Youth's wasted on the Young

I would like to have the body of a young woman, but keep my mental faculties, as well as my cognitive and psychological functioning. 

I am totally exhausted at the moment and could do with a new, young body. I spent most of last evening in the hospital emergency department, having been sent there by my GP due to a suspected clot in my leg. I was told it would be after midnight before somebody would give me a blood test and a doctor could see me. The place was crowded and there were people being called from all directions — it was rather overwhelming. There were several suspected stroke patients who had waited over six hours and hadn’t got beyond triage. I had to tell the nurse I couldn’t wait any longer as my dog was on his own, and I didn’t have anybody who could see to him. I ended up going home without being seen by a doctor. I was awake most of the night worrying about my dog, but I managed to contact a friend who looked after him today. I spent all morning and most of the afternoon back in the hospital, and finally was diagnosed with a clot, given two injections, and sent home with more pre-filled syringes of blood thinners. I’m worried sick about my dog in case I can’t get anybody I trust to look after him if this sort of thing happens again. I have one other person, and another at a pinch, who can look after him, but they are not always around. Leg clots wouldn’t have happened with my younger body.

I struggled in school and left with very few qualifications, I was pretty much last in most subjects throughout my secondary schooling, and I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t do the work required back then. I would like to have known then, what I know now; that I was autistic and would have perhaps been given clearer guidance on how to do homework and how to work effectively in class, and what to do if overwhelmed.

Later in life, through the Open University and another UK University, I discovered that I loved learning; the learning style of part time and distance or semi distance meant that I thrived academically. The Open University was very good in giving me a separate room during exams, and the supervisor allowed me extra time and breaks. I didn’t use the allowances during my Masters, but it needed a more independent study style and it made the work seem easy, probably because of my intense interest and autistic focus. 

If I didn’t have the obligations and financial constraints of my youth, I would use the extra energy to pursue a long held dream to complete a PhD related to Neolithic or Iron Age figurines. I would probably have to self fund as I mightn’t fulfil the grant award criteria and I would struggle if I was expected to teach at the university. I would struggle with the viva but maybe universities now would be open to a written interview style. 

What an ordeal to endure (hoping you feel better soon).

If you live in the UK and are age 65 and over the organisation The Cinnamon Trust may be able to arrange temporary foster care for your dog in such a situation:

https://cinnamon.org.uk/support-for-you-and-your-pet/temporary-pet-care/

For those people who live within the M25 of the London area, there is an organisation called Mayhew Pet Refuge who may be able to provide temporary care and shelter for the pets of people facing a crisis –  whether that be an ongoing issue or an unexpected emergency – for up to 3 months.

https://themayhew.org/how-we-help/in-our-home/pet-refuge/

In many areas of the UK there are services called The Good Neighbour sheme   Some of those schemes can help people during a health crisis with various support - sometimes including pet walking when people are ill.  Your Local Council, or local Age UK, may have contact details.

What an ordeal to endure (hoping you feel better soon).

If you live in the UK and are age 65 and over the organisation The Cinnamon Trust may be able to arrange temporary foster care for your dog in such a situation:

https://cinnamon.org.uk/support-for-you-and-your-pet/temporary-pet-care/

For those people who live within the M25 of the London area, there is an organisation called Mayhew Pet Refuge who may be able to provide temporary care and shelter for the pets of people facing a crisis –  whether that be an ongoing issue or an unexpected emergency – for up to 3 months.

https://themayhew.org/how-we-help/in-our-home/pet-refuge/

In many areas of the UK there are services called The Good Neighbour sheme   Some of those schemes can help people during a health crisis with various support - sometimes including pet walking when people are ill.  Your Local Council, or local Age UK, may have contact details.

Thank you Dormouse. I have just over a year to go before I would qualify for assistance from the Cinnamon Trust, but I had a look at their website and it seems promising. I will keep a note of their details.