New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Apr 27th 2008, 11:58 pm
#1
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New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi all
I have been reading threads on this forum for a couple of years now, i thought it about time i joined.
My family & i came to the North Shore via the skilled worker route in 2006. I have been very seriously ill but fortunately i am on the mend now & hopefully this is going to be one of the many new things i am going to be doing.
I am looking forward to making some new friends.
NovaGirl
I have been reading threads on this forum for a couple of years now, i thought it about time i joined.
My family & i came to the North Shore via the skilled worker route in 2006. I have been very seriously ill but fortunately i am on the mend now & hopefully this is going to be one of the many new things i am going to be doing.
I am looking forward to making some new friends.
NovaGirl
Apr 28th 2008, 12:24 am
#2
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Welcome to the forum, you lurker, you 
Hope you are back to full strength soon - all the more energy to become addicted here
(Not another one from the North Shore - oh good grief )
Hope you are back to full strength soon - all the more energy to become addicted here
(Not another one from the North Shore - oh good grief
)
Apr 28th 2008, 12:30 am
#3
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi ann m
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, i was unsure what kind of reaction i would get being from the North Shore bearing in mind the contributions from 2 North Shore members.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, i was unsure what kind of reaction i would get being from the North Shore bearing in mind the contributions from 2 North Shore members.
Apr 28th 2008, 12:34 am
#4
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Welcome and nice to meet you - enjoy playing on BE!
Apr 28th 2008, 2:28 am
#5
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi all
I have been reading threads on this forum for a couple of years now, i thought it about time i joined.
My family & i came to the North Shore via the skilled worker route in 2006. I have been very seriously ill but fortunately i am on the mend now & hopefully this is going to be one of the many new things i am going to be doing.
I am looking forward to making some new friends.
NovaGirl
I have been reading threads on this forum for a couple of years now, i thought it about time i joined.
My family & i came to the North Shore via the skilled worker route in 2006. I have been very seriously ill but fortunately i am on the mend now & hopefully this is going to be one of the many new things i am going to be doing.
I am looking forward to making some new friends.
NovaGirl
Would it be possible for you to share your experiences of living on the North Shore in more detail, especially perhaps the health care? When I had my car accident in Halifax in February, I got talking to some people in the waiting room. They were from Truro but had driven down to Halifax for treatment. This surprised me as it's a bit of a drive if you're not feeling too well. On the other hand, my neighbour here in Halifax is driving to Windsor for her mammogram next week. The mobile screening unit will be there - although she needs 6 month check ups, the earliest appointment she could get in Halifax was December.
With so much interest in Nova Scotia at the moment, I think the more information given by members living in the area can only be a good thing, whether the experiences are positive or negative.
Apr 28th 2008, 2:32 am
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Amy
So sorry if have posted this already but i thought it would interest you & no i am not a realtor!
Follow this link it will make you smile & more!
http://citizenweekly.com/index.cfm?sid=129395&sc=136
I can't make this work!
So sorry if have posted this already but i thought it would interest you & no i am not a realtor!
Follow this link it will make you smile & more!
http://citizenweekly.com/index.cfm?sid=129395&sc=136
I can't make this work!
Apr 28th 2008, 3:06 am
#7
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Val
I will do my best as it has been along time since i have done any typing so please bare with me.
we arrived in 06 when i was ill but high on motivation & being able to hopefully give my kids a slower, healthier, friendlier, safer way of life. My motivation & positive mental attitude & the need to not let my family down got me through a rough time.
