Abalinx 19 July 2019 Peter Adamis
The third level of medical tests have begun with a visit to the Austin hospital for foundation blood tests. It now has become a pilgrimage and expected way of life.
Those who have been guests of the Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness Centre will recognise the images. The waiting area, the clinics and the lifts nearby to take you to the various levels of care.
The one level I always dreaded was the top floor being the palliative care where a number became guests. I remember only too well a couple of blokes who fitted that category. A copy of the article may be downloaded by clicking on: WE ARE NOT IRRELEVANT
Oleg my Russian mate was one of them. He lived in Bundoora a suburb close to ours. He arrived in Australia soon after the Chernobyl disaster. His cancer it appears was a direct result of that catastrophe in the Ukraine back in the mid-Eighties.
He was a fighter and did everything possible to survive. We would chat for hours about our families and encourage one another. That is what cancer sufferers do. However on my return back in 2017 from Europe I was advised that he was gone. I took his passing like many other mates who had gone badly.
Still the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre is staffed by dedicated and positive people well versed in cancer therapies and always encourage patients to be positive. Apart from the specialists, there the caterers, the cleaners, the chaplains, welfare and all the wonderful nursing staff. My many thanks to their professionalism.
As I sit here in the hospital cafeteria, I remembered the numerous times I spent coming and going when I was battling cancer, heart and other ailments of the body.
Every time I arrive at the doors of the Austin, my mind dwells not on myself but on mates who are constant visitors to such medical institutions.
Some are struggling with cancers, liver, kidneys, prostate, knees, back, arthritis, muscuoskeletal disorders, stomach, depression (black dog), respiratory problems, heart and infections of sorts.
But not once do I hear them complain and as such I am proud of the bastards
I know their pain, their sorrow and the feelings of falling into depression and giving up, but then again at the moment of despair they rally and keep battling what ails them.
Our generation still has much to offer and I scoff at those who are of the belief that we are becoming irrelevant in a society that is growing exponentially with new technologies at a greater rate than ever before.
There have been calls by the “NEWBIE” generation that we of the baby boomer generation should step aside, sell our assets, downsize and make life easier for the generations following us.
Well I have news for them. While we still live, we encourage others to continue to contribute to the economic, security and welfare of this nation we call home- Australia. We may have purchasing power and considered assets rich but we still suffer from the cash poor syndrome.
Had a Labor left wing government been elected all our life saving and hard work would have gone down the proverbial gurgler. We would be living on scraps, handouts, suffering in silence and dying off as a result of neglect.
In some regions, communities and yes cultures alien to Australian this may have occurred already. If this is the case I wonder how the welfare and religious organisations and institutions are coping.
Winter is possibly the time when we see the best and worst of our society and how we treat, react and contend with those less fortunate. The elderly, the homeless, the little Aussie battlers, struggling families and yes even students trying to get ahead in the world.
In Australia we are lagging behind in some sectors which could do better with support from government sources. Farmers for example need every support possible to ensure that Australia does not rely on inferior exports.
The drought has caused untold harm to farmers and to the agricultural communities that depend upon the land.
Lamb prices have shot through the roof and exports have been down.
Investigations into corrupt practices at the university level by insidious characters certainly does not help our image in the pacific region and abroad.
Entrepreneurs, captains of industry, game changers, investors, financiers and those with influence are cutting corners with the aim of reducing their overheads and increasing shareholder returns are not always in the long term interests of Australians.
I have mentioned this previously of the moral bankrupt political representatives giving a bad name to those dedicated to serving Australians and yet these same people are being re-elected time and time again.
I am appalled at their grandstanding, I am aghast at their lack of understanding to our veterans. I am tired of pieces of paper, measly handouts, useless cards of recognition and the legal battles to obtain support.
All that comes to mind is that our generation is not irrelevant and that we still have much to offer. Do not throw us on the scrap heap for we too were once full of youth and vigour.
The last Federal election was a good indication that we of the baby boomer generation were fed up and voted accordingly. I guess that although I am not a happy chappie, I am not alone.
Cheerio for now. Spare a thought for our veterans and to all those who work in keeping our society free from harm.
Peter Adamis is a Freelance Journalist/Social Media Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), and Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Website: abalinx.com Contact via Email: [email protected]