Tuesday 22 September 2015

Wordless Wednesday : I didn't see this coming


Be ‪#‎sunsmart‬ this is what wide excision of a small ‪#‎melanoma‬ in situ - early detection - on upper cheek looks like.

In situ melanoma is the very earliest stage of melanoma. There are cancer cells in the top layer of skin (the epidermis) but they are all contained in the area in which they started to develop. So they have not started to spread or grow into deeper layers of the skin. In other words, it has not become invasive. 

Thank God my Sydney Breast Cancer / Sarcoma surgeon (also Melanoma specialist) at a follow up appointment in June was very observant, had a closer look and advised removal ... I didn't waste any time seeing a local surgeon. The suspect lesion was removed 8wks ago, yesterday I had more surgery to get clear margins.  


I am okay and it's not too painful.


#‎slipslopslapseekslide‬  ‪#‎skincancer‬  ‪#‎melanomaawareness‬ ‪#‎melanomaprevention‬  

I could not be word less today - It's so important to protect your skin from the sun. If anyone is looking for tips on being SunSmart, please visit Cancer Council for more information.


   


.♥

Sunday 20 September 2015

Mangoes, Melanoma, Minted Old Gold and The Book of Life - I must confess

Morning , Noon or Midnight ?
The posting time should give this away immediately 11.23 pm.


The legacy of being a shiftworker and an avid reader as a child and teenager (ok always) ... I confess couldn't put the book down and would sneak a torch under the covers.

[Though wickedly now, it includes the checking of Facebook before bed and being lured into clicking on links]


Responsibilities, as a more experienced Registered Nurse or in charge of shift, meant I often finished my afternoon shift later than some of my colleagues (who nicked off by 10.45pm). So the 11pm shift finish was more like 11.30pm Then I had to drive home , arriving home after midnight and needing to wind down. I still preferred afternoon shift as opposed to getting up at 6am, especially after going to bed often at 1am at least once a week - the quick shift.

Even now I rouse at 6am only if it really suits me ...to join the Vixen's running group , Personal training (though not in the last month) and dragon boat paddling (once a week).

I confess to loving the fact that none of my children were early risers as babies/toddlers. When I was breastfeeding they would happily doze back to sleep (albeit in our bed) after an early feed. I could not have kept up with them coped otherwise.

I've always been a night owl (like both my parents) , though I confess sometimes it catches up with me. Last night we digitally downloaded the  Book of Life on iTunes.

A very different movie to what I was expecting. The  ‪#‎dayofthedead‬ celebration was vibrant and the animation amazing. The Minions stayed awake all the way through , nudging me from my couch slumber as the end was nigh. I didn't realise I'd nodded off for a nana nap at nine.

Trying to recognise the well known voices of the animated characters and laughing out loud , it was quite funny and moving ... more than my running on empty tank could take. I fell under a sleeping spell. 

It's now available for digital download and I was gifted a code much to the delight of the minions.

THE BOOK OF LIFE, a vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village. (c) Fox





Tonight, I'm mighty a anxious. I have to be up early and at the hospital by 8am for day surgery. The surgeon wants to get a better margin where the melanoma was removed 7 weeks ago. I'm worried how I'll look , being on my face and close to my eye. The only eye I have vision in. I'm very grateful I will be completely out like a light and feel nothing.

In prepartion for NBM - [fast from midnight] I've been inhaling a mango , Jersey caramels and Pepperminted Old Gold Dark chocolate. Consequently, I feel quite ill right at this moment.
Bad idea. Pass the antacids.

I'm still reovering from the Hysterectomy , so I haven't run or exercised much. My body is screaming out for action. Today was the first time I paddled or exerted myself in 4 weeks. I didn't pass out but I could feel the affects of inactivity.

I'm increasingly anxious about lots of things.

Sleep who needs it.
Are you a morning , noon or night person ?

My Home Truths


 

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Wordless Wednesday : This boy oh boy !


There's this wild BOY who stole my heart. He calls me Mum

 

Sunday 13 September 2015

Sand in motion and Baby Vegas ~ Giveaway


 Baby Vegas Giveaway
When the drummer boys were little they loved building sand castles either in sandpit or at the beach .
Oh wasn't today a perfect beach day.
Sadly, we are not at the beach.
Far, far from it.


Sand in their undies
Sand in their hair,
When I said come inside
Sand was everywhere !

Often their eyes too. Painful.


Today we had a play with Kinetic Sand - 98% sand and 2% magic.What causes the sand to stick only to itself in a soft clump - is the 'magic' a bonding agent.


