Category: House, Garden and Dogs

I have come to the recent conclusion that WordPress is no longer my friend. I have tried several times – in fact more than several times – to comment on Anabel’s page and on Monika’s page without much success. Yes, Anabel I was the “anonymous ” person on your site. Anyway, I think I am being told that it’s time for me to go. Probably just as well, since I have not contributed much to anything online of late. Everything is coming to an end, and I will have to change my email address soon as our provider will no longer be supporting emails. Actually, we do have a new family email which is active – and I do use it – but not in general use at the moment.

I have reverted back to my younger days and developed a “scruffy” look in that I am living on noodles, have not shaved nor had a haircut in about two months or more. Didn’t set out to do that, it just happened. Still, look on the bright side, I’m not scruffy and smelly – just scruffy  :o)  I was asked if I was planning to audition as one of Santa’s helpers this year, but then it was also suggested that I have lost so much weight I no longer meet the requirements. Oh well, back to the noodles! As for Annabell, well she is not getting any better – she sleeps a lot, and she forgets things these days. Keeps me very much on my toes. I don’t get out much – in fact, not at all really and my garden looks like Putin has paid it a visit.   I make frequent trips to the shops mainly because I cannot spend the time away from the house to make a major shopping trip, so I nip out and get a few things as I start to run out. We have completed all the tests Flinders wanted and passed them all and have had clearance for surgery.   So, we wait. I believe that it will not be this year, but I hope, early next year.  I  thought we would have had to go to Adelaide to get the inserts replaced for at least one more time. However, it’s getting a bit late in the day now.

Benji is well. Sleeping a lot but that’s good. He is eating well and we still get out for walks – very much shorter than they used to be but a lot more frequent. Still , at least we are getting out, and that’s something! Sadly, it is starting to heat up. The temperature yesterday was 39c with today being 35c and what this means is that I can no longer take him with me on my frequent shopping trips. I cannot leave him in the car in that heat – even with the windows open (which doesn’t really do much anyway) We ” adults” understand this, but Benji just sees me going out without him. So, like yesterday, (39C) I did the shopping trip with a guilt complex :o)

There is a lot of indications that we will be in for a long hot summer with the fire danger extended. Western Australia are having major bushfire problems at the moment and I think there are bushfire problems in Queensland. If Europe is anything to go by, it’s not going to be too much ” fun in the sun” this summer.  Well, there we are. I have no idea if this will actually be posted or if there will be anything after this. I should really like to think so, but  my thinking has left a lot to be desired lately. So, we will have to wait and see what happens. I am sorry that I have not been on-line much lately, but as you can understand, there have been reasons.

The last few weeks have been busy. Between a trip to Adelaide and problems here at home. Annabell has not been well, and   I have been doing what I can to ease things for her. I have tried but there seems to be no one to help. Each time I call I get, ” sorry but there is just no one available”.  I have managed to get two carers to come twice a week, Wednesday and Friday, to help with showering, which does help. However, other than that I have to do all the washing of clothes and humans for the rest of the week. We manage and I am learning things I never expected to despite having grown up in a house of females – all sisters, no brothers and a father who died when I was young. So really, no male role model and a house of females and although a heterosexual male I find that I am more relaxed and comfortable in the company of females.  That’s one aspect, this aspect of life is on a different scale altogether.

The boys still come over at the end of the week and every second week we have a family dinner. The reason for every second week is that Andrew and his partner do not have Connor, so they are free to go away for a couple of days at the weekend. Still, we have John Jnr  so I still have three to cook for.  I have not been out anywhere lately, and my poor camera is sitting in the case quietly growing cobwebs.  I have not been on line much because I am rarely out and thus, I do not have a lot to write about. I wanted to go to Port Augusta this weekend, but I would need three hours to do what I need to do, and I really cannot leave her alone for that length of time. The three hours is only if everything goes according to plan.  I am not entirely happy with one of my cameras – the Nikon D7000 – I am thinking of getting rid of it and I have been looking at the Nikon Z50. I will have a think about it. I would have to buy an adaptor, which will allow me to use my present lenses.

I did mention that the people in Flinders have approved the operation, but I suspect it will not be until early next year. With any luck I might just last that long. It seems at times that no matter what I do, it never seems to be enough,  and it is very very tiring. If I am lucky, I might get three hours continual sleep. I know there are more important things and presently my garden is suffering from the neglect of the last year or so. I really must try and get out there during the good weather before it starts to get really hot. The forecast is for very hot over summer – and given what has happened during the Northern Hemisphere summer, I think it will be very hot and I don’t have a lot of confidence in the power system being able to cope.

