Friday, December 28, 2007
Queensland holiday
The four of us flew to Queensland on 11th December for a week to help A nne (my sister) celebrate her 50th birthday. W e stayed at Ashmore Palms Holiday Village- if anyone wants a recommendation for accommodation on the Gold Coast, this is it. Staff virtually wait for the leaves to fall and nothing is too much trouble.
After all these years we finally visisted Anne and Kevin inQld.
After all these years we finally visisted Anne and Kevin inQld.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Tanunda
Saturday was spent relaxing, catching up on sleep and sipping coffee. The Tanunda Wurst Haus makes the best beinenstich. Yum! We ate way too much and all the wrong things - and that was after visiting the farmers' market where we just could not resist the pastries or the chocolates.
The diet definitely went downhill with a thud over the weekend.
Naimanya Cottage
The best time of day is the still of the early morning and what better way to spend it than watching the sun rise above the hills.So close to civilisation and yet so far from the hustle and bustle of town life. Thanks Christa, Leon, Tom and Henri.
Naimanya Cottage
Our friends Christa and Leon kindly allowed us to stay in their B & B, situated between Eden Valley and Angaston over the weekend. Naimanya Cottage is quiet and highly recommended to anyone seeking peace, solitude and great country hospitality.
Hampel Reunion
166 years ago this Saturday, October 27th the first German settlers landed at Port Adelaide to start a new life in South Australia - with the help of George Fife Angas. Amongst them were our forefathers, the Hampels (Mum's maiden name).
On Sunday we attended the reunion of the Hampel family - over 400 descendants from all over Australia came together in Tanunda.
It was good to catch up with relatives and to meet new people.
From top:
My youngest sister Anne with me
Part of the huge group
Elyssa (Anne's youngest), Jessie, Me, and Anne
Lorna and Eileen (Mum's youngest sisters)
Kerran
Saturday, October 06, 2007
School Holidays
Unfortunately I contracted a nasty virus just as the school holidays were about to begin. The symptoms change daily, and have caused fatigue, loss of appetite and almost total lack of motivation for over a week! Rick says he had peace when I lost my voice, which is returning intermittently.
So, the jobs I had planned to complete during the holidays have barely had a look in, apart from the essentials.
This has been a rather ordinary year to say the least from a health point of view in our household.
Jessie had her first Infliximab infusion three weeks ago - so we hope to see the effects soon. The good news is that it is now on the PBS since October 1st, but our gastroenterologist worked tirelessly until Jessie could have it administered free of charge before that date. The drug itself costs $3000 for one dose!!!!!!! Let alone the hospital fees.
Rick continues to make good progress, is back at work full time and looks forward to retirement next year. He still has some side effects from the radio and hormone therapies, which continue to affect the body for some months. February is our next date to learn how effective it has all been.
Kerran is well and seems to have recovered from all his football injuries just in time to start cricket today.
So, the jobs I had planned to complete during the holidays have barely had a look in, apart from the essentials.
This has been a rather ordinary year to say the least from a health point of view in our household.
Jessie had her first Infliximab infusion three weeks ago - so we hope to see the effects soon. The good news is that it is now on the PBS since October 1st, but our gastroenterologist worked tirelessly until Jessie could have it administered free of charge before that date. The drug itself costs $3000 for one dose!!!!!!! Let alone the hospital fees.
Rick continues to make good progress, is back at work full time and looks forward to retirement next year. He still has some side effects from the radio and hormone therapies, which continue to affect the body for some months. February is our next date to learn how effective it has all been.
Kerran is well and seems to have recovered from all his football injuries just in time to start cricket today.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Catching up with old friends
It was so good to see Hoffmanns at Culcairn, NSW and Heaths at Myrtleford Victoria while we were in the near vicinity.After an 11 hour drive we just had to see them all as well.
Bright to Mount Hotham Victoria
Bright is the most beautiful town. As soon as we arrived Rick decided that this was whyere he wants to retire! Then we experienced the below zero temperatures. that soon changed his mind!The whole area is spectacular. We enjoyed coffees, browsing the many shops of Bright and investigating the region.
Dinner Plain Victoria
Dinner Plain has to be one of the most beautiful places in the Australian Alps.Jessie enjoyed tobogganing and building her Australian snowman, I loved the skiing and we all loved the scenery.
Dinner Plain is just a few kilometers further up the mountain from Mount Hotham, between Myrtleford and Omeo on the Great Alpine Road.
W
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Holidays
School holidays have almost come and gone - it seems the whole year has gone that way.
