IN YOUR FACES

I know I only posted yesterday and I seriously don't want to drown you in my posts BUT I just had to share this with you.

For those of you who are new to my blog ( and there are many), let me recap on the situation my eldest daughter has been going through.

She is 20, still young. Yet in the last 14 months she has been through so much. She was diagnosed with an aggressive dural fistula in July 2013 and since then has been through 13 brain surgeries. 11 of the surgeries have been through angiogram procedures and two have been craniotomies where the skull has been opened to expose the brain.

At the moment she is doing well and she may even have turned the corner. ( fingers crossed).

In my blogs I refer to my daughter as my FED ( favourite eldest daughter). My other daughter is my FYD...sure you can work that one out.

My FED has been involved with a wonderful initiative called The I am project. It showcases young women who have been through or are going through major health crises. With permission of the administrator and the FED herself, here is her latest post. Every time I see it I experience so many emotions .

Puts all of us back in our box I reckon!

Link below...have a good day xxx



http://www.the-iamproject.com/#!Lets-talk-about-Hair-/cmbz/91505767-3513-49AD-BFB2-ED13B8BBDE9C

I USED TO COOK

OK...anyone who knows me knows that I used to love cooking. My Mum is a very good cook as are all my Maltese family, and I guess somewhere along the line it brushed off. It used to give me great pleasure to produce something  from scratch, for a number of reasons. One, I wanted to taste REAL food not processed rubbish. And two with all my food intolerances; eating pre-packaged, processed food is a no no and bound to end up in a head- to -toe rash on my body, or me lying on a bed clutching my stomach in pain. 

Interestingly, the more people with Cowdens syndrome I encounter, the more I realise that it is quite common for these people to have food intolerances or food allergies. Not sure about the physiology here but does it matter? 

Eat fresh food...eat unprocessed food...cook!

This mantra is easy to follow when in my own home and in my own kitchen. But I find it so hard to follow when we are in the city going through a medical drama. And remember, my daughter has had thirteen major procedures in the last 14 months so I have been away from my home a lot.

When life's a drama, I'm not as organised with my food. I'm not in my own kitchen and I don't have time or inclination to shop for food. My head is understandably occupied with other things. Eventually, my couldn't care less attitude arrives and I find myself staring at some pre-packaged muffin and asking myself if  "surely one won't hurt?" The answer is always " no, of course not". In seconds, I forget the wheat which my body doesn't like. I forget the artificial colouring and preservatives which my body loathes and reacts to and I forget the unecessary packaging which I usually avoid. And I always end up kicking myself later and telling myself "its OK because your child is going through worse." What a cop out!

On top of all this, we've eaten in the hospital cafeteria so much this year that I have forgotten HOW to cook. Like any skill it requires practice and because I have had little practice in the last year or so, where once I loved cooking, I now have started to dread it.

Hello pots and pans - remember me?

Its hilarious really because I'm an ex- home economics teacher! But, in the last year while trying to get back into using those pots and pans, everything has gone wrong from burnt steak to overcooked chicken.I even had a sandwich fall apart!

Seeing it as a step back towards " normality", I have in this trip home made a concerted effort to revert back to my old cooking ways. And...it all started with a meal the husband and I ate in the city before we came home. He discovered "Thai green curry" and fell in love.

Now I always have a little chuckle when the husband discovers something the rest of the world has known about for ages. (Chuckle, Chuckle). But because I love him I decided that this week I would make him a "Thai green curry", even though I was sure I would probably wreck it. For the record, I've never made one before.

Armed with a recipe from taste.com.au which is posted below, I went hunting for ingredients in the supermarket. Because I live in a country town the ability to get fresh produce varies from day to day. Today wasn't a good day and  I was a little concerned when nine out of eleven ingredients were only available in a processed form. Rashes, tummy pains...here I come...groan.

(By the way please don't message me with comments about how you make your own green curry paste. I am quite pleased with the fact that I'm cooking again and yes, my curry paste came out of a jar!)

Apart from a borderline asthma attack when I stir fried the curry paste, the recipe was a hit and the husband was in foodie heaven for the second time in one week. I did eat some and it was yummy. The side effects on my strange body were not as bad as I expected, but its all about thresholds and I wouldn't tempt fate with another serve in the near future.

