Introducing mmMekitty

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor

I am mmMekitty, named for my cat, (my avatar), who lived 7 years. It has been five or so years since, but I still miss her. Mekitty an I had a simpler relationship than any I have had with people.

The photo is the one I to retrieved after my hard drive crashed. She had wandered off, was away for six days, when she turned up again in the middle of the night. I cried with relief. This was the photo I used for her Lost Cat poster I put up around the neighbourhood at the time.

As for me, I cannot see the detail of the photo nearly as well as I did then, and then my sight was poor. I am now using text-to-speech software, zooming on my pc, voice over. Since I find this stuff difficult, I get really frustrated.

I used to keep all my emotions in check, so much so, I thought and said I did not have any feelings or reactions to anything. That changed and I could not deny the existence of my emotions. It was a terrifying time. What was happening to me? I was falling apart and all this unidentifiable stuff was pouring out.

I have had to learn so much since I began seeing the Psychiatrist I saw back then (1993 - 95). From learning I had to put words to the experiences, name, own, accept them. Still uncomfortable. I beat up on myself too much, I know.

I used to do things I can no longer do to my own satisfaction. I still sing, but not like I used to. I cannot paint like I did. I cannot use pen and paper to write, so have managed to adapt to keyboard. That is something. I have been working on being more sociable, less isolated, but last year, when COVID-19 retrictions required face masks be worn, I found I could not - which is what brings me here.

I have had to curtail so much of what I had been doing. I am feeling the isolation now. How ironic! I resisted even thinking I needed anybody, then I try to have some friends, join a writers' group, get help with things like housework and shopping, going to places for fun and entertainment, only to have to withdraw again because I cannot wear a mask. It bites, like a scorpion.

I will make a thread, now I found the place to click to create one! I think my problem was with how I have my desktop appearance. It looks like any ordinary link, hiding below another, for creating a feed link. Now I know.

I suppose I will get around to talking more about myself. I will need to be careful about how involved I become, so please, don't expect me to pop up everywhere. I would burn out if I did that.

(Purring) mmMekitty

798 Replies 798

Hello Sleepy & I wish you to have a Happy New Year.

With nervous anticipation I am soon to go into hospital for some rather serious surgery. I have decided to have a double mastectomy to get rid of the breast cancer in both of them. For me, it's the simplest, most efficient treatment offered. A few lymph nodes are going, too. So afterwards, I will be sore, with limited mobility of my shoulders for a wile & I will be weeks/months recovering.

& then I have to take some hormone treatment for the next 5 years, but I am assured that given my history, any side-effects ought to be minimal.

So, that's it in a nutshell. I'll be glad to get the surgery, but it does make me nervous all the same. I'm not looking forward to how much pain I'll have at the start of my recovery. They have said I'll get some pain killers stronger than what I usually have for my osteoarthritis. I don't them to be 'too' nice. I've had various painful conditions for many years, & the idea of getting a pain killer that would maybe make these things be not painful is a 'challenge', let's say.

As I said, I'd snoozed in the evening, two & a half hours, I guess, then woke 2 minutes shy of midnight - that's the post above. afterwards, I posted a little more before going back to bed & sleeping until nearly dawn, but didn't rouse myself enough to go look out the window to see the sunrise over the neighbouring block of units. I went back to sleep for another 3 hours. That's becoming a good night for me.

& you?

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty

The surgery has come around quickly and I wouldn’t worry about the pain meds it’s been my experience when you need them it’s all good and to just come off them as soon as you are able. I didn’t know you have osteoarthritis I have that too and I have not been able to find relief from painkillers. I find voltarin gell and heat packs work better. Anything with codeine destroys my stomach and causes more pain. I’m just coming off them now and I can’t be bothered taking a Panadol. I mean why bother 😂

My friends think I’m hard core but truth is haven’t found relief except heat rest and movement depending on how bad it is.

I’m glad the breast care nurses are being reassuring about painkillers and that they will make sure your ok. I’m glad you don’t have chemo

Are you getting cabin fever or are you settled at home. We have a bit of cabin fever and I was planning to go to 1 shop for a special thing but realised it will be packed public holiday new year etc. What was I thinking 😂

Glad you are getting sleep even if it is broken sleep as long as you keep getting back to sleep and keep trying to get a good amount. You need your strength and ask the dr if you can have help to sleep in hospital. Sleep is good.

MC

Ggrand
Community Champion

Hi 🐱Kitty,

I am relieved in a way that you have decided on having a double mastectomy...

Just wanted to call in and let you know that having big butterflies and bees buzzing around in your stomach would be so normal at a time like this...I am really so very sorry that you’re going through all this and am praying that that you will make a full recovery...

Talk out your thoughts and feeling here when and if you need to...you have many friends here that care so much about you..including myself...

Today if it’s okay, I’ll just sit quietly next to you and hold your hand...I’ll bring my furs with me, they have such beautiful personalities and would make you laugh with their funny little antics...

