Further Adventures of the Excellent Cats

[TheShellBeach]

....... calling all the excellent cats from the last thread.

Stop chasing shrews, mice and birds and join us here.
Less well-behaved cats especially welcome.

@Allergictoironing you are right about the likelihood of getting mobility. Back when it was DLA, I had to advise clients that if their non-mobility condition worsened, it might not be worth asking for a re-consideration, as, whether you wanted them to or not, they would always review mobility as well, and it was not unheard of for the mobility award to be revised downward

I'm afraid I must add, that someone who is actually dying used to be able to get a fast-tracked DLA award. Probably the same with PIP? 6 months expected lifespan, but they will still continue to pay if you don't die. (I used to advise in a hospice as well.)

OTOH, if a limb has fallen off, they'll be back in touch sometime in the future to check whether it's regrown. OK, slight exaggeration, but not much of one

Moorfields is a brilliant eye hospital, from all I've heard. I've got cateracts coming, at present my sight is unimpaired, but I don't drive at night unless I must, because of the increased glare.

I don't get anything for my non-mobility disablement, and never even thought to try. ADHD is something I've lived with the whole of my life, though without knowing I have the condition, and with the coping mechanisms I've developed over time plus now I've been diagnosed I have the meds, if anything I'm better now than ever from that aspect.

The mobility side however has deteriorated rapidly over the last few years. Not THAT long ago in the grand scheme of things that I could go walking, ride horses, do sports, go to standing-only gigs etc. Within 10 years I've become a wreck!

Moorfields is rated the very best for eyes AFAIK.

I'm not worried about the surgery but because DD is so young.

Well, I still have a job but feeling somewhat battered and bruised.
It was nit picking, all fairly minor stuff. Such as booking appointments with the wrong clinician or at the wrong time, although they couldn't produce any evidence, which I may have pointed out several times (just to rub it in) showed a lack of preparation. And putting prescriptions through to the GPs when meds have been changed or withdrawn, although the line manager admitted it was not always very clear. A couple of other things but nothing very serious.
They asked what they could do to help with my concentration and I pointed out how hard it was to do patient registrations which are complicated and time consuming when the place is like Paddington Station. They did take that on board but we are limited on space.
I held it together in the meeting but cried my eyes out back in reception, partially hidden from nosy patients by an open cupboard door. My colleagues were telling me they've been told off for talking too much, eating at their desks etc. Morale is quite low and it's no wonder when we're treated like naughty schoolkids.
I did record it which they looked a bit surprised by. Not in a union unfortunately.
I might see if I can reduce my anti seizure meds again but it's a fine balance because I don't want a seizure when I'm not far off getting my driving licence back.
Thank you for your support, you lovely people. ❤

@TheShellBeach

The NICE guidelines which HCPs follow are here:
Overview | Cataracts in adults: management | Guidance | NICE

@Papergirl1968
The trouble is once someone knows your diagnosis, simple errors that don't even arise from your own mistakes can be mis-attributed to you. It's very hard to refute this kind of error.

If you try to explain how you think the error arose, my experience is that many people just take it that you are making excuses Even more so, if you know definitely that it's their fault! How could you be right, and they be wrong!?!? Of course they are right and they are not ill like you, (this is the clincher in their thinking though of course they don't say it out loud)

And as you say, being in a chaotic and frantic environment doesn't help anyone work effectively.

(I have similar experience of things being attributed to my MH)

Ugh @Papergirl1968 that all sounds very stressful and not very fair. Sorry to hear that other posters and their offspring have been in the wars too. Here is a sympathetic Croatian cat.

This reminds me of the Siamese we had when I was in my late teens who was always "getting stuck" on the top of the greenhouse and screaming for help, until a willing slave went out and lifted up an old washing up bowl for him to step into and be graciously lowered to the floor like some ancient ruler in a sedan chair. And repeat.
Should a drop of rain fall or the tantalising smell of a Sunday roast waft up the garden, he'd be down on his own like a shot.

The Croatian cat is splendid.

@Papergirl1968 that sounds like an incredibly toxic workplace to be in. I hope you are in a position to find somewhere else - I left a similarly toxic job in April 2022, had a year out (lucky to have savings) and then found my present job, which is the polar opposite - a supportive friendly team who accept that we are all human and fallible and who pull together when things don't go to plan. My fingers are crossed for the same for you.

I wonder what that poor cat has done wrong to be behind bars. #FreetheCroatianOne

Broken a Croatian bye-law to do with cat treats.

Shell Beach Holiday (Day Two)

Still haven't seen any random cats - both thought we'd seen one in Kinlochewe, but it turned out to be a miniature tractor.

Drove forty miles in a rainstorm. Scenery was undoubtedly magnificent, except we could barely see it.

Ate two more Flake Cornettos.

Love the Croation cat! 😻
Because I can't drive again for another few months, I'm somewhat limited, @JoanOgden in that this job is ideal in that it's only just over a mile from home so walk or bus, part time and the hours suit me. But the pay is rubbish and yes, while they initially come across as very friendly and "we're all one big family here," the reality is proving a little different.
Never thought an organisation under the umbrella of the NHS would treat their own staff with health problems so badly.

Sorry to hear about the rubbish weather, Shell.

Oh well. Scotland in October is generally rainy.

My oldest friend is travelling down from
north of Inverness where she now lives back to the Midlands to catch up with me and some relatives. We have a weather warning in place for heavy rain!

I expect it travelled down from Argyll.

Went to work today, much to Leroy & DH's horror. I really, really wanted a nap when I got home but Leroy really, really wanted to go out.

Guess who won 🙄

Look at that smug expression on his face 😒

Ooh Yes, does Leroy go out on a lead?

He does 😊 2 walks a day if possible and he gets to go in the garden untethered but strictly supervised.

@YesItsMeIDontCare From that picture, it's very clear who's in charge round your way.

I do love a Leroy as Roman Emperor pic. I am also enamoured of the Croatian cat who looks a bit like my friends' cat. Their cat was a stray but she has never been anywhere outside the UK.

I am so sorry work can be horrid Papergirl1968. I expect better of the NHS but I believe it is often in the Hall of Shame for the extent of bullying across the organisation. That description of 'toxic' from Pixiedust (? hope I have remembered that right) is 100%.

So sorry about your daughter too, Shell. As others have said, Moorfields does have a good reputation so hope they can help her. Didn't Allergic say that the operation itself is not too bad or does your daughter need a different operation? Sorry about the rain too. Thank goodness for the flake cornettos!

Always look forward to a Leroy picture too 😁.
Best wishes Paper - enjoy your leave. And Shell best wishes to your DD too.
And hats off to Croatian cat - always enjoy a random cat pic (I've taken enough myself...).

Commuting into London as I type - I now go in about once a week (through choice). WFH is great but I do go a bit 'stir crazy' if I don't get our of the house at all.

Cat fount of wisdom. As the weather is about to turn here in London, it’s time to get serious about cat comfort 😆
Boone has turned his nose up at the heated pad I got him last year so I’m keen to up my game.
I see loads of you have heated throws for your cats yourself. I’ve been thinking about it for ages but have no idea which is best for cats?