So, its another step in reclaiming my life. Starting to cook again and slowly re-introducing all the foods into my diet which make me feel better. eg Porridge for breakfast with berries and chia seeds. Hospital breakfast was just a coffee!!

I don't know what the secret is to eating properly while supporting someone in hospital. Maybe I'm over thinking this. Any suggestions before the next round of doctors would be greatly appreciated.

Anyway...feeling great about my cooking success so am off to make a "one bowl apple cake", which I pinched from my aunt's Facebook wall. Its easy and quick so it gets my seal of approval in this starting to cook again phase. If anyone's interested, I'll post the link. Meanwhile, maybe try the curry.It really is good.

Till next time...xxx



 http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/19756/thai+green+chicken+curry

ALL IN A "NORMAL" DAY

Today was a day to catch up on ME. While my daughter has been unwell, I have put myself on the back burner, but now that she's doing well, its time to sort myself out.Its time to reschedule some minor surgery and attend some appointments to monitor my Cowden's syndrome. 

Job 1 - ring plastic surgeon's rooms:

"Can I please re-schedule my day surgery?"
"Sure...what's changed?"
"Er... what do you mean?"
"How many lumps?"
(They know me well)
"About five - left arm, right arm and back."
"Ok...see you in three weeks."

Just like that! No consult...straight to the knife, just like I want it to be.

Job 2 - ring another of my specialists:

"I need to see Dr E"
"Do you have a referral?" (silly woman doesn't know she's speaking to a professional patient)
"Yes of course I have a referral."
"Well, he's at a conference...then he's on holidays...then he's having some time off...then he needs to catch up on all his patients...first available is March!"
(snore...wake me up when you've finished!)
"Sorry, I don't think that's going to suit me! "(gives explanation to boring receptionist...slightly exaggerated cos that's how you play the game)
"See you in two weeks."
"That was easy!"

Job number 3 - meeting with boss! This one was in person though I did think of ringing him when I saw how cold it was outside.

"Are you coming back?"
"Sure but can I have first term off...and second...and third.."
"Er...no...give me reasons to extend your leave."
( an hour later)
"Do I still have a job?"

Job number 4 - appointment with psychologist, also in person.

"How are you?"
(Bursts into tears) - "I'm full of lumps, the receptionist is difficult, I don't know if I have a job..."
"Breathe."


Job number 5 - housework
Put on washing, fold washing, cook dinner, shop for veggies, cook apple cake. Oh my goodness! That's normal people stuff! I'm doing normal people stuff!


What's "normal"? I don't know anymore. I told someone today that my normal involves waiting for something bad to take place. I know that's not healthy and abnormal, but its hard to lose that feeling when things have been going wrong for so long.

Thank God, at the moment the FED (favourite eldest daughter) is doing really well.She is back for testing and review soon, and then we'll see what the doctors wish to do next. In the meantime my "normal" involves two weeks home, two weeks down with the girls and lots of driving up and down the west coast.

The weather has started to warm and the sunshine gives us all a glimpse of the summer that is around the corner. Its amazing how a bit of sunshine can make everything seem so much more bearable, even a supposedly abnormal way of life!

Have a lovely week everyone!

Till next time...xxx

THUMBS DOWN!

Boy am I cross!

Today in Australia, the media carried a story about a journalist accused of bullying another about her weight and clothing style. Understandably the woman on the receiving end has had a lot to say about this attack, especially since she's a healthy Australian size 12 (link is below).

If you thought that somehow women today had moved on from being judged about their weight and clothing choices, well LOL ...how wrong you are! It's been happening for ages and will always happen , because ( in my opinion ), people are either jealous or they're simply nasty idiots with too much time on their hands. And unfortunately we're stuck with both groups.

Let's look at the nasty idiot comments first. Many, many years ago I went out with a man who one day turned around and said that he would marry me if I was 52 kg. I was hurt at the time, but now I just laugh at the pure idiocy of someone who would choose a suitable mate based on her body weight! Definitely a nasty idiot comment and for the record I was destined for better things!

