HOW TO DRIVE CUSTOMERS AWAY

I needed to get some prescriptions refilled as having been in Perth so long I had run out. So, I made an appointment for the surgery where the girls go. Now I've written about this doctors surgery before and it wasn't good , but I decided to give them another go.
( You may wish to revisit an old post-
http://lumpyone.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/desperately-seeking-heather.html )

Appointment was for 9.20am because I stupidly assumed he would run to time that early in the morning. Mistake number one. They opened at 7.30am. Receptionist staff were friendly and accomodating. They gave me a survey to fill out as they are doing their accreditation. Not a problem. I like  that sort of stuff.

The waiting room was stuffy and airless and the dark brown, dated face brick did it no favours whatsoever. The chairs were uncomfortable but as I didn't plan on being here long, who cares! The clientele waiting included three well dressed old ladies, one bikie and his girlfriend, one woman and her Down's syndrome child and me. It was peaceful.

Enter the family from hell. - Mum, her sister and three kids. The eldest about eight was clutching a pillow and sucking his thumb. He was in school uniform so not sure where the pillow was going after the appointment, but he didn't look like he'd let go of it in a hurry. The two youngest, boy and girl

about 3 and 4 definitely ate their weetbix for breakfast because they had boundless energy and started running round in circles in the tiny waiting room.

Master 3 was sucking on a dummy as if his life depended on it. It looked really odd however because only one side of his mouth sucked on it. I suppose that's so he could yell and scream with the other side. Mum went to reception to get them a colouring in to do. All three sat quietly for a full five seconds and then Miss 4 stole Master 3's green crayon and all hell broke loose.

She then got out of her seat and decided she would finish her drawing on the lap of one of the old ladies. This woman was wearing white pants and didn't look too pleased but she kept up a line of chatter with the kid.

What are you drawing?
It's Dora.
Oh, Dora the explorer.
Yes silly. And I've written my name.

(Old lady desparately trying to decipher four year old scribble.)
Your name is Olivia
No ( loud voice)
It's Lina
NO ( even louder voice). (I swear I saw bikie man clench his fist at this point).
It's Lily silly.

Mum meanwhile had been chasing Master 3 around. She plonked herself down in her chair just as Lily called the old lady silly. I expected an explosion but all that came out of her mouth was " I have three more at home".

By this time my appointment was 40 minutes late.

Master 3 seeing that his sister was getting some attention from the lovely old lady tried to befriend the bikie. Bad move. The kid got the glare from hell which resulted in some super duper dummy action and him taking off to his Mummy's bosom.

At this stage Dr Pleasure pants called my name and in I went. No pleasantries, no sorry to keep you waiting, no sorry you've been scarred by feral kids. Nothing.

What can I do for you?
I need some prescriptions refilled.
Tap, tap, tap on computer and done and goodbye in about three minutes.

Now maybe I've been spoiled by Dr Heather. In fact I know I have. But, the least I expected is a few questions about why I'm on the meds. Nothing. Patient in. Patient out. It couldn't have been more impersonal if he tried.

I completed the survey given to me when I arrived . I could have gone to town but I was quite restrained, till the last question.

How can we improve our service to you?
My answer - it would be nice if the doctor smiled and was friendly.

That's not too much to ask is it? Never again - driven away.

Till next time...xxx

NOT A POET AND I KNOW IT

I want to scream

I want to shout

I want to let frustration out.

I want to cry
I want to yell
I WANT MY DAUGHTER TO BE WELL

I want some things to go our way

I want to have a peaceful day

I want to find a lucky clover 

I want this nightmare to be OVER! 

Ok. No need to tell me I'm not a poet. I know! But it's the first thing that came out when I put finger to ipad. I am frustrated beyond belief because I had such hopes for Ashton returning to theatre this Friday. I had high hopes for a little bit of finality, a little bit of closure. But if was not to be. There are not enough beds available and no room on the lists for the procedure to happen this Friday.

