The Hunger Games ~ totally Pinworthy

So it seems totally wrong to post about running and health , after chocolate, but lets run with it anyway.

I find it challenging to run outside, on the road,due to my hearing impairment . I worry about not hearing cars approaching. I mainly stick to the treadmill. I love the treadmill workout programs I found via pinterest.

My right sided peripheral vision is impaired so I have to be careful too - not to run into low tree branches.

As well , the farm has uneven dirt tracks and it's dusty at the moment from a lack of rain .

There is a paved track to the zoo I plan to try in the coming weeks.

Source: eathealthy-getfit-sleep-repeat.tumblr.com via Trish on Pinterest

Last week I ran 8km in secs under an hr and I'm working up to 9-10km this week. It isn't easy but I know can do it. I've been inspired by Naomi @Seven Cherubs all the way.

The 14km City to Surf ,with Team World Vision, run is August 12th .So far I've raised $275 of my $1000 goal.

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Source: feel-that-burn.tumblr.com via Trish on Pinterest

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Source: fitsugar.com via Kirsty on Pinterest

This is my training focus this week - mixing up my treadmill workouts so it feels like I am running outside.

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Because it is really about the food

Source: greatist.com via Trish on Pinterest

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Inspiration for the week

  ♥

The candle ~ Wave of light

Charlotte was cradled in my womb for six months, briefly in our arms and forever in our hearts. Here is her name in the sand ...I've come to WA to see this beach.

It is estimated 1 out every 4 Australian women has lost a baby at some stage; most of us know someone who has.

15th October seeks to honour these babies in a collaborative wave of light. As today is recognised as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.  

I am quietly grateful for all the candles, though I rather there were less ...it means we are not alone ! 
I am grateful for remembrance !

Light a candle at 7pm for one hour to create a worldwide wave of light for 24hrs. 
Across the globe in all time zones - candles will burn brightly in memory of babies too precious for this earth.

" There is no greater tragedy in life than the loss of a child.Unfortunately, because our babies live only within our wombs or they live outside of the womb for a short period of time, an uneducated society often minimizes the importance of their short lives and, in turn, our grief is trivialized.” Clair Baca

How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance

If you have lost a baby (or grand-baby or sibling) you are not alone. My heart goes out to anyone reading this today who has said goodbye to a precious baby all too soon.  

It is my sincere wish that those touched by the loss of a baby are well supported, able to process their loss and hopeful for the future...(not my words but heartfelt wish)

I am sorry for your loss. I know words cannot ease your pain nothing ever will but tonight at 7pm I will light a candle in memory of our babies. Please pass the message along , join in where ever you are.

A quiet moment for lighting a candle in memory of your baby . . .

"Dear baby of mine, please see this light as a symbol of our never-ending love for you. Please understand that this love knows no limits or bounds; it conquers even the hold of death. Let this light shine in memory of our love for you, in celebration of the life we shared together, however brief, and in the hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day. We feel your spirit with us even now, gently guiding and strengthening us. With this light we will remember the true gifts of the season: memories of joys past, hope for present peace and love to last a lifetime. We will forever feel your presence and love you always."

PILARI are asking people to sign their petition to have it fully recognised in Australia.

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Loud on LOUD Shirt day

Loud Shirt Day is only 2 weeks away on Friday October 21^st, (www.loudshirtday.com.au)

Loud Shirt Day is an annual fundraising initiative co-ordinated by First Voice, an alliance of early intervention hearing service providers who teach deaf and hearing impaired kids how to listen and speak. 

The gorgeous Mrs Woog's and her equally adorable lad Jack have this to say about loud shirt day.

Loud Shirt Day encourages individuals and groups to wear their loudest and brightest outfits (traditionally loud shirts) for one day and to get sponsored by their friends, family and colleagues on that day and/or purchase Loud Shirt Day merchandise from a Caltex retailer. Whether the outfit is stripes, florals, polka dots or paisley, as long as it’s loud and colourful it’s perfect for Loud Shirt Day!

I was asked to lend my support .I am very passionate about hearing . I have a significant hearing impairment . I wear a Cochlear BAHA Bone anchored hearing aid on my good side. My hearing loss was gradual due to ear infections and surgery complications . I had already learnt to speak and hear.

Please show your support and get LOUD on Loud shirt day ...wear loud shirts and outfits to raise awareness. With your help First Voice can give deaf children sound and speech ,changing the lives of hundreds of hearing impaired children and their families throughout Australia.

Like them on facebook here and spread the word !


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Meet me ...

Finally I can say it - shout it if you please...

I’M DELIGHTED TO BE MEETING

YOU -

at the day session, at least, and to meet others for dinner Friday night.

