Ten Days Of Semi - Pandemonium!

My last post predicted a race to the finish line before we departed on our Queensland trip. I suspect I minimised our pace somewhat. What ensued was a frantic sprint from a GP appointment to my meeting with Alex's new Local Area Coordinator (who actually seemed to know what she was doing!), further excavation of my lower leg and back along with prolonged zapping of other bits by the delicious Daram and the fitting of Michael's fifth crown by expert dentist JJ the day before we flew out. 

Then there was the gnawing anxiety that - 

• our plane would be delayed or cancelled
• our luggage would not come with us
• our luggage would go elsewhere - or -
• our luggage would disappear into an alternate universe!

And although our flight wasn't scheduled to leave until almost midnight, we chose to travel to the Big Smoke before sunset so we could pass through the forest without encountering any kangaroos. I had been nervously checking alerts concerning our flight all day and there had not been any unpleasant surprises by the time we enjoyed a quick dinner at the "King and I" Thai restaurant, followed by my first birthday cocktail at the Guildford Hotel,

After navigating the way to our long term carpark, maneuvering Lily into her position for the next six weeks and lugging our sizable collection of luggage to the bus shuttle stop, we collapsed onto the bus seats, only to learn that we had to change shuttles to reach Terminal 3 - our blast-off location. After seemingly travelling hither and yonder, we arrived at Terminal 3, only to discover our flight was delayed. The departure time was changed from 11.55 pm to 12.20 am to 12.40 am, before we finally left around 1 am. 

Four hours later, we descended into the warmer climes of Cairns. We travelled to Kev and Kerri's house in suburbia, luxuriated in tea and coffee  and gratefully slept from mid morning until early afternoon. Later, we travelled to O'Shea's Bar at beautiful Machans Beach for a stroll and another cocktail in honour of the day of my birth. Returning to Kev and Kerri's, we enjoyed a splendid dinner before retiring back to bed.

The next day was all about Romeo, our cheap and cheerful camper, who turned out to be about four hundred years old with over five hundred thousand kilometres on the clock. After a mammoth session of extra cleaning and instruction, we set off in Romeo to fill his cabinets for the next six weeks. After a slight catastrophe trying to drive Romeo into the undercover carpark at Cairns Central - he was too tall! - we found a street park and prepared to launch forth into the supermarket.

We staggered out with a monstrously full trolley a couple of hours later. We were spent for the day. Early the next morning, before our excursion to Kuranda, I packed the groceries away into Romeo's pantry with a lot of satisfaction. Then, we proceeded to the cable car/Skyrail  at Smithfield to travel over the mountains to the village of Kuranda in the wet tropics hinterland. The Skyrail was a truly fantastic expedition, not scary at all, and we then proceeded to potter around Kuranda for a pleasant few hours, including a wonderful lunch with vino at Riley's Café and Bar. The "house" Shiraz and Sav Blanc blew us away - stop at Riley's when in Kuranda.

The Heritage Railway trip back to Cairns was underwhelming, and that is being kind. Our original departure time had been changed and we ended up being crushed onto a later train into sardine class with an extremely vocal European extended family. Eight people were crammed onto two benches that should have seated four bums. This trip was not inexpensive, we were unable to enjoy the scenery  and we were severely disappointed. 

Fortunately, our spirits were restored by a delicious dinner at Pho Viet restaurant with Kerri that evening. When in Cairns, eat at Pho Viet!

Two mornings ago, after a marathon packing of Romeo, we set out for the wilds of Cooktown. Upon arrival, we found ourselves parked behind niece Rebekah at the local servo, bumping into oldest nephew Chris in the servo shop and meeting a lass named Julie Hillhouse, whose babies had been delivered by brother Simon in Bundaberg back in the 1980s...

After arriving at the Cooktown Caravan Park, we quickly had a light dinner and retired to bed. We did not wake for twelve hours...

Machans Beach, Cairns...

Kev and Kerri strolling at Machans...

Kerri and Michael...

Michael with Kev...

Kate with margarita cocktail at O'Sheas... 

O'Sheas at Machan Beach

Day 2 - sunrise...

Sleeping Beauty...

Day 3 - sunrise

Introducing Romeo!

Romeo's backside...

