Busy Days!

Well what can I say, it's been a couple of months since finding the time to write.

I have spent many days in PMH, between ED, SDPU and many trips back and forth to Outpatients.

Mikaela's daily migraines were becoming more of a concern when she developed a high grade fever. Her head pounded 24/7, and her body became so weak that she could hardly walk. I literally had to get the wheelchair, to get her from the disabled bay in the front entrance of ED, and wheel her into the all too familiar department. Upon arrival, we were "greeted" at Triage, by the lovely nurse, Gary Collinson. He assessed and triaged Mikaela as a Category 2, so we were seen within 10 minutes.

After her weight and initial ob's were done, the Registrar sent her for an immediate CT. Unfortunately an MRI couldn't be done as they were fully booked, but one has been requested ASAP, as this shows the soft tissues of the brain, more accurately and clearly than a CT. They are better at showing the bony structures.

The CT was performed and it showed that Mikaela's tumour in the right lateral ventricle had grown since her previous MRI back in November 2008. Just what I didn't want to hear :o(((
As it stands, we are waiting to see Dr Peter Walsh and hopefully Dr Lakshmi Nagarajan, and they can assess the situation and decide what will happen next. In the meantime, Mikaela is living on 500mg tablets of Panadol every day, just to get her through. God help her liver though!!

Curtis has been relatively stable with his problematic airways. Not too many Priority one call-outs, thank goodness.

He was due to see Dr Andrew Wilson on the 7th December, but his secretary phoned me in the morning to say that Andrew couldn't be in clinic that day, as he was a victim himself of the terrible Gastro virus spreading throughout the community. I have just received a letter this week, saying that Curtie will see him on the 7th January, so I'm glad about that.

I'm sure another "Mr Wobbly Cheeks" will be in order, and we'll see how it goes this time. Last time his lung function test was poorly, due to his terrible episode of croup the previous night. I'm sure this one will be better!!!!!!

Jared has been a very, very brave little boy. His left ear has caused him so much grief since his terrible seizure resulting in him falling backward, smashing his head on the kitchen tiles. This happened 14 weeks ago, and still his ear continues to bleed and pus.

We went in for the 2nd lot of surgery yesterday, to repair his eardrum. The op went well and Jared was up and smiling again by 6pm last night, ready to go home. He had a good night sleep, probably the best in a while, so I'm glad that I got to keep my eyes closed for more than 2 hours, as it has been for most other nights!!!

He is as bright as a button this morning, so fingers crossed, all will be well from now on. Time will heal his skull fracture, so will just continue to keep a close eye on him and monitor his medication levels.

Apart from that, I had a lovely birthday, Pete and the kids got me a notebook, so I'm thrilled. Can do Facebook anywhere at anytime!!! Well, you know what I mean!!! hahahahaha

Well I'm heading off now, have lots to do, have just put Jared down for his morning nap, so it's time to get my bum off this chair and get things done!

Have a great day!

WIth love and heaps of cuddles, Lyndall, Mikaela, Curtis and Jared Light xxxxxx

Aaaarrrgggghhhhhh!

Far out, what does it take to get hold of a bottle of Trileptal for Jared. We ran out of it, over the long weekend, I went to ED at our "Subiaco home". They reluctantly gave me 1 syringe for the night dose, and told me I had to organise a script myself, as Dr Lakshmi Nagarajan, Jared's Neuro doc, wasn't going to be at hospital this week, and the Pharmacist on duty, was no - where to be found!

I sat on the all too familiar pink chairs in ED, watching the poor little baby boy opposite me, having a febrile convulsion and vomitting at the same time. Whilst everyone sat and watched, I jumped up and grabbed a sick bucket, and held it under the poor kids chin, whilst trying to assure the dad that his son was having a fit, because he was too hot. I helped undress him and went and got a few damp, tepid flannels to help clean him up and sponge him down. The nurse at triage was busy assessing another child, and left me to it. I didn't mind, as you know, I will help ANYONE at ANYTIME, just a shame that the baby's dad couldn't even say thank you. Don't people have any manners these days??? Nevermind, at least I know I did the right thing.