There has been envious watching of all the tweeting and chatting abuzz in the Aus Mum Blogger circles.

This weekend some 170+ mummy and other personal bloggers will hit Sydney for the first Australian Blogging Conference (ABC or Aus Blog Con).

I still don't feel like a real blogger even after nearly 4 yrs of personal mummy blogging (and 6 years of an online presence in other parenting forums).

I was shy about going.My husband's health was also my main concern six months ago when the ABC tickets were first announced. I held off buying a ticket because ... I just couldn't commit to anything not just that finances were and are still tight.

When DH's scan on Feb 1st was clear the ABC tickets were sold out. I held my breath, hoping , quietly.

Monday, I saw a tweet from the gorgeous Holly @ Good Golly Miss Holly . Don't fret - you still get to meet her too - Holly is going to the hot frocks dinner and I got to buy her day ticket. It suited me.  

I'm most excited to re-new acquaintances , hug and hang out with the chicks who make me laugh and cry daily with their real life stories on their blog or one liners on twitter.

Here is ten IMPORTANT things you should know about me

1. I'm hearing impaired - The thing behind my right ear is my BAHA hearing aid - bone anchored hearing aid and if you can see the screw in my head - it means I've lost it. I may start screaming too.
   
   
2. Seriously if you say 'hello' from behind or from my left I may not hear - please don't think I'm ignoring you. Feel free to tap me on the shoulder or jab me in the back.
   
   
3. If I answer a question inappropriately - don't assume Kelley has given me too many Margaritas - I probably didn't hear you.
   
   
4. I ask people to repeat things, a lot sometimes, in noisy environments - forgive me I am not really stupid I do get things - I just miss bits (see #3 too) and keep asking until I fully understand.
   
   
5. Don't worry I can't lip read much ...but I do concentrate hard on people speaking sometimes so if you think I am staring strangely - I am not.
   
   
6. I don't mind if you talk 'louder' to me but please remind me if I am talking too loud too ...
   
   
7. I'm also vision impaired in my right eye - I wear contact lens only in my left eye. You wouldn't know it until I look at you - my right eye has minimal peripheral vision, my eye has a slight turn and a bit different. I am very self conscious about it but what can I do but grin and carry on.
   
   
8. I hate the way I look especially in photos ...my right side is the worst. Just saying - I will hide in the corner if your camera comes out.
   
   
9. I get very nervous when I meet new people. I may babble to hide my nervousness. I get the feeling many of us are nervous so I know I'm not alone.I don't have any business cards to offer you :( but I do have heart shaped post it's.
   
   
10. Friday & Saturday I hope I leave behind some of my concerns and just enjoy connecting in real life with new and old friends. I'll soak in as much information as I can as the conference and come home re-newed.
    

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uHear !

Have you noticed a 'hearing loss' or is someone in your family reluctant to admit a hearing loss or even unaware . It is nothing to be embarassed about but some people live in denial (with the TV or radio roaring blissfully ignoring the obvious).

uHear™ is a unique hearing loss screening test application available for download to the iPhone™ and iPod touch^®.

uHear is for everyone. You can curb your curiosity with a simple and convenient six minute test from the comfort of your home. Parents and teachers can use uHear to promote healthy hearing. You can share it with your family and friends.

Don’t wait, take the test. Download uHear for free , at

http://itunes.com/apps/uhear

(you will need the iTunes application installed on your computer to download uHear)

It is worth doing this six minute test.

Don't have an iphone ...well I can't help you there but maybe someone you know has one. Read more about uHear™ u here (no pun intended LOL)

Please note: A self-administered hearing test is not a final diagnosis for a hearing loss. You should visit a Hearing Healthcare Professional for further testing if a hearing loss is suspected ~http://www.unitron.com. Uhear can help you locate one too !

Hearing difficulties can cause social isolation and other communication difficulties. It can be managed with the help of a good audiologist and/or ENT surgeon. So please stop putting it off !

♥

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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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Catching my breath

... , catching up and a confession.
Guilty !
Yes , my dear Internets it's been almost 5 days since my last post. So much has been going on here and I don't know where to begin.

Twitter perhaps is part of the reason (it's so addictive).
Lately, I have found I haven't had half the time I used to have ...does that make sense ?
Well, more in relation to computer time and since the housecleaner ran off with the pool boy (OK it was years ago and besides someone else is holding the cleaning fairy captive).

I have been feeling overwhelmed.Sorry, if I haven't been by to comment. I have been keeping up a little in my reader.

I finally got my appointment with the BAHA (Bone anchored hearing aid) surgeon in the big smoke city , coincidentally it was the same day as my husband's court date. Less < 5kms apart and 3 hrs earlier. So it worked for us.