Here's another one. My daughter and I, playing tourist in Melbourne walked the full length of Chapel street checking out all the boutiques. I was dressed in shorts, t shirt and runners which obviously were not stylish enough for a certain boutique owner, who refused to acknowledge our existence in her trendy shop. Another, immediately  welcomed me with " we have nothing in your size". Think  Pretty Woman! I have two daughters, two sisters, countless nieces, a mother, sisters in law galore! How dare she judge me based on appearance. Again... another pure nasty, idiot comment!

I've seen it happen with kids too. Wear the trendy gear and you're invited to all the parties and sleep overs. Wear something a little different which maybe fits your personality, then you're weird and odd and destined to sit by yourself in the classroom. I remember trying to explain to a very young daughter that the current trendy jeans were too expensive for Mum to buy. She was heartbroken and too young to understand that real friends don't choose you for your style.

Today's report is more than likely a story about jealousy. I can not see any other reason why one woman would attack another woman in this manner...especially since she is both a healthy weight and styled by some of the best in the job. Or maybe that's exactly the reason! She looks stunning. She has a fabulous personality and she is damn good at her job. Jealousy is indeed a curse.

I spent a bit of time discussing this issue with the FED ( favourite eldest daughter)  today. She has often considered journalism as a career, but doubts her ability to cope with the intense scrutiny on things that really have nothing to do with journalistic skill. She would essentially throw away a career because of the threat of " mean girl" attacks. I would guess she is one of many. How sad that this is happening.

And it's not just journalism where scrutiny and judgement occur. I remember one particular parent teacher interview. I always dressed professionally for work, but more so for any dealings with parents and especially at parent teacher night. On this particular night as the parent left I heard the words " posh bitch" muttered. Still not sure what I did wrong but I suspect it was the style. Wasn't worth a response really!

# Sam Armytage, I watch you every morning and find you to be a breath of fresh air and a true role model for my daughters. I know you will probably never read this but I want to say that I admire your strength and dignity in dealing with yet another personal attack.

Thumbs down to judging a woman according to her appearance.

Thumbs down to  attacking a woman because you're simply jealous.

Double thumbs down when the attack comes from another woman.

Till next time...xxx


http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/ls-celebrity-news/samantha-armytages-public-spat-with-a-female-journalist-20140919-3g435.html

18 YEARS AGO!

Today my younger daughter turns 18. She made a spectacular entry into this world so I thought I would share it with you all. This is actually the first time I have spoken of this story and remembering it has made me cry, so maybe its good closure.

_________________________________________________________________________________

I had only one day of morning sickness with my first pregnancy. I was sick almost continuously for the first 3 months of my second. Looking back now I should have known what I was in for. This was a feisty baby, one with an opinion, one who made her presence known.

I remember going for my 18 week ultrasound. Somehow I knew there would be a problem and sure enough her heart was thumping loudly and clearly but she refused to move. The lady said she needed to move, and for the only time ever in my life, told me to go away and eat a mars bar and drink a coke and to come back in two hours. I wonder now about the safety of all that sugar flooding my system but nevertheless, there she was dancing for the camera two hours later. That was her first performance and funnily enough she can still be bribed with sugar today.

On the day she decided to make her presence really felt, I was at work. I was in a classroom trying to manage a bunch of Yr 10 terrors. She didn't like them. I could feel that because she was punching out from inside. Like mothers everywhere I went into protective mode. I got another teacher to mind the kids and walked straight to the car and drove straight to the doctor.

The FED had been five week's premature but the possibility that this baby  might be premature had never crossed my mind. So I was taken aback when the doctor told me I was already partly dilated at 32 weeks. Her exact words were " Ring your husband. Go straight to hospital".

I'm not sure what they do nowadays, but 18 years ago it was strict bed rest. I was not allowed to move, although occasionally I had a short walk to visit a patient in a similar situation, in an adjoining room. The husband and the FED (age 2) came to visit regularly but all I really did for a while was sleep.

Then came the day.

The husband had gone to visit a country show in his home town forty minutes away. He didn't like leaving me but I encouraged him to go because there was no need for him to miss out, and he needed a break from the hospital. He would have just arrived, when suddenly back at pregnancy home base I got my first contraction.

Organized panic set in. I wasn't quite 33 weeks and babies that young had to be delivered in the city because my town did not have the facilities to care for their needs. The GP called the Flying Doctor and set the wheels in motion for me to be flown to Perth...again! This was how my first baby had arrived.

