Hiya! Me and Mister C hope you’re all keeping warm, and staying away from the nasty Winter bugs; I can say our house-hold is now ‘bug-free’ and getting back to some sort of (zany) normality!…
As we all know (Mister C has talked about it a lot over the past couple of weeks), Mister C had a hole (cavity) in his back top tooth! I made an appointment to see our friendly (and gentle) dentist, after Mister C had complained and showed me the bad tooth. Not having had much experience with the dentist, but one or two ‘check-ups’ and ‘teeth-cleans’ done; I thought best to prepare Mister C for the event, by having a little chat about ‘what to expect’, which might help ease his mind (and mine too!). Plus, Husband (for years) has told the kids, “Brush your teeth, or you will wind up having to have needles!” Having had a few bad experiences with dentists when I was young (very rough); I had to ‘retrain’ my mind that dentists were okay (and dental work didn’t hurt that much!). I wanted Mister C (like the girls) to have positive dental experiences, to carry them forward through their lives.
So, the day had finally arrived on Friday just past; I picked Mister C and Flossy up from their schools, and went straight to their dentist appointments (Flossy was booked in first to have a check-up and clean done). “Are you ready for the dentist, Mister C?” I said quietly, after he and Flossy were in the car (I had picked up Widy earlier, as she was due to work at Maccas at 430 pm- Husband was taking her then). “Yes, Mummy”, Mister C said shyly; “I’m a bit nervous; I hope the drill doesn’t go through to my brain!”… “Oh no, silly!” Flossy said giggling, “The dentist is very gentle; that’s not going to happen!”… “No, my son,” I said, trying not to giggle; “That won’t happen; it’s a long way up to your brain and there’s tough bone there too!”
In the dentist’s room, Mister C waited quietly and patiently (that’s a first!) for Flossy to be finished with her appointment. Flossy walked out looking fine; “Your turn”, I said smiling; “Let’s go in and have that rotten tooth fixed!” Mister C took a deep breath, walked into the room and said, “Hi, let’s get this tooth done, already! Sitting on the long white dental chair, Mister C grinned, “Does the reclining chair go up really high to the roof? Can I see that, please?” Everyone laughed including our dentist; “Remember to put your hand up if you need a break”, said our Dentist; Mister C nodded and I said, “Good boy; sit still now.” Sitting on the edge of my seat (for something bad to possibly happen), I took a deep breath and hoped for the best. Thankfully, the tooth wasn’t as bad as we thought, the drilling was gentle and quick (thanks Dr D.B); Mister C sat very still, with his cool sunglasses on his face. I noticed his breathing was fast, and indicated to him to slow it down and relax…
The job done, Mister C could sit up and rinse his mouth. “Well done” said everyone. “What a good boy”, I called, smiling at Mister C. … “No eating for thirty minutes, and no chewing on that side of your mouth until tomorrow, please”, said our dentist. … “Okay”, nodded Mister C. Bill paid and we said our ‘thanks’; we walked back to where my car was parked. Phew! I thought, glad that was over; “All done now”, I said, giving Mister C his little surprise (a ‘Minions Pez’ dispenser- I know, not good after the dentist). “You were such a good boy; you can do anything now! I said, wiping his fringe away off his forehead; “You can have those ‘Pez’ tomorrow, okay?” … “That was a bit weird, Mummy”; Mister C said, touching his jaw. “My tooth feels funny, like cardboard is in it now! My head felt funny with the drilling; it nearly did go up to my brain, I think!” …
Righto, back to 2016 (a sad time at present) … As I mentioned in the last blog, Opa (my Step-Dad) had recently been diagnosed with a horrid brain tumour; we were all in shock, and struggled with the thought of it all. Opa was (of course) devastated on the news, he felt hopeless and helpless; he had always been my dear ‘fix-it’ Dad, who could do anything. The surgery was urgently booked early July in ACT, at the local hospital; we all rallied around him, came down to see him and the family over these days. The surgery (thankfully) went as well as expected, the surgeon was able to remove a lot of the tumour and ‘de-bulk’ it, which was a good sign.