They love pats and return them by wiggling their tails and giving lots of kisses back..lOne of my fur babies has the most beautiful tail..it’s long with a little twist and very furry, reminds me of a foxes tail in a way, she is white with some light brown marking on her and her fur is long, nearly touching the ground..she is small and petite....her daughter is also small and petite with long black n brown fur...but hasn’t got the beautiful long fur on her tail like her mum has...

We are all here for you, beautiful 🐱 Kitty..

My kindest thoughts, with love and some peaceful hugs..☁️💜🕊🌹☁️..

Grandy,,,

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor

Thank you, Grandy & MC & everyone, including the

Walrus, whenever he wanders bym

You have all been so great, I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your words of wisdom, comfort & support. I didn't imagine this when I first joined.😻

Lovely fur babies 😻 I wish I could take them with me. I bet everyone would love them! Do they like to be groomed?

& you, MC, are you out enjoying the sights & sounds of nature? I've had a couple brief showers today, but the weather is rather good, actually. I've opened up my back door, & my windows, hopeing for some breeze to air the place a little. Of-course I hear the aeroplanes,& the occasional helicopter overhead, & risk hearing neighbours, more, but that's the trade-off.

I had another book from Vision Australia, which I thought was a human voice but was actually a synthetic voice. Not so good for pleasurable listening, but at least it does not whisper or shout during the reading. So I slept through most of that. 😸

mmMekitty

Hi mmmekitty

How are u feeling?

I, glad u got some sleep

I had a quiet night on new years and the weather was a bit much for me. I haven't left the house too much. Good luck and hope Ur doing okay

Hi Sleepy,

Just now I feel I didn't get any for the last two days...although I know I have. But I think I'm okay, I'm able to let my tiredness be what it is without complaining & getting really grumpy about it. I did snooze a little earlier, but I don't feel any better for it. Like it's been two day or something, when it has not. I got hungry so I had to get up & fix a meal. Now I just want to sign off & snooze again. But I have meds yet to take, little personal care things to do, I tried to do a little more research but just can't manage that now.

I am realy hoping this will get better once I have been to hospital & begin to heal & recuperate. I'm not sure how long to be patient! hahaha

Thanks for asking.

I am aware of your struggles, I often think how good it would be to simply sit with each other, as if in the same place, like a garden, or on Grandy's veranda, for example, with all the wildlife around. OIt always brings me a sence of peace & warmth when I try doing this.

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty

nope not out enjoying nature it’s rubbish weather. Seems apt can’t swim and be out enjoying the great outdoors. Lol. I need to preplan a trip to the loo.

I find your strength and compassion inspiring. Never forget it’s a struggle worth fighting.

May you be lifted up by warm winds and find prosperity and peace.

❤️❤️❤️

Hi MC & everyone

Arf that rubbish weather. I hope it improves soon. I didn't see any news but for a little while making dinner. I hadn't realised there had even been a cyclone form off the coast. & I haven't had a lot of rain here to be of any concern over. Mostly I am happy we are not having extreme heat.

I think my mental image of my being in a river or lake, with the water up somewhere around my neck to over my head, depending on where my mood is, has popped up again. & I seem to be treading water. Never a good swimmer. I have really once nearly drowned. & that feeds into this imagery. Happily, I'm not going under the surface, can still see the river bank with it's overgrown (I don't knw) green plants, some might be willows, others are like mangroves. If I ever got over there I'm not sure how I'd climb out onto land. & there are no signs of the little beasts that were (in a dream( swimming, snapping & clawing at my feet. Cute but v.dangerous.

My tiredness feels like I can't keep treading water, because I have been drained of energy, & can't concentrate on keeping my legs moving. So, when I am feeling this extreme tiredness, I feel I could easily sink into the water & not come up again. But with some sleep, I do bob up again, for some hours, 4-5 to as many as 7-8 at a stretch.

*

I came here meaning to tell yu al, I got my PCR teat results back at nearly 11am this morning. It's Negative, as I expected. That's alright I guess, because the Txt didn't say when I actually took the test.

Just DON'T delete it, mmMekitty!

Please be kind to yourselves & each other. If I can manage to use my phone to drop in, I will. I wonder if I could use some emojis that are on my phone but not on my PC, & get them from here when I get back. I tried emailing them but they didn't work properly when I receeved them on my PC, I do think my PC is just too old for the newest emojis. (& other things).

mmMekitty

Hi mm Mekitty,

I have just come across your tread following your advise and found out your are having surgery tomorrow. I wish you all confident and a successful surgery.

I also noticed I am the only male among the pigeon here. Oops!
All I can say as a male Boobs are overrated. Or as my mother said, they only get in the way and give you backache. Important is your health. Fiscally and mentally. As they take care of you take also care of yourself be a little selfish !

All the best!!!

Hanna3
Community Member

Hi mmMekitty

Is your op tomorrow? Wishing you all the very best. The worst part is the waiting I think. Once you're through the surgery you can concentrate on getting better.

We'll all be here to support you as best we can, so you're not alone!

Big hug! 🤗👍💕🐕🐾