happening?", "Why aren't you doing more (or anything at all)?".

The systems at my doctor's (and within the borough) are working (but occasionally get overloaded). I tried to request a 'fit note' (that's what a sick note is called in these Orwellian times). The online system 'Askmy GP' said it was not available but I wasn't sure if that meant no-one was available (but it would be dealt with on the following Monday when they reopened) or that the system was down. 

I had another appointment at the surgery on Monday 16th (not the one I use - this one is a pain to get to even if I use the bus) so I asked the receptionist and she says they have to turn it off when 'calls' reach a certain volume. She did deal with my 'fit note' request but said that it would now be the following Monday before it could be dealt with, but it would be backdated to run on from the previous one.

I can understand their problems. Five years ago our surgery had 3 doctor's, 10 years ago there would have been 5 or 6. Now we have 2 doctors (husband and wife team) running two whole practices. They do have a 'partnership' with Manchester University and the get lots of final year of study and newly qualified doctors working within the practice (it just means that you might see a doctor you haven't seen before and may never see again) and we have 2 practice nurses who can deal with a whole lot of stuff including prescribing - it will be one of those I see for my repeat diabetic review/ medicine review/ (probably throw in the MH review as well - it's nearly 6 months and will save a return visit). So despite what the 'paper that supported Hitler' says it's not doctor's being lazy. It can't be much fun to go in on a Monday morning and deal with a million 'fit note' and repeat prescription requests and then assess patient problems to see if a written online answer will do, or a phone appointment or a face to face appointment is needed.

My DS1 was an early Brexit casualty. He was working for an organisation that supported doctors and within days of the vote numbers dropped. Doctors who were already working here looked for work in other countries and those thinking about coming here to work, opted for somewhere more friendly. I believe we're currently 10,000 GPs short of what we need.

Our local trust set up a new system for blood tests at the start of the pandemic - everyone phoned a centralised administration centre and had to book appointments but could choose where to go (so I still go to the local infirmary which is where our GP surgery is (and podiatry, audiology, district nurses and several outpatients clinics -we often sneaked in a couple of extras when going to mum's appointments). The booking appointments actually works really well as before you collected the paperwork from your GP reception and at 8.30am there was a queue half way down the corridor and a full waiting room. last time I booked a blood test they had added an online booking option so I can do that whenever I remember - late at night, early in the morning. I had to cancel an appointment once and they phoned back soon after opening to offer me the new one I'd requested.

LittleMissDetermined

ladyholly said:

CCL dont let your GP gtet away with fobbing you off. If you cant get an appointment write/ring/ email the practice manager. I know it is hard to fight if you are depressed but from what you say you do need that appointment asap.

Glad to hear you got your money back even if it goes straight out again.

Good luck with the exams.

Exactly this! Please make sure they give you the help you need, you're not a nuisance and if this is out of sorts (which it sounds like it is) you may need to speak to someone or have some help in the form of mild medication. It took me far too long to ask for help and I would hate that you are suffering the same way I did.

Sending you lots of love.  LMD x

Honeysucklelou2

Glad to read that the bank refunded your money. Hope you get some time to relax over half term, so that you can power through the busyness of 2 jobs.

beanielou

Good news on bank refund but just eek to cost of DD's holiday!!

trix-a-belle

Not impressed with the boyfriends mum springing that on you! They invited dd therefore imo they should have paid for her themselves or run the cost by you before booking if they expected you to pay.
As others have said, keep on at the Drs, unfortunately the only way to get anything progressed is to be a thorn in their sides xx

foxgloves

Yes, I agree with @trix-a-belle. Who can assume anyone just has a spare £900+ just hanging around, especially these days? It would have been courtesy as well as practical to check that cost would be ok first. I feel for you @crazy_cat_lady, getting bounced into paying such an enormous amount.
Glad to hear your bank refunded you after the fraud though.
F x

juliejim

Pleased to hear you got your refund CCL