Thursday, November 30, 2006
Still limping along
Well I am still limping along in SA. This silly ankle, I've been to the GP, then for x-rays, back to the GP. Back to the GP (9 months later LOL) then a bone scan, back to the GP and now referred for an ultrasound which I will have on the 8th, then I'll be back to the GP again and then referred to the surgeon.
It seems the bone scan showed the rheumatoid arthritis in both feet, and 'activity' around the main tendon that runs down the leg, around the ankle and across to the big toe. So the GP believes this tendon is the problem, wants the ultrasound to confirm it before he sends me off to the surgeon.
Looks like I will limp through Christmas and get something done in the new year. The suggestion is it will need surgical repair and I will be in a cast for 4 weeks, but I'll wait and see what the surgeon says.
We are actually seeing the surgeon today, but that is for Simon's follow up visit for his knee, back and thumb...this surgeon knows us well LOL.
John actually doesn't have to go to the hospital until Monday morning, so a few days to rest and recover from the constant trips and blood tests. The specialists are hoping things are on the right track now, and we hope so too. John is due back at work January 1st and at this moment doesn't feel like that is guaranteed. He still has pretty terrible tremors and not a lot of energy, so it is a waiting game.
Today I will tidy the house and tomorrow I'll decorate for Christmas.
I'm impressed that I got all of my Christmas mail out yesterday!!!
It seems the bone scan showed the rheumatoid arthritis in both feet, and 'activity' around the main tendon that runs down the leg, around the ankle and across to the big toe. So the GP believes this tendon is the problem, wants the ultrasound to confirm it before he sends me off to the surgeon.
Looks like I will limp through Christmas and get something done in the new year. The suggestion is it will need surgical repair and I will be in a cast for 4 weeks, but I'll wait and see what the surgeon says.
We are actually seeing the surgeon today, but that is for Simon's follow up visit for his knee, back and thumb...this surgeon knows us well LOL.
John actually doesn't have to go to the hospital until Monday morning, so a few days to rest and recover from the constant trips and blood tests. The specialists are hoping things are on the right track now, and we hope so too. John is due back at work January 1st and at this moment doesn't feel like that is guaranteed. He still has pretty terrible tremors and not a lot of energy, so it is a waiting game.
Today I will tidy the house and tomorrow I'll decorate for Christmas.
I'm impressed that I got all of my Christmas mail out yesterday!!!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Celebration of Success
Photos from today. Simon gets to keep the big perpetual trophy for a year, then it goes back to the school. It has his name engraved on it.
The box holds a Parliament House Medallion engraved with his name and award.
He did really well playing his own song on the piano in front of the school.
He got a certificate as well.
Tuesday in Australia
the weather's hot and bright. Not really the day to spend stuck in an overcrowded school gym LOL, but the things we mothers do.
John heads off to the hospital shortly to see his specialist and have more blood tests.
I'll wake the teenagers and get them organised, then wait for the in laws to arrive as I am driving them to the boys' school to see the assembly and presentation. Then home here by about 11am hopefully before it gets too terribly hot.
My appointment with the doctor isn't until 5.50pm, so plenty of time to waste this afternoon doing such boring things as ironing and cooking dinner!! Why oh why do they all have to eat and wear clothes?
John heads off to the hospital shortly to see his specialist and have more blood tests.
I'll wake the teenagers and get them organised, then wait for the in laws to arrive as I am driving them to the boys' school to see the assembly and presentation. Then home here by about 11am hopefully before it gets too terribly hot.
My appointment with the doctor isn't until 5.50pm, so plenty of time to waste this afternoon doing such boring things as ironing and cooking dinner!! Why oh why do they all have to eat and wear clothes?
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Poor Me I have a headache
Just took some Panadol as I have a splitting headache. Over tired I think.
Started out early this morning with all 4 boys and John, dropped Simon at school, then headed to the clinic. Justin went off and had his blood test, John went to pay the mortgage and the rest of us went to the doctor.
Got the referral for Shane no problem.
