I’m so touched readers worried about my health after one of my recent posts, so I should start by putting their minds at rest. I was examined by a specialist last Monday afternoon and things are now looking better.
The health scare was sparked by an odd result from a blood test. After thorough examination the specialist ruled out the life-threatening possibilities. He thinks a false test reading may have been caused by medication I had just finished and the original diagnosis – that I might just have to live with a minor age-related medical condition – is the correct one. More tests will fully confirm that and work out a coping strategy.
So, all I can add is, “Thank You for your concern”.
Unfortunately, my good news came on the same day I learnt of a relative’s worsening condition. This ruined what was an otherwise good day, but at least confirmed my earlier decision to cut the self-pity and get on with life for the sake of others who need me.
After spending one of this week’s two days off on such issues I also went back to work in an understaffed, under-resourced workplace. Yesterday was a shift from hell, putting in a 12-hour day covering for valued sick colleagues. The problem was, one co-worker in particular exuded nothing but anger towards either staff or residents for the full 12 hours.
I still don’t understand why so many people who hate humanity enter care work. Some of it might be a hangover from days when Manx schoolgirls were not encouraged to study for qualifications, so left school expecting to do only shop or care work in between pregnancies. As they get older, increasingly dissatisfied with limited job opportunities, scarred by unhappy home lives and the other side-effects of low-income life, they just get more bitter and take out their dissatisfaction on weaker people around them.
You would think women now in their 40s or 50’s would be the last like that. The odd thing is that they are not – for which Manx culture and especially the Manx education system should take responsibility.
At least the youngest ones still enter the job for the right reasons. Some are also prepared to train themselves in the hope of moving on to senior care positions. One can only hope they don’t have that spark of humanity extinguished by their elders.
Meanwhile, tomorrow I face another SFH -though hopefully this time the humane will outnumber the psychos. I can only do my bit by trying to exude enough positive vibes to counter the misery-mongering.
Manx Low Life 