Wednesday 30 September 2009

Wordless Wednesday - a good catch

“The smile on your face lets me know that you need me, there's a truth in your heart that says you'll never leave me, and the touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall.”
“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those.” Michael Nolan
see more Wordless Wednesday here
*click to enbiggen or see Weekly winners below ...



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Sydney ...incredible

I found Incredible picture of Sydney ...I wonder how they took it

Monday 28 September 2009

Blue ...I ♥ faces


“May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.”


'Seeing this face drives my blues away'
This week's theme at I ♥ faces is Blue


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Sunday 27 September 2009

Weekly Winners 37 2009

September 20th - 26th

We had a wild dust storm early Wednesday morning ...it smothered the East Coast of Australia . I was so glad it wasn't Tuesday.When we had a very start for my BAHA surgery.

As far as I can tell there is a cap of some kind covering the screw and dressing underneath.
My husband said the Surgeon didn't shave /cut too much hair.


It was like waking up on Mars or maybe the end of the world.
The sky turned burnt red...then orange...
then a dirty brown
Our normally blue car ...

Let's play Catch ...
Daddy
He is speed ! Like his twin ...

growing up so quickly
Leaving todderhood for dust !

Motherduck is back ...sitting her nest , on the island on the inside of my Brother's pool.
Remember two years ago ...

Camoflauges herself well
LOL - Mum still has this rock I painted over 20 + yrs ago ? ... used it as a door stop !
Now it is just sitting on the wall at my Bro's.


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Wednesday 23 September 2009

It's done ...part 1

Firstly , BAHA update. All went to plan yesterday, after being given the wrong fasting and operation times last week. Fortunately, I found out Monday afternoon and was able to reorganise my plans for the small boys.

We had to leave home by 5.45am and DH drove them into the city to drop me off at the Hospital. Then he took S & J back to my SIL's and Mum's place.

I couldn't bear the thought of leaving them overnight and not seeing them before my surgery. I didn't want them upset if they went to bed at Nanny's and woke up during the night upset because I wasn't there.I have never left them overnight. My anxiety levels skyrocket at the very thought. There was also the chance I might have to stay overnight in hospital. So they stayed at home instead.

After a stressful drive in the peak hour traffic into the city, Dh not being sure of the way (...men !) and me losing the plot while trying to navigate the way...we got there by 7am.

I didn't have long to wait , admitted , changed into the lovely pink gown .I had a chuckle at the man in his 'pink' gown too , clutching his rear end opening ties together.

I saw the Surgeon and anaesthetist and I was whisked into the operating theatre by 8am.
This time I was 'out' before I was wheeled in ...one minute I was wide awake and heard them say head first or feet first (I guess it was what orientation the surgeon or anaesthetist required me to be on the trolley bed).

I don't even remember being moved to the operating table .Maybe they didn't want me to see the drill ...

I was thinking about the last time I was wheeled into an operating theatre It for my Caesarean section and I was so anxious about a live birth, of my twins. The previous time was for the IVF egg collection.

Anyway, stage 1 of my BAHA is complete and it wasn't as bad as I imagined .I was so glad to wake up. I had some very strange thoughts and fears. I can't even write them ...

The pain hasn't been so bad , I am impressed and relieved. The outer dressing and bandage I will remove today, and I go back next Wednesday for the surgeon to change the dressing.

I hope I can wash my hair today (with DH's help) because it feels terrible.When I woke in recovery it was wet and a bit stuck together.

Lucky the teen is able to get himself off to school and thankfully he woke up himself . DH discovered when he tried to give him a wake up call to the prepaid mobile (with no credit) the number had been disconnected.

DH then called house landline and DS was up and answered. Yesterday was the start of Y10 exams so phew !

I have to add .The Surgeon has impeccable bedside manners and he even called my husband on the phone after the surgery to let him know it all went well. I am impressed. He also came down to see me before I was discharged.

Today ...I feel good though I didn't sleep much.

I have so much to do. Following a schedule isn't easy.Things always seem to get left undone ... and forgotten. Plans go astray. Best intentions are just that...

Yet , even on those days when I may as well throw the schedule in the bin... there is still hope, this glimmer, this light that keeps me moving forward.

Babysteps ...1 step, 2 steps...one foot in front of the other. No looking back.

The light is getting closer.

I am glad it is Wednesday. It means ... Weekend , you are almost upon us.

Please enjoy your stay if you are here from ICLW !


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Monday 21 September 2009

I ♥ Faces Completely Candid


When I grow up I want to be a little boy ~Joseph Heller

I ♥ this face . I didn't have to be close to 'hear' him making moto' bike noises.
It is music to my heart if not my ears.
The theme this week is Completely candid



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A sound investment ...BAHA

I made a decision a few months ago about a BAHA . For those of you who don’t know what it is - a bone anchored hearing aid. The surgery is tomorrow 8am.

I have had moderate to severe hearing loss in my left ear for about 20 years. I am not sure exactly why. A hearing aid doesn't , well didn't, help much.

The hearing in my right ear is not as bad but still a moderate loss and with a hearing aid I get by. I have had a lot of surgery on this 'ear' and there isn't much more they can do. A reconstruction could be risky , quite dangerous and involved . Though still unsuccessful.