I went alone though. DH stayed with car as parking was a 1hr zone and we didn't know if DR was going to be on time. (One parking area was full and the other was $16 for 2hrs and 7 mins last time).

The same day, on our way to find parking we witnessed an accident. It was 5secs after we drove past a sidestreet .The taxi behind us was t -boned (hit in the middle on passenger side of car ). It didn't look too bad , though the bumper bar of the driver in the wrong was on the road. We couldn't hang around to watch we were at the corner of a narrow street leading onto a busy city street. I was thankful it wasn't us.It would have been a disaster.

I digress ... I am tentatively booked for surgery on 22nd September ...unless I change my mind. I am anxious about other things too about my NF and the BAHA . The NF ...I won't go there.

The BAHA ... Is it worth the cost ? It is very expensive, though I have private health insurance the out of pocket expenses are considerable. I still haven't got all the quotes (the Surgeon's I got the very next day) .The Surgeon was a lovely man , gave me plenty of time to ask questions and didn't rush me in & out like some do. He is a specialist in his field .

Will I like it ? During surgery the hair follicles are removed with some of the underlying tissue.Hair growing right up to the abutment could lead to complications such as infection risk. It is not a large area, and supposedly isn't very noticeable.
I am just chicken.The thought of someone cutting into my skull and inserting a titanium screw into my head (I checked Frankenstein's bolt was lower in his neck) ...is it worth it to hear better ?
♥

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BAHA ?

Today, I went to see my Audiologist about getting a new hearing aid.
My current hearing aid(s) were fitted ten years ago ...though I only wear one as the other aid doesn't help. I know technology has improved over the years and I was very excited to hear a new option.

He told me about a new system called BAHA (Bone anchored hearing aid) and suggested I might be a candidate.
I made a few phone calls and booked an appointment for July for a hearing test and assessment to see if I am a suitable candidate.

I found this on the Cochlear Aust site...

Cochlear, the world leader in implantable hearing solutions, now brings hearing to more people than ever before. Our bone conduction implant, the Baha® system, helps people with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss as well as Single Sided Deafness (SSD™).

The Baha sound processors provide hearing to people who cannot or do not want to use traditional hearing aid technology.

I have struggled with moderate hearing impairment for over 20 (to 30) years. It is mainly conductive deafness but I suspect it is mixed as well.
I suffer from constant ear infections and wearing the hearing aid exacerbates it.I have almost complete deafness in one ear and moderate hearing loss in the other , plus my middle ear bones have been affected by numerous infections and I have a perforated ear drum. It is not suitable for reconstruction.
This may be the answer I have been looking for to improve my life, and restore sound and communication.

The operation is 'simple' and the device an implantable prosthesis is allegedly covered by my health fund (The BAHA device @$6000 is not cheap). I have no idea of the cost of surgery though some will be covered by PHI.

I read it is also available through public system but have no idea of the waiting list time.
Today , I am very grateful we have private health insurance - I've paid thousands over the last 22 years.

Has anyone heard about BAHA ?
PS : The Audiologist didn't even charge me for his advice and he said he loses a sale over it too ;)
I joined an online forum and even got an email tonight from one of the first BAHA recipients 4 yrs ago.
♥

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Smiley Saturday

It has been a while since I joined in SS .Things that made me smile this week ...

• It is International Comment Leaving Week for August and I welcome new and returning visitors to my blog. Here is a welcome post I wrote for National Comment leaving month.
  

• my new car - a Toyota Corolla that goes like a rocket !
  

• S & J going to bed without much fuss. We recently made the move to the big bed - they have a racing car bed each but currently sleep together in one. This bed is still in our room but we will soon move them back to their own room. They can then choose to sleep separately or together.
  

• We have rain for the garden yesterday and last night. Hopefully it will soak into the ground and refresh the browned off grass.

• My GP has organised counselling for me.

• The Ear ENT specialist said he will fix my ears ... well the chronic infection and discharge . Then I can order a new hearing aid which has been on the agenda for more than a year. It wasn't a pleasant visit (having one ear scraped out (of wax) and my other ear sucked out so much so I felt faint, but I am happy that I am finally doing something to improve my hearing.

• Things are much calmer on the home front .
  

Head over to Lightening's for more Smiley Saturday posts.


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Smiley Saturday

Another precious week of smiles and a huge sadness.

• my friend ,Z, had her little girl ,Imogen last week @35weeks and they are home already, breastfeeding and doing well.
  
• Sadly another friend went for her first u/s with her 2nd bub and found the baby had died ~12 weeks. It broke my heart truly.
  
