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General Chit-Chat Part 2!
Joan, I am so very sorry. The death of a parent is a really hard thing to recover from.
Joan wrote: "My Dad died Saturday. Though I knew the day was coming and I know he has found peace, I’m not as prepared as I thought."I'm sorry for your loss, Joan. I don't think you can be ready for this sort of thing.
Apparently my test for that British agency didn't go well. I should have been called for a phone interview by now (dates were last Thursday/Friday), but I never received that call, so I guess I failed the written test. This was a big let down because I really wanted the job, but I guess I didn't lose anything anyway. There will be other opportunities I hope. I'm now considering applying for a job which will be based in Genua for the first few months and will become a remote position afterwards. I don't really want to move so far away from home, but I've come to a point where we really do need the money.
Sorry to hear the bad news, Marina. Oh well, at least you tried! Better luck with the next application.
Marina, I wish you the best in your job search ! Sorry this one didn’t work out .
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Apparently my test for that British agency didn't go well. I should have been called for a phone interview by now (dates were last Thursday/Friday), but I never received that call, so I guess I fai..."I'm sorry they didn't call, but maybe they are only late?
Btw, you will like Genoa! And while there you can visit Cinque Terre, other nice places, and we can meet!
I don't know, dely... My boyfriend says they might just be late, too. I guess we'll see, but I'm not really hoping anymore. I'll let you know what I decide about Genua - I'd love to meet you one day, so I might just come and visit Liguria regardless ;) I've never been there, shame on me!
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "I don't know, dely... My boyfriend says they might just be late, too. I guess we'll see, but I'm not really hoping anymore. I'll let you know what I decide about Genua - I'd love to meet you one da..."I was thinking about coming to Pescara in May because you know I won't be too far away from there, but it's more complicated as I thought. There will be also my sister, we however should arrive till Foggia to take a train and do everything in one day. I asked my sister, but she doesn't feel to do it because it would be too stressfull.
Let's hope that someday we can meet!
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "I don't know, dely... My boyfriend says they might just be late, too. I guess we'll see, but I'm not really hoping anymore. I'll let you know what I decide about Genua - I'd love to meet you one da..."I hope that they are just late, but either way that something turns up for you soon!
dely, do let me know in case you manage! Don't stress yourself unnecessarily, though. I'm sure there will be a chance to meet some day :)
I've long debated whether to write this or not... I've been struggling with some health issues lately - basically, my right hand is full of wounds and aching, and it's been changing colors in a very strange way. I have to undergo some tests in the next week, then I'll need to visit a rheumatologist although I've been unable to fix an appointment as yet. I'm very angry because I could have done this through the national health system (SSN here in Italy), but I would have to wait until March next year! So I was forced to book all of the tests (and later the doctor's appointment) paying the full amount, which is making me so angry because I should have a right to national health care. Unfortunately, I can't wait a month, much less a whole year. I'll let you know when I have news. Needless to say, I'm worried sick. I'm at my parents for some days now, so I can rest a bit, because doing everything is incredibly painful. I don't know how I can still type, actually. In fact, typing doesn't hurt at all, strangely enough.
On the plus side, it turns out both my boyfriend and dely were right, the company for which I did a written test didn't disappear after all - I'll be having a phone interview on Monday :) Right now I'm so worried health-wise that I fail to be worried/anxious job-wise, which is probably good in a way ;)
Yeah, health issues cannot be put off. I am glad yo have chosen to follow this up as soon as possible. I am glad you have had the courage to talk about it to us.I hope the job interview goes well.
Marina, I hope you can get the medical attention you need very soon. It’s terrible that you have to wait so long . Please let us know.I hope everything turns out fine with your health and with the job interview.
Marina, I'm glad you are getting your hand looked at sooner rather than later. This is one reason I am glad that Canada does not have and never has had National health care, but provincial. The wait times where I grew up aren't nearly as bad as what yours was!!! That said, I married an American and ended up in the States where nothing is perfect, either, but at least on one year waits!I am also happy that you have that phone interview!
Marina, I'm glad that you are being proactive and having your hand looked at. Waiting a year is not an option. I hope they find what is causing it and cure it soon. Good luck in the job interview. It's terrific that they called you. I'm so happy for you.