Rick, Jessie and I (Kerran wanted to join us but couldn't) have just spent 4 nights in Bright, Victoria, a night near Myrtleford with Dennie and Darryl, and a night with Colleen and Paul near Culcairn, NSW. We also managed to visit friends for a few hours in the snow at Dinner Plain - I even got to ski for a couple of hours - after a 25-year break I surprised myself and the weather was just perfect - cold but calm and fine the whole week.
Rick is doing well - he has appointments with the cardiologist and the urologist next month - until then we are trying not to think about what might be. He still has some side effects form the radiotherapy which may continue for up to 2 years, but generally he is feeling pretty good, thankfully.
For some inexplicable reason my computer and internet aren't working efficiently at the moment - so I am unable to post any holiday photos. I am very close to turfing this excuse for a computer and investing in a laptop! Windows 98 is well and truly superseded and testing my patience!!!!
Rick, Jessie and I (Kerran wanted to join us but couldn't) have just spent 4 nights in Bright, Victoria, a night near Myrtleford with Dennie and Darryl, and a night with Colleen and Paul near Culcairn, NSW. We also managed to visit friends for a few hours in the snow at Dinner Plain - I even got to ski for a couple of hours - after a 25-year break I surprised myself and the weather was just perfect - cold but calm and fine the whole week.
Rick is doing well - he has appointments with the cardiologist and the urologist next month - until then we are trying not to think about what might be. He still has some side effects form the radiotherapy which may continue for up to 2 years, but generally he is feeling pretty good, thankfully.
For some inexplicable reason my computer and internet aren't working efficiently at the moment - so I am unable to post any holiday photos. I am very close to turfing this excuse for a computer and investing in a laptop! Windows 98 is well and truly superseded and testing my patience!!!!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Frosty Kingston sunrise
Whilst it looked like snow, it certainly wasn't - the lawn was very crunchy!
Frost in Kingston
The lilies in the left foreground really suffered.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Home at last
Now that the radiotherapy treatment has concluded it is another waiting game to see whether it has worked as it should have - we will only know that in 3 months time.
However, it is so good to be at home again after being away and living out of suitcases for the best part of 5 months.
It will take a while to re-adjust to a "normal" life and to catch up with people again.
We have been very fortunate - friends have done our gardening/watering, we have been given 3 trailer loads of firewood and numerous meals to tide us over - people are very generous and kind.
Rick is feeling quite good generally, though tiredness is the main drawback of the treatment; however, there are several other ongoing issues to be dealt with on a daily basis.
Whilst we were in Adelaide for such a long period we didn't seem to do all the things we imagined we could have. Treatments were often mid-afternoon, therefore we couldn't do many day activities and it is only just 15 weeks since the heart bypass - a time when Rick would normally just be resuming work - so he has been tired from the outset and now he still needs checkups with the urologist, oncologist and cardiologist.
At this point we are taking things one day at a time - we are not sure when Rick will get back to work, but it won't be for a while yet.
The last 5 months have been a constant round of doctors, hospitals and medication - the calendar has filled very quickly with appointment times. The next appointment is for another hormone implant, which he is not looking forward to.
But...it will all be worth it in the long term. We have a lot to be thankful for.
However, it is so good to be at home again after being away and living out of suitcases for the best part of 5 months.
It will take a while to re-adjust to a "normal" life and to catch up with people again.
We have been very fortunate - friends have done our gardening/watering, we have been given 3 trailer loads of firewood and numerous meals to tide us over - people are very generous and kind.
Rick is feeling quite good generally, though tiredness is the main drawback of the treatment; however, there are several other ongoing issues to be dealt with on a daily basis.
Whilst we were in Adelaide for such a long period we didn't seem to do all the things we imagined we could have. Treatments were often mid-afternoon, therefore we couldn't do many day activities and it is only just 15 weeks since the heart bypass - a time when Rick would normally just be resuming work - so he has been tired from the outset and now he still needs checkups with the urologist, oncologist and cardiologist.
At this point we are taking things one day at a time - we are not sure when Rick will get back to work, but it won't be for a while yet.
The last 5 months have been a constant round of doctors, hospitals and medication - the calendar has filled very quickly with appointment times. The next appointment is for another hormone implant, which he is not looking forward to.
But...it will all be worth it in the long term. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Walking Linear Park
This week we drove 10 minutes to the Paradise Interchange, left the car for a couple of hours and walked upstream along the Torrens. The further upstream one goes the more beautiful and quiet it becomes, especially on a week day.
Our days are largely governed by appointments, which have mostly been mid-afternoon, but it also allows Rick to have a rest at some point.
From today we have six appointments to go, so that chapter of our lives concludes on June 2nd.
Linear Park
Views along Linear Park are spectacular in places.