Good to know...

Shopping at Cairns Central...

Kate above the rainforest...

Ditto Michael...

Kuranda...

Quirky Kuranda -

Riley's at Kuranda...

Expectation of the Heritage Railway to Cairns...

Reality...

Saved by dinner at Pho Viet's!

A snippet of Kev and Kerri's garden.

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Our Mad Dash For The Finish Line!

We are currently D (Departure) minus five days before we supposedly jet off to Cairns for my sixty-first birthday. Rather than happy anticipation, I must admit to some major anxiety just concerning our blast off. Stories about chaotic terminal queues, lost luggage and cancelled flights are not filling me with confidence. I don't really want to pack Batman and Mister Elephant (my CPAP machine) in the hold because a loss of that device is a catastrophe. Likewise our computers and drugs need to travel with us inside the aircraft,  along with basic toiletries and a change of knickers. I am seriously considering painting a "DO NOT LOSE" sign on the outside of my vivid orange and Michael's bright blue suitcases to encourage a bit more than a Laissez-faire attitude by the baggage handlers (the ones CEO Alan Joyce didn't sack).

Added to my somewhat panicked state is the avalanche of last-minute appointments we have been attending and will continue to attend until Friday - the day before we hopefully fly away. Having seen the Boy Wonder - Mister Ben Kimberley- to have my knee cleanout signed off and welcome news that my right knee is looking good for a few more years yet, Michael's X-rays of his back and hips revealed moderate to severe age-related and arthritic damage. In particular, Michael's right hip has no cushioning cartilage left. Next on the agenda once we return will be getting his hips replaced. Oh goody. 

Two days later, Michael had an excellent appointment with Audika, his hearing aids supplier. He now is feeling much more confident with them, when he actually remembers to wear them! This success was tempered by losing a large filling from a tooth whilst eating lunch. The Beverley Hillbilly look was revived by the noticeable gap immediately next to his two front teeth. Bollocks.

Three days after that, we visited the dentist for the Verdict. A new crown was planned. Now Michael's collection of crowns is getting a bit beyond a joke. This will be his fourth, aside from his magnificent implanted front tooth. A bit greedy, me thinks.

Since then, the remains of the tooth have been prepared with extensive grinding by our Northam dentist JJ and a temporary crown fitted. Which has already fallen off once. Michael is being exquisitely careful with his mouth, particularly whilst eating. The custom-made crown will be attached on Friday back with JJ, along with haircuts and a beard trim by the fabulous hairdressers at You Beauty and Hair in the heart of Heavenly Beverley.

Tomorrow sees a trip to the GP, to obtain a referral for Michael's dodgy hips and a reveal that the "sun damage" on my left cheek has been excised. We are awaiting results on its status, but the our delicious dermatologist and MOHS surgeon, Daram Singh believes it was either a Basal Cell Carcinoma or a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This bit, along with three other suspicious spots was removed last Wednesday, along with a smarting application of liquid nitrogen on my left shoulder and wrist. I am hoping the diagnosis is a BCC rather than a SCC, as more excavation of my face is likely with the latter. Such fun as I really dislike local anaesthetics... That's on Thursday.

But wait, there's more...Wednesday I am due to meet Alex's sixth Local Area Coordinator for the first time, along with Shannon, our mightily capable and persistent Support Coordinator to  to review Alex's NDIS Plan, in the hope we can finally orchestrate a workable document that meets his needs. We have a time (eleven o'clock) but no venue yet...Plus, I need to be back in Beverley by two-thirty so we can have a final appointment with Liam Welfar, our chiropractor to hopefully relieve a few aches and pains before we leave on the Epic Road Trip. Whew!

With very little time in this week for organising and packing, I will tackle that job today. Along with cleaning out Red the Rude Parrot's cage and tweaking the Petsitters' bible for Paula. In other news, Alex has successfully travelled to the Sydney Hillsong Conference and returned home in one piece. Callum, Bron and Immy are currently enjoying warmer temperatures in the Northwest with her brother. They are due home later this week, if their flight back isn't delayed or cancelled...

Having explained our schedule for this week, I had better move off my chair and begin the inevitable washing and ironing that precedes the packing. I will record further updates, time allowing, and also confirm whether we do end up in the air to Cairns on Saturday night.

