The Hard Slog

The Hard Health Slog

We are in the final furlong before we leave for Osaka in a few weeks, and for me at least it has been a long, hard journey getting to where we are today. Darrell and I have been planning this trip for a year now, even longer if you include our planned vacation in 2019. This hasn't been a period of excitement, planning the itinerary and looking forward to our time away. For me, it has been a year full of ups and downs — more downs than ups if I am honest. And it has been twelve months of hell in all respects.

Once again, my health has been at the forefront of my mind, and it has really taken me down a rabbit hole on numerous occasions. Twice I have travelled to Asia, and twice I have ended up in the custody of health care professionals. From a Doctor in Bangkok to Raffles Hospital in Singapore, I have been dealing with the spectre of infection, that only seems to grab me by the balls when I am holidaying in Southeast Asia.

Staphylococcus aureus has been at the back of my mind, after returning from Vietnam with a severe infection and ending up in hospital here in Australia two years ago. I was on a drip for over a week, while Doctors wrestled with a particularly virulent, penicillin resistant strain of this dreadful disease. By the time I was admitted, the infection had already spread the length of my arm, and I was lucky sepsis hadn't taken hold.

Today, I am very mindful of this terrible time and always take precautions while abroad. My medical kit appears to be substantially larger than my suitcase, as it is filled with everything I may need for any reoccurrence — preparing for any eventuality. It has been over a year now since my last attack, so I am hoping this time will be different. 

From the moment we booked the holiday to Osaka, it felt like everything was going wrong. The high ocular pressure I had been diagnosed with, suddenly became a problem, as I was further diagnosed with the potentially more deadly, Narrow Angle Closure Glaucoma. Actually, that's not quite true — I have narrow angles and the capability of contracting this acute version of Glaucoma, but I do not have it yet. I felt like cancelling my holiday straight away. I was nervous about what could transpire while travelling abroad. Nevertheless, after visiting an eye specialist, I was encouraged to go and enjoy myself, but to be especially aware of any symptoms that would mean a prompt visit to the hospital.

Suitably composed, my spirits were lifted, as I continued to plan our trip to Japan.  That was until, of course, I was diagnosed with a mysterious nerve concern in my ribs and nipple. Yes, my nipple. After waking up one morning with my chest on fire, unable to wear clothes, I was told I likely had Intercostal neuralgia, bought on by an injury to my chest the day before. Six months later, I still have some sensitivity, albeit very mild in comparison to that morning I woke up with searing pain. The discomfort is still a permanent source of annoyance and continues to make my life difficult daily. Despite the fact it's still there, I feel happy enough to be able to travel to Japan. When my mind is occupied elsewhere, touring Osaka and Kyoto, the hope is, it disappears altogether.

I also have my ongoing IBS symptoms. It's strange, isn't it — if you have IBS, you always refer to it in a personal context. 'My IBS' means I own it, it's unique to me and the manifestations of this debilitating condition, that I experience, is customised to my personal circumstances. I actually have IBS — M. I tend to alternate between constipation and loose stools. This makes managing it more difficult than most. Today I have been feeling particularly bad. I have felt sick and nauseas, and understandably, I worry that I will take this flare up with me on holiday. Again, this is something I plan for when travelling and take everything I need with me, for a stress-free time as much possible.

Geopolitics

Health is an ongoing issue when I travel. This subsequently creates a lot of anxiety, which I have suffered from since I was a child. As well as my physical well-being, I am also well aware of the current geopolitical landscape. With President Trump starting wars across the World, it is clear the planet is in a precarious state. My anxious mind keeps telling me to prepare for the worst. The war in the Middle East is sending the price of fuel rocketing, and it wouldn't surprise me if our flights were cancelled last minute.

I have heard horror stories from people being charged extra for flights at airports, because of the spiralling cost of aviation fuel. Furthermore, several airlines have already gone out of business. Holidays are naturally becoming pricier and with political tensions raised, people are choosing not to leave Australia and holiday at home instead. To be honest, who can blame them. If I had known about the war raging in Iran, I probably wouldn't have booked my trip to Japan when I did. 

Remaining Hopeful

Despite the anxiety I suffer from, I do remain hopeful that we will depart Australia for Japan without a hitch. The things I am writing about today are really about my anxieties and fears. Many people would call me a pessimist; I prefer a realist. I have always planned for the worst circumstances and just hope for the best as we near our departure day.

I suppose the negativity I experience today is really based on previous experience. My difficulties over the last few years have exacerbated my reservations tenfold. Every time I leave Australia, I am waiting for the worst to happen. Each time I hope this trip or that will be different, but almost every time something detrimental happens and I end up being treated for something I picked up on my journey. If I am truly honest, I believe my anxiety often exposes problems that wouldn't otherwise have been there. My extra vigilance is typically counterproductive, creating conditions where I easily succumb to the simplest accident in the most agonising way possible.

Once again, I continue to be optimistic about our upcoming holiday, despite the words in this blog today. I am excited to document my journey across a small area of Japan, that has been on my bucket list for many years. Time out, away from the fray of normal life, should be a positive, life-affirming experience. For this reason, I am grateful to have the opportunity to visit Japan this year, at a time when many people can barely afford to live. Celebrating my 55th Birthday in Kyoto, will be a dream come true. I hope you join me on my adventure, and I look forward to sharing it with all of you.