Annabell sleeps a lot but she is still up two and three times a night and several times during the day. So, yes, she sleeps a lot and I have to try and catch up as best I can. We have been for more tests but there is not a word about when they are considering the operation. Since we are knocking on the door of November, I still think it will be next yea. Of course, I could be very wrong, and they may make time before the year is out.

Benji has been a bit of a concern. Nothing too serious but a bit concerning in that he also is having toilet problems. Not often but enough to keep me  on my toes.  Still, he will be 13 next month so I have to consider that. Well, he is my boy so I have to make allowances for him and the fact that we don’t get out as often as we used to. We used to  cover over 37 miles a week – last week we managed to struggle to 15 miles. Other than that, Benji is very well, despite the lack of walks’

This last weel we have been for tests and a CT Scan.  Tomorrow, I have to take her to see her doctor so he should have the test results for us. I think that’s us for the moment. If I hear anything regarding the surgery, I will let you know as soon as I can.

In the Northern Hemisphere, you are starting to move through Fall  and into winter. This means that it will start to get cold. I thought this might be an opportune time to make a suggestion about  when you go outside —–

 

 

Not long after I published yesterdays’ post, I had a telephone call from the Flinders Medical Centre to inform me that a meeting of the doctors and anesthetists, had, after careful consideration, decided that an operation for Annabell to remove the cancer can go ahead. No date has been set as yet but at least this is a positive step. I suspect later this year or early next year and my betting is for next year. This will mean at least one more trip to Adelaide to change her inserts for the last time. Annabell is quite happy about this because the last two years have taken their toll on her. I, as I have said in the past, have reservations, but I understand why Annabell wants the operation and I support her decision. Perhaps after this operation and the recovery she might return to something of a normal life — re-join the human race :o)

 

 

Have you ever noticed that if you put The and IRS together you get “Theirs.”

I am sitting here at the desk trying to think what I want to write and for the life of me I can’t think of anything I really want to say. I think over the last year or so I have been so preoccupied with Annabell’s continuing illness that I have lost contact with people, things and organizations beyond Clinics, Medical Centers and Hospitals.  I cannot remember the last time Benji and I were at the wetlands, and I think I have just about forgotten how to get to the lighthouse or Douglas Point. I have renewed my membership and paid my fees to the Photography Group and the RFDS, but I very rarely attend outings or meetings, and I wont even mention the cobwebs hanging around my camera. Still, there is always a bright side — I haven’t succumbed to Day-time Television.

At 5:45am I got up and at 06:05 Benji and I hit the road – well we used to, but not so often these days. Most nights I can expect to be called to assist Annabell two or three times so by the time 05;45 comes around, I am too tired to do anything but sleep. I think my Fitbit is starting to wonder if I am still alive, because the other day it notified me that my heart rate had gone below 49 which, I suspect is not good.  Today I took Annabell to the

Doctor and sat in the waiting room for over an hour beyond the appointment time before he was available, and this is happening more and more with the shortage of doctors in a country area. Because there is a shortage doctors more people are presenting at the Hospital A & E and there is much trouble there – so much so that there are security officers on duty all the time. Because of all the pressures I am starting to resent a lot of things – which is neither helpful nor good. Annabell sleeps much of the day, which is good for her. I have much to do.

The nurse who comes on a Wednesday to assist Annabell  to shower came at her usual time of 9am. I have to say that Annabell (and me by default) had a really bad night, and I was up with her most of the night. This has lasted into the day, and she was not able to go through the effort of showering so, she was helped as well as the nurse could and we returned her to her recliner and covered her. It is now well into the afternoon, and she has only just come-to. I had intended to go to the shops

this afternoon but that’s gone by the wayside now.  The temperature over the last few days has been in the low to mid 30c – that I do not mind in the least, but the flies are out in the millions. It is impossible to do anything outside without getting covered in flies in your ears, eyes, nose and general face — and every part of any exposed skin.  I have never experienced flies out in that kind of number before. I mean this is Australia and although it is never mentioned outside of Australia, flies are part of spring and summer. Getting the wheelchair into the boot (trunk) of the car under the carport was not too bad but getting it out and then back in at the carpark at the surgery was a nightmare. From there we went for blood tests that Adelaide had requested. Professor O’ Connor (RAH)  will be here to see her next week to discuss how weak or how good her kidney functions are since there was some concern when she was down at the RAH.