Tally ho!

That's the idea...

See you in September, Ben!

See you on Wednesday, Liam!

Avon Valley Dental Centre, Northam

The inner sanctum where Michael receives foot massage...

See you Friday, JJ!

Some good looking bloke, not Daram Singh. See you Thursday, Daram!

Alex in Sydney...

Miss Imogen Ivy in Northwest garb!

Kate Becomes A Detective

The last seven days have been rather memorable, and not always pleasantly so. Any readers who actually follow this blog might remember that I ended up in quite severe pain last Wednesday. Whilst walking to the chiropractor. As I stepped up the kerb using my athroscoped knee, its revenge was spectacular and sudden. Movement of any sort became impossible whilst I bellowed like a bull. 

Chiropractor to the Stars, the lovely Liam, gave me the gentlest of massages around the knee whilst he tried to work out what the hell had happened. He was all for persuading me to ring the Boy Wonder's rooms to explain my predicament. Knowing he was on leave saved me the possible horror of a trip to the Big Smoke. Instead, I made an appointment to see the local quack the following day.

One major irritant about living out of the metro area is the lack (perceived or real) of General Practice services. We are fortunate to have two different doctors' surgeries here in Beverley, but I had not patronised them much for different reasons. 

Back in 2014, when Michael nearly died, our then local doctor disagreed with my decision to criticise a respiratory specialist whom I believed treated Michael poorly. We were invited not to attend that group of doctors anymore. As there was no second surgery at that point, we shifted quacks to York. We had an absolutely fabulous doctor there, until one day, she decided she wanted to be an actor rather than a doctor and that was that. We then moved lock, stock and barrel another thirty-five kilometres to another Surgery in Northam. We have been pretty satisfied with the doctors there...Until recently. Of the twin doctors we see there regularly, one is now almost impossible to see for an emergency on even up to a week in advance. The other has just blotted the copybook one time to many. Comments such as "people like you are the reason the NDIS is going broke" have not been particularly endearing. Accusing us of "doctor shopping" and then telling us to use the local one in a different circumstance was hurtful and confusing. I have just about had enough.

Anyway, last Thursday, Michael delivered my body to see the local bloke. He was empathetic, brisk and reassuring. He prescribed rest and good pain relief, using heat packs if they helped and promised me I'd be feeling a lot better in a few days. I retired to bed and there I stayed until Saturday evening.

I couldn't understand why I felt so terrible. Rapidly through Thursday and into Friday, fatigue became all encompassing, nausea was awful and bouts of diarrhoea added to my general misery. On Friday, I slept for eighteen out of twenty-four hours and just was wiped out. 

I thought that maybe the pain killers were the culprits. So I stopped them and returned to good old Panadol. I stayed in bed with my heat pack and my discomfort as my knee improved mightily, but my other symptoms remained. 

By Saturday evening, I was utterly fed up. With no appetite, the ever-present collywobbles and lethargy having become my best friend, action was necessary. The time had come to use the "little grey cells" and solve this most annoying puzzle.

I have always loved detective stories. From Hercule Poirot to Jessica Fletcher, Jay Swan to Miss Marple, Father Brown to Phryne Fisher, they have provided me with escapism, intrigue, red herrings, convoluted explanations and occasionally simple solutions. I needed to employ some of their enquiring skills.

I thought back to Thursday. The only variable was a drug named Trulicity, which I had been prescribed as Ozempic had become difficult to obtain. Both medications for Type 2 Diabetes, I had hoped to have a helping hand in my weight loss journey having heard of their ability to do exactly this.

Having been on Ozempic with no side effects for two months, I didn't really question the prescribing of Trulicity. I was assured by the GP that they were the same drug, just a different name. I had injected myself with Trulicity on Thursday without a second thought...

Fast forward to yesterday. My nausea was easing, the fatigue lessening and the dreaded trots were receding to a bad memory. Whilst in Northam for Michael to see the podiatrist, I decided to report to the Surgery what I regarded as an adverse event to a drug. The reception staff took my reporting very seriously indeed. I was told they would squeeze me in to see my doctor of choice. 