Bradley's blood work came back fine, so no changes to his medication.
I had my ankle examined, doctor doesn't know what it is, so I have to have a bone scan tomorrow (Friday). I get an injection at 10.45am and then go back about 3 hours later for the scan. Once I get the results I see the doctor again and he thinks he'll be referring me to an orthopaedic surgeon.
When we got home I did the grocery shopping....not fun.
Now I just have to shake this headache.
Started out early this morning with all 4 boys and John, dropped Simon at school, then headed to the clinic. Justin went off and had his blood test, John went to pay the mortgage and the rest of us went to the doctor.
Got the referral for Shane no problem.
Bradley's blood work came back fine, so no changes to his medication.
I had my ankle examined, doctor doesn't know what it is, so I have to have a bone scan tomorrow (Friday). I get an injection at 10.45am and then go back about 3 hours later for the scan. Once I get the results I see the doctor again and he thinks he'll be referring me to an orthopaedic surgeon.
When we got home I did the grocery shopping....not fun.
Now I just have to shake this headache.
What day is it? LOL
It really is getting like that...what day is it around here? Always something to do.
Tuesday I took Shane, Simon and Justin out to their orthodontist visit, that was fairly quick and painless...at least for me. Then Shane and Justin wandered around the shops while I took Simon to apply for his Learner Driver's permit. He passed the test, went to get the permit, only to be told he needed an Eyesight Certificate as he had ticked "Needs to wear glasses while driving." on his permit application. So, had he lied on the form he would have been issued with a permit no questions asked. However, being honest he was given another form to take to an optician. Luckily we found one in the shopping complex who could see him after a 2 hour wait!!! So a full eye exam (unnecessary since he has a full eye exam every January and has the glasses on all the time) and off we went back to the Motor Vehicle Registry to pay for his permit. What a rigmarole...but he was a very grateful teenager for the rest of the day LOL.
Wednesday I went to the hospital with John, more blood tests, an ECG, a visit to the hypertension unit to have the 24 hour blood pressure monitor removed and we were home by 1pm. Since we left home at 7am it was a long day. A bit disheartening when we see other transplant patients who are doing so much better than John when they have only been out of hospital for a day or two, but hopefully we'll get to that point too.
When we got home Wednesday afternoon Justin's eye was swollen shut, so I booked him in with the doctor and off I went again. Definitely taxi cab duty lately. Today he is off for blood tests and an x-ray.
Some very happy news though. The school year is coming to an end here. Shane received an award for academic excellence in Science. Simon received and award for academic excellence in English. Then in the mail we received a letter from the school...Simon has been awarded the Florey Music Award for the whole school. Excellence in Music. We are invited to a special assembly on Tuesday morning where the award will be presented.
Today we are off to the doctor again. Bradley for blood test results. Shane for a referral letter to his kidney specialist. Me for my ongoing problems with a swollen and painful right ankle bone. Justin for his blood test. John gets a day off from the hospital and Simon gets to go to school :)
Sometimes I would just love a day off.
Tuesday I took Shane, Simon and Justin out to their orthodontist visit, that was fairly quick and painless...at least for me. Then Shane and Justin wandered around the shops while I took Simon to apply for his Learner Driver's permit. He passed the test, went to get the permit, only to be told he needed an Eyesight Certificate as he had ticked "Needs to wear glasses while driving." on his permit application. So, had he lied on the form he would have been issued with a permit no questions asked. However, being honest he was given another form to take to an optician. Luckily we found one in the shopping complex who could see him after a 2 hour wait!!! So a full eye exam (unnecessary since he has a full eye exam every January and has the glasses on all the time) and off we went back to the Motor Vehicle Registry to pay for his permit. What a rigmarole...but he was a very grateful teenager for the rest of the day LOL.
Wednesday I went to the hospital with John, more blood tests, an ECG, a visit to the hypertension unit to have the 24 hour blood pressure monitor removed and we were home by 1pm. Since we left home at 7am it was a long day. A bit disheartening when we see other transplant patients who are doing so much better than John when they have only been out of hospital for a day or two, but hopefully we'll get to that point too.
