Time To Reflect No. 2:

I wrote my last blog on September 16 and reflected on some aspects of my journey in recent months with CVID (common variable immune deficiency). It is very easy to become a little negative, particularly when one has a chronic illness, and there seems to be no improvement available.

But on the other hand, there are some positives and I must say I am very lucky that I have access to very competent specialists and a wonderful clinical immunologist. I have access to a specialist physician at the local public hospital in Hervey Bay. He has been a real help to me and together we have tried various ways to overcome the continual problem of pneumoccocal pneumonia and other lung infections. I am presently having problems with lobular hepatitis. I have to see a specialist in a couple of weeks and we will talk about this problem then.

I have a GP in another town not far from here, and he has been my GP since we came to Australia in 1998. Recently when I had some major problem with lung infection, he gave my two shots of penicillin. He will do whatever is requested by my specialists, even though he has had little to no experience with severe immune deficiencies.

My clinical immunologist in Brisbane is available to me 24/7 and there have been a couple of times when I have had to contact him, either by mobile or email. He was the person who arranged for the insertion of a portacath, when my GP would not allow any surgeons in the Wide Bay to insert this.

I am very grateful that we have private health insurance and that I have access to medical professionals without having to be placed on a waiting list. The next major event will be when I am admitted to a local private hospital for two weeks of IV antibiotics.