263 days until Antarctica - "I Am Woman" Helen Reddy

 

Approximately 4 minutes reading time 

“She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”

Elizabeth Edwards AMERICAN ATTORNEY, AUTHOR

 

It’s been a good week.

Finally the dark veil of sadness and despair has lifted. Once again, I bask in sunlight.

The great news is that I went to my Specialist this week and my blood tests confirmed that the medications, the Methotrexate and Prednisone have been wreaking havoc with my hormones. Compounded with the aftermath of the Cyclophosphamide my hormones have taken the greatest hit. This is why I have been living in an emotional black hole. This is why emotionally everything was getting harder. I am so glad that this has been explained. I’m okay and I’m going to be fine.

Given everything I’ve been through since late 2019 and the fact that I am rebuilding my life, I have decided that it is time to do something that I’ve always wanted, join the political race. I have registered to run as an Independent Candidate for Local Government, my local Council Election on Saturday, 4^th September 2021.

Our Local Council was sacked in March.

I think the time is nigh for me to join the race and make a difference in my Community, to give back and make things better for us all. As much as I am able.

I am David going against Goliath.

I have no Agenda.

I have no money.

I have no affiliations or political support.

I have no Team.

I have no office.

I have a vision for what is possible in my community, to make it better, to make it stronger and to make it sustainable for now and the future.

I have only registered three days ago. My friends told me that I am a glutton for punishment for doing this to myself. It’s not about me. It’s about what I want to do, what I can do for my Community.

The night I did it, I dreamt about pulling out of the Election as it’s going to be an uphill battle for me, as I’m swimming against the tide. I decided not to give in to fear. I believe that the Parties will try to crush me like a bug. I’m going to fight like hell.

I have wonderful, supportive friends who believe in me and will help me.

I have the belief in myself and my capabilities.

The thing that made me register as a Candidate, the final straw, so to speak, was reading an online article about girls and young women needing positive role models.

Women are always under-represented in Leadership Roles, especially in politics.

I want to be one of the Role Models to show what can be achieved.

Whatever the outcome of the Election, I have nothing to lose.

Again to quote Kris Kristofersson “Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose,
And nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free, …” Kris Kristofferson , Me and Bobby McGee

Hopefully I can in some small way make a positive difference and inspire a girl or young woman to aim for the Stars and do what they want and what they believe in throughout their Life, no matter the obstacles.

We are always told what we can’t do and I hate this more than anything. I want to change the narrative about what we can do, when and how we want.

I have spent most of my adult life working in the biggest Boy’s Clubs, namely Physics and Financial Services as the only woman peer to a minimum of forty men. I have learned much. Most importantly, I can hold my own.

I am small but I am smart, capable and most of all I am fierce and invincible.

Like Helen Reddy sings in the wonderful, powerful song that I have known and loved since I was a baby, “If I have to I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman”

Whenever anyone tells me that I can’t do something, my natural response is “Watch Me!” They do.

I’m exercising constantly. Walking with Schrodie and Murphy has been great fun.

Johnny, my guitar and I are getting on well and having fun together. My progress is sound. Pardon the pun. Apparently my playing sounds good. This makes me very happy. My fingers and hands are feeling the challenging exercises but managing to play as required. I am managing to do everything I need. I think that the extra exercises are causing discomfort in the muscles and making them feel weak but they’re actually getting stronger.

Oops, I’ve forgotten to take my supplements. Must go rectify this now. The supplements are for my nerve recovery. They seem to be working. I have been reading more about nerve repair and regeneration, including Scientific Papers, my ‘go to’ and favourites. The discomfort that I’m feeling in my feet is a positive sign. It signals nerve repair via Axons. Some of the pain signals that the myelin sheath, surrounding the nerve, is repairing itself. This is very happy news for me. It has only been eleven months since my nerves and muscles were destroyed by the ANCA Vasculitis so I’m doing pretty well. I have all the feeling back in my hands and feet. My feet, left foot especially still has strange feeling but my feet are strong enough to do everything I need, as before and work properly. Especially since the Specialists, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists didn’t really expect much, if any recovery.

An easy, light comfort meal tonight. A large can of tomato soup with lots of pepper and toasted Turkish bread. Cheap and cheerful. It’s also delicious.

I’m tired and still not fully recovered and feeling exhausted mentally and physically as well as emotionally.

I finished my second online structured writing course and did really well. I’m so glad I finished as I don’t have the time. The rest of my courses are self-paced which is fantastic. They’ll come in handy with my Political Campaign.

I just remembered that I no longer have a wardrobe with suitable attire to run for Political Office. This should be fun.

So much to do before Antarctica. I need to start Kayak training.

That’s it from me for now. I hope you have a good week.

Take care, stay happy and well.

Have Fun.

Please let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to know more about. Ask any questions or leave a comment in the comments section. Feel free to share anything and everything of value.

I hope this has helped you in some small way.

Watch this space...