So, there will be more waiting and more hoping and more praying that her current good health stays with us. We will distract ourselves with thoughts of her 21st party which is scheduled for the end of this month. And I will distract myself with menus, balloons, gifts, cake and an increasing guest list. This is going to be a great party, not just for the birthday girl but for all of us. Everyone on both sides of the family needs a good party.

Waiting is not something I'm accustomed to when it comes to health issues. Luckily I have always had private health cover and been able to choose my own specialist and be seen quickly. But Ashton's treatments have been in the public system because for her condition that's the best place to be. And so we are constrained by lists and budgets and beds and availability of staff etc. It's not fair is it? It's bad enough having any medical condition, without having all that put on you as well. I wonder if people who allocate budgets have ever had to wait for medical treatment before. Bad enough if it was for me...hell that it's for my child. And double hell if that's the only system you can afford to be seen under.

The husband has returned to Geraldton to replenish the bank account. It's hard being separated like this but Ashton can't drive herself at the moment and so I stay. Ciara starts university next week! Sound the trumpets and blow the horns. It's going to be another big year for my budding actress as she undertakes a certificate 4 in musical theatre at WAAPA - the west australian academy of performing arts based at Edith Cowan university.

Till next time...xxx

ST

ASHTON ACT 2

So, yesterday was a very,very long day. We waited eight hours before Ashton was taken to theatre. The delay was a giant aneurysm in another patient, so we had no option but to wait and exercise gratitude that we COULD wait.

Finally, at 3 o'clock she went in for what Dr HS called Ashton Act 2 ( funny bloke), and Mark and I left the hospital and went home for a nap. Well we tried to nap. I just stared at my ipad screen and counted down the hours. Eventually seven hours later the doctor rang. I will never understand how doctors can perform for such long periods of time.

He managed to remove most of the fistula and it's now downgraded to low. She will be returning to theatre soon for him to finish it off. To quote him " I'm not taking any chances on it regrowing". This is music to my ears because I want the bloody thing gone. She has a 21st birthday and a new uni year to deal with!

So we walked in to the high dependency unit this morning expecting to see someone looking somewhat washed out. Of course that didn't happen. She looked amazing and alert, tired but happy. That's how you recover folks! Her blood pressure is a little low, other than that she looks very well. My child is just amazing.

And now I want to say thankyou to everyone for yesterday's support. Please keep the prayers coming as there will be more procedures and she will need lifetime monitoring. I asked for a circle of prayer around her and we got that AND we could feel it. As Ashton was wheeled into theatre she said she felt calm and peaceful.

Apologies to those on my facebook page who have already seen these photos. They're all I've got at the moment and I just wanted everyone else to see her happy, well face.

Love and hugs.

Till next time...xxx

WAITING, WAITING AND MORE WAITING

So, we're here at the hospital and so far we have been here six hours and still have not gone to theatre. My poor girl has not eaten or drunk since 8 pm last night and is now fast asleep out of pure exasperation.

                                

The doctors came in to see her hours ago and explained the procedure over and over again. I wish I could put my hands over Ashton's ears when they start talking about the risk of stroke, paralysis and death, but I understand it's something they need to do. I understand it really but I don't want to hear it.

We have one new doctor. Bertie beetle aka Dr Albert has moved on and that makes us all sad because he is a lovely doctor with great compassion. His replacement ( or the new model as Dr HS calls her) is a polished female doctor with a beautiful English accent. She will of course require a nickname and this will come with time. The main doctor remains the same, though slightly dishevelled which is unusual for him. That's what happens when you have three kids!!

Life in a hospital continues to fascinate me. You just get all sorts. I sat at lunch willing myself to say nothing when a woman was trying to feed a very young baby solids. Her friend was shoving spoonfuls of something into another child's mouth. The noise from both children was unbelievable and my shattered nerves couldn't take it. Mark and I just left.