Marina- Congratulations on earning a phone interview- good luck! And I’m sorry to hear about your hand, I hope it clears up soon.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "I've long debated whether to write this or not... I've been struggling with some health issues lately - basically, my right hand is full of wounds and aching, and it's been changing colors in a ver..."Marina, glad to here about the job and I do hope you get answers about your hand.
I am sorry to hear about your father. My condolences to you and your family.
Thank you all for your kind words - your condolences are very comforting
Joan wrote: "My Dad died Saturday. Though I knew the day was coming and I know he has found peace, I’m not as prepared as I thought."
Even when it's an inevitable outcome, it always hits you hard and unrehearsed. I'll be thinking of you.
Even when it's an inevitable outcome, it always hits you hard and unrehearsed. I'll be thinking of you.
Mod
Things are going from bad to worse in Italy for the Health System. Sorry to hear that you've these problems MArina; let us know the results of the tests!
LauraT wrote: "Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "I've long debated whether to write this or not... I've been struggling with some health issues lately - basically, my right hand is full of wounds and aching, and it's ..."The health system here is OK unless you need to see a specialist in a hospital. Then they just ask you to turn up sometime in the morning and you wait hours on a hard plastic chair until they can rustle up a doc to see you.
Yesterday my Dad went to his GP with neck pain to discover he had dislocated it.
He arrived to the hospital specialist clinic at 12 and there were people who had already been waiting more than an hour. At 2 pm the Dr still hadn't turned up!
Finally the nurse mananging the clinic convinced two Drs to come in and things went quickly. But my Dad is 81 and I am sure sitting 3+ hours on a hard chair did nothing to improve his pain.
Mod
Don't take me wrong: for the biggest issue we still have here in Italy one of the best health system in the world - said by the daughter of two doctors who spent all their lives in the Nationa Sanitary system. I don't know what I would have done now that Marta has to check her plates each week, and have the values looked into by a specialist each time. Not considering if she'll have to have a splenectomy done.
Problems start when you have not big issues to be seen, here in Umbria the waiting lists can last over a year...
Laura, it's a tricky situation. I too think that we have great health professionals, I even know some foreign doctors who decided to study in Italy. When you have serious issues, you can count on great doctors and great health care. Still, waiting lists can be horrible even when the health issues are not so small. Moreover, check-ups can save lives and I think waiting lists of two years for a mammogram or similar check-ups are simply unacceptable. It's true that a general practitioner can decide to mark your issue as being urgent so you can get an appointment in a short time - the problem arises with simple check-ups as I said, as well as for issues which are not believed to be urgent, even though they might actually be so.
LauraT wrote: "Don't take me wrong: for the biggest issue we still have here in Italy one of the best health system in the world -.."It is the same here. Israel has some of the most amazing medical research in the world. And with national healthcare even the poorest people have access to treatment.
But there are just some areas that fall through the cracks: Bascially if you can possibly chose always go to a specialist clinic rather than hospital. This is because hospitals try to use their doctors' time efficiently by hosting outpatients but if there is an emergency surgery and the Dr is called away you can sit there for hours and sometimes you don't get seen at all.
Mod
I pefectly agree!
And I do understand Ester!
I wonder, is there any country with an equitable, effective health care system? I know the one here in the the US works for people with good health insurance- not for people without.I’ve log hated the fact that my employer and the insurance company, chosen by my employer not me, determines which doctors I can see, but at least I can see a doctor.
Plus, if you pay for your insurance yourself, and you have medical issues that require good insurance. It is very expensive My husband and I pay over a thousand a month for our insurance.
A couple of updates here:I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting position. Basically I will lead and train a team of translators/copywriters/editors, which looks fantastic to me! I'm sure it's going to be time-consuming and that it will require a big commitment, as well as probably being anxiety-provoking since I absolutely hate doing phone calls - but I hope and think I'll manage :)
Health-wise, I've undergone some tests and it turns out I have Raynaud's phenomenon, which was what my doctors suspected from the start. Apparently there's no underlying cause, which is very relieving, but I'll need to see a rheumatologist in order to be 100% sure.