On arrival we had to go to a drop in Clinic, they were ok & nothing more. The UK spoiled me i had an excellent GP but a very over worked specialist. Pharmasave in town could see me really struggling with the service at the drop in clinic so one of the Pharmacists went to for of the real practices telling them there is a new family in town & they need your help. Thank god for that lady as now we had excellent GP support. I was introduced to a specialist in town who told me i was sicker than i realised, in the UK specialist visits were every 6-8 weeks here they were every 1-2 weeks to start with, he gave me drugs the UK said would be fatal, the medical staff here were shocked. We are talking UK postcode lottery if you know what i mean. My specialist tried everything then referred me to a surgeon at the local hospital who made it quite clear. The surgery i required could only be found at Halifax, they found me one of the best surgeons in NS, so i am told. So far no fees to see the specialist or tests & trips to the hospital,more importantly no waiting! The surgeon i was reffered to was at the QE11, i was told if i had Cancer he could help but he has a very heavy workload so for him to agree surgery you have to be seriously ill. I think god blessed me & my family coming to NS in terms of medical care. I had spent alot of time being house bound here in NS & having 2 young kids things were really hard. I met the surgeon, he was shocked & said he would help me now if he could, but yes they actually agreed to set up surgery in a way where i could get my mum over to look after the kids, we had no family or back up?
After leaving the QE11 i was back home & the VON we visiting me every few days, my recovery was faster than they expected in some areas but they were great, anything i wanted i phoned a Halifax number & it was sorted out!
I am now on the road to recovery, spending more time with the kids, we haven't been as involved as a normal healthy family would of been but that will come.
A further session will be required at the QE11 this year & then the final one in 2009, i hope.
Sorry this has been so long, i have never put on paper what has happened, thank you all for listening.
I have been a healthy person all my life & fell terribly sick a few years ago, its been a hard time, but rather this happen to me & not any of my family.
The slow pace of life on the North Shore has been perfect for our situation. What i always love is when people think NovaBoy is Australian, some how they get me?
I will do my best as it has been along time since i have done any typing so please bare with me.
we arrived in 06 when i was ill but high on motivation & being able to hopefully give my kids a slower, healthier, friendlier, safer way of life. My motivation & positive mental attitude & the need to not let my family down got me through a rough time.
On arrival we had to go to a drop in Clinic, they were ok & nothing more. The UK spoiled me i had an excellent GP but a very over worked specialist. Pharmasave in town could see me really struggling with the service at the drop in clinic so one of the Pharmacists went to for of the real practices telling them there is a new family in town & they need your help. Thank god for that lady as now we had excellent GP support. I was introduced to a specialist in town who told me i was sicker than i realised, in the UK specialist visits were every 6-8 weeks here they were every 1-2 weeks to start with, he gave me drugs the UK said would be fatal, the medical staff here were shocked. We are talking UK postcode lottery if you know what i mean. My specialist tried everything then referred me to a surgeon at the local hospital who made it quite clear. The surgery i required could only be found at Halifax, they found me one of the best surgeons in NS, so i am told. So far no fees to see the specialist or tests & trips to the hospital,more importantly no waiting! The surgeon i was reffered to was at the QE11, i was told if i had Cancer he could help but he has a very heavy workload so for him to agree surgery you have to be seriously ill. I think god blessed me & my family coming to NS in terms of medical care. I had spent alot of time being house bound here in NS & having 2 young kids things were really hard. I met the surgeon, he was shocked & said he would help me now if he could, but yes they actually agreed to set up surgery in a way where i could get my mum over to look after the kids, we had no family or back up?
After leaving the QE11 i was back home & the VON we visiting me every few days, my recovery was faster than they expected in some areas but they were great, anything i wanted i phoned a Halifax number & it was sorted out!
I am now on the road to recovery, spending more time with the kids, we haven't been as involved as a normal healthy family would of been but that will come.
A further session will be required at the QE11 this year & then the final one in 2009, i hope.
Sorry this has been so long, i have never put on paper what has happened, thank you all for listening.
I have been a healthy person all my life & fell terribly sick a few years ago, its been a hard time, but rather this happen to me & not any of my family.
The slow pace of life on the North Shore has been perfect for our situation. What i always love is when people think NovaBoy is Australian, some how they get me?
Apr 28th 2008, 4:19 am
#8
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Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Normandy, France and occassionally Nova Scotia!
Posts: 3,373
Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Val
I will do my best as it has been along time since i have done any typing so please bare with me.
we arrived in 06 when i was ill but high on motivation & being able to hopefully give my kids a slower, healthier, friendlier, safer way of life. My motivation & positive mental attitude & the need to not let my family down got me through a rough time.