When we got home Wednesday afternoon Justin's eye was swollen shut, so I booked him in with the doctor and off I went again. Definitely taxi cab duty lately. Today he is off for blood tests and an x-ray.
Some very happy news though. The school year is coming to an end here. Shane received an award for academic excellence in Science. Simon received and award for academic excellence in English. Then in the mail we received a letter from the school...Simon has been awarded the Florey Music Award for the whole school. Excellence in Music. We are invited to a special assembly on Tuesday morning where the award will be presented.
Today we are off to the doctor again. Bradley for blood test results. Shane for a referral letter to his kidney specialist. Me for my ongoing problems with a swollen and painful right ankle bone. Justin for his blood test. John gets a day off from the hospital and Simon gets to go to school :)
Sometimes I would just love a day off.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
I really don't want to dwell on all the negative that this week has been, still more to come with hospital visits daily for at least the next week, but one day at a time.
So enough sadness, now some happy, photos to share of things I have made this week, and some family photos from Simon's birthday today. You can see how sick John is :( I made White Chocolate Cake and White Chocolate Cheesecake along with lasagne, spaghetti and garlic bread.
The bookmark is a Christmas present.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Soooo funny!!!
We are still cracking up laughing.
Shane went to a sleep over last night, but of course didn't sleep. He got home at 4pm today, had a quick shower and was falling asleep on the couch, so I told him to have a nap and I would wake him for dinner.
Went in at 6.30pm and woke him, told him to come and have something to eat, that he needed to stay awake a little while or he would be awake all night.
Next thing we know Simon said "Shane's in the shower, I think he thinks it is morning."
Poor Shane was totally confused, thought he had slept all night and was having his morning shower to get ready for school LOL.
John said we should have waited for him to come out dressed in his school uniform!!
What a laugh.
Shane went to a sleep over last night, but of course didn't sleep. He got home at 4pm today, had a quick shower and was falling asleep on the couch, so I told him to have a nap and I would wake him for dinner.
Went in at 6.30pm and woke him, told him to come and have something to eat, that he needed to stay awake a little while or he would be awake all night.
Next thing we know Simon said "Shane's in the shower, I think he thinks it is morning."
Poor Shane was totally confused, thought he had slept all night and was having his morning shower to get ready for school LOL.
John said we should have waited for him to come out dressed in his school uniform!!
What a laugh.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Hey, Hey It's Saturday
NO athletics today...we had a twilight competition last night from 5.30 till 8pm. Long and boring, I was lazy and just sat LOL. John drove over to pick us up and we headed off to Subway for a quick dinner...but, Subway ran out of bread!!! So change of plans we headed to Hungry Jacks for grilled chicken burgers.
This morning we slept in, now I am just waiting for Bradley and Simon to get organised as we are off to the doctor today. Simon to investigate frequent nose bleeds and Bradley to the pathology lab for bloodwork to check his epilepsy medication levels.
John has already gone out, there is a half price sale on at a tool place....who knows what he will bring home.
This afternoon I have to call one of Shane's friend's parents to get details before we let Shane go to a sleep over. The joys of parenting teens LOL.
I do need to pick up a few thngs from the shop, but the rest of the day I'll sit and stitch between laundry.
Might even fit in a nap so I can be awake for chat with my friends tonight.
This morning we slept in, now I am just waiting for Bradley and Simon to get organised as we are off to the doctor today. Simon to investigate frequent nose bleeds and Bradley to the pathology lab for bloodwork to check his epilepsy medication levels.
John has already gone out, there is a half price sale on at a tool place....who knows what he will bring home.
This afternoon I have to call one of Shane's friend's parents to get details before we let Shane go to a sleep over. The joys of parenting teens LOL.
I do need to pick up a few thngs from the shop, but the rest of the day I'll sit and stitch between laundry.