This sand-in-motion flows and feels like damp sand, but leaves surfaces completely dry - not exactly as mess-free as they say but we had fun digging, sculpting and molding.



Special properties make it soft and stretchy, the disadvantage is sadly the towers do sink into themselves , then it's time to re create.

Kinetic sand sticks to itself but not to the kids , it's reusable and it never dries out .
It is also non-toxic and anti-microbial.

When pressure is applied to kinetic sand, it keeps its shape allowing for all kinds of sculptures.

You'll want to know ... I found it very therapeutic to play with the sand too - like a squishy stress ball only more satusfying.

Kinetic Sand comes in amazing colours as well as SAND - we tested the 2.5KG bundle includes three bags of Red, Blue and Green Kinetic Sand. Beware - it does mix and if it doesn't bother you - good !
The slight mess didn't take long to clean up.

The bonus - it got them away from the iPad for half an hour or more.

I have a giveaway of one $30 voucher to spend at Baby Vegas - they have so many cool toys and they specialize in collectibles and everything fun for kids !

Tell me your favourite childhood toy and what items you like best on Baby Vegas ?


1.Only Australian Residents are eligible to enter.
2. Entries not answering the question will be deemed invalid. The winner will be chosen by originality and creative merit, not by chance.
Judge's decision  is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
3.There is one prize $30 voucher.
4. Entries - Open 12/9/2015 - Close 26/9/2015 11.59pm AEST. The winner will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au once they reply - the winner has 3 days to respond or a new winner will be drawn.
5. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash. 
6. Prizes sent out by PR firm directly will not be replaced in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit.

7. Subscribe to my blog HERE to receive MLDB updates.

8. Follow via Facebook or Google Friend Connect on the sidebar >>>>


 

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Wordless Wednesday : Cast a shadow



 Worry gives small things a big shadow - Swedish Proverb 


    

Please take the time to visit others in the link up and share the comment love.

   

 

Monday 7 September 2015

I must Confess - I wish I could hug my Dad one more time

and confess the truth.



For some people it is both a celebrated day and one for remembrance.

To me it is many things - missing my Dad (he died 1 week before Fathers' day 10yrs ago) , now my missing my husband's father and even remembering losing our daughter Charlotte days before Fathers' day 11 yrs ago.

Dad was discharged from hospital the morning of her funeral (11yrs ago today) and I can still remember seeing him standing there. by the memorial gardens, rushing into his embrace crying as he cried too.

He was a kind,selfless and generous man my Dad. He wasn't supposed to die so young (63) though he had been through leukemia treatment . I think on our last visit he told my husband and I if he was to pass away he wanted my Mum to be loved again. He named B specifically (a recently widowed friend) and you know what - they did get together.

My Dad never got to meet S & J or even know I was pregnant, though the miracle was that the last time I saw him alive was because we were attending an IVF appointment at the same hospital. I confess - the fact that I lied about why we were there - still gives me grief. I didn't want people to know we were doing IVF - in case of failure. We kept it secret.He wasn't particularly sick at the time, it was maybe a week before he took a sudden turn for the worse.

The hospital ICU made sure we all got to say goodbye to Dad , on life support , they waited until the last person arrived to let him pass surrounded by love.

 On a brighter note ...

Like most lads, my boys adore their Dad and follow him everywhere.

He spends a lot of time with our boys giving them a secure foundation in love and adventure . For the best part of the last 4yrs he hasn't worked much outside our home due to many reasons, not the least being my carer during cancer treatment .
Even with our older son , he willingly made a choice to be 'hands on Dad'.
Everyday since the birth of our twins, he has risen to the challenge ... I could not have done it without him. Today he got up at 5:30 am to drive to school the school camp.






Date night tonight

I confess - he's not all perfect though he does make a perfect cup of tea. Nothing specific and mostly about nothing absolutely important .


In all my fears for the future , I am comforted knowing if I can't be there my husband will do a fine job.


Dear M
I pray that we will have a respite from the struggles and can pause for a moment or maybe even a few months, to just reflect and recognize all that we do have and enjoy it simply for what it is, without thinking about what it is not.


You are a good and responsible Dad, where you can possibly find a way to help, you will... beyond measure.


Over the years you have worked very hard for our family to find a balance in everything. You amaze me with your strength and tenacity.Our sons are going to be incredible Dads someday, owed mostly to your spirit and love.


I Must Confess

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Wordless Wednesday : Historic Village Herberton - A Great Australian Story


 Historic Village Herberton - just one of the extraordinary adventures we had  in Tropical North Queensland - educational and great entertainment . A few of the hundreds of photos.