Bob in Hospital

This is another one of my ‘I’m not here’ posts. I often do an I’m not here post when I go on holiday. This is an example of an I’m not here post here, on that particular occasion I’d gone to Melbourne. This time is different though, this time I’ve gone to hospital.

hospitalFrequently asked questions about Bob in hospital

Why are you in hospital Bob?
I’ve got cervical spinal stenosis.

What is cervical spinal stenosis Bob?
It’s a condition in which the spinal canal has become too narrow and causes pinching on the spinal cord.

I’m a carpenter with 18 years experience, I’m 35 years old, and I’m 5 feet 11, would I qualify for a visa for Australia?
Ah, you’re on the wrong page, you need to read Would I Qualify?

What are the symptoms Bob?
Well, the signals currently being sent to my arms and legs are being disrupted so, for example, instead of walking normally, I stagger around like a drunkard. Something I prefer doing when I am actually drunk.

How are they going to fix it Bob?
The plan is that the orthopaedic surgeon will operate on my spine to create more space around my spinal cord, relieving the compression.

I’m desperate to move to Australia Bob, can you get me a job sponsorship?
You’ve asked at a bad time, but no, I can’t help you or anybody directly. My page How to Get a Job Sponsorship is worth a read though.

When did this stenosis thing start Bob?
25 July this year. Funnily enough, I wrote about it, turns out that the pain in my arm that I mentioned in the post was being caused by pinching on the spinal cord. It was from that day onwards that the troubles began.

When will you be back Bob?
I don’t know, there will be a recovery period after the operation during which I will need to be taking it easy. That’s exactly what I plan to do. I will be back as soon as I am able though.

I left a comment three days ago and still haven’t had an answer. What’s going on Bob?
I’m in hospital, remember?

So you’re not even bothering to answer comments Bob?
Trust me, as soon as I’m ready I will, I want to get back to answering comments as soon as I possibly can. In the meantime, you can chat amongst yourselves, I do have many many readers who give helpful answers to lots of questions here. If you know the answer to somebody’s question, why not post the answer or chip in with your opinion while I’m not around?

I suppose that means no new blog posts for a while Bob?
Yes it does, but as with comments, as soon as I’m able I will start posting new articles again. Until then, there’s plenty to read here with over 1100 posts on the blog and 136 pages on the website. You can use the Google search box on every page to search for what you’re looking for. It’s just above those colourful adverts you see to the right. Search for any Australia related term and I almost guarantee you something will come up. Try it, if only to test my theory.

These are worrying times Bob, what with no new blog posts. What specifically do you suggest we do read?
These six pages are the gateway to the whole website, each of the pages has many links leading to much more stuff to read:

Main pages

These are my eight categories, the figure in brackets is the number of posts each has:

Categories

Please be sure not to miss anything, I’ll be running a quiz night when I get back.

Do all Australians get spinal stenosis Bob?
No, it’s not an ‘Aussie’ thing. It wasn’t caused by snakes, crocs, sharks or having too many barbecues.

How good are orthopaedic surgeons in Australia Bob?
I’ll tell you later.

Would you like me to send you flowers Bob?
No, don’t be ridiculous; a) I am a boy and b) I have no sense of smell at all. If you want to wish me well though, that would be lovely. You can do so in the comments below.

Visa Assessment Service
{ 111 comments… add one }
  • Ryan March 2, 2016, 3:35 pm |

    Been visiting this site for months, and you’ve been a tremendous help. I thank you and wish a speedy recover from the States.

  • Sally February 28, 2016, 9:26 am |

    Best wishes Bob,
    I was “laminated” nearly 5 years ago. I was up and walking within hours of waking up. Best thing ever. I love having a few extra millimetres of space. Woohoo! Ok, I won’t be running again, but being relatively pain free is delightful.

  • Dave February 18, 2016, 9:34 pm |

    speedy recovery Bob, your site is great. Our daughter and husband went two years ago we visited last year and hope to move out ASAP. Looking at different ways at the moment. Take it easy and full recovery.
    Dave

  • Carmi Bar December 14, 2015, 11:25 am |

    All the best for a full recovery. Always a pleasure to read your stories, I hope your sense of humor intact. You will always be part of the memories of my journey to Australia.