This man was working with his horse when there was a huge storm … everyone ran everywhere he saw to hide from the storm. Yet he didn’t move from the horse, he stood beside him and hugged him tightly. They stood together in the pouring rain.  When the rain stopped, the man noticed that we were watching him, then with a kind smile he only said that he should take care of his friend. Lesson: Do not forget those who are by your side in the storm, because in the sun everyone can love.

Annabell is sleeping and Benji is here in his bed beside me – he is also sleeping. I think he also misses our walks as much I do. But when the weather was nice, we did manage to get out for a walk around the district during the day, so it wasn’t all bad.  So, here we are heading towards the weekend  and I hope to see the boys. Have no idea what I will make for dinner, but I dare say I will think of something.

 

Took this photograph on the way down to Adelaide last week.

Is it just me being thick or has there been changes in WordPress that I am unaware of. I have tried to reply to  two people who commented on my last post without a great deal of success..  It is, I suppose, quite possible there have been changes because I have not really been near the computer for a while. I just don’t know what is happening…

Friday 15th September

Since my last posting we have been back down to Adelaide again. We were supposed to have a heart scan here in Whyalla but that had to be cancelled because she was unwell. We have the equipment but not the people to run it so there is someone who comes up from Adelaide every three month or so which means a very long waiting list – and even then, there is a chance that you won’t be called and have to wait until the next visit. Flinders needed that heart scan completed so that the results could be included in their decision regarding the operation. I called to make an appointment and was told that it would not be until Late November, so I asked if it could be done in Adelaide and she was able to give me a date tomorrow!!!  No – I didn’t take it and asked for a few days and she gave me a date for 12th September. I told Annabell and we organized things for that date including accommodation at the Cancer Lodge.  For me it will take three days to undergo this test – Monday drive to Adelaide, Tuesday Hospital, Wednesday drive home. My days of driving 600 miles in a day and have a hospital appointment are long since gone. Apart from which, it would be too exhausting for Annabell. Anyway, other than the hospital on Tuesday we had a quiet three days. The drive down was quiet and uneventful although there are roadworks everywhere as  the  main highway is being upgraded. However,  I was able to get into the city and get the medical bills paid – mainly ambulance, which is covered by Medibank. Fortunately, I have unlimited Ambulance cover, which is just as well considering the times I have had to call for one.

Has anyone any idea where I could buy a smile? Annabell seems to have lost hers – and if it comes with a spare sense of humour, that would be good.

Yesterday (Thursday) we had a temperature of 31c and gale force winds. Really bad day with wind speeds of 85 – 95 kph. Blew a number of the ariels down and damaged them.

Mine included. Thankfully it was the local service ariel and not the internet and Foxtel antenna.  I have been back and forth to the electrical shop trying to get bits for the blooming thing but without a lot of success. And it is not only hot outside there are flies by the million. Struth two days of warm weather and the flies are out in droves. That’s the thing about Australia – no one tells you about the flies. Anyway, for Annabell I need to get this unit repaired because Annabell watches TV – she says that her body is in a bad state so she might as well get her brain that way too then all the units will be in sync.

I have been working on the TV ariel without a great deal of success. I just can’t get the parts I need and those that are available just don’t fit. Poor Annabell – she will have to spend the entire weekend trying to decide between all the Foxtel shows- or do you call that Cable TV.  No family this weekend.  Andrew and Rachel are in Adelaide this weekend. I think they are doing some sort of marathon. Better them than me!  John is unwell and will be staying at home for the weekend – so no chance of any help with the ariel.

The run down to Adelaide and then to Flinders and then the drive home has taken a lot this time. I just seem to be taking a while to get over the stress this time around. She has a bad few days, so I have been called on to assist several times during the night, so sleep has been broken and limited.  I have meetings  on Wednesday to discuss what equipment I would like to assist Annabell and make her more comfortable. I believe I have all that I really need although I would like a pressure cushion if one is available, since she is in the recliner a lot and it would also help with travel in the car.

All-in we just have to wait now that the heart scan is completed, and the necessary medical people get together and discuss  whether or not the operation can go ahead. I dare say they will let us know —” in the fullness of time.”