Meanwhile in a time before mobile phones, the husband had been located and was on his way back. He had been close by all week yet I chose the time he was farthest from me to go into labour. Poor man!

Because my baby was still so young I had to wait for a specialized medical team to be assembled to fly up to get me. This took a bit of time and in the meantime I tried very hard not to give birth. Joke!

The Flying Doctor finally arrived and I was wheeled outside for the first time in a week. A storm had started and I didn't fancy being in a small plane up in the storm with a baby that was insistent on being born. The medical crew were fantastic but lets face it, it was early in the morning ( about 2 am) and we were about to go up in a small plane among thunder, rain and lightning. I was terrified and in labour!

I shared the plane with an unconscious young woman, another medical drama. She had been in a riding accident earlier that day and also needed to be transferred to the city. Because the plane was full the husband couldn't come, but he promised to drive down in the morning. 

The plane ride was horrendous and even though I was lying down, I vomited non stop all the way to the city. The nurse and doctor set up a drip because they were worried about dehydration but I just kept vomiting and vomiting.

We arrived in the city and I was transferred to an ambulance. It was about 3.30am and I remember flying down the freeway with the sirens blaring. It all seemed so surreal at the time but thats what happened and there I was in the middle.

I arrived at the hospital to be greeted by the kindest nurse I have ever met. I promptly threw up what was left of me, but she didn't flinch. In fact she had me wheeled into an emergency labour room and promptly gave me a bath. I must have smelt a treat after two hours solid vomiting. Just as I was about to sleep, the door opened and it was my Mum. It was 4.30am and knowing what I was going through she had come to be with me. At the sight of my Mum, I cried buckets of tears but stopped when the door opened again. It was my sister. She had rung the husband to find out what was going on and she had come up too!

Meanwhile, my baby oblivious to the trouble she had caused slept. And eventually so did I.

In the morning, which was only a couple of hours later I was able to work out where I was properly and think straight. The doctor had come for a visit in the middle of the night, not looking too pleased that she had been woken up.  I was past caring as yet another birth was going haywire and this upset me.

About mid morning my baby decided to do a complete cartwheel and then suddenly I felt all wrong. I went to the bathroom and found that the umbilical cord was outside my body. WHY DO THESE THINGS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?

 The doctor was called and apparently there was a problem because my baby had turned and become stuck somewhere. Because she was only 33 weeks it was going to take time to dislodge her without stressing her. The pain was unbearable and I was not allowed any medication...not sure why.

At one stage I was in so much pain, I remember four nurses holding me down. I think they were trying to turn baby around and dislodge her. Whatever it was, I was screaming and my poor husband looked so distressed, the doctor asked for him to be taken outside.

And then suddenly amidst all the screaming, the pain just disappeared. Just like that it left and I felt relieved, till I heard the doctor tell the anaesthetist to " knock her out NOW ". Apparently I had started to haemorrhage and my baby's life was at risk.

She was flat when she was born but soon picked up. This was one tough baby who started life in traumatic circumstances, but fought and fought.

When I was woken from a general anaesthetic and an emergency caesarian, my first glimpse of my baby was not how I ever expected it. Rather than lying on me, she lay near me in a small humidicrib. I was allowed to touch her through the holes in the crib. She was so, so small! 4lbs 8.

Like any premmie, there were issues. She had to be fed via a syringe through her nose, she wouldn't suck and when she did suck she wouldn't breathe. We got through all the issues...one by one. As I said, this was one tough baby girl.

And that's basically how she has been all her life! She is a tough cookie with the biggest heart. She is loved by friends, boyfriend, family...everyone. She has her faults, don't you worry, but you forgive her most things because she makes you laugh and cry at the same time. She is an actress, a singer, a dancer, a clown, a joker and the list goes on.

To me she will always be my Baby Born dolly and my favourite younger daughter (FYD).

Happy 18th sweetheart. Love you to the moon and back xxx

Some non Australian readers will not be familiar with the Flying Doctor. Please check them out at http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/default.aspx

DONT ASK DR GOOGLE

This blog is dedicated to one of my relatives who has been banned from the internet by her doctor. You KNOW who you are!!
_______________________________________________________________

If you read my blog " Desperately seeking Heather" you will remember that I have been suffering from bouts of the " almost faints". I have to admit that they are not as bad as they were three weeks ago, but are still somewhat of a problem, especially if I need to stand and talk to someone for any length of time.

