Although it’s been said many times (Dare I say it again?), the Corona virus has affected society in every way imaginable and unimaginable, but none so acutely as those in the medical profession. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, on to those employed and tasked with taking care of our elderly in nursing and retirement homes.

With the horrors of 2020 still fresh in our minds, the shortcomings of this latter field of work became glaringly obvious in the tragic statistics of those unable to escape the homes, and thus through no fault of their own, succumbed to COVID-19. Some, the lucky few, were rescued in time by their adult children, and brought home to live with them. All this at a time when there was still no vaccine.

We as a society discovered that many nursing home staff were in fact being paid minimum wage, especially those in the ‘for profit’ variety, and in order to make ends meet, had to work at more than one home, which only added to the speed and spread of the pandemic.

Here in Canada, we’ve been very fortunate. Although a slow and bumpy start, now in the latter part of the second year of Corona, the majority of our citizens have been double vaccinated, while others have had at least their first inoculation. The push is on to refine the Pfizer vaccine at least, so that the younger of our population, aged 5-11 years old, can also be protected. Not sure if there are any plans for babies also. This of course will affect those kids back at school, and though outbreaks have still occurred these past couple of months within the school system, they are becoming more the exception than the rule.

It was a shock then to most of us when we discovered that several teachers, but more so health care professionals, for whatever reason, hadn’t even received their first shot. Provincial governments have been forced then to issue ultimatums to these people. Either get vaxxed, or face suspension without pay, and possibly even dismissal, if they don’t get inoculated by a specific date, which is fast approaching, sometime in November.

The unvaxxed, whether patients or health care workers, have only added to the crippling of the medical system. How many people have died or suffered from postponed Cancer surgery or critical operations, such as hip replacements, due to shortages of staff?

And this is where I come in. My left knee has been bothering me off and on for some time now. In the spring, my doctor advised checking into physiotherapy, and it still remains an option. I did have an x-ray done at that time, and nothing showed up. As it wasn’t an acute problem, I decided to forgo the aforementioned treatment. Truth is, I really didn’t want to spend my summer with yet more medical appointments. My main source of exercise these days is walking and climbing stairs, whether at home doing chores or running local errands. I stay off of my legs as much as possible...easier said than done, but with winter approaching, bringing snow and slippery sidewalks, my situation may grow more serious. Jason has offered to help any way he can, which is much appreciated.

My gut instinct is that rather than a pulled muscle, it may be a problem with the cartilage, which might mean eventual knee surgery. I’ve put a lot of wear & tear on these legs over the years (64 at the end of the month), between walking, and once having been an avid cyclist. At this stage of the game, old or not, I can’t afford the loss of my leg(s) for any length of time. Fortunately, my gut instinct isn’t always right, but none the less, if it continues, I will have to have it looked at, which will mean a trip to the General Hospital Emergency Room. With the shortage of hospital staff, I’ve heard horror stories of people waiting 4-8 hours before seeing someone, some even giving up and going home, undiagnosed. If I end up going, I’m prepared to pack a sleeping bag, and pitch a tent in the middle of the waiting room if necessary; kidding of course.

Some days, I’ve even resorted to using Codeine, especially when going up to the store. In my young & foolish days, I became heavily addicted to the drug, so it’s a substance I avoid as much as possible. Although prescribed an opiate when I had my hernia operation last November, upon running out, didn’t feel any great need for more.

Yesterday was a good day. Rather than waiting till next week, for my birthday, Jason, his friend Paul and I went to Lansdowne Park, to see the remake of Dune. Although I would describe the film as a sci-fi cult classic, it’s doing well at the box office. A good thing, because it only covers half the story, and the second half will only be made depending on how this first one does at the box office. Jason and Paul have read the books. Due to my ADHD, I didn’t have the patience to read the novels, but did see the original movie, which came out in 1984.

The first film, directed by David Lynch, and featuring rock star, Sting, and Kyle MacLachlan of Twin Peaks fame, among other well-known actors, covered the whole story, and I did enjoy it. This remake, directed by French-Canadian, Denis Villeneuve, apparently stays closer to the original story, written by Frank Herbert, as compared to a TV miniseries, released in 2000. As movie critic, Richard Crouse has suggested, it’s a film that should be seen on the big screen as opposed to TV...no matter how big the screen, and I’m glad I took his advice. My only complaint is that it, along with many movies these days seen in theatres, is a thunderous affair. By that I mean, the sound volume during intense scenes, almost as loud as a rock concert. Not a good thing for my ears and hearing, which is also slowly starting to go.

Sooo, my birthday is a week from today. It’ll be quiet, which is fine by me. I’ve told Jason that as I can’t remember the last time having it, I’m going to order Chinese. There’s a place nearby, actually in the same mall as Metro and Shopper’s Drug Mart, that makes egg rolls and chicken fried rice to die for. Looking forward to it!


© 2021

330 hits as of March 2024

10/23/2021

Posted on 10/23/2021
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti