Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Getting a second opinion?
I visited the doctor the other day as posted and found out I have gallstones. Well now that this great news great news has sunk in and mentally I am learning to live with the idea that an operation may be the only way to fix it - I can't help thinking that there might be another form of treatment rather than surgery to remove my gallbladder. Both Noel and I have heard that there are other options but the doctor seemed very adament that the surgeon would remove my gallbladder!
Needless to say I am having an RDO today and I am off to get a second opinion before my appointment with the surgeon on 12th December.
Yes the 12th December - what a wonderful Christmas present!!
Will post again later and let you know the outcome!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Gallstones!
I went off to the doctor this morning convinced that I would find out I had some sort of terminal disease and I would need to work out how to tell the kids I was dying. Noel knows how worried I have been for the last few days since having the ultrasound on my abdomen done and took the day off work also to accompany me to get my results. Needless to say I am relieved!
But what does having gallstones mean? It means a visit to the specialist to discuss my options regarding removal of the gallstones. The most common result according to my doctor is to have my gallbladder removed. Surgery!! That is something I am not jumping over the moon about but I suppose the bottom line is that I need to do whatever it takes to make me healthy and well again, right?
My appointment with the specialist is 12 December - great early Christmas present and then depending on his opinion I suppose I will be taking a trip into hospital to have an operation. I am guessing by my doctor's very strong feeling about what would happen that surgery is going to be the only option. Even Noel seemed to think that he was very sure I would be having my gallbladder removed.
At least now I know what the problem is and it is just a case of wait and see now. Unfortunately I still don't feel much better!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Emergency Department and still feeling ill....
Thankfully I managed to get and seen to quite quickly. Was inside the walls of emergency and preped for a bed faster than usual much to my relief. The doctor gave me some fluids and some pain medication. I must admit I felt wonderful and by 9.00 o'clock was given the all clear to leave. Great I thought - but what is wrong with me?
Bloods were taken and tested and they all came back good with no abnormalties. An ECG was done and the results was good also. It was put down to Gastro and that I should be alright. I was given some pills for nausea and some for pain.
But here I am sitting at home after finishing work early today due to feeling exactly the same as I did yesterday. I have managed to have a sleep but the stomach is telling me it is still not well. I have made an appointment with my doctor for Wednesday morning and will see what he has to say. Obviously something is not right!!
Everyone else in the house is fine - noone displaying the same symptoms - thankfully. Will let you know how I go. I hate being sick and worst of all I get angry as I feel guilty being sick and asking Noel to do more than he already does. I love him to bits!!
Bye!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Another week gone.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
The computer age
Will ponder these thoughts somemore.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Kinda trivia night
Seaford Kindergarten's annual trivia and auction night saw us have quite a few laughs not to mention purchase a few good items at great prices. Mat and Anne Marie picked us up and after a quick drink with them we we on our way to the kinda. (The kid's are staying the night at Sean and Vicky's and not returning until 4pm today).
Unfortunately Claire, my sister, and her husband Jamie didn't attend last night as it was Jamie's fathers birthday dinner. They were off to Via Mare in Frankston.... geez a little bit of jealousy snuck in there as I loooovvvveeee that restaurant.
As per usual Ms Smiths table won but this year we came 4th - probably the best we have done and there were only the 6 of us compared to the 12 of them. As usual there was the Treasure Hunt or the Handbag raid which we did really well on and the other mystery round was a list of 20 song lyrics to which we had to name the artist and the title. We did okay on this and came out the winners. Some of the general knowledge questions were not so general and the sports, Australiana and Tv of the 90's questions blew some of us away. The music round was all classical and drew quite a lot of boo's from us and fellow tables!! Oh well.
I am now the proud owner of a Kenwood Steam Mop, 2 children's passes to Sovereign Hill (which I paid $1 for) and a beauty voucher to the value of $ 25.00. Not to mention I am going to get a full set of permanent french nails done (valued at $50) and I bid $15 for them. There was nothing that took Noel's interest greatly and the few things that did he was outbidded on.
Roll on the Trivia Night at Kananook next year as I have managed to round up a table full - Mat and Anne Marie and Yvette are keen. I also know that Anne Marie wants to come to the Kinda night again as she has vowed that she will keep playing trivia until she beats the Smiths!!
Mat ended up staying the night at our place - Annie went out after the trivia night with her girlfriend. Mat is the foreman at my work and I am glad that I get along with him well. He is only the second person I have ever worked with that I have allowed into our personal life and the times have been good! Noel and I get along with him and his wife, Anne Marie, really well - which is amazing considering I spend five and half days each week with Mat at work.
Better fly and organise breakkie for the boys..... fill you in on the rest of the day later.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
7 Thursdays until Christmas
My camping trip brought on a gain of 1kgs which I actually thought was fantastic considering what I have eaten not to mention what was drank!! LOL!!
So what does 7 weeks actually mean? I can feel a challenge coming on..... okay here it is. I am going to challenge myself to lose 5kgs in 7 weeks.
Doesn't sound too hard but here we go with the excuses... christmas parties and functions!! Yes unfortunately before the fat man in the red suit comes to visit we all tend to celebrate quite a bit not to mention all the celebrating we do afterwards.
But I am sure if I focus on this I will do just fine.
Now on the home front spent the day washing and still putting things away from camping. Yuk but someone has to do it I suppose. The kids stayed home also today as they both had an awful nights sleep. So it is back to normality tomorrow (what ever normality is?)
Bye for now.
PS Great work again this week Vicki - another 0.5kgs down.... Well Done!!
Home Sweet Home
I will give you a little insight into our adventures over the last 5 days..... grab a cuppa this could be long!!
Friday:
On the road pretty much as planned 5.30am and off for our 2.5hour drive to Snobs Creek. Got there everyone excited and the campsite was empty which was a bonus! Set up camp, got the fire going and started bush life. Weather overcast in the evening with a little drizzle but at least it was nice while we set up camp.
Saturday:
Had our first shower. Noel has made a shower unit up that runs with his engine. It has a pump and a heater exchange and is bloody fantastic! Alex must have got something in her eye at some stage during the morning as all of a sudden she was bleeding from her eye and nose. Off we went to Alexandra hosipital to see the doctor - who I might add was very vague - but reassured us that is was just a blood vessel that had popped probably due to getting something in her eye. We were told to just keep an eye on it. (No pun intended there) Had a look around Snobs Creek and visited the Snobs Creek Discovery Centre, which was very interesting. The kids got to feed some trout and chinook salmons, we learnt a bit about the breeding process and then in the aquarium section of the centre we were all able to touch baby brown trout that were no bigger than an inch long. After that it was back to the campsite. The weather was crap - drizzle on and off making it really miserable in the camp and all of us went to bed by 8.30pm.
Sunday:
The weather has cleared - yey! Another day of adventure - a little bit of exploring some tracks in the 4wd. Some were a bit hairy especially as we had the trailer in tow as we were meant to be looking for firewood. Went to Thornton as the primary school was having a fete. Not much there - the kids got to have a pony ride and a bit of time in the petting farm. They were also having a fireworks display in the evening so we headed back to camp for dinner only to return back to the school yard for dusk. The fireworks were great and a well organised show. Noel and I were surprised and it obviously cost the school a bit of money. Just as we were leaving Oliver and Alex were mucking about and chasing each other. I was caught off guard as I was getting up of the blanket we were sitting on as the next minute I looked up and Alex was running towards me like an out of control freight train. Crash!! The top of her head and my nose colided BIG TIME. It hurt and the next minute blood everywhere.
Monday:
Woke up a little puffy but no black eyes thankfully. Spent the day driving around Eildon Lake and exploring other camping areas. None as good as the spot we have found although the area is very popular. On the way back to the camp site we stopped and had a look at Snobs Creek Falls. The walk down was okay considering the warning about the steps being uneven. The falls were magnificent. Both Noel and I agreed that the were about the nicest falls we had been too and I must admit we have been to quite a few waterfalls. A 12 year old girl, Elisha Ross, lost her life there by slipping on the rocks in 1990. A little memorial placque was there and it was quite moving.
Tuesday:
We decided to go for another snoop around the forest in the 4wd today. We headed to the start of the Big River camping area and took it from there. Another well mentioned camping area that we didn't think too much off. Very crowded and the bush was fairly thick. Most of the campsites looked dark due to the mass of bushes surrounding them. I like the bush camp idea but need plenty of room and light. Noel was feeling fairly tired today so asked me to drive. OMG - he was letting me drive his baby!! Normally I don't get near the steering wheel whilst we are trekking. So Melbourne Cup Day 2005 I did my first 4wd track. At some stages it was quite howdy doody but I enjoyed myself and Noel said I did well.
Wednesday:
Time to come home - packing up is always harder. I suppose it is because everyone is tired, aching and sore. We left the campsite at 3.30pm and headed back to the normality in which we live. Got home at 6.30pm and unpacked the trailer.
Now I face the day with a huge amount of smoky washing, two kids that are full of colds and not going to school/creche. I was meant to go back to work today but I am doing the right thing and staying home with the kids (hard decision that one).
It is strange that the kids and I were soooo looking forward to sleeping in our beds but had the worst night sleep. Oliver kept sneezing and crying, Alex kept stirring and coming into our room only to be sent back to hers and I couldn't keep asleep with the heat. Wow what great weather it has been for the last few days but I must admit that at 4am this morning it was good to hear the rumble of thunder and see the flashes of lightning.
Tonight I face the scales - my points guides went out the window on the way to the camp site and I will be totally honest and say that I haven't given them a second thought all weekend. I hopped on the scales when I got home last night and they didn't seem to bad although it is the WW ones that count.
Better fly and get started on my jobs for today. Mind you I could just curl back up in bed. Maybe the kids and I will sneek in an afternoon siesta!~!~!~!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
It's nearly holiday time....wooooohooooooo!!
Lots to do in the State Forest besides staring into the fire!! Hopefully I will get to do some walking but there is also four wheel drive tracks to explore, animals to spot, I know that down the road from the campsite there is the Snob's Creek Waterfalls so that will be worth a look. With a bit of luck we will find somewhere to throw in the yabbie nets to get a good feed! Not taking the fishing rods this time but I might just have to use my powers of pleading and venture to the trout farm to catch my favourite fish!! Yummo!! But before we know it it will be time to pack up and come home.
So the next time you will hear from me will be at least next Wednesday evening when we return to civilian life and pry ourselves away from the bush. I will return from my relaxing bush retreat knackered with two feral children that are black from bushlife and who have a large case of television withdrawal symptoms and everything smelling of smoke!! Sounds great and I can't wait!!
Oh before I go - big CONGRATULATIONS to Ms Vicki - great loss this week girl. Keep up the great work. I will definately miss our walks and our chats this week. (I am going to try and be as good as I can while I am away - LOL!!)
Bye for now and I hope everyone backs a winner on the Melbourne Cup!!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Sooooo much is happening......
The camping trip is coming along nicely and I will be the first to put my hand up and say I was in a much better frame of mind this morning... at least we know where we are going so it is full steam ahead on that topic now. So roll on Friday I am ready to pitch tent and relax!! Like as if!!
Had a wonderful phonecall from my friend Kerry, who is in Sydney, today and it really brightened my day. Stace and her are planning a trip down in December for a girly weekend and they are staying with us (I wouldn't have it any other way). Can't wait to hear what they both plan when they get together this weekend.
The goods news was coming from all angles today. A message on my answering machine to tell me that my girlfriend Trinity's little girl Willow was home from hospital finally. Willow was born at 27 weeks (yep 13 weeks prem) and weighed 785 grams at birth. She has done really well and battled all the odds associated with being soooo early and wooohooooo she is home. I can just imagine how happy both Donovan and Trinity are. It is just a shame that they now live in Queensland and I can't be there to help out.
Logging on to the Weight Watchers forums I see that the Muskerettes are starting to be a force together once more with the exception of Rhiain who has disappeared without a trace. I will try and call her tomorrow to make sure all is okay. Julz is doing well with her pregnancy although she may be out in her dates by four weeks unless she is having a huge baby!! LOL!! Gina is not far off embarking on her journey to the east coast and I am really looking forward to catching up with her once more.
I think it has been decided within the family that Christmas will be spent at our house. I really don't mind as most of you know that I enjoy entertaining. So it looks like roast turkey with all the trimmings and christmas pudding for lunch and possibly a seafood dinner. I am glad it is at house acutally as I know what is happening and our kids don't have to go from house to house to ensure that all the family is seen. Both Noel's family and my family will get together for lunch.
Oh well better fly I still have lots to organise this week before Friday......
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Finally - the right camp site
Sounds silly I know but there were severeal requisites for the "Right" spot.
1. Near water
2. Fairly isolated - didn't want to be surrounded by people especially yahoo's
3. Grassy not sandy/dirty
Call us fussy if you wish but we like to be comfortable and once we pitch tent we are there for 5 days so why shouldn't we get the right spot? All the truck drivers at my work are picking on us for being "too fussy" and saying "you should just go and camp - campings all about taking the rough with the good" but everyone has there standards. I have been laughed at by blokes that just throw out a swag once they have found their destination to a bloke that although he agreed with the others actually goes to his onsite van that is fitted with a tv and dvd player... right like that is roughing it.
But we are off to Snob's Creek next Friday and will camp there until the following Wednesday. There is the creek running right past the campsite which will provide the water for showers and dishes etc. Not sure if it is drinkable but will take water in with us. The site is not accessable by normal car only 4wd and is set quite a way from the main road. Cross fingers that we will be the only ones heading for the site this weekend. It is big enough to fit maybe two camps on there but it would be nice to be by ourselves.
Well it is now past 10 o'clock and I have been up since 5am as I had to work this morning - so the bed is definately the next thing on the agenda!!
Thursday, October 20, 2005
A small loss...
Doctors yesterday brought good results all round. The GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) came back normal and in a healthy range and my blood pressure was perfect. Needless to say I left the doctors beaming and having a new outlook on how my day was going to go.
Alex enjoyed her last session at the primary school for this year. The next time she will participate in a classroom activity is when she starts her first day next year. They had rabbits in the classroom and all enjoyed playing with them. Us lucky mam's had tea and coffee with the principal, vice principal and one of the prep teachers in the library.
The rest of the day was spent cleaning the house for Aunty Maggie's visit. We then went to Frankston to meet up with her but she was late - as usual! Unfortunately she has been like it forever!! My mam and dad used to tell her dinner was an hour early just so she would be there on time. Even though our dinner was late the kids did really well and the whole evening was over before it seemed to begin.
Back to work today - quite a busy one as I was preparing for my assessment training over at Bacchus Marsh tomorrow. I have another 2 hr each way drive to look forward and then two competency assessments to complete. With luck I hope to leave there before 3pm or I will catch all the city traffic and be really late home.
My first week's weigh in tonight for my fresh start and I had a small loss - was hoping for more but as Vicki said 'a loss is a loss'. I definately need to focus more over the weekends although I was proud of making myself accountable this week.
Going now as I am dead tired and need to syke myself up for the morning.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
A Rostered Day Off!!
The washing is already on the go, the herbs and plants have been watered, the kids are still snoozing so they must have needed the extra sleep.
What else is in store for today?
I have to take Oliver to school and then I am off to the doctors. I am going to get the results of my Glucose Tolerance Test today. Not sure if I am anxious or not at the moment. But I have decided not to stress about it until I am at least sitting in the waiting room.
Alex has her final orientation session at the primary school and that is 12.30 - 1.30pm. She is soooooo excited about going - hasn't stopped nattering about it all week.
5 o'clock this afternoon I am picking my aunty up as she is coming for dinner. Aunty Maggie is down from QLD for a couple of weeks so it will be great to catch up. The kids are looking forward to it also. Roast lamb and all the trimming (low fat version of course) is on the menu.
So needless to say inbetween the doctors and school and school and Aunty Maggie coming I need to do some serious cleaning around the house - yes that mini hurricane has been through again!! LOL!!
By the way isn't the new prince of Denmark absolutely cute... and Mary well she looks radiant and calm - I am not one bit envious of the sleepless nights ahead! Mind you I am sure she has plenty of hired help.... unlike the real mother's of the world.
Got to fly now... busy busy busy.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Missing in action
So what has actually happened since my last blog:
I went to my first Thursday night WW meeting as a member - it was definately different to sit amongst the members and just listen. Previously being a recorder I missed a lot of the meeting as I was balancing all the money and products etc. The scales weren't toooooo horrible to me although I did have a gain of 0.5kgs! That could be just the difference in the scales as I felt that I didn't have a bad week - oh well onward and downwards from here right. As Cheryl used to say "I hope to see less of you next week" - LOL pretty corny really!!
Friday found Vicki and I walking again - amazing we kept up the pass for all 4 kms and shaved a minute of our previous walk... doesn't sound like much but to us it was a HUGE achievement!! Mind you legs were killing me all night and well into Saturday.
Sunday was spent tourning the country side once more in search of a camp site that is remote but accessible and safe for the kids. We found one but it is bang smack in the middle of nowhere and obviously gets used quite a lot judging by the last fire area. Not sure as to whether we will risk driving all that way on the Friday only to find it occupied and we aren't close to any other sites. Food wise for Sunday - let me put it this way - YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!! LOL!!I suppose it wasn't too bad - I did have a salad and cheese roll for lunch with watermelon and yoghurt afterwards. But that is all I am admitting too!!!
Monday morning - I am rushing to type this madly as we have to leave for work and school soon. Back on track though and will follow my menu planner to the letter. Will need to walk two nights and exercise in the mornings to have a good result on the scales this week but I am sure I can give it a good go!!
Better fly one child has appeared from the realms of dreamtime.......
Thursday, October 13, 2005
I face the scales tonight!
Tuesday still seemed weird - you know not rushing around with kids, getting changed and getting to the church hall is Seaford to set up for our evening meeting. It will be definately different to go tonight, pay and sit for a meeting. I am quite looking forward to it. Going with Vicki will be good also as we can give each other a little more support than just being walking buddies!!
It's all about making myself accountable and I am sure 200% that if I focus hard enough I will be able to lose the extra kgs that I am carrying, bring my BP undercontrol and get on with a long enjoyable life.... right??
Only the scales will tell.............
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Geez it's good to walk!!
I am still looking forward to a fresh start with a new Weight Watchers meeting on Thursday however I am worried that there will be a difference in the two sets of scales. I know that the Frankston meeting uses digital scales whereas the Seaford meeting used the old fashioned scales. I prefer the older ones as I believe they are more acurate but we do have to keep up with technology.
Speaking of new technology roll on the space age of the Jetsons where you press a button and your meal pops out of the machine on the wall, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner not forgetting the snacks!! LOL!! I still have to cook dinner for Noel and I - thankfully I fed the kids before I left for my walk.
Better head towards the kitchen.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The weekend is nearly gone....
I am sure that we all enjoyed spending our afternoon at our friend's house, Dave and Kelly. We have know Dave and Kelly for what seems like a lifetime - I am sure it would be near on 9 years now. Oliver wasn't even born and their boys, Jamie and Matthew, were only little tackers. Cannot believe that Matt turned 10 today and that Jamie is starting high school next year. The food was great - roast beef, potatoes, salad, gravy etc... I even spoiled myself and had a piece of cheesecake and some trifle!!
Back on track tomorrow... Four more sleeps 'til I return to the familiar St Luke's Hall for a weight watchers meeting!! I suppose a little like going back to an old stomping ground. Must good food and exercise wise for the rest of this week.
Time for sleep - I want to be up early to do an exercise DVD!!
Bye...
PS Dave's brother Jason and his wife, Nereda, had a little girl this afternoon!!! It's their third child and the first two were boys. I am sure that the whole Nagel family were happy when they heard the news!!
Call me Ms Forgetful!
I am enjoying exploring the new shopping centre (stage 1 anyway) and this week have splurged on a few little goodies for me and the house!! Even started the christmas shopping by putting a layby on of clothes for the kids. OMG it's only October and I have made a start - wooohoooo mark it on the calendar.
Today, overcast again, and we are off to a BBQ in Pakenham with our friends. It's Matthew's birthday but we will also celebrate Dave's, Jamie's and Kelly's as we have/will miss them. I didn't pre-empt buying Chloe her pressie as her birthday is in December and I am sure we will catch up by then!!
Well got to go and get ready for our outing... will let you know how it goes.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Ten Pin Bowling!
Anyway the exciting news for today is that Oliver has gone back to league ten pin bowling. He missed last season but played the season before and is very proud of his trophy which has a special place in his bedroom. Kyle, his cousin, is playing also and their team name in the Ankle Biters League is "The Gutterball Cousins" - they chose the name between them! I didnt' get to the alley tonight as work held me up but according to Noel and Claire they had a fun session and both played well.
Another quiet night for Noel and I as the kids are at their grandparents. Both of us are working in the morning. Dinner tonight will be Fish Parcels - very healthy and easy to make.
Off to relax in the quiet - it's amazing what the dishwasher and the washing machine sound like when the kids aren't screaming at each other or arguing!! LOL!!
Glucose Tolerance Test....
Funny though how the next four hours just disappeared. Before I knew it I was picking the kids up from school and rushing around the house preparing dinner. Off to swimming was next on the agenda and finally at about 9pm I sat down to relax only to fall asleep.
Back to work today.