I think I've explained before that people with Cowden's can have a myriad of symptoms. Anything and everything is tested. It is a stressful condition and one that keeps you on your toes constantly. Which brings me of course to an article in my local paper and a story to tell.

Fainting and almost fainting need to be investigated so despite my inner voice warning me to not go there, I put " fainting causes" into the Google search engine and was instantly overwhelmed by a number of possibilities. Here we go again!

Article number 1 revealed the following:

In many cases, the cause of a fainting spell is unclear, but fainting can be triggered by a number of factors, including: fear,emotional trauma, severe pain, a sudden drop in blood pressure, low sugar due to DIABETES or from going too long without eating, hyperventilation (rapid, shallow breathing), dehydration.

 

Now I've highlighted THAT word because that's all my brain picked out!
"Oh my God I have diabetes!"
There is diabetes on both sides of my family so THIS WAS IT!
My worst fears had come through. I was diabetic.

But wait there's more! Yes it gets worse. Wanting confirmation of my self diagnosis, I checked another website and found this gem:

It can also be a symptom of a serious heart condition that needs to be be carefully diagnosed with cardiac tests.

 NOT ONLY DO I HAVE DIABETES BUT I ALSO HAVE A HEART CONDITION! This is terrible and it must be true because I also have relatives who have had heart conditions!

Inner voice - ( Stop it!)
Me - ignores inner voice.

Do you think I stopped there? You're right...no!!! Apparently (according to a third article), I could have a stroke coming or narcolepsy or Parkinson's.

This is worse than I thought!
Suddenly the pins and needles I had two weeks ago made sense. Not only did I have diabetes and heart disease, a stroke was obviously imminent and possibly Parkinson's. I didn't think I had narcolepsy basically because I had no idea what it was at the time.

( Lucky I didn't check because narcolepsy is extreme sleepiness and had I known that at the time I would have had that too.)

On returning to my home town I went to see Dr Heather. She listened carefully as I told her I was diabetic and had heart disease. She picked up my blood results from Perth, perused them and said:

"You're not diabetic".
"Are you sure?"
"Yes".
Phew!!!

She listened to my heart and looked a bit confused. " You seem to have funny heart beats though. We will have to test that!

World caves in.
My second worst fears are about to become a reality.
My ticker is giving out on me!

Off I went for my test, to find out that my heart was in perfect condition. A little bit of a leak was causing the odd sound. 
" You are a bit leaky".
" I don't want to be leaky."
" Everyone is a bit leaky".

So, $295 later I am still no closer to an answer. I am also very frazzled because I ( an intelligent, well educated woman) chose to go first to Dr Google rather than leave it for the real doctors to work out. I am starting to think that this is all about low blood pressure, but why would I have low blood pressure???

1. (leans across to ask Google).
   
   NO!!! NO MORE!!!
   NO MORE DR GOOGLE FOR ME.FROM HEREIN I HEREBY PROMISE NEVER TO GOOGLE MY SYMPTOMS AGAIN!!!
   
   I will let you all know how I go!
   
   Till next time...xxx
   
   P.S BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PARKINSON'S?
   

   

JUST CALL ME THE CRISIS QUEEN!

 You all know by now that it is permanently crisis central in my home. So today when I came across an article about " National Preparedness Month"in America, I thought I might learn a thing or two. Apparently very few households in America are truly prepared for an emergency, disaster or a crisis! So, a few words of wisdom were offered:

• Be organised so that you don't have to lean heavily on community services.
• Take care of family first.
• Engage neighbours in a " how to respond to a disaster" conversation and assign responsibilities.
• Prepare a disaster kit which is big enough to last you 3 days on your own.

