2019 was difficult, and I haven't ever said that about any other year. Like it full on mega sucked. From others I talked to most people seemed to feel the same way, and it got my wondering why? We are getting older, different problems from those in my teens maybe? The people I am around having similar problems/issues? Whatever it was I couldn't be more glad it's over, but I couldn't be more glad it happened. This year was definitely a trying year, I have never experienced the hardships- and I hope to never again. But it made me so much stronger as a person that I can be forever grateful for. Getting a tumor- (which at 27 years old I never thought I would have to say) but having an amazing surgeon that successfully removed it and it being cancer free. The tumor taught me a lot, before this I can't say I had a huge drive for life. I felt like I was just floating through. Getting at tumor and suddenly feeling like you may die gave me a new lease on life. Which this new drive for life I am going to say cheers to you 2019 may we never see you again. Cheers, J xx
Tag: travel
Australia: Working Holiday
When I graduated college, like most people I had no idea what to do. The world felt intimidating and I felt like I needed to get a job ASAP and save up for the “house and 2.5 kids” I lucked out and got a general management position right out of college. Looking back now I was under qualified and how no idea how life outside of college was suppose to be.
I quickly felt unhappy with the mundane, waking up at 4:00am, going to the gym, getting ready, babysitting in the morning to take two children to school, going straight to my job right after, and repeat. My job at the time was hospitality related which meant Sunday/Monday was my weekend. I quickly felt like I was suffocating, and began to take seriously about where my life was headed.
I had a friend in college who suggested doing a Working Holiday in Australia, the idea had manifested itself over the years but I never considered that it was something I would be capable of. The year I spent after college in my management position I worked hard. I mean hard I gave up most weekends to babysit, I had a babysitting job Monday-Friday in the mornings and I had a full time job.
I am not saying this is what you have to do in order to do a Working Holiday Visa, but I had a large amount of student loans and realistically it was the only way I was able to even consider it. I saved up about 10k and finally felt the courage to just apply to the visa. For any Americans applying to this visa I would suggest getting health insurance, as someone who has dealt with the woes of health related issues its worth the added expense.
The visa over all is pretty straight forward. Your basic information, your background, history etc. Then a a basic fee of $400ish dollars. I went with BUNAC as it was my first time overseas and I had zero clue of what I was doing. It is an added fee (see company’s website) but they give good deals on flights. I flew from Dallas to Sydney direct for $700 which is pretty great considering it was Qantas plus no layovers.
BUNAC help set me up with the basics my bank account, SIM for my phone, and tips along the way. For someone like me who was naive to they way life would be over seas I would suggest it. It help get my footing, I met a ton of great people who like me took this chance and its just a general way to not feel alone.
For Americans especially I can not suggest doing this enough. America as a society we are not pushed to get out of our boxes like this, we are suppose to stick to our guns with the American Dream. (I can’t tell you how much my friends family etc thought I was mentally insane for doing this). But, it changed my life, it made me grow up, find who I was, and it helped me meet my future husband which was an added bonus.
If you are considering this visa, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can’t brag on it enough.
All the best and good luck on your adventure.
xx
J
This is Me Now
Flash forward to a couple of months later. I’m now a 100% recovered (finally) and in the all clear. My last MRI was all clear and I’m finally feeling like myself for the first time in eight months.
I’m currently living in Dallas trying to find a job which is proving difficult after about six months off- I have been feeling a bit discouraged. But nevertheless cross your fingers that’s something comes along because the cries that come from my bank account or me (same same) are getting out of hand.
I want to use this blog as a plat form to share my traveling experiences, my crazy life, and the little bits in between.
Xx
Jordan
The Surgery
It’s been a week since I have had the surgery to remove the large tumor that has been invading my skull/nose for the last 8 months or so. I couldn’t be happier that it’s out.
Don’t let the picture fool you I actually was in hysterics (a good mix of laughing and crying..mostly crying). That the surgery was over. In total the surgery took four years..I mean hours; HOURS. I lost a total of 3 litres of blood that was recycled through me as the surgery progressed. The vain that had been feeding the tumor was about 10x the normal size of a vain.
The tumor put up a fight, it was not eager to come out so a lot of cutting had to be done in order to fully removal the tumor. The surgery first began with going through my left eye (hence the black eye) were the vain feeding the tumor had to be cut off to prevent further bleeding. Once this was done the rest would be done through my nose.
To end the surgery there was a small hole in the lining of my brain a.k.a. the dura that had a small hole that had to be plastered with a bit of cartilage from my ear. Basically what I am trying to say is that everything that COULD go wrong DID go wrong.
It’s been a hard week to say the least. I am incredibly weak and most of the time suffering with dizziness, headaches, etc. that make daily tasks difficult. But, all that aside I am alive, I am relatively health, and I am tumor free.
Doctor to Doctor
The amount of doctors I have seen in my time in England is probably the most I have seen in my entire life. As with anywhere you need a referral to get to a specialist doctor. I began with registering myself as a “temporary private patient” with Kieran’s local GP. We immediately got referred to a local specialist as this was out of the scope of the GP to handle directly.
Going to the specialist we both had high hopes for some answers and maybe shed a bit of good news. Unfortunately, we were not met with either. We were told by the local specialist basically this was out of his scope, and no one in the local area would be able to assist us with us. (£200 or $260 US to be told that no one could help us). Frustrating to say the least.
With this obvious blow, and having another day without answers. We went directly to A&E where we were told that there are no specialist in the area Kieran lives in that could handle this surgery. We decided to drive down to Oxford to see if anyone there could at least refer us to someone who is a specialist in the area of my specific type of tumour. A couple of hours later, I registered with Oxford and was told that I would be contacted within the week to schedule an appointment with a specialist.
A week passes, and I finally have a set appointment with a specialist with Oxford. When arriving to the appointment the ENT specialist who saw us, was very confused as we didn’t bring any CD’s of my scans. (We were not told to bring in anything, and everything being on my phone would be sufficient enough). Without this information they unfortunately, could not help us any further.
Every turn seemed like a dead end. The only saving grace through this process, was my doctor I originally had in New Zealand. He was able to recommend a doctor here in London that had more than enough experience to handle this operation. We are fortunate enough to have an appointment booked with her this Friday for a consultation and then a surgery date booked for the 6th of February.
With all the bad news that seemed to be surrounding us at the minute, I couldn’t be more thrilled that I have a date to look forward too finally being healthy (and to putting all this far far behind me).
Jordan's Journey 