Anyway, getting back to my situation, which was quite urgent, considering Bunny had missed his morning dose, I managed to get a script from the ED Registrar, and said that I would catch up with Lakshmi on the 13th, in Outpatients.

Took the script to the Day & Night Pharmacy in Canning Vale, they didn't have any Trileptal in liquid form, so the Pharmacist phoned Pharmacy 777 in Applecross, and informed me that they had some in stock, so off I went.

Got there, gave them the PMH script, only to be told that "this medicine is very expensive", it will cost you $245.00. I nearly died, I said that at the hospital, it costs me $5.30. A huge difference, so I left it and came home to leave a message for Annie from PMH Dispensary.

Annie phoned me back this morning, and as always, she NEVER lets me down, she was going to have it ready for me to collect, by 2pm. So we will be heading off shortly, to get it.

We also have Keira Sierra at the vet, having her Sterilisation plus umbilical hernia op today, so it's a busy and stressful day. I worry about my poodles, almost as much as my kids!!!! You know me, a big marshmallow!! hehehehe

Let's hope the rain stops soon, I need to get some more washing hung out to dry, too!

I must remember to phone Suzette and book Mikaela an appointment to see her, for her Physio review too. Received the reminder letter 2/7 ago!

Well I'm outta here now, got peeps to see, and lots to do!

Have a nice day, love to you!

PS: If you happen to be reading this Fiona, I'm still thinking and praying for you guys, hope all is well with bubs and please give a big kiss and cuddle to Immie, for me! One for you too!
Take care

Seeya,

Lyndall and Mikaela, Curtie and BUnny xxxxx

What a busy day!

Hi Peeps,
Geez, why is it that I always feel like I'm talking to myself on here??? Please feel free to write a comment, even if it's a simple "hello"!!! That would be greatly appreciated!

Well it has been a good but busy day. I had to leave for work this morning at 6.30am. "Hand over" was at 7am, all was looking good at the start of the shift. I am currently caring for four babies, 2 little girls and 2 little boys. All four of them combined, weigh no more than a tub of margarine. Due to my respect for, and privacy for their families, I am unable to say too much, I just hope and pray to God that they find the strength to get through such a tough battle. My beautiful, precious Neonates are very vulnerable and need lots of tender love and care!

I also found the time to call into Toys R Us, to pickup the doorway gate for my laundry, so my cheeky poodle doodles don't escape at night!!! I also found a couple of good books to put aside for Curtie's birthday, coming up next month.

I then headed across High Rd, to go to Riverton Forum.. I went to Big W, to get a few bits n pieces, then Wizard Pharmacy, to get my Kate Morgan stuff.

Next thing, my mobile rings, it's dad, asking me to be at his house in 25 minutes. Mum's plane was due to land in less than an hour, and I was still in line at the checkout!!! I quickly got through, then raced to my car, rang Mikaela and asked her to tell her dad to have them ready to get in and go, as soon as I pulled up in the driveway! Well we did it, so all was well.

We picked up mum from the airport, and then went home back to their place.

Dad had slaved over a hot stove.

I might continue on with this blog in the morning, as I CANNOT stay awake. I am sooooo tired!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Just Another Day Within our Subiaco Home!

Hi peeps,

Well here we are again!
This morning when I went to get Jared out of his cot, I noticed fresh blood stains on his pillowcase. I also noticed that his left ear was bleeding again. I carefully got him up, cuddled and kissed his sweet little cheek, changed his nappy and dressed him, for the day.

I was well aware of what was install for the remainder of the day, so I got the kids their breaky, packed their bags and off to school we went.
I kissed Mikaela goodbye, and reminded her that Grandad would be coming to pick her up. The highlight of the week for the poor kid!!

I bundled the boys back into their carseats, and my trusty Grand Carnival led the way towards Kwinana Fwy, all the way to Hay Street West, until it found "home".