Local councils manage the area very well.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Radiotherapy nearing an end
The end of radiotherapy treatment is in sight! Only 11 treatments by our calculations to go, then it's a waiting game to see how effective treatment has been. Rick is to have one more hormone implant in a couple of weeks time, then that should be it - fingers crossed.
Overall, Rick is feeling quite well, though he is noticeably more tired these days and he has had hormonal changes (due to medication) which are frustrating. We had to expect him to react sooner or later as the radiotherapy is cumulative.
In the meantime, life goes on as per normal, well as normal as can be expected living out of suitcases for such a long time. For the best part of 5 months we have been living like this - it will be so nice in about a fortnight to be at home in our own bed for an extended period of time.
However, it's been a bonus to share Jessie's, mine and Kerran's birthdays and Mothers Day with Jessie and Kerran - that wouldn't have happened had it not been for all this upheaval.
Overall, Rick is feeling quite well, though he is noticeably more tired these days and he has had hormonal changes (due to medication) which are frustrating. We had to expect him to react sooner or later as the radiotherapy is cumulative.
In the meantime, life goes on as per normal, well as normal as can be expected living out of suitcases for such a long time. For the best part of 5 months we have been living like this - it will be so nice in about a fortnight to be at home in our own bed for an extended period of time.
However, it's been a bonus to share Jessie's, mine and Kerran's birthdays and Mothers Day with Jessie and Kerran - that wouldn't have happened had it not been for all this upheaval.
Ready for the Ball
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Treatment progress
Well...another week has passed. 16/37 radiotherapy treatments behind us and 21 to go - that equates to another 5 trips to Adelaide. We should have counted the trips to date but it must be around twenty since January. That's 120 hours of travelling. Plenty of time to get to know one another and for Rick "to rest his eyes" while I do the driving.
Apart from all of that, I chose to drive to Salt Creek - 2 hours 15 minutes - to teach my usual day of Music, Art and SOSE on Thursday - and to make it back to Adelaide just in time to get Rick to his 6.20pm appointment. Needless to say I'm exhausted.
Rick has worked for 3 weeks of the year and doesn't look like going back to work until at least July at this stage. Some side effects have started to appear but they are not debilitating and are under control. The oncologist says everything is progressing normally at this stage but we won't know how effective the treatment has been until some weeks after it has all finished, so I guess that means even more trips for checkups.
After consulting a physiotherapist and a personal trainer at SportsMed, and for the sake of his cardiac rehabilitation he has joined the Sportsmed Gym (for the next month), a 10 minute walk from the unit - more for some variety to his fitness regime than anything else. And the fact that the weather is now turning and he feels the cold dreadfully these days.
This weekend at home we are taking things very quietly - the travelling is wearing us down - so we might stay in the city next weekend - it's also Mother's Day, so we might be due for a rest.
Apart from all of that, I chose to drive to Salt Creek - 2 hours 15 minutes - to teach my usual day of Music, Art and SOSE on Thursday - and to make it back to Adelaide just in time to get Rick to his 6.20pm appointment. Needless to say I'm exhausted.
Rick has worked for 3 weeks of the year and doesn't look like going back to work until at least July at this stage. Some side effects have started to appear but they are not debilitating and are under control. The oncologist says everything is progressing normally at this stage but we won't know how effective the treatment has been until some weeks after it has all finished, so I guess that means even more trips for checkups.
After consulting a physiotherapist and a personal trainer at SportsMed, and for the sake of his cardiac rehabilitation he has joined the Sportsmed Gym (for the next month), a 10 minute walk from the unit - more for some variety to his fitness regime than anything else. And the fact that the weather is now turning and he feels the cold dreadfully these days.
This weekend at home we are taking things very quietly - the travelling is wearing us down - so we might stay in the city next weekend - it's also Mother's Day, so we might be due for a rest.
May 1st 2007 - Congratulations Kerran
Having arrived back in Adelaide again on Monday afternoon for treatment we didn't have a lot of time to organise anything much for Kerran's 21st.
Rick, Jessie, Kerran and I met for lunch in Rundle Street's East End at the Felafel House, another of Kerran's favourite gourmet delights.
For May it was a very warm, balmy day - and evening for that matter.
Kerran invited 4 of his friends around for dinner - we took the Weber up to Adelaide to cook Kerran's favourite - turkey roll and hassleback potatoes. The rest was easy - salads and vegetables - and a cake from a cake shop just up the road from the unit.
It doesn't seem any time at all since the day he was born at 6.30pm May 1st 1986, weighing just over 3000gm and measuring 19cm! He looks and behaves slightly differently these days.
CONGRATULATIONS KERRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)