  • vijay December 13, 2015, 9:12 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    Wish you a speedy recovery…hope you are doing well now…

    Take care,

    Cheers,
    Vijay

  • BobinOz December 8, 2015, 12:06 am |

    My thanks, this time to the most recent commenters wishing me well, great to hear from you. And guess what, all this well wishing stuff, it’s working. It is now been a month since my operation and this last week has been so much better. I still have a fair way to go, but I have to say, I’m feeling pretty good. So much so, that today I added a new post.

    It’s not a classic, a bit shorter than my usual mutterings, but it’s something. I enjoyed writing it as well, so I’m pretty sure I’m going to write another one quite soon. As I get stronger, hopefully I’ll put more effort into it 🙂 It’s a bit early to say I’m back, but I’m definitely on my way.

    Again, my thanks to you all, your support and encouragement has been magnificent. So many comments, many from people I feel like I’ve known for ages, I never knew running a website like this could be so much fun, but I can tell you, it is.

    Normal service will be/is being/may already have been resumed. Thanks, Bob

  • Sarah December 2, 2015, 12:45 pm |

    Ahhh, all the best and hope it went well… I have to say, this was the funniest post I have read in a long time so hope the humour brings quick recovery!

  • Mary from Irish Queenslander December 1, 2015, 2:40 am |

    Hey Bob, hope you’re feeling better by now. Just wanted to say hi from Ireland (I’m back home in Cork) and all the best for Christmas and 2016. Hopefully good health ahead for you. Chin up! Mary

  • Sílen November 30, 2015, 3:57 am |

    Hi, Bob
    I Hope you recover soon. God bless You! Thank You!
    I have some helpful articles for You: http://www.doctoryourself.com/stenosis.html
    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/06/11/spinal-regeneration.aspx

  • Shan November 30, 2015, 1:57 am |

    Wish you recovery soon and best wishes for a good health Bob.. keep up the good work. Thanks

  • Nessa November 28, 2015, 7:35 pm |

    Get well soon bob! I’ve commented once over the years and love the blog- so postive and honest. Now we’ve made the move I also share your optimism! Anyway- U can’t keep a good man down so take ur time and we’ll be here when u 100% again x

  • Phil November 27, 2015, 3:57 am |

    Get better soon Bob!

  • Cesar Medina November 27, 2015, 2:27 am |

    Hi Bob. I hope you are recovering quickly. Please let us know once this’s done.
    Great webpage by the way!

    Cesar

  • JohnOH November 24, 2015, 12:26 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Hope you recover soon. Have lots of silly stuff for you.
    Otherwise have a great christmas. I have an idea. If you’re problem is
    you’re walking around like you’re drunk, why not get drunk and maybe the symptoms will reverse themselves, or better still when you sober up it will be fixed. No harm in trying.
    Feller name of Paul Hogan suggested that…..when he heard you were a pom….

  • BobinOz November 23, 2015, 6:33 pm |

    Wow! I am truly truly overwhelmed by all of your comments. It’s not just the well wishing, but the overall warmth and kindness shown by so many of you, along with heaps of encouragement. I have read every single comment and each one has lifted my spirits. Way better than flowers 🙂

    I thank you all for taking the time to add your comments here, they really are appreciated. I am very lucky to have you all as readers.

    So, a quick update on me now that it’s been two weeks since the operation. The good news is that I am over the worst of the pain, the bad news is that there is still plenty of pain left. Thankfully I have ‘happy hour’ four times a day; that’s when I can pop more pain relief pills.

    I am expecting the next two weeks to be far better than the last two though and I am very hopeful that I will be able to start answering comments again very soon. I have listened to your advice though, so if it hurts, I will stop. If it doesn’t hurt though, maybe I’ll be able to add some new posts sometime soon.

    My target though is to be back to normal on this website for the beginning of the new year. Probably a bit early to say it, but here’s to (hopefully) a great 2016.