Well we arrived at home, and parking was tragic, as always!!! We ended up fluking a spot, and headed up to our all to familiar "ED".

We were greeted by the lovely Triage nurse, who checked out Bunny's ear, and called for his notes. Next thing I knew, the ED doc's/nurses were deciding what would be the best treatment, for a successful outcome!!!

Bunny's ear was flushed to remove all traces of blood, then the ENT doc came down to check out his drum. "What a Mess", was his first reaction. He suggested that he speak to his boss who would decide on the final outcome.

He returned some 2 hours later, and informed me that Bunny would be heading down to theatre, at 3.30pm!!! Yes today!!!

Following his terrible seizure four weeks ago, Jared's skull fracture is still healing, and his torn eardrum now needs surgical repairing. Great! Just what I didn't want to hear.

So anyway, surgery went ahead and went well. Bunny's sats were a bit low, so he remained in recovery for a bit longer than usual. At least he was in good hands, and was enjoying all the fuss.

Once he had the ok from the post op ladies, we were sent down back to the ward, to make ourselves at home, as usual.

As it stands, Bunny is stable, and is receiving good pain relief, plus has been administered strong Amoxil with ear drops.

Let's hope to God that this clears up, once and for all!

Take care, and cuddles coming your way,

Lyndall, Mikaela, Curtis and Jared (Bunny) Light xxxxxxxxxxxxxx oooooooooooooo

I'm knackered!

Here I am, sitting whilst trying to type correctly, yet I'm finding myself with my eyes clothed, and not getting past this first sentence!!!

I thinks it's time I tottled off to bed. I'm expected to be up at 6am, when one of the kids usually "rises and shines".

Anyway, today has been better, thank goodness. Our GP has prescribed both Curtis and Jared, a good dose of Amoxycillan. This is starting to make them feel better, thank goodness!

They both have a chest infection, with sore throats and vomiting. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, they'll be right again!

Am looking forward to the weekend!

Take care, hug those you love and those you know would love a hug!!

Lyndall xxx

Tuesday 8th September 2009

Hi peeps,

Well today is one of those days that I would hate to re-live, no matter what I was offered, to do so!

Curtie is as sick as a dog. Vomitting like you wouldn't believe. Bloody tumors and chemo! Life is so unfair, sometimes!!

Jared too, has been barking like a seal with Croup all day. Didn't sleep too well last night either, I could here him wheezing, and Curtie coughing.

To top of a shit of a day, I received a phonecall from the Centrelink Carer's people, with news that hurt my ears!!! I say, fuck the lot of them, I'm not giving in, and will take the matter as far as I can go!

I don't feel like talking or writing any more, so am going to logg off now. Hopefully tomorrow will be the start to a better day. I pray to God that Curtie and Jared get through the night, without having to call for an ambulance, too!

I'm so so tired, can't keep falling asleep at the wheel like I have been doing lately!

Catch you later! xxx

The Croup just never ends!

Well here I am again, wondering why???

It was another long, hard night for Curtie. He went to bed last night perfectly well, then at 9.35pm, he suddenly woke struggling for his breath, and choking on his vomit.

His lips were a disgusting shade of blue/purple or Cyanosed as us Med's call it. Off I went to get the phone. The number 000 is becoming all to common in our household.

After requesting a Priority 1 ambulance, the operator assured me that our beloved Paramedics were on their way. They were coming from the Gosnells Depot tonight, so it wouldn't be too long.

It always seems like ages, when you see your poor child struggling with each breath, ribs retracting and that look of desperation on his sweet little face. Poor Curtis, I often wonder if this will ever end, or even improve? They say that Croup settles as the child gets older...not Curtie. He has steadily become worse as he gets older. This is his 80th attack of Croup. Yes, no eggageration or bullshit here, 80 fucking times! I'm sincerely sorry for the F word, I rarely use that, but I am so fed up and tired, why can't they find a cause. The doctors treat the symptoms but don't find a cause. Who knows, maybe we'll never know. Just makes me wonder.