As self - designated crisis queen here is my response:

1. No matter how organised you are, no matter how tight your schedule is, no matter the fine tuning to fit appointments onto your calendar ... you will need to call an ambulance at a moment which does not fit in with any of the planning.
2. You will undoubtedly end up in the E.D with some pre- pubescent wannabe doctor, with less knowledge than you have on what is wrong with yourself or your daughter. No amount of preparedness will prepare you for the urge you have to control ... which is to punch his lights out. You will have to smile, breathe and resist.
3. This visit to the E.D will more than likely occur without the knowledge of your neighbours, who will only realise you're gone when the postman starts putting your mail in their postbox or when the house is engulfed by weeds.You will undoubtedly have to have your " how to respond to a disaster" conversation by text or e-mail. Be prepared for them to think you are a phony as they would only have seen you a couple of hours prior and therefore are likely to think you are an impostor.
4. Your disaster kit will ALWAYS be a disaster. You will not pack enough underwear. You will pack clothes for the wrong season and shoes that do not match. You will pack the lipstick that is almost dead, the hair brush that IS dead and the pj's your mother would hate to see you wearing. If you pack a jumper you will need shorts. If you pack shorts they will be the ones you normally only wear at home because of the permanent stain. And you will have to wear them every other day for three weeks.
5. A crisis will always unfold the day before your hair appointment to have your hair coloured and always when your legs are at their hairiest.
6. You will not think about packing food in your disaster kit, even though you have just started your no grains.com diet. You will assume wrongly that in the city everything is available, but forget that in the hospital this wont be so. And while you eat your bread roll and scratch at your rashes you will think wistfully about all the effort you have put into this way of eating, how easy it was to fail and how good the bread tastes.
7.  Things you will remember to pack in your disaster kit are your phone, Ipad and chargers. You will however  forget to take the charger to the hospital and inevitably your phone will die on you. This will always happen when you are at lunch eating that bread roll and the doctor has come for a visit you have waited four hours for. 
8. While your phone IS charged you will do the right thing and update family first. As both families are quite big ( and you are in the middle of a crisis) , you will send a group text to cover all members. Without a doubt your mother will require her own thread asking super important questions like, " how long since she's eaten?", " did they give her something to eat yet?" and " what do you think they'll give her for dinner?".
9. While waiting for your child to come out of life saving surgery use your time on your phone well as you do not know where your next power point may be...assuming you've brought the charger of course. Using your time well means updating your status on Facebook , improving your candy crush level and taking selfies. It does not include replying to people who only speak to you during a disaster.
10. Remember to look after yourself during the disaster. Exercise is important and walking to and from the cafeteria and to and from the toilet counts. Bicep curls with coffee cups and chasing cute doctors with your imaginary ailments are all perfectly acceptable forms of exercise during a crisis.
11.  Don't forget to include some change in your disaster pack to pay for your parking at the hospital. Credit cards work too. However rest assured that whichever pay station you go to wont be working and you will have to walk half a kilometer to the next. When you get there you will find it doesn't take credit cards and you are 10 cents short to pay... every single time.

I think I'll give up being prepared. What's the use???

Till next time...xxx

CRISIS QUEEN OVER AND OUT!

A FISHY SITUATION

It's pouring with rain outside and I'm sitting on the couch with the husband, watching a really boring fishing programme on TV. The FED ( favourite eldest daughter) is busy doing uni work and the FYD (favourite youngest daughter) is off rehearsing her latest production. It is a quiet Saturday afternoon and for once we are a normal family doing normal things!

Earlier this week however was anything but normal. You may remember that the husband and I booked into a local hotel overlooking the beach, to celebrate his birthday and have a bit of together time. Remember- festival, Bunnings etc??? Well, no sooner had I posted that blog everything changed.

The husband had a very busy birthday. Breakfast was with the girls at a beachside cafe. Afternoon tea was with my family at a different beachside cafe. It was a fun day, give or take a Bunnings visit which still beggars belief.

After a full couple of days celebrating we were both quite tired in the evening. So, because of this (plus I also wanted to watch X Factor), we decided to order room service. The husband has never ordered room service so this was a very special treat. He ordered fish and chips followed by cheesecake. I ordered nachos. We opened a bottle of birthday red and it was all just lovely!

Till about 2am when I suddenly became aware that all was not well adjacent to me. Groans and moans continued for a while , until suddenly the bathroom was needed urgently and he was violently ill. This continued for a few hours. I have never ever seen my husband so ill. It had to be food poisoning! It had to be the fish or the cheesecake, because I was fine.