    Thanks again to each and everyone of you, Bob

  • Jaidon November 23, 2015, 1:11 am |

    Bob feel better soon!

  • Penny November 22, 2015, 11:38 am |

    I was sorry to hear you are not well, but I am sure you’ll soon be back on board! I know Aussie doctors are very good, and this operation is very successful, BUT— you must be good and do what the doc says afterwards!!!

  • Tina November 21, 2015, 3:44 am |

    All the best for an optimal recovery! Your website and blog are such a treasure. Thank you for helping me and many others with your wonderful information.

  • Lynne November 19, 2015, 2:39 am |

    Hi Bob,
    Hope you mend fast! I found this site at 3am after facing a huge huntsman spider which was blocking my path on the way to get a cup of tea! At least I hope it is only a huntsman because now I dont know where he is! You made me laugh and I think you should now write about the ‘funny’ things which you may see or experience whils5 trying to mend! You are a great writer! Cheers, Lynne

  • Edel laz November 18, 2015, 4:01 pm |

    get well soon Bob

  • Trevor November 18, 2015, 1:59 pm |

    Great website you have Bob. Best wishes on a quick recovery.

  • Dan November 18, 2015, 8:28 am |

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery Bob. ?

  • jaclyn yip November 17, 2015, 5:46 pm |

    Take care and get well soon Bob !

  • RK November 17, 2015, 3:49 pm |

    Hii Bob,

    I hope you recover soon 🙂

    I simply loved your article particularly your sense of humour. Is it an Aussie thing??:D

    From India

  • Barbara November 17, 2015, 4:04 am |

    Dear Bob,
    I’m so sorry for your health troubles!
    We hope you get well soon! Thanks for your interesting and useful website.
    Barbara from Rome – Italy

  • Dave Gibbon November 16, 2015, 1:02 am |

    Get well soon Bob,
    Should you be driven home, check out the Gippsland worms ,could make an interesting article. Later, just north of Brisbane you’ve got Rhino Cockroachs. I’ll let you google them.two Australian very big things.
    Again,all the best
    Dave

  • Phil November 15, 2015, 2:09 pm |

    Feel better soon Bob. Sorry you are crook.

  • Heidi November 15, 2015, 8:31 am |

    Dear Bob,

    Get well soon mate, please take it easy and look after yourself.

    Hope the doc fixes you up good,

    Heidi xx

  • Karl Smullen November 15, 2015, 3:38 am |

    Get well soon pal. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
    Karl&Lisa x

  • Verity Murray November 14, 2015, 11:32 pm |

    Hope you get well soon Bob! Thanks for your wonderful website – it was a great help to me when my family were considering moving to Oz. We are now in our tenth month here in W.A.and having a great time. No need to reply. Best wishes
    Verity

  • Kamma November 14, 2015, 11:23 pm |

    Sorry to hear it, Bob, I hope you feel better soon and come through with no complications.

  • Andrew T. Saylor November 14, 2015, 7:50 pm |

    Best wishes, Bob, for a speedy recovery! Thanks for making this amazing site for people whose dream it is to move to Oz. You help countless people every day. You should show the nurses your website and maybe they’ll slip you some extra cafeteria food 🙂

  • Rick Boutcher November 14, 2015, 5:02 pm |

    Alan Day…
    While I do not live in Oz, I live in the Philippines; Bob and I developed a friendship via a Huntsman Spider named Harry. Your comments to Bob’s readers about not expecting anything from Bob while he is recovering is exactly what Bob needs.

    But I have to say, I find it amazing how many people Bob has touched and I am inspired by the loyalty and caring feelings everyone has for him. Indeed such loyalty is part of the medicine Bob needs right about now. By us all giving Bob our prays, feelings and thoughts without expecting anything in return, Bob will bounce back from this and he will be himself, once again, very soon.

    Let’s not forget his family who have to endure this recovery with him.

    Rick

  • Lefteris November 14, 2015, 4:26 pm |

    I’ m really glad to hear you’re recovering Bob!