In due course, I was ushered into the inner sanctum. A medical student was also there, which was absolutely no problem to me. I thought my story might actually be a relevant teaching opportunity. 

So I explained. My doctor didn't seem to think that being unable to stay awake more than six hours on Friday was a huge issue, that the drug had these side effects and that I hadn't had an allergic reaction. I responded that I didn't think it was an allergic reaction, rather a very nasty episode that needed to be recorded. Her reply was that reporting adverse events just involved lots of paperwork and she was of the opinion that course of action wasn't warranted.

Did I feel fobbed off? Undoubtedly. I did not feel heard in any way, shape of form. Plus, on the advice of a nursing friend of mine, I had researched both drugs. Although similar, they were not the same medications. Both drugs came with warning of  the possibility of developing thyroid cancer, pancreatitis and kidney failure. Among other potentially undesirable issues. 

I have decided I shall have to try and lose weight the old-fashioned way. More exercise and less food. I suppose the good news is that Trulicity gave me a head start on appetite reduction!

Interestingly, today I listened to an interview with a chap named Ben Bravery, a zoologist who decided to study medicine after having bowel cancer in his twenties. Now training as a psychiatrist, he has chosen this course because he wants to treat the whole person, not just the illness. He noted that doctors are usually very well educated in medical knowledge and not that crash-hot in providing understanding, empathy and time with their patients. He used the daily doctors' rounds as an example of patients often being left confused, anxious and frightened. Ben described his own experiences as an impetus for writing "The Patient Doctor". He described exactly my feelings of dissatisfaction with my consultation the day before.

My detective work had paid off. I have now resolved to become even more better informed about my health and my choices, particularly as I age. I have always believed that knowledge is power. I forgot my own mantra with Trulicity.

Will this post be widely read? I hope so, but sometimes I believe topics like these make people uncomfortable.

Comments welcome.

Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives" spent an entire day in my head...

Ben Bravery...

His book - on my list to read.

A Pot Of Family Fun Tempered By A Side Of Smugness...

I try never to wallow in life's misfortunes for very long. The NDIA brand of the Keystone Cops, will continue on their merry way, causing bureaucratic chaos and mental carnage for the foreseeable future. Yet, I know families who have nothing but praise for the NDIS and I am thrilled that the scheme is working for them. Pity that the rest of us feel like decisions are made by the toss of a coin, rather than through common sense and consultation.

I shall put my frustration with the NDIA aside for another day and report on far more pleasant topics. June is zooming past with more speed that I had thought possible. We started the month without that many commitments. Or so we thought.

Absolutely wrecked by our Winter Sundowner, we gratefully motored down to the Big Smoke on the following day to spend some R&R time with our very own MasterChef Callum, Super teacher to the Littlies and fabulous Mum Bronwyn and the divine grandchild, Miss Imogen Ivy. We also had to try and avoid the ministrations of the psycho cat, Ragnar, who is very much a One Woman (Bron) cat and takes great delight (still) in stalking Cal's ankles. Ragnar's expression has remarkable similarity to one of those stereotyped henchmen in Fu Manchu movies, with behaviour to match.

Delighted just to be in their orbits, Immy's capture of our hearts gets tighter every time we see her. Although slightly speech delayed due to her incessant ear infections, she is exceedingly vocal with Bron assisting as her personal translator. She is now recognising us as Nanny and Grampy and giving us hi fives. A natural performer, she will dance and sing if she thinks nobody is watching. She is a beautiful child, with Bron's strawberry blonde hair, but in curls, a cherub's face and an engaging personality. I am sure that her midnight chats are hereditary - as a toddler, Callum would often chat, sing and giggle to himself in the wee small hours. Our day and a half stay was a giddy series of fun episodes. All too soon, we were heading back past the hills.

The second week of June launched the scenario of my Very Sore Right Knee. Attempts to ignore it and wish that particular body part would just shut up and get better was a decided non-starter. Chiropractor to the Stars, Liam, was concerned about cysts and ligament tears. Our Epic Road Trip looming in just over five weeks, action was called for sooner rather than later. Time was of the essence if I wished to be fit enough to wear my new  Blue Steel hiking boots as planned from 16 July.