• Heart melting moments when I took S shopping alone and left J at home because he was asleep. As I was leaving the shop S kept calling for J as if I had left him behind ...and J was at home having woken, crying and looking for both S and I. Daddy couldn't do anything with him.
• Our new outdoor awning is half up (1/3) finished.
• The Teen man loved his birthday present
  
• So far the Sleepover Party , underway as I type, is going well and the boys have been well behaved. The night is still early @11pm ish...and they have just ordered pizza.
• A charity I am involved (supporting women through pregnancy loss) in is running a Gala Fundraising night and I sent off a few emails asking for donations and I have had a heart warming response with donations offered. It has renewed my faith in people with kind hearts.
• This post on Ode to hand me downs made me smile and was also relevant to my post yesterday.
• Whenever I am feeling a little overwhelmed with life (like right now) I just have to look at all my blessings and especially my children and the Tool man - that makes me smile
  
• I saw some really funny posts and now I am smiling because I am such a goose I can't remember them.
• I don't want to toot my own horn but I am smiling because my feedburner has hit 100 subscribers and that makes me feel worthwhile.I have always struggled with being accepted due to my genetic disorder and other reasons ( unrelated hearing loss and a turn in my eye from an accident at school).
• I am pleased I am nuturing my body by riding my exercise bike every day to increase my fitness.
  

Welcome NCLM visitors - please read my welcome post HERE

thanks to Lightening I have seen Smiley Saturday as a chance to reflect on the many good things in my life and I enjoy being able to share them with you. Better late than never -today was a busy day preparing for the party.

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What big ears you have ...and listen carefully

Please bear with me ... it is a bit wordy. (Dash ...In the wee hours I had a greta blog post today but now it is long past .. the morning and my bedtime, so I will have to wing it from what I remember.)

I wanted to give thanks today for this ....


a huge box of sweet corn our kindly neighbours gave us. They run a market garden nearby. They live next door but their block is long and we are the back house on a battleaxe - (A block of
land shaped like an axe, where the handle is in the approach. situated between other blocks, thus we have no apparent street frontage (bare driveway)- the road is to the left hand side and we have other properties surrounding us on all sides.


So really their shed is next door to us. (see below the greenish shed next to our house).

The advantage of a battleaxe is our lovely private front rose garden.


I digress also to add ... several neighbouring children and our eldest son's Friends love to ride their bikes , scooter and skateboard up and down our long concrete driveway ... plus the babies have decided they like to ride in the little red wagon up and down the driveway. Which means I push and pull it LOL

anyway ... Our fence is about 3ft (short in comparison to most which are 4ft-5ft) we used to be able to see over it .When Mario saw us a few times he gave us vegetables etc off the back of his truck. His truck was often packed to take to market in the wee hours. Mario and his wife, our neighbours are also very short (hope they never read this).

Since we grew the potato vine to cover the ugly green fence - we can see his truck but he can't see us nor reach over. The rose bushes have grown too.(ouch)

For months, DH heard Mario start his truck and leave (to go to the markets) right outside our bedroom window... in the wee small hours every night [till he got used to it]. I did occasionally but not much due to my hearing impairment. It bothered him a little but he is so patient and easy going he would never complain.

The other day I saw our neighbours whilst hanging washing on the line. They were at the back of their shed. I haven't seen them up close for months.They gave me 4 ears of corn on the cob ... freshly cut/picked. We chatted, small talk. I think they saw the babies close up for first time *gasp*. Then they offered me a box of corn and Mario said he would drop it around later.

OMG - I went out later and found the screen door open with that box wedged in the door. Since I was down the back of our house and our doorbell is out of action - I didn't hear him. Scary !

MY Dh tells me I should lock the door . I feel a bit of a dill and a bit embarrassed if in case he heard me talking to the babies and not answer him .I also consider, to think if the babes didn't sleep in their cot as I often put them down on my bed (near front door) ...eek they would have been off to explore as they get down off my bed no problem and they toddle down to find me (at the computer) . I just felt it was a good warning for me to take on board. Be more careful.

The sweet corn was delicious though our eldest complained * sigh* that is was too juicy - I could say a few choice words but I won't... just can't please that kid

So ... my hearing is not good and today I did something about it - finally organised to get a referral to ENT specialist and see if they do anything plus organise me a new hearing aid so I can listen more attentively and improve my hearing if possible.

I also got to thinking about the fact that I am guilty of not listening attentively even when I can hear. I often get caught up in blogging and don't listen to my husband or DS properly.

Frequently, I feel a bit socially isolated in group situations because background noise can overwhelm me and all the conversations blur. I have made a fool of myself by having misheard or worse preempting and I feel more a fool. I don't really lip read .

I also remembered this post over at Mad Goat Lady - keys to better listening.It is well worth a read.

P.S. DH has the doorbell and new door closer on his to do list, plus gates !
P.P.S. I have to write them a thank you card or maybe bake some brownies.