I've booked a hotel directly across the road from the hospital. I'm not sure yet if I'll be staying in overnight, or how many nights. They are going to make that decision when I'm in recovery after the surgery, depending on how I'm doing. You see, if I stay overnight the cost goes up dramatically, so if I'm up to it, they will let me go to the hotel across the road the rest and recover. However, this is the first time they will operate on both sides of the ribs at the same time, hence why we aren't sure if I'll stay overnight yet. I'll keep you updated!
Since writing my first blog post, I have had several people contact me with similar symptoms to me, and some people who have other chronic issues who can't get treatment or doctors have given up on them, and reading my story has given them new hope to keep trying to get help. Thanks for all your feedback and comments, I'm glad that it's helping so much! ❤️
Fundraising
Fundraising and saving is going well, I've already achieved 70% of my goal, and have around $17,000 to go! I've been working a lot and managing to save quite a bit, as well as so many generous people donating to my give-a-little page and into my bank account. I've also had some friends sell their costumes or give me items they have made/normally sell, that I can sell and keep the profits for my surgery.
I'm blown away at how many generous friends and family I have!
I work in the circus and burlesque communities, and they have rallied around me to support my cause.
I am putting on a fundraising variety show on Saturday 10 October at Te Whaea, National Dance and Drama School. There are going to be some amazing performances, so if you are near Wellington, then come along! If you can't come to the show or live too far away, I'm also selling virtual tickets so you can watch online!
Tickets are available from https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/fundraising-variety-spectacular/wellington
and the Facebook event is https://www.facebook.com/events/808881313184989
I am also selling costumes, shoes etc on TradeMe and will add more when I get the time 😊I had a couple of students of mine come to my house and list these for me (thank you!).
De-Stressing
I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything, the stress of leaving my children to go halfway around the world for surgery, the stress of will I have enough money to pay for everything, finding the balance of working so much to save money for the surgery between taking time for me so I don't get too stressed and run down.
Here are some things I have found helpful to keep my stress levels down:
- I have cut back on my days of work in the weeks leading up to my departure
- Mediating every day
- Telling myself things I'm grateful for every day
- Mirimiri (traditional Māori healing)
- Mindfulness and deep breathing
- Doing things for myself - I think about what would I do if someone I love is stressed, what kind of advice would I give them?
- Taking multi-vitamins such as iron, vitamins D and C
- Positive thinking and being present (instead of worrying about potential negative outcomes, or stressing about the past/future, I try and live in the present moment)
- Exercise (as much as my body will allow which isn't that much at the moment!)
- And probably one of the most important - sleep! Getting enough sleep makes such a difference. I tend to wake up every time I change position because of the pain, so I just have to go to bed a bit earlier to make sure I get enough sleep overall.
It's really helping! I am also very lucky to have amazing, supportive people around me.
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