Hiya! It’s Me and Mister C…

Hello… Nearly the end of our first week of the school hols (has gone quick!); we hope your days are going well and you are also able to have some peace time, in between family and work commitments (can be hard to find during these busy weeks- don’t you think?). I can report, the kids have had some fun and relaxation (that’s what it is all about); going to the local pool, movies and popcorn, out to lunch (gotta love yum ‘Ikea’ meatballs and mash); lots of good driving (under supervision) with Widy (almost up 50 hours of good learners driving now), games aplenty, cooking, caring and spending time with our sweet chook girls (yay! we found one large white egg this morning!), along with fun cardboard box cubby houses (what more do the kids want?). I had committed to work more days in my current (and wonderful) job these past few weeks; mainly due to planned and unplanned leave from senior staff. I have been enjoying the work (not to mention paydays!) and of course our delightful residents. It is always busy juggling the kids in the holidays (trying to keep them entertained); with Husband away through each week too (I do sometimes feel like a part-time single parent some days) …

I wanted to quickly send more birthday wishes to a dear friend (love you S.M and all). The girls and I popped down to ACT last evening (Widy drove down and back under supervision-well done!), to catch up and have a delicious meal at a local restaurant in Woden (so nice to get out on a Saturday night-right?), to celebrate our friend’s birthday milestone. Is always wonderful catching up with dear friends (no matter how far it takes to get there). Good news, our new white baby silkie chooks are now ready (have been properly sexed); we are aiming to pick the little bundles up next Tuesday (we are very excited!- thanks Fife’s). It’s almost (but not quite) like preparing for a new baby, with preparations and planning (but in a ‘pet’ kind of way!). Flossy has been a wonderful help so far, and I thank her in advance for her ongoing help with our new additions next week. We can’t wait to meet our girls (we have patiently waited since before Christmas, for these chooks to grow and be ready); Mister C and the girls have already chosen some cute and fitting names- we shall reveal their new names next week (and a drawing or two as well) …

As most know, Husband enjoys (I mean LOVES) to read his local and regional newspapers while having his meals (he doesn’t with our dinner meal- thankfully after I asked him not to many years ago). Husband has certain rituals he does every day, including reading the newspaper while having his breakfast and lunch most days (best not to try and have a conversation with him). I guess it’s Husband’s way of relaxing (like me writing?); he does offer snippets of local news and events, which is always helpful at times. This morning, Husband called out from the dining room area (while reading his newspaper- of course), and commented, “Did you know ‘Lego’ comes from the word ‘Leg godt’, meaning ‘play well’? Wow, I didn’t know that!”… According to the ‘Daily Telegraph’ (Sydney paper- dated April 5, 2021), Ole Kirk Christiansen was a Danish toy-maker, his birthday was noted to be April 7th, and born in 1891. The ‘Day in History’ article in the paper (that Husband found to read), noted this toy-maker as creating ‘Lego’, and founding his company in 1947; from making the plastic blocks, that are still SO popular with children. Husband insisted I insert a disclaimer, that he does not purchase the ‘Daily Telegraph’, but rather has it’s given to him a couple times a week! (thanks J.B) … Anyway, Mister C loves ‘Lego’ (as we all know); I asked him why he loves the blocks so much, he replied with, “Because you can create anything your mind can; you can pull it apart and remake it again and again!”… (well said Mister C). Thanks, Mr Christiansen, for your brilliant creation of our treasured ‘Lego’…

Okay, let’s go back to 2018 (are we there yet?!)… Now mid-August, we celebrated Widy’s special 14th birthday, with her favourite Chinese takeaway and some gifts in the evening on her actual day. The following weekend, we had two of her new high school friends over, I took them up to Mittagong (met another dear friend and her two girls) for our favourite bowling fun day and a fun sleepover afterwards with pizza and games. It was great to see Widy spending time with her new friends; and good to see her settling into the new world of high school so well. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the year of surgeries for our family! As I wrote last blog regarding my health issues and the three operations I endured over this time (along with Husband’s op back in April); life did get quite a lot busier for us over the next months (how could it get any worse really?). While I was recovering from the first operation (end of August) and waiting for the second procedure (due end of September), Widy came home on the train one Sunday evening (first week of the school hols- early October) feeling unwell; after visiting her (biological) Dad and other family for the weekend (so stoic our Widy-she never complained all weekend). I picked her up from the train station, she was white as a ghost and complained of abdominal pain and nausea. I took one look at her and rang Husband, we agreed to monitor Widy closely overnight; however, very early the next morning, I ended up taking her to the local hospital for an urgent review in A&E (was quite unwell). Turns out she had appendicitis (after being sent home the first-time mind you); another trip back to hospital (I ended up taking her back early the following morning) still very unwell and in severe pain.