I also get lots of ear infections and that is my main reason for getting a BAHA . Wearing an in the ear aid means the infections don't go away ... it is always warm and moist . A breeding ground for infection. There is a risk of meningitis or worst that close to the brain I was told.


I am also getting the BAHA to improve my 'life'.

I just don't hear well , even with a new hearing aid one seemingly 'good' ear, it does not provide adequate hearing.

Trying to find a misplaced mobile phone when it rings is impossible. The sound comes from every direction!

Trying to locate my mischievous monkeys at the best of times, least of all when accidents happen and/or high pitched screams emit ...from every direction.It's is so scary.

In a crowded room voices are blurred and words become indecipherable. Everything is indistinct and it's annoying.

I can’t hear the wait staff nor the people I am having dinner with when we go out. I can hear reasonable well at home but I still stuff up and miss things. I mishear things.It causes tension.

The TV and radio up loud annoys everyone else, and me, when they always turn it down or I am screaming over the top of the din "to be quiet", so I can hear my show.

I imagine my family and friends are tired of me saying, “ What? I can’t hear you.”
"Please talk louder "
" Pardon "
" What did you say ...repeat it again"
"I missed that ...what was the punch line" ... I didn't get the joke. I don't laugh when I should be.

I am tired of people (shop assistants) looking at me as if I am stupid when I ask them to repat something simple because they mumble especially... "cash out ?"

I am tired of saying, “What? I can’t hear you.”
I am tired of saying stupid things when I don't hear the right words ...it's not only embarassing it is socially isolating.
I am tired of people saying I talk too loud ... Really ! I can't help it.
I hate people saying don't worry ...or I'll tell you later .

So, finally, I am having a surgery called BAHA. Bone anchored hearing aid.
Yes, it sounds daunting , scary even , but it really isn’t dangerous (that's my mantra ...it isn't dangerous).
Maybe my family were certain I had a hole in my head or had a screw loose before, but with this procedure I really will have one...though I hope it isn't loose!

Stage 1. A hole will be drilled into the bone area behind my right ear (one with the best hearing) for placement of a titanium implant (screw abutment) , which in time fuses with the bone and transmits sound vibrations within the skull and inner ear. Skin/flesh and hair follicles will be cut away.

Later, this screw abutment will stimulate the nerve fibers of the inner ear and ultimately allow a sensation of hearing from my right ear.

Recovery from stage 1 takes about three months. The wound must be kept scrupulously clean as danger of infection is great. Still I want the procedure ...I think!

Stage 2 Three months after surgery when the surgeon is sure the implant has fused to the bone, the next step will be fitting the sound processor. I will be eagerly counting the days to Christmas BAHA day.

This will make the whole procedure worthwhile. A small , thin box about the size of a postage stamp attaches to the implant (the 'screw'). As you would expect from what the name says, the processor processes the sound to my ear. Nature should take care of the rest.

The processor will sit slightly under my hair and should be barely noticeable. Not that I care about this !

I know my brief description is not as technical as the process really will be, but maybe it gives you an idea what it is about. I have confidence in my DR and I am looking forward to the procedure though I am admittedly very nervous.

The surgery and the BAHA is ridiculously expensive a sound investment and even with private health insurance the Surgeon and Anaesthetist are going to have a good Christmas I'll be out of pocket a few thousand dollars.

I am also not sure how much of my hair they will shave off ... though having a bit of a skinhead for a few weeks should be worth it.*sigh*

It will be the questions (I won't hear ...initially because I still have to wait 3 months for the processor ) and explaining it dozens of times over until it heals that bothers me a bit. I will still wear my normal hearing aid till I get the BAHA processor.

I will hopefully educate a few people in the process.


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Sunday 20 September 2009

Weekly Winners 36 2009


I know I missed a few weeks. I have a note you should know. My camera battery was flat last week, the week before was not a good week so I ... well I posted them on Wordless Wednesday.
We went back to the this past 4 days and the

Had a blast (in the old bath)

Motorbike riding (with Daddy)
Checking out the new calves
Trying the locks
New lambs (so cugguly) and ewes arrived


Lets go exploring
you never know who you will 'meat' on the road out
New signs (LOL)
(Jampa's friend's wit ...I only noticed the 2nd day)

Bird watching ...

Blue skies and fluffy clouds
Toyota Scout circa 1963 --- ?
Happened upon this in the far off paddocks !

Oh and I got a nice surprise before we left
Brown paper packages tied up with string ...these are a few of my favourite things
guess what it is that I won. Thanks Christie.

Weekly Winners is a meme to show off your favourite snaps of the week ,not a competition so anyone can join in the fun ...Please go see more Weekly Winners @ Lotus's


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Wednesday 16 September 2009

Wordless Wednesday - Spring Day at the beach

"Are you feeling, feeling, feeling like I'm, feeling
Like I'm floating, floating, up above that big blue ocean
Sand beneath our feet, big blue sky above our heads,
No need to keep stressing from our everyday life on our minds
We have got to leave all that behind"

-At the beach, The Avett brothers



"On the beach, you can live in bliss."

- Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys


“As the ocean is never full of water, so is the heart never full of love”

--Unknown

All for one and one for all
My brother and my friend
What fun we have
The time we share
Brothers 'til the end.
~Author Unknown
A brother is a friend given by Nature. ~Jean Baptiste Legouve



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