On arrival we had to go to a drop in Clinic, they were ok & nothing more. The UK spoiled me i had an excellent GP but a very over worked specialist. Pharmasave in town could see me really struggling with the service at the drop in clinic so one of the Pharmacists went to for of the real practices telling them there is a new family in town & they need your help. Thank god for that lady as now we had excellent GP support. I was introduced to a specialist in town who told me i was sicker than i realised, in the UK specialist visits were every 6-8 weeks here they were every 1-2 weeks to start with, he gave me drugs the UK said would be fatal, the medical staff here were shocked. We are talking UK postcode lottery if you know what i mean. My specialist tried everything then referred me to a surgeon at the local hospital who made it quite clear. The surgery i required could only be found at Halifax, they found me one of the best surgeons in NS, so i am told. So far no fees to see the specialist or tests & trips to the hospital,more importantly no waiting! The surgeon i was reffered to was at the QE11, i was told if i had Cancer he could help but he has a very heavy workload so for him to agree surgery you have to be seriously ill. I think god blessed me & my family coming to NS in terms of medical care. I had spent alot of time being house bound here in NS & having 2 young kids things were really hard. I met the surgeon, he was shocked & said he would help me now if he could, but yes they actually agreed to set up surgery in a way where i could get my mum over to look after the kids, we had no family or back up?
After leaving the QE11 i was back home & the VON we visiting me every few days, my recovery was faster than they expected in some areas but they were great, anything i wanted i phoned a Halifax number & it was sorted out!
I am now on the road to recovery, spending more time with the kids, we haven't been as involved as a normal healthy family would of been but that will come.
A further session will be required at the QE11 this year & then the final one in 2009, i hope.
Sorry this has been so long, i have never put on paper what has happened, thank you all for listening.
I have been a healthy person all my life & fell terribly sick a few years ago, its been a hard time, but rather this happen to me & not any of my family.
The slow pace of life on the North Shore has been perfect for our situation. What i always love is when people think NovaBoy is Australian, some how they get me?
I will do my best as it has been along time since i have done any typing so please bare with me.
we arrived in 06 when i was ill but high on motivation & being able to hopefully give my kids a slower, healthier, friendlier, safer way of life. My motivation & positive mental attitude & the need to not let my family down got me through a rough time.
On arrival we had to go to a drop in Clinic, they were ok & nothing more. The UK spoiled me i had an excellent GP but a very over worked specialist. Pharmasave in town could see me really struggling with the service at the drop in clinic so one of the Pharmacists went to for of the real practices telling them there is a new family in town & they need your help. Thank god for that lady as now we had excellent GP support. I was introduced to a specialist in town who told me i was sicker than i realised, in the UK specialist visits were every 6-8 weeks here they were every 1-2 weeks to start with, he gave me drugs the UK said would be fatal, the medical staff here were shocked. We are talking UK postcode lottery if you know what i mean. My specialist tried everything then referred me to a surgeon at the local hospital who made it quite clear. The surgery i required could only be found at Halifax, they found me one of the best surgeons in NS, so i am told. So far no fees to see the specialist or tests & trips to the hospital,more importantly no waiting! The surgeon i was reffered to was at the QE11, i was told if i had Cancer he could help but he has a very heavy workload so for him to agree surgery you have to be seriously ill. I think god blessed me & my family coming to NS in terms of medical care. I had spent alot of time being house bound here in NS & having 2 young kids things were really hard. I met the surgeon, he was shocked & said he would help me now if he could, but yes they actually agreed to set up surgery in a way where i could get my mum over to look after the kids, we had no family or back up?
After leaving the QE11 i was back home & the VON we visiting me every few days, my recovery was faster than they expected in some areas but they were great, anything i wanted i phoned a Halifax number & it was sorted out!
I am now on the road to recovery, spending more time with the kids, we haven't been as involved as a normal healthy family would of been but that will come.
A further session will be required at the QE11 this year & then the final one in 2009, i hope.
Sorry this has been so long, i have never put on paper what has happened, thank you all for listening.
