Hi Jane!
Just one comment about your antibiotics, they may not be working because your immunte system may be compromised which makes it difficult for them to kick in they way they may have done in the past. I know that I need to start taking them as soon as I feel that I may need them, otherwise I have to use at least two rounds before I start to get relief. When I had pneumonia last year it took almost a week before the highest power drugs actually started to work -- I was really scared. Now, I keep Keflex 500mg on hand, especially for weekends when its not easy to see a doctor.
Australia is beautiful and the wildlife has to be seen to be believed! I remember the first time I saw parrots in the wild, it was just magic. Now galahs, cockatoos, budgies, rosellas, etc. are normal fare. Bob had to cover our bird food the other day because of all the pink and gray galahs that came and started eating our trees as well as the food! He felt that, at the rate they were going, the tress would all die. The other day our daughter, Kate, had a Koala in her backyard and she lives in the city of Adelaide!! A few days later she had a big 'brown' snake in the garage, but fortunately the local snake catcher came and caught it. So, even in urban areas, we do get 'wild life'!!. I remember one morning when I was heading down the main street of Bendigo I saw a 6 foot tall kangaroo hopping alongside of me!! That was quite a surprise, because they are usually in the local bush but not in the town.
As for our weather, you are right there too, for we may have extreme summers where the heat is often over 100F, but in winter we only have snow in the alps and the weather, though cool, is rarely under 20F. We use Centagrade here, so today its about 35C and tonight perhaps about 22C, but in winter it will be a high of 23C and a low in the teens by evening. Is amazing how many people come down under for a holiday these days because Australia really is a magic place!! I hope that you do make it one day for I know that your'll love it!!
Good luck with the outcome of your doctor's visit. And don't worry, there are lots of things that are now being used to treat MM -- but stress doesn't help and worring about the unknown is certainly stressful! So wait until you have facts, then you can start to plan. Hang in there Jane, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Cath