Two orderlies nearby are having a very exciting conversation about whether a certain orange chair belongs in one place or another. Oh my goodness, it's the end of the world because it should be in the female change room not the males. Scintillating conversation! The excitement is killing me.

The nurse has just put Ashton on Iv fluids as it's been ages since she had anything to drink. The hold up is an emergency, as usual. I know it needs to take priority. I would want it to take priority if it was my family BUT please God make them hurry up. It's been too long a wait.

Got to go. An exciting conversation about the cups in the kitchen is breaking.

BRB

GIVING PLEASURE TO OTHERS

There is a cute little shop in this city called " Sugarplum Sweets" which makes lemon meringue cupcakes that are to die for. The girls and I went there for afternoon tea and I had one which had just been made. Gooey meringue, tangy lemon curd  and cake so fresh it collapsed in my hands and was shovelled straight into my mouth. I was in heaven.

The ability to create something, edible or otherwise, which gives pleasure to people is a gift. This morning I had breakfast with one of my oldest friends Anna. She is one of the most talented people I know. Not only is she an experienced teacher, she is also a published author of plays and songs for children. She has recently been commissioned to write a school song for a new college in Perth and this will be her third time doing such a job, such is her talent.

My big thrill today was to find out that an online Canadian chiropractic magazine had listed my blog under Arts and Entertainment. I am honoured that my writing is entertaining enough to receive this honour, even though the subject matter can be quite tense at times. Maybe it's an omen - first an online magazine, then a book publisher. Watch out Oprah and Ellen! Regardless, I am pleased that my writing gave sufficient pleasure to someone to be chosen.

http://paper.li/DrRichardKjaer/1313554978

And then there was the radio announcer, Ben Fordham, who responded to Ashton's tweet to ask his listeners to pray for her in the lead up to her 14th surgery on Friday. Such a simple task, which when completed gave her such happiness and pleasure and filled my eyes with tears of joy. He could have ignored it, but he didn't.

It really doesn't take much to make people happy and give them pleasure.

My greatest pleasure this week would be knowing that Ashton's surgery is successful. I pray for God to guide the doctors' hands and for our gift to be her improved health.


Till next time...xxxxxxxxxxxx

4 DAYS TO GO

OK...FOUR DAYS TO GO!!!

This Friday Ashton is back in surgery for work on the fistula in her neck. It's been a long three weeks waiting for this procedure and we are almost there. As she says its nerve wracking but we are so close now, we're keeping it all together.

Well, I'm drumming up support worldwide. Prayers have started everywhere and I'm hoping for the same feeling I've had before, of a world wide circle of prayer around her. After that as I said on Facebook and many times before, it's in God's hands.

Oh by the way... I tweeted the Pope. Yes he has a Twitter name @ pontifex, so I tweeted him and asked him to pray for my daughter. Will be over the moon if I get a reply.

The husband gets here in three days and then we are ready for the warrior support Ashton needs. I can't wait till he gets here. I really need him by my side. Ciara is working during the surgery. It's her way of keeping busy because waiting does do your head in.

Meanwhile, the book is going well and after this Friday I will finish it. It's rather surreal to revisit some of the last few months but also uplifting when I see the progress that has been made. Regardless  of whether I publish it or not, it's kept me busy and focused.

I may post quite a bit in the next couple of weeks. Hope you don't mind! I need to keep my anxiety levels down and writing is my way.

If you want to leave words of encouragement for my brave 20 year old, feel free and I will make sure she sees them. 25 days till her 21 st birthday and God willing all will be so much better by then .

Till next time...xxx

LIEBSTER AWARD

I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep one night, so when my husband was snoring, I grabbed my ipad for some entertainment.

What a surprise! Anima Choudhury (anima-choudhury.blogspot.com) had nominated me for "The Liebster Award."

What an honour! I had never heard of it before so I've pinched the next bit from Anima's blog to explain to you all.

