update from Oz

[Guest guest]

Well G'day all! Long time, no hear.

Things have been weird since the car accident in November- I am still on

a walking stick, getting physio and acupuncture when I can fit it in, I

had an MRI today for the whiplash in my neck (see if there's any nerve

involvement causing the pain and weakness in my right arm), and I have

to go back to the Orthopod because the epidural steroid shot I had

hasn't done a lot in the relief department for my slipped disc.

Bayly also had another doctor's appointment today to do a follow-up

report for the insurance company. (Plus Physio and Hydro for the little

fella.)

Life is ... interesting to say the least.

Bayly and Violet have been having mega nightmares ever since the

accident, and Bay is bedwetting like it's going out of style. Me, I

have insomnia nearly every night, and you can bet the nights I am

actually sleeping is when Bay or Vi need me most! LOL. They both are

also having real behavioural issues, and the doc suggested we all go see

a Psychologist about it.

But I'm still plugging away at JIA awareness here in Oz. We did a TV

news story last Friday, and will be in the newspaper sometime this week,

promoting the Camp that I've been flat out organising. Camp Twinkletoes

is going to be a weekend for families of kids 8 and under (or those

newly diagnosed or too shy to go to the older Camp Footloose for over

8s) We're having it the first weekend of March at the Breakway campsite

( www.breakaway.org.au <http://www.breakaway.org.au> if you want to

check it out)

I've also been chasing companies for donations for the Kids Get

Arthritis Too branch that I'm President for, so far just a little

trickle coming in, but that's a start! And still after my politicians

to do the right thing for JIA. I got word today that there is to be a

meeting with myself, the State MP, and the CEO of our major regional

hospital here, to further push for regional JIA Clinics so families

don't have to travel to the capital cities for Specialist attention.

Plus I'm applying for a scholarship so that I can actually get paid for

all this work for JIA. Wouldn't THAT be great?

What else... oh, I'm in the middle of 13 days' straight at the radio

station, and trying to have a social life and spend some quality time

with Grant on occasion. LOL. At the moment we play tag with the kids,

since one of us is usually coming from or going to work.

I'm not even going to go into the whole stepson B & E thing and

relationship issues with the in-laws.

See, told you life was interesting!

Hugs to all our friends, Jo

Bayly, 5, extended oligo