Chapter 601 - Developing Matters

Had I mentioned that a piece from the tip of my nose was biopsied as being "nasty"? Months ago at the previous GP's surgery my nose was examined and I was given a small tube of ointment (a sample tube) to rub on my nose and the small bump would go away. The doctor is the skin expert at that surgery, even having a small microscopic instrument for examining such spots of interest. As there was no change in the spot I mentioned the matter on our first visit to a doctor at the Ring surgery. He also had a small instrument and having inspected my nose referred me to a visiting dermatologist at that surgery. In attempting to make an appointment to see the dermatologist I was told she was booked out for several months, Not long afterwards I was told I could see her last Sunday, but that was changed to the previous Thursday. She wanted to check me all over but when I explained my time was limited (the dermatologist was running more that 1/2 hour late and a Wild Dog carer was looking after she at home) she biopsied my nose only. A surgeon on the southern side of Big Smoke was recommended rather than one in Hot Air City. I received the referral for the job a few days ago. With Big Smoke becoming a COVID hot spot in the last two weeks, I thought it best to check with Wild Dog management about the repercussions of my attending there for day surgery. I was told I would need to quarantine and Wild Dog staff would not enter our house. I now await a reply to an email asking for a referral to Hot Air City which may or may not have border restrictions by the time the job can be done.

Meanwhile, back at the sheep station, we persevere. Both of us experience muscle pain in arms, shoulders and backs caused by transferring her between wheel chair - commode - bed - toilet. Transfers are reasonably easy when a Wild Dog carer is here and I can use a Pelican belt around her waist but that is not possible without a third person to raise and lower her clothing. Yesterday I bought a spray bottle of Magnesium Oil Spray, after learning of it watching a Zoom discussion about PD pain management of dystonia pain which she experiences in her feet. I may spray our arms as well rather than use one of the creams on the market. She frequently falls asleep in the wheel chair; so do I when sitting reading or watching TV; in her case I am not quite so concerned now that I learned that sleep episodes are typical with long term PD. I must seek comment about another recent development; she comments that she has breathing difficulties, usually as I put her to bed and I reposition her accordingly. I feel breathing difficulties may be a precursor to serious problems. Perhaps a bolus from her pump may be helpful, but I will ask a nurse at the state PD organisation.

She continues having a weekly Skype video call with the friendly volunteer up in Cane Toad country. Only one other person has spoken to her by phone in at least a month. I wonder whether people ask her trivial questions about family (she knows nothing because she is not told anything) to which she is unable to reply thus discouraging further queries and the "conversation" stalls. Yes I know speaking with her is difficult, words do not flow readily and her memories of the little that happens to her may be personal and embarrassing and not to be casually spoken about. Her only outings lately are medical in nature. Even if she was willing to go to our local cafe, walking there in the current weather would be intolerable. She needs to hear information from sources other than seen on a screen. She is unable to use her PC without forcing it into a tangle needing fixing. She never complains of being lonely ore bored.