SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF A TUNNEL

My friends and family kept telling me things would start to get better if I had enough faith, and fingers crossed, it looks like they were right.

I had a letter from my consultants secretary asking me if I would be interested in having my operation done in the private sector under the NHS waiting list initiative. Basically this means, to shorten the waiting list, the NHS pay for a number of patients to have their operation undertaken privately, with the NHS picking up the tab.

Now you would think I would be saying "do bears poo in the wood?", of course I will!!!!

Now the reason I had to give this some careful thought was, it wouldn't be the consultant that I wanted to do the operation, but some other consultant.

This may not seem important, but the consultant I am with is one of the top in this field of surgery and also one of the nicest 'easy to talk to' surgeons I have ever met. (OK, I don't know that many).

His secretary, who may I also give praise to, explained to me that the other consultants were also very capable. I have been assured though that when I go for my pre-ops and meet them, if I have any doubts, I can return back on my original consultants list, at the same place.

Therefore I thought, "I've nothing to lose (except my hip joint), go for it and have the luxury of being in a private hospital.

So I have accepted. The secretary informed me that it will be very, very soon when I'm called for my pre-ops.

I will keep my blog updated with any news concerning my admission, and thank you for your good wishes, I'm sure they have helped.

I haven't mentioned on my blog the problems I have been having regarding my job. I have refrained from this as mainly my blogging keeps me positive and it would have bored the pants off you. However, now I have something positive to report, I'm going to bore you anyway.

My employers visited me last week to serve me with papers outlining their capability procedure. Basically, and to cut short a long and verbose document, this means that after a certain amount of time, they can assess you to decide if you are capable of carrying out the duties of your job. Obviously (I thought) until I'd had my operation, this was a decision that couldn't be made. Also I thought , with the fall being at work, which has aggravated my old injury, (I hadn't had a single day off before this), that they should take this into account. I thought that at the very least, I would have been able to have had the operation before being assessed.

I was wrong, and all of last week I was in a blind panic, wondering what I would do if my employment was terminated. I'm realistic enough to know that being over forty and with an operation like I'm about to have behind me, I wouldn't be head hunted for most wanted employee of the year.

So today my two head bosses came to my home for the formal meeting, which is part of the capability procedure. I had my union representative with me and my younger sister came to make coffees and to support me.

It was so nice to be able to give them some positive news, i.e. my imminent operation date (the letter came at just the right time).

I voiced how strongly I didn't want to lose my job, and my determination to return to the work force, when recovered and able.

I truly felt that one of my bosses didn't want to lose me from her team, and she asked how I would feel about doing some work at home after my operation. This would still be within the 'housing' field and work I could do this from home. She did warn me all this would depend on the personnel/human resources department agreeing towards this.

The look on my face must have expressed how much I would relish this opportunity to re-activate some of my dying grey-cells, and have less time to notice the cobwebs forming around my home.

So my blogger mates, we will have to see how this works out, but I feel far better thinking I might still be in employment, than being handed my termination of employment papers.

EDUCATION MEME

Tina bless her, sent me the education meme.
So here I go.

What was the name of the teacher, that was most influential in your life. From grade k through to 6.
Without a doubt Mrs Jones. She believed in my art work and gave me the instruments to explore my imagination. We broke the norms of the traditional curriculum activities, and that helped me find my vocation.
Whether it was right or wrong, I would be excused from the traditional basis of education, maths, english, etc to create the scenery for the school play, or decorate the school for what ever seasonal display was needed at the time, Easter, Christmas, to name but a few.
She encouraged me to seek out a career in art. Even going as far as requesting for the appropriate papers and visiting my mother to help persuade her this was the way for me to go.

Manchester Art College, was to be my future. Fate played its part and with my father dying, there was no way my mother could possibly afford the fees, and I felt I needed to be at home. I always remember thinking, the careers officer was slightly bonkers to suggest hairdressing an alternative to Art College. Again Mrs Jones stepped in and ensured it was no 'Sweaty Betty's' that I acquired my apprenticeship in, but an established company that was to be of incredible benefits to me.

I worked in London at Vidal Sassoon's, achieved my technical technicians diploma at L'oreal. Those three years in London, took me from my sheltered environment of a country village, and widened my horizons to explore what possibilities life may have in store.

I hope that Mrs Jones knew how much I appreciated her and what a difference she made to my life.

What subject did you favour in school.
Ermmm! Art, also history.

Did you attend a university and if so did you attain a degree.
As above. Tried Open University, was doing well but life got in the way. So no.

Do you learn best through books, by watching, or hands-on.
All three are essential to me, to read, to see, to feel. I don't believe knowledge can be gained by any one vehicle.

Has education been an ongoing process for you.
Not wanting to sound cheesy, but isn't life an education. So as long as I'm breathing I guess I'm learning.


How do you feel about that.
As above, and with my hands........

I'm not tagging anyone, if you want to do it feel free.

NEWSFLASH

I have recived a letter from the hospital, I am to ring tomorrow for the date of my operation.

Will be on the phone, at nine in the morning.....