I have been a healthy person all my life & fell terribly sick a few years ago, its been a hard time, but rather this happen to me & not any of my family.
The slow pace of life on the North Shore has been perfect for our situation. What i always love is when people think NovaBoy is Australian, some how they get me?
It is something for people to be aware of though when moving to NS, that although there are hospitals around the region, most of the major proceedures etc. have to be carried out in Halifax. I think they have a pretty good set up for accommodation though from what a friend was saying about her brother who had cancer and lives in Yarmouth, but had his chemo/radiotherapy in Halifax. Other patients have been given the option to travel to major cities like Toronto for treatment, rather than face long waiting times here.
look forward to reading more of your posts on the area.
Apr 28th 2008, 5:27 am
#9
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Val
I am having problems sleeping so i am back on, why are you still up at this crazy hour?
You are so right healthcare is something you need to think about especially in the more rural areas. Schooling too is also another issue.
I think in 2 years all of my health issues should be resolved, i have never wished or thought for even one moment that we should of waited or Immigrated at a later date. We did plan for " what if things went down hill with my health?"
Sorry to be so cheeky but did you see the link i attatched on my reply to Amy where i said i wasn;t a realtor etc, do take a look it will make you giggle
I am having problems sleeping so i am back on, why are you still up at this crazy hour?
You are so right healthcare is something you need to think about especially in the more rural areas. Schooling too is also another issue.
I think in 2 years all of my health issues should be resolved, i have never wished or thought for even one moment that we should of waited or Immigrated at a later date. We did plan for " what if things went down hill with my health?"
Sorry to be so cheeky but did you see the link i attatched on my reply to Amy where i said i wasn;t a realtor etc, do take a look it will make you giggle
Apr 28th 2008, 6:45 am
#10
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 429
Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Val
I am having problems sleeping so i am back on, why are you still up at this crazy hour?
You are so right healthcare is something you need to think about especially in the more rural areas. Schooling too is also another issue.
I think in 2 years all of my health issues should be resolved, i have never wished or thought for even one moment that we should of waited or Immigrated at a later date. We did plan for " what if things went down hill with my health?"
Sorry to be so cheeky but did you see the link i attatched on my reply to Amy where i said i wasn;t a realtor etc, do take a look it will make you giggle
I am having problems sleeping so i am back on, why are you still up at this crazy hour?
You are so right healthcare is something you need to think about especially in the more rural areas. Schooling too is also another issue.
I think in 2 years all of my health issues should be resolved, i have never wished or thought for even one moment that we should of waited or Immigrated at a later date. We did plan for " what if things went down hill with my health?"
Sorry to be so cheeky but did you see the link i attatched on my reply to Amy where i said i wasn;t a realtor etc, do take a look it will make you giggle
Sorry to hear about your health problems NovaGirl.
So far I have found Nova Scotia to be far better than any private clinic/hospital I have attended in the UK. Looks like the new Hospital they are building in Truro this year will prevent some of the need to travel to Halifax in the near future. I have found the schooling to be excellent in our part of the North Shore and the school buses pick up at the door. It sounds like you have experienced some problems? Which area of the North Shore are you in?
Thank you for highlighting one of my ventures into the media. If you are near Tata you should come along to "The Week the Women Went" meeting for the TV show.
Apr 28th 2008, 7:11 am
#11
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Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Stewiacke Nova Scotia
Posts: 6,659
Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Novagirl
Welcome to BE, hope it brings you some fun!!
We are over on our first trip to NS shortly and can't wait, we are staying near you in the Northern Region.
Best wishes to you and you family
Welcome to BE, hope it brings you some fun!!
We are over on our first trip to NS shortly and can't wait, we are staying near you in the Northern Region.
Best wishes to you and you family
Last edited by nikki dreaming; Apr 28th 2008 at 7:12 am. Reason: added further info
Apr 28th 2008, 8:47 am
#12
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 6,842
Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hello and welcome 
Apr 28th 2008, 12:02 pm
#13
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Thank you for your warm welcome guys!
