January 2024 Newsletter Edition
The entire month of January has been really hard. My left artificial hip keeps injuring me. it has turned my life into a physical marathon. I was forced to spend much of the month resting from the effect the pain I am experiencing is having on me.
I took the next step towards getting help from my left artificial hip. I wrote a letter and sent it directly to the surgeon who replaced my hips in 2013 and 2015. He responded the following day. He is now retired. He affirmed the need to pursue follow up. After my family doctor stated she was refusing all orthopaedic referrals going forward during my appointment 3 days before this e-mail I will need to arrange a referral through my local hospital emergency department. Separately I've decided to make a complaint against my family doctor and start the search for another family doctor. The dysfunction of my family doct is forcing this now. I am just waiting to speak with my pain management doctor to ensure I have someone to prescribe and work with me to manage the pain I am experiencing.
I have continued the plans towards the hamster village. I am using an Arduino to prototype a controller for the spot welder. This is because the timing will require precision or the spot welder will just start melting the bars that are part of the guinea pig cage I am modifying into a hamster cage. I have purchased a relay so I may use a low voltage foot pedal to energize the spot welder. In short I am trying to do the grunt work preparing for the guinea pig cage to be modified into a hamster cage during the winter months so I will be able to get another hamster in spring. I am missing the noise a hamster creates and how this makes my home feel like it is lived in.
When I did the maintenance on my drinking water filter in December I discovered a drop of water got into the power connection for the UV light that neutralizes any water borne pathogens. The power arching damaged the power supply for the UV light. The replacement power supply arrived. The UV light is again in place.
The scarf I used my knitting machine to create has arrived at my friends home in the United States. This really made me happy being able to show the gratitude I have for Josiah and how supportive he is of me. When I talk to him I don't feel like I am alone with the pain and physical challenges my left artificial hip is creating for me. There is so much uncertainty in my life right now on account of my left artificial hip. I don't have the luxury of planning ahead and making firm commitments with friends. I am really glad that I am able to show my appreciation to him.