History

The Liebster Award originated in Germany. The German word Liebster means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. In short, this award is given to the upcoming promising bloggers who have some worth-reading content and certainly have less than 200 followers as a recognition of their talent and as a way to greet them "welcome". This a small act of inspiration that might change a blogger's whole point of view, just like it changed mine. The Liebster Award is an award for Recognition. You would not get any money, or cup, or medal, or certificate; just a recognition which will give you a spot-light mark in this crowded blogging-market!

Another thing about this award is that this is "Pay it forward" award, like a 

chain-reaction. Once you have accepted the award, you have to search for other bloggers, who are emerging as new buds with some really promising content which you find worth reading. You can accept it, or you can let it go; no harm done. Still, I want to say that it might make someone else's day if you would accept it. However, if you want to accept The Liebster Award, you have to follow six simple rules which are:

I have said this before, I'm always amazed that people read my blog so to have someone acknowledge it in this way is such an honour! To get it at the start of a New Year is a good omen...fingers crossed.

Ok...let's play the game!  
11 Random Facts About Myself

1. I was born in England but live in Australia. My parents are Maltese.
2. My greatest wish is to be a perfect weight and to speak Italian fluently.
3. When I read a good book, I like to finish it in one sitting.
4. My favourite foods are all the ones I shouldn't eat.
5. I have seven sisters in law.
6. If I could have one wish it would be to have my dog Harry back.
7. My greatest achievements are my children
8. I make a mean apple pie
9. I am really an emotional weakling - if you hurt me I bruise and bleed.
10. I am very dissatisfied with my life at the moment and its upsetting me.

My questions to answer

1. Are you passionate about blogging? - yes I am, probably almost getting obsessive because I have far too much time on my hands at the moment.
2.  Where do you want to see yourself in next 10 year? I want to be financially secure and I want to be happy in the job I am doing. I want to be well travelled.
3. What is the source of your motivation? My motivation comes from my family and the situations we go through. I'm also a high achiever. I like to keep busy and being busy keeps me motivated.
4. What is the color of your eyes? brown
5. What is the motto of your life? when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
6. What is your favorite book, and why? Too hard a question to answer. I love books - the words, the covers, the feel of them
7. Pizza or Wine? - pizza hands down
8. What is your dream-place you always wanted to visit? I have always 
9. wanted to travel to Italy and start at the top and work down the country, taking my time and learning the language as i go.
10. What is the worst fear of your life? My worst fear is that someone I love will die.
11. Do you think a blogger can make a change to this world? Change happens one person at a time - so yes!
12. Do you believe? or You think that humanity is going to nowhere? - I think we are losing some fundamentals of being a community. I dont think we're going nowhere...yet

BLOGS I AM NOMINATING

1.Hannah Heath

2. Olivia's Catastrophe 

3. The Keyboard Talk

4. A Geek and a teacher

5. My wife makes

6. Life.Love.Beauty.Paradise.

7.Amiey Laureen

8. Learning to love yourself

9.Keeping it real with Maureen Millier

10. Mom script

11. Adventurous Ruchi

YOUR QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

1. Where are you from and what's the weather like?

2. Why blogging?

3. Who is your greatest writing inspiration?

4. What is the story behind your blog title?

5. What is your favourite ICECREAM flavour?

6. What do you know about Australia?

7. If you had one writing wish granted, what would you ask for?

8. Who would you invite to write an intro to your best seller?

9. What is the best gift you ever received?

10. What is the best advice you would give someone writing their first blog?

11. What sort of food represents you and why?

Congratulations to you all !!

 

How to Add the Badge on Your Blog:

The Badge

It's simple.

> Download the image given above 

> Go to Dashboard 

> Go to Layout 

> Add a Gadget 

> Find "Image"

> Chose file ( the badge you downloaded to your computer)

> Click on "Shrink to fit"

> Save

> Save arrangement