    Thank you so much for being a passionata advocate of life in Oz and an ispirattion to people like me.

    I wish you a fast recovery!!!

  • Alan Day November 14, 2015, 3:23 pm |

    I’m sorry to hear about all this Bob. I wish your a speedy recovery. All that matters is your attention to your health and feeling well again soon. If I may say something to all your readers, I’d like to say let’s all just give him our well wishes and support and not expect anything from him. I’m sure we will hear from our familiar Bob soon enough. Think about all he’s given us already. Thank you for all you do Bob.

  • Mobolaji November 14, 2015, 2:24 pm |

    Aaaaaawwwww! I wish you a quick and complete recovery. Get well soon so that we can continue to read from you and laugh at your humor.

  • Vincent Woodall November 14, 2015, 10:47 am |

    Sorry to hear you had a hospital trip but I gather from some of the comments above that you are now on the mend. I wish you well.

  • Nicky November 14, 2015, 10:34 am |

    Hi Bob, Sorry to hear about your health troubles. I had a spinal fusion in the UK when I was 16 and had to spend 6 months in hospital and we had no computers back then. I hope they give you good pain meds. My experience of Australian hospitals has been wonderful so I am sure that you will get great treatment. Take it easy.

    all the best

    Nicky from Perth

  • Bjorn Courage November 14, 2015, 10:06 am |

    Bob

    Sorry to hear about your health and wish you a most speedy recovery. Puts things back in perspective, doesn’t it?!

    Wishing you and your family all the best and as and when you back at full strength and need of getaway, feel free to pop over to Okinawa Japan, we’re really not that far away considering…

    Take care and looking forward to your blogs at some point in future

    Bjorn

  • Lynda November 14, 2015, 10:04 am |

    Wishing you a quick recovery. I enjoy your informative blog, and as I am a dinki-di first generation Aussie it gives a new perspective.

  • Greg November 14, 2015, 7:11 am |

    Hi Bob,

    Really sorry to hear about you being ill. Glad you’re able to get it sorted, and hope you’ll be back on your feet soon. Wish I had some good remedies to suggest, but I’m afraid stenosis isn’t my thing. Glad to see it hasn’t affected your sense of humor though, bad as ever :).

    Cheers

  • Gareth November 14, 2015, 7:09 am |

    Hi bob hope all is well I hade the same opp about 8 years ago in England am now waiting for it to be done again in Australia

  • Bing November 14, 2015, 6:48 am |

    Wishing you well Bob from a wet Manchester.

  • Kata November 14, 2015, 4:38 am |

    Dear Bob,

    Sorry to hear about your difficulties and glad to read your funny blogs.
    Wishing you a swift recovery! Sending you healing thoughts.x

  • Ana Smith November 14, 2015, 3:43 am |

    It doesn’t matter if you dont answer. I’m here to wish you a prompt and swift recovery from your surgery and post op. I miss reading about your notes, it is very entertaining to me.
    http://www.123greetings.com/general/getwell/getwell131.html

  • Seumas MacRae November 14, 2015, 2:14 am |

    Hi, Bob.

    SO sorry to hear about your hospital visit and surgery. However, I was happy to read that you are home and recovering. I wish you all the best in future health and hapiness, mate!

    Best regards,
    Seumas

  • Cathy LaVenia November 14, 2015, 1:36 am |

    Good to hear from you. All the best for a full recovery.

  • pamela netuschil November 14, 2015, 1:34 am |

    Sincere prayers and wishes for a hundred percent recovery. Give your wife and daughter lots of hugs, because it’s also hard for your love ones. Stiff upper lip applies.

  • Erika November 14, 2015, 1:28 am |

    Wishing you well and a speedy recovery!! Also sending good thoughts to the surgeon may they have skilled and steady hands!

  • David Irvine November 14, 2015, 12:55 am |

    Your posts have been missed, you are a great spokesperson for Australia, here’s wishing you a speedy and complete recovery. While you are laid up maybe you have time to get an appropriate tattoo, eh? :::o)

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