So, after several blood tests, ultrasounds and specialist reviews (thank-you!), Widy was going to require to have her appendix out, so was quickly booked on the emergency list and then taken into theatre at approximately 9pm. I was able to get changed into OR gear (scrubs) and go into the theatre room with her and staff, as she was being anaesthetised; then left to go back to the Children’s ward once she was settled with the wonderful team, and waited for the operation and initial recovery to be completed. Widy was very drowsy and had some abdo pain (naturally) after her procedure; I was so pleased to see her post-op and be able to help with her recovery over the coming days. We were so proud of her (and still are); she did very well over the next few days, having spent five days in hospital, with IV abs (antibiotics) and fluids. Widy was slow to recover; however, was able to go home (yay!), but was still very sore and not eating much (and no bowel movements). Over the next day or so, she became more unwell and I had no choice but to take her back to hospital, for further tests and care (she didn’t want to go back- mind you!). Husband was away in Sydney with family (of course!), for my Uncle’s wedding; of which I had decided to miss (sadly), to care for Widy at home (so glad I didn’t go- good Mum’s intuition!). I called a dear friend (thanks T.M love you!), who came over and stayed with Mister C and Flossy, so I could take Widy back to hospital (oh no!).

After another five day stay in hospital (not so fun- but thanks everyone for the care), numerous IVabs and fluids later, Widy was finally able to come home. Her specialist had mentioned she may have developed an ‘Ileus’ post operation (bowel issues-not uncommon), along with an infection in the lower bowel requiring more antibiotics. We were all devastated for our poor girl, for having gone through such a tough time with her health (I wished I could have taken it all away); it certainly pulled on my heart strings, as I had not seen Widy this so unwell (apart from her very premature arrival). Widy lost many kilos over the proceeding weeks and couldn’t eat much, without feeling nauseated or unwell. I took her back for another specialist review (and further GP reviews), she was very lucky the appendix had not burst; but it was still a long road ahead for a full recovery. Widy had missed quite a few weeks of school and it was tough for her to go back; particularly with the post-illness tiredness (the worst) she was still experiencing (lots of our encouragement got her through in the end).

Being the proactive Mum (and nurse), we found some ideas to help with Widy’s recovery, including the not so delicious ‘Ensure’ drink supplement, she needed to take to help rebuild her immunity, weight and overall wellbeing (she still pulls a face on the thought of drinking the supplement). This did help over the coming weeks, but sadly her mental health did suffer (as can with teenagers). I have promised Widy not to discuss all of the details (is a private thing for a teenage girl); but she (now) knows it is SO important to talk about (some) things, in order to deal with life’s unexpected experiences. A long story shortened (again), according to Widy’s counsellor at the time, she may have suffered from some form of post-traumatic stress relating to the traumatic experiences, she had encountered in hospital as a new born in NICU. It is interesting how the mind can recall these experiences, but not until years later; the triggers coming from a similar hospital environment (with smell and noises) that Widy had experienced. We are so very proud of our beautiful girl, for getting through this horrid journey; I just wanted to write… “We love you our sweet Widy; only you can do what you have done in your unique life and well done for getting through.” … Like I wrote last blog, we can all get through a tough time in our lives; it just takes time and non-judgmental care from family and/or friends, who are willing to be there for you…

Mister C and Flossy (and our family and friends) were naturally very worried about their sister, Flossy drew some pictures to give Widy and Mister C gave Widy his special ‘Lego’ creations (so sweet right?). Mister C cried a few times during the evenings, from missing his big sister who was sadly not home. He and Flossy (and Dad) were able to speak to her on the phone, when she was not in too much pain (or asleep); and this made him feel better too. It is interesting how these health upsets also affect others in the household; it is vital for everyone in the family unit to feel loved and supported too. Husband commented, “Widy in great pain the day after returning from contact; the next morning Wife took her to hospital and they wound up taking her appendix out that night! Poor sweet girl, Wife and her have been in hospital the last few nights and back home in the next day or so.” Husband also commented, “Each morning that I drop Flossy and Mister C out the front of their school, I hop out and give them both a quick hug goodbye and they race each other to the front gate (about 70m away). This morning I called after them, ‘It’s not a race!’, because Mister C has his big bag on his shoulders and is trying to run fast; but of course, Flossy is faster and I don’t want Mister C falling over!”…

A Word from Mister C…

Stay calm, wash your hands; wear your cool soft pyjamas; to sing tunes with Dad on Fridays… Mister C was a bit glum before Easter, having wished we could have gone away in the school holidays (like some of his friends). Mister C was a little bored and had been searching for his ‘Lego’ Movie DVD, after feeling tired of ‘Netflix’ (really?). Mister C called out to Dad, who was in the kitchen, “Dad, do you know where my ‘Lego’ DVD is?” Dad replied, “No, my son. Let me go find it for you.” Dad finally found it and Mister C said, “Thanks Dad; because you found that DVD, I will let you sing!” So, Dad immediately started loudly singing, his rendition of ‘Singing in the rain’. Mister C called out, while putting his hands to his ears and said, “Stop, Dad!”  Then smirking, he said, “I meant, I will only let you sing on Fridays; it’s not Friday yet, so you can’t sing!” …

Stay tuned…

Almost five more pages to complete for our third book (I think I can?), I will soon be able to submit the remaining pages to our format designer, to complete the interior layout and typesetting (thanks L.F). Nearly into 2019 stories (how exciting?); Widy soon fully recovers and I have my final major operation mid-November and slowly recover, a week before Mister C turns the big six! We happily go on a wonderful family trip to North Stradbroke Island (near QLD) mid-January 2019 (no more surgeries please!) … Stay tuned for zanier and heart felt stories. Hugs Me and Mister C… ❣