The only real problem has been my health, the reason i had to go to the QE11was that the surgery required was too complexed for local hospitals & due to my poor health it is a 3 part procedure. Maybe in time Truro will entice this level of person, i say this as i am aware of another individual being reffered to Halifax by Truro. Truro is growing but it is not the hub of Nova Scotia, there may of been a time when that term was used in relation to the towns transport links.
I live in Cumberland county, when i mentioned schooling there are a number of things to consider, just one being early French Immersion, if this is not important to you then yes, most rural schools will be fine. In the county there are possibly only 2 schools who provide EFI, there are others who provide French but at a later date. Getting our 5 year old into EFI was a fight, attending meetings to fight for what our kids need, we sent emails to the Education Minister asking for help for the school. Yes my daughters school is good, but still they have a few issues which have been in the local press & people are fighting to resolve. I enjoy living on the North Shore but as we all know " life is not perfect!" Please don't confuse being negative with real life issues, my family & i are proactive & will do what we can in our current situation to improve things locally.
My experiences are just that, mine, i am considered as a local who originally is from away so unlike alot of people i get to hear all sorts of comments & opinions, things that would not normally be said other than to another fellow local.
The only real problem has been my health, the reason i had to go to the QE11was that the surgery required was too complexed for local hospitals & due to my poor health it is a 3 part procedure. Maybe in time Truro will entice this level of person, i say this as i am aware of another individual being reffered to Halifax by Truro. Truro is growing but it is not the hub of Nova Scotia, there may of been a time when that term was used in relation to the towns transport links.
I live in Cumberland county, when i mentioned schooling there are a number of things to consider, just one being early French Immersion, if this is not important to you then yes, most rural schools will be fine. In the county there are possibly only 2 schools who provide EFI, there are others who provide French but at a later date. Getting our 5 year old into EFI was a fight, attending meetings to fight for what our kids need, we sent emails to the Education Minister asking for help for the school. Yes my daughters school is good, but still they have a few issues which have been in the local press & people are fighting to resolve. I enjoy living on the North Shore but as we all know " life is not perfect!" Please don't confuse being negative with real life issues, my family & i are proactive & will do what we can in our current situation to improve things locally.
My experiences are just that, mine, i am considered as a local who originally is from away so unlike alot of people i get to hear all sorts of comments & opinions, things that would not normally be said other than to another fellow local.
Apr 28th 2008, 12:11 pm
#14
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Nikki
I hope you & your family have a wonderful trip, i am sure you will! Yesterday i was sitting in the garden in a T shirt watching my 2 girls, 5 & 7 in October running around & having a great time whilst talking to all of the passers by. If you have not been before you will find people friendly & some very curious. If you have kids, well there is no way you won't meet people on your trip, everyone loves kids, IMO. If we didn't have so much to do in the garden we would have been off to the beach.
I hope you & your family have a wonderful trip, i am sure you will! Yesterday i was sitting in the garden in a T shirt watching my 2 girls, 5 & 7 in October running around & having a great time whilst talking to all of the passers by. If you have not been before you will find people friendly & some very curious. If you have kids, well there is no way you won't meet people on your trip, everyone loves kids, IMO. If we didn't have so much to do in the garden we would have been off to the beach.
Apr 28th 2008, 12:25 pm
#15
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Re: New to British Expats been in NS nearly 2 years
Hi Nova Girl
Just to say glad to hear you're on the mend! It sounds like you've had a hard time. Actually I was ill when I moved to France a few years ago and so I know how difficult it can be moving somewhere new and having kids etc, and I wasn't even seriously ill!
Anyway I was delighted to hear how the nice the weather is as I'm over with my family on 6th May and we'll be in Truro for a week from the 9th - and we're really looking forward to it!
Best wishes to you for the future.
Lynda
Just to say glad to hear you're on the mend! It sounds like you've had a hard time. Actually I was ill when I moved to France a few years ago and so I know how difficult it can be moving somewhere new and having kids etc, and I wasn't even seriously ill!
Anyway I was delighted to hear how the nice the weather is as I'm over with my family on 6th May and we'll be in Truro for a week from the 9th - and we're really looking forward to it!
Best wishes to you for the future.
Lynda