Anyway, our darling Paramedics arrived, it was lovely to see David again, he's the most gorgeous and gentle guy. Has been to us before, to help Curtie.

He gave him his adrenaline neb, and off we went to our "Subiaco home".

We were greeted in the usual way "oh Curtis, how many times now, mum?" 80 I say! The doctor sitting behind the desk, looks on in disbelief...just check out his notes, I say.

We were allocated the little room, between the main ED work station and Triage. Stayed there until a bed was available in Ward 4E, Observation.

I took Curtie and myself to the loo, and came back to the ward, ready to have his set of ob's taken before hopping into bed. His sat's were 100% by now, so I felt much better, and after tucking Curtie in for the night, and kissing his sweet little face, I was able to rest on my all to familiar recliner rocker, and imagine I was going to get a good night's sleep!!! If only!!

Morning came, and after a few hourly ob's by the lovely nurse on duty, Curtie was able to have breaky and get ready to go home to our "Sthn Rvr" house.

A while later, we met Peter and Jared in the carpark, ready to pick us up, and drop Jared to BearCare at the same time. We took Bunny in, and went home. Peter then went to work.

Didn't get any sleep, as Curtie was still like a barking seal and a bit restless. Before I knew it, was time to go pickup Mikaela from school, and head over to AustWest, to pickup my uniform, then go to BearCare to get BunnyRabbit. PS: BunnyRabbit is in fact, Jared!!! My beautiful little baby boy.

Bunny was happy as always, so we got his bag and said our goodbyes, then headed off home, to cook dinner and run a bath for the kids.

Now it's "my time" which I must say I really enjoy, as it is a rare occurence. But that doesn't go without saying, my kids will ALWAYS come first, so there you go. Another day in the life and times of the Light household.!

Hope all who read this, are having a happy, healthy day!

Much love,

Lyndall

Father's Day 2009

Hi peeps,

Well it's one of those special days of the year again. Father's Day has arrived, and my dear dad is not here, in fact he is in Melbourne, to compete in the Australian Masters Squash Championships, which commences tomorrow.

The singles events are being held this week, followed by the team's events next week. My dad has competed in the Masters Championships, for a few years now, it is held in a different capital city, each year.

My mum has travelled with dad, and always does, as she is his loyal supporter! I would love to be with them, but due to family and work committments, it is out of the question. He knows that I will be thinking of him, and hoping for many successful squash matches!

Anyway, the kids and I saw dad and gave him his presents on Friday, before he and mum flew to Melbourne, yesterday.

I am currently on my lunch break at work, typing away on my beloved little laptop, which has become a special part of my life too, afterall, my friends worldwide live in it! LOL

I'm rostered to do a 10 hour shift, as we are busy busy with lots of tiny and sick Neonates. It has been quite a long virus/illness borne Winter season, and still seems that way, as we have entered the first month of the Spring season. These nuisance illnesses don't usually settle until the summer months, so my colleagues and I will continue to care for the precious but sick little bundles, that come our way.

As much as I love my job, I also really look forward to going home to my "babies", as they need their mummy too. I often feel guilty for the hours I work, but having a morgage now, leaves me not a lot of choice.

Sometimes I feel that the kids are suffering because of the time I spend away from them, but I know that they are being well cared for, and I want to provide them with a secure future.

I cherish my time spent with my children, it is important to me and to them. We always have fun doing whatever! Our favourite games to play are "What's the Time, Mr Wolf" or Hide n Seek. We also enjoy playing with their Fisher Price "Little People".

The kids love to play outdoors, so that is always on the "to do" list, as well.

Anyway, it's just about time for me to head off back upstairs, so I will love and leave you for now.

As the kids say, "See you later Aligator, in a while Crocodile"!

Here's hoping you all have a great day, thinking of all the wonderful daddies who deserve to be pampered today...Enjoy!

With love,

Lyndall xxxxx