Unfortunately, it was a grade four (fast growing) malignant tumour, which meant it would (sadly) most likely grow back very quickly- within months… We met with the Surgeon and the Neurological team, who gave us the prognosis of approximately six to twelve months at the most. It was a very sad day indeed; I kept strong for Opa and our family; but wept quietly in the car on the drive home, the same terrible day… Husband reflects, “Oh dear, two days ago Opa was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He is having surgery next week. Makes me stop and reflect… I am so saddened as is Wife; together between us, we are going to visit Opa each week from now on… Surgery done and Opa recovering quite well; now okay for us to go to QLD, my last day at work before ten days off!”…
As I also mentioned, the family and I were due to go on our booked holiday to QLD, mid-July. Could we still go? My heart was naturally torn; after speaking with Opa, I felt better and he gave us his ‘blessing’ to go away on our much-needed break. Only having the two booked weeks leave, from work in my New Grad program; it would have proven too difficult, to change any of our plans at such short notice. A heavy heart, we packed and managed to get to Sydney airport on time, to board the plane to QLD; a few days after Opa was home recovering and resting after his surgery. I had promised to call Opa every day or so, while we were away (six days); this eased my mind knowing we could go away and still speak to him. Mister C and the girls, were naturally SUPER excited to be travelling on a plane (the third plane trip for Mister C); we decided not to tell Mister C and the girls about Opa’s devastating news, until after we were back and could see Opa in person; for lots of Opa hugs…
We finally headed off to sunny QLD (Gold Coast), to see Husband’s Bro and family (Hiya B, S, L, & C.L!). We made it through the flight, bus ride to M & J’s place, then a half hour drive or so to Currumbin (I have to say it was a long day of travelling- but worth it!) Mister C loved the plane trip; he enjoyed looking out the small ‘portal’ window on the plane, and view over the ocean (as did the girls)…We booked somewhere close to the beach in Currumbin, staying in a nice self-contained two-bedroom villa (a bit grimy though). It was pleasant and the views were amazing- as was the beach. Husband commented, “Got the keys to Burleigh Heads (M & J’s apartment), to borrow Ma’s car when we holiday in QLD next week. Great we can stay near Bro and use Ma’s car! …
We spent the whole day at the ‘Currumbin Wildlife Park’ the second day; we only had to walk down from the hotel area, which was ideal. We had a great time seeing all the animals, including the baby crocodile holding experience! The girls and Mister C love animals, and we do too; making it a wonderful experience together. We were all missing Opa, and rang him the next day for nice chats- he was tired; but recovering well. Husband commented, “Gold coast was good, but our two beddy apartment was a bit dodgy, with leaking taps and shower etc. and general griminess!”… Husband stayed the third night at his Bro’s place and commented, “I drove back to Bro’s (thirty-five min trip) and we enjoyed twelve beers between then and midnight! We walked up the big Mountain (large hill!) at the back of his property; then had a swim in his long pool, singing eighties songs till early in the morning!”…
A Word from Mister C…
Mister C had trouble putting his new school Winter boots on, yesterday morning before school. Dad helped him to put them on, and made sure they were on the right feet. Mister C had a tendency to put shoes on the wrong feet, mixing up his left from his right foot! Dad sighed and said, “Remember when you were a young three-year-old, my son? Every day, Mummy and I had to catch you first, then try to put on your shoes and socks, while you wriggled around the place!” … “Yeah, I know; I liked to watch you suffer, Daddy!” Mister C said, grinning…
Stay tuned…
For zanier Mister C and life stories; we tell the kids about Opa’s diagnosis- is a sad day. I have a bad fall at home and end up having a forced rest, with an injured right ankle; a cam boot and crutches now my best friend… Back to 2020, I decided a nursing career change with work was needed; I apply to a few nursing positions out of NSW Health, and have a couple of successful interviews (can I do it?!)…
good for being brave with cavity filling!
Yes, Mister C was a very good boy! Thanks and keep on reading…