My first obstacle was getting a doctor's appointment to gain an X-ray and Ultrasound referrals. Previously very happy with our GP  Doctor Stephanie in Northam, the reality is that appointments with her are as scarce as hen's teeth. I managed  to secure a phone consultation with her other half, Doctor Richard, at the end of that second week.

However, he then refused to write my necessary referrals as I was not physically in the Patient Chair. He had no other alternative to offer, other than visit a GP in Beverley to receive the necessary paperwork. Michael and I were unimpressed at Richard's attitude, as he had previously voiced strong  opinions that we had partaken in "Doctor Shopping" for scripts and that "people like us" was the reason the NDIA was going broke. And that my word and that of our Chiropractor had no weight at all.

Fortunately, the day after, Doctor Andre at the local Vines medical centre saw me, listened to me and immediately wrote my X-ray and ultrasound forms. Plus, he started Michael on an Atom Bomb course of antibiotics to stop his upper respiratory infection taking hold in his dodgy lungs.

X-rays for my knee and His Majesty's neck and back were duly carried out, along with the ultrasound looking for soft tissue damage around my recalcitrant joint. Michael's hearing checkup rounded out a very busy Monday. Back in Doctor Andre's room two days later, a tear to my meniscus ligament and an associated cyst were noted.

Without hesitation, I arranged for my arthroscope to be carried out less than forty eight hours later.  With Michael's hip replacements next on the agenda, we will never drop our private health insurance. Pain is so not our friend.

We were also able to set up a lightning sleepover with Cal, Bron and Immy on Thursday evening so we didn't have to leave Beverley at half past four last Friday morning.  Instead, we were privy to another wonderful evening and have more sleep in suburban Perth than we would have had in our own beds. Immy, as usual, was far more entertaining than any reality TV show! Thank you very much, Cal and Bron for allowing two geriatrics to gate crash on a week night.

Having never been in the renovated Day Unit at the Mount Hospital, I was mightily impressed. Heated blankets appeared, admission was smooth, the nursing staff lovely and Mister Ben Kimberley and his team gave me excellent care. Floating into Cloud Cuckoo Land at half past ten, I was awake, dressed, watered and fed and out the door at two thirty.

My knee full of local anaesthetic, I felt invincible. Michael delivered Alex and I to the Perth Eye Hospital. I stayed with Alex until he was off with the fairies through sedation and returned for his discharge about an hour later. Now he had received treatment for Keratoconus (which cause conical corneas) in both his eyes, which should stop any further deterioration.

For any number of reasons, Alex had only spent limited time with Michael and me over the last few years. Now, he was under our roof from Friday evening until Monday afternoon. This allowed us to connect, to chat, to share and to just be comfortable in each other's company.

These turned out to be rather special days. Alex continues to be courteous and very well mannered. He is empathetic towards others. His sense of humour has somewhat matured. He is less combative towards me and I think I am far more tolerant of his personality.

Watching him interact with a Hillsong online church service took my breath away. There is plenty for me (as a questioning and critical parent) to be wary of this type of religious expression. However, the service was full of light and music and excitement. The leaders really seemed to be conversing directly with Alex and he responded with joy and enthusiasm. Now, I was able to see why Hillsong forms part of Alex's tribe and his life. As his Mum, I must respect his wishes.

This frenetic June has had differing consequences. The pace has, at times, been over the top. Michael and I have had various types of imaging to keep an eye on our arthritic joints. Michael has had a throat infection. I have been in quite severe pain post op. In fact, so much I have been ordered to rest for at least two days. I did too much. Again. When will I ever learn?

The upside? Time with our kids and Immy. Even Ragnar. Michael is proving himself to be a mesmerising cat whisperer and the ruddy Ragdoll has responded. I have also been overwhelmed by the messages, phone calls and visits by friends over the last few days. 

And then, of course, there is the constant of my beloved Michael.

Imogen - June 2022...

Cleaning her teeth with Blippi...

With Mummy...

With her rocking horse...

Ride a cock horse...

Always looking and learning...

Dance, Immy, dance!

With Mummy, Daddy and Nana - April 2022...

Last Friday after being treated for keratconus...

At Karrinyup's Lego shop...

Michael and Larissa with Stella on cleanup duties - June Sundowner 2022.