Yet again illness was ruining something special.

I rang reception and told them what the situation was and asked them to call a doctor. They were horrified when I told them I believed he had food poisoning. 

The doctor wasn't much use. He gave the husband a needle and said that he couldn't be sure if it was food poisoning or a virus. Very diplomatic for a doctor who makes a living seeing sick patients in hotels! I hardly think he'd jeopardise that little junket do you? He then billed me an exorbitant amount of money (which had to be paid immediately) and off he trotted...leaving me with a husband " sick as a dog".

My husband was so sick there was no way I was going to be able to move him. Therefore,I had to extend our stay. Another two days...more cost. Surely the hotel would be generous? Surely...not. We got a lowered rate, but not free accomodation. Remember this situation was their fault!

The chef was apparently mortified.

The chef was checking the fish.

I hope he gave his staff a lecture about food hygiene while he spoke to the fish. 

The quickness at which the vomiting began usually indicates something like poor hand washing. I bet I'm right! If only I could prove it.

Over the two days the manager tried to make amends.

Can we give you dinner for two?

Er... You've got to be joking!

Is there anything we can do for you?

Give me free accomodation.

We can't do that.

Then there's nothing you can do.

We would like to give you a key to the club room.

( interest)...what's that?

You get free drinks, free canapés, free breakfast.

Well that's perfect! ( no good for husband but hey if you're offering free drinks, who am I to say no?)

And that's where I posted my last blog from, at the top of the hotel overlooking the ocean on a perfect sunny day. I could have sworn I saw a dolphin, but the husband ( yes he came too) said I'd had one too many.

We checked out and I checked the bill...$91 room service!

" You've  got to be joking me! That's a bit extravagant for salmonella!"The room service charge was removed and we left with a story to tell and a bit of a bad taste in our mouths. Oh well!

If anyone could tell me why drama and illness follows me and my family, I would love to know. Situation out of control!

Till next time...xxx

TAKE NO ONE FOR GRANTED

Today I was lucky enough to have breakfast while gazing out over the beautiful Indian Ocean. I find water so calming and this morning was no different. It even got the creative juices flowing.  Here is a story that's been brewing in my head for a while. Any resemblance to any person you may know is purely fictional! 

There was once an old woman who earned her living teaching young children. She was good at her job and worked very long hours arriving early and leaving late. The children really liked the old woman and she them. It seemed to be a perfect situation until one day, without warning, the teacher did not turn up for school.

The children were astonished when she wasn't in their classroom.

The other teachers were amazed when she wasn't at her desk.

The old woman had never missed a day of school before.

This was a first!

The  wise old man who ran the school was worried and decided to pay the old woman a visit.

He rang the door bell but there was no answer. 

Her knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

He even sent the old woman an e- mail, but got no answer.

This surprised him most because the old woman was efficient and always replied to his e-mails immediately.

The wise old man returned to school quite perplexed. 

He told the children that the old woman had simply disappeared.

" But", said the children. " Who will...

Teach us what we need to know,
Talk to us about our problems, 

Listen to us when we have something to say,

Laugh with us and

work out our problems with us?"

He told the other teachers that he had no idea where their colleague was. They said

"Who will teach us the old ways,

Talk to us about what we do in our classrooms,

Listen to us when we have a bad day, 

Laugh with us when we mess up

and work out how we can do a better job?"

The wise old man had no answer.

Days passed and the old woman did not return.

Every so often a child mentioned her name.

Every so often a colleague mentioned her name.

Very soon nobody mentioned her name.

Then one day without warning she returned. 

The wise old man did not recognise her at first because she looked younger.

He asked why she had left and this is what she said:

"I taught staff and students, but left no time for myself to learn.

I talked to everyone, but not to my husband and children.

I listened when others needed an ear, but found nobody willing to listen to me when I needed the same.

And I forgot how to laugh because this made me sad.

But it's ok ... cos I've worked it out. 

I quit.

I quit working long hours, seven days a week.
I quit replying immediately to e-mails and messages.
I quit putting so much effort into other people and I started putting effort into myself and my own children.
I quit putting myself last and started to put me first.

And with that she laughed heartily, shook his hand and walked out the door. And she never, ever looked back.