This week brought a few unexpected challenges. On Tuesday, after a fall, I had to visit the hospital. The ambulance crew were incredible. Professional, caring, and efficient. But once at the hospital, the reality hit hard: Twenty minutes in the Ambo waiting in the parking bayeven before getting into triage.
I never even saw a doctor, discharging myself within a couple of hours without admission, it was a frustrating reminder of how broken the NZ health system is, especially at WDHB (in my experience). It felt like my pain and concerns were barely acknowledged, leaving me to manage on my own, at home because the hospital is just to busy.
Medication wise, the fentanyl worked well for the pain but the other medication they gave me knocked me out for a full 36 hours, an exhausting and disorienting experience that without Billy and friends could have been dangerous.
On a different front, Billy was attacked by an off-lead Staffie cross. It was a scary moment for both of us. Thankfully, Billy wasn’t seriously hurt, but it shook his confidence around other dogs. We’re now focused on helping him move past the incident, rewarding his bravery and calmness despite the fear. His courage reminds me daily how resilience looks in the face of trauma.
These moments, tough as they are, remind me of the quiet strength we all carry. Sometimes the world feels like it’s failing us, the so called health system, the unexpected dangers. But we find ways to keep going. To care, to heal, to support each other. The road with chronic pain and CRPS is often lonely and exhausting, but I’m grateful for this community that shares the journey. We celebrate small victories like Billy’s bravery and push through the setbacks with whatever strength we can muster.
Thank you for walking this path with me. Together, we turn pain into courage and fear into hope.
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Billy and Marcus