Might even fit in a nap so I can be awake for chat with my friends tonight.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Another stitchy finish
Ok, I am trying to rest. Things do still need to be done, like washing, ironing and feeding the hungry but I am taking time out to sit and stitch. This is my latest finish stitched on a Showcase Huck towel. Next I need to get a cow bookmark stitched and find out why my gift for Kathy has not been delivered!!! I want to get my overseas Christmas gifts and cards out in a week.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Exhaustion
Boy am I tired!!
I know why, but it is still driving me mad. It is almost 6 weeks since the surgery and I know I would be feeling better by now if I hadn't ended up with the chest infection and breathing trouble. Now I am on well on the road to recovery from that but oh so tired.
John did say it is because I don't stop and I admit I've had some busy days.
Saturday I went to athletics with the boys and ended up working in the canteen, so I was on my feet for 4 hours there. Then I had to drive into town and buy a new blood pressure monitor for John, so it was a very long day.
When I did get home I sat for a little while, but there were things to do...washing, dinner, same old same old!! John and I went for a walk to pick up some steaks for dinner.
By 8.30pm I was struggling to keep my eyes open so ended up in bed extra early, and here I was thinking I could stay up grown up hours again LOL.
Sunday was definitely not a day of rest. I cooked breakfast, then relaxed a little before I had to take Simon shopping for new work shoes...why couldn't he have said something the other day when he was at the shop with us? Teenagers LOL.
Home again for lunch and washing, then ironing. Oh and silly me promised home made pizzas for dinner, so made the dough from scratch too.
I managed to stay awake until 9.30pm and then was off to bed again.
Today John is off to the hospital, I am driving the boys to school and stopping in at my in laws to drop off some scraps for the chickens and have a cup of tea. Then home to hopefully rest. Just need to learn to switch my brain off and stop thinking about all the things I should be doing :)
I know why, but it is still driving me mad. It is almost 6 weeks since the surgery and I know I would be feeling better by now if I hadn't ended up with the chest infection and breathing trouble. Now I am on well on the road to recovery from that but oh so tired.
John did say it is because I don't stop and I admit I've had some busy days.
Saturday I went to athletics with the boys and ended up working in the canteen, so I was on my feet for 4 hours there. Then I had to drive into town and buy a new blood pressure monitor for John, so it was a very long day.
When I did get home I sat for a little while, but there were things to do...washing, dinner, same old same old!! John and I went for a walk to pick up some steaks for dinner.
By 8.30pm I was struggling to keep my eyes open so ended up in bed extra early, and here I was thinking I could stay up grown up hours again LOL.
Sunday was definitely not a day of rest. I cooked breakfast, then relaxed a little before I had to take Simon shopping for new work shoes...why couldn't he have said something the other day when he was at the shop with us? Teenagers LOL.
Home again for lunch and washing, then ironing. Oh and silly me promised home made pizzas for dinner, so made the dough from scratch too.
I managed to stay awake until 9.30pm and then was off to bed again.
Today John is off to the hospital, I am driving the boys to school and stopping in at my in laws to drop off some scraps for the chickens and have a cup of tea. Then home to hopefully rest. Just need to learn to switch my brain off and stop thinking about all the things I should be doing :)
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Pictures to share
As promised here is a photo of the tea set I won, really would you pay $130 for it LOL. Also the new dining table and chairs :) Happy Happy here.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
A boring day LOL
What a boring day...waiting all day for the TV technician, who finally arrived at 5pm LOL.
I didn't totally waste the day though, I did sort my stitching stuff, did laundry and ironing and even stitched a little.
The boys have moved the old table and chairs outside for me ready for the new one to be delivered tomorrow.
John will stay home tomorrow and wait for the delivery as I have shopping to do...yuck grocery shopping, but I won't send him, who knows what he would bring home :)
I didn't totally waste the day though, I did sort my stitching stuff, did laundry and ironing and even stitched a little.
The boys have moved the old table and chairs outside for me ready for the new one to be delivered tomorrow.
John will stay home tomorrow and wait for the delivery as I have shopping to do...yuck grocery shopping, but I won't send him, who knows what he would bring home :)