That's all terrific news, Marina!Congratulations on getting the job. It sounds very interesting and varied. You're going to be great at it. You'll get used to the phone calls in a short time. The work phone calls will become routine, you'll find. (I hope so, anyway)
I'm so happy to hear that your hand's issue is something more routine. The doctors will fix it up in no time.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "A couple of updates here:I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting posit..."
Indeed, good news! :D
Congratulations for the job and I'm sure you will be able to manage the phone calls you will need to do!
Good also that they already found out about your hands! So if necessary you can already start a cure.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "A couple of updates here:I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting posit..."
Congratulations on the new job! It sounds fabulous. I'm sure you'll get used to the phone calls in no time! So glad that you have had a diagnosis and hope the doctors will relieve you of the problem.
Fantastic Marina! So happy to hear both pieces of news 😊
Well done, you. Marina. They obviously picked the right woman for the job!
Congratulations Marina- the new job sounds like a great opportunity. I’m glad to hear you have a diagnosis- Raynaud’s can be frustrating but it is not uncommon. Will you have a choice of rheumatologists?
The Mayo Clinic is a good source of accurate and up-to-date information. Beware, there is lots of snake-oil misinformation on the web.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...
Marina , congratulations on the job ! Sounds great . Wishing you all the best. Hope all goes well with your medical issue and that you can get the diagnosis confirmed so you know where to go from here .
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "A couple of updates here:I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting posit..."
Congratulations!!!!
Joan wrote: "I wonder, is there any country with an equitable, effective health care system? I know the one here in the the US works for people with good health insurance- not for people without.I’ve log hated..."
I don't think there is a single health care system in the world that operates ideally. Not one. Even ones that start out well usually end up with problems sooner or later. My dad has practised medicine in Canada and the States (but in the US it was as an intern and then at various times as a resident) as well as a year in Germany (second year surgery residency--long story, long time ago). When BCMed started (the provincial medical plan in British Columbia--Canada does NOT have national healthcare, but provincial and each province runs theirs a bit differently) it worked very well, but there is a growing crisis in Canada with this, although it is still fairly good (but the waits for things like elective surgery are growing). It is much better for covering all residents, however, than Obamacare and anything the state I live in has offered overall even before Obamacare.
ie every system has its problems, some more than others.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "A couple of updates here:I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting posit..."
Congratulations on the job Marina!! I am sure you will have great success. I don't like talking on the phone either but it gets easier with practice.
And I am glad you have an answer about your hands. Hopefully you will be able to get some beneficial treatment.
Thanks, everybody :)Joan, thanks for the link, it is really helpful. You ask whether I will have a choice of rheumatologists - well, the dermatologist who first checked me strongly recommended one doctor, so I'll try and make an appointment with her, although I've already been told she is very busy at the moment and it's unsure whether she will be able to see me before Easter. Otherwise, I have a couple more choices, so I'll see. A woman at the gym has the same issue and she recommended a clinic which is in my home region.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "A couple of updates here:I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting posit..."
I hope that you are able to get treatment to control the symptoms!
That’s good Marina - I was wondering how seeing specialists works in Italy.
Mod
I got the job for the British agency, woo-hoo!!! It's still a freelance collaboration done remotely, but I'm so glad anyway because it seems like a very interesting posit..."
Great news marina, at least on your job side!
Sorry to hear about your health, Hope things will define soon
Hello! I just came across this thread! I hope everyone is well! Just wanted to say hello!
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I don't know if this information has been posted in this thread before (this is my first posting in Chit-Chat, I normally focus on B's Literary Day in History thread), but I thought it worth a mention.If you are wondering what to do with all those books you've read that are taking up needed space on your shelves, then consider visiting the GR book group Sentences: Book Donations to Prison Libraries and Juvenile Detention Centers. They have a growing list of prisons that accept donations of used books for prison libraries. Each posting also includes special requests by the prison librarians, what's not acceptable, and the addresses to send the boxes to. There are also donation forms available for the prisons that require them.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
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Joan, I'm really so sorry for your loss! Heartfelt condolences.