An unexpected outing...

On Monday, DH ended up taking Eduardo the cat, and I out for a short drive later in the morning...it all started like this...
DH reported that the cat had not eaten the dry food that he had put out for him early that morning; Eduardo had ignored the food and just stayed curled up on the chair on the veranda. Now this is the cat who starts up his cacophony of piteous meowing as soon as he hears footsteps in the morning.
I checked him and he was quite listless. I checked for ticks and then for any wounds etc from a possible catfight early in the morning. I didn't find anything.

The next step was the 'chicken test'. I got some uncooked chicken from the freezer and shaved off some pieces...let them thaw and then offered them to him. He wasn't interested, so I knew something was wrong. You know the old saying about 'walking across hot coals'? Well Eddie would certainly do that for raw chopped up chicken! lol   So I rang the vet and organised an appointment at 11 am.
(Now through all of this, DH thought I was overreacting and that the cat had just had a 'hard night' and would be perfectly fine but because he loves me 'he went along with how things were going').

So the cat carrier was brought upstairs by DH, taken out of its covering bag, dusted and a towel put on the base. Unlike other cats I've had, Eduardo did not sneak away when he saw the carrier, lol. So that's how I had my outing...DH drove us to the next suburb to the veterinarian practice that I have been taking my pets to for years, although the original owners have sold up and retired for quite a while now...

We had to wait about 10 minutes, so Eduardo 'sang' in his carrier...

That's bags of expensive dry food for dogs in that unit in the waiting room...

The vet checked him over very thoroughly; also taking blood and urine samples and checking his temperature. I noted that the vet looked between the cat's toes, looking for ticks there too...I didn't realise that ticks could be there as well as the more obvious places! The vet could find no ticks and no cat bites or scratches that had been infected. Eddie's kidneys were fine but two sore spots were found on Eduardo's back. Shane, the vet, decided to treat Ed with an anti-inflammatory drug and gave the cat a dose straight away.

While DH put eduardo in the car, I just had to take a photo of the bougainvillea growing over the fence of the front carpark at the vets..

Within an hour of getting home Eduardo was back to normal, walking around, eating etc. Phew! And that evening I took this photo of him looking rather smug sitting on the sofa...on the rug I made years ago especially for DH...Eduardo thinks the rug is his! lol

A room with a view; some more of my stay at Mater 'Mirage...

On Day 2 of my stay, Mary Anne the Director of Nursing on Floor 10, came to visit me. She gave me the news that I would be leaving my room with the curtain walls, and going into a private room. So DH and one of the nurses gathered up my possessions and an orderly pushed my bed along the corridor to my new 'home away from home'. I had a much bigger space, easy chairs, my own ensuite and a view!

On Day 3, I felt a lot lot better and took some photos. I had discovered that the blinds are in the double glazing and could not be raised, just the slats angled, so the photos have these lines across...

Looking South East

Other buildings in the Mater Complex

I was fascinated by the lovely buildings in Stanley Street, over the road from the hospital

One of the big carparks...and a glimpse of a white church steeple in the distance

Bit of zoom here to get the lovely workers cottages and at least one big Queenslander (house) with a backdrop of the Princess Alexandra Hospital...

Bit closer to some of those quaint old homes

 Part of my work with the physios was mainly with being able to keep my lungs healthy...

 A young Canadian student physio called Brian, looked after me. He gave me this gadget which I had to use once an hour. It made me laugh a bit! I've got to be quite proficient 'blowing into the bag' for the random breath tests the local police conduct at all times of the day...

 But with this gadget required me to suck in air like a straw and get the balls to rise to the top...Brian said I only had to get the orange balls moving upwards but with sheer determination I also got that black one up to the top a few times too! :-)  Brian also showed me how to get out of bed without damaging the 'repairs', how to handle coughs and sneezes and supervised walking up and down stairs, as well as some other exercises which were similar to those that you do on long flights. 

It wasn't all work...I had time for a little sit down with my crocheting...

This is another view of my room...on the right is the monitor/TV screen which could be swivelled around into a amazing number of positions. Where it is in the photo is from when I was checking emails etc as it was a whole entertainment package with internet, Free to air TV, Foxtel, Radio, Music, etc

 This photo was taken later in the day; take note of the brick building in the centre of the photo...in particular the roof...

Here's a closer look...it's actually the helicopter pad. None landed during my stay...

Now Mater Private has taken a different approach to feeding the patients...

You selected what you wanted from the menu and then rang Room Service... my breakfasts of poached eggs on toast were delicious... my lunch time steak sandwich was yummy, as was my baked salmon and steamed vegies for dinner. I also had fruit bowls for dessert. But my Asian Stir Fry for Thursday's dinner was extremely ordinary. You waited 45 minutes for each order.

The downside of this system as far as I am concerned is that water, tea and coffee have to be ordered up and take 45 minutes. I missed the old tea trolley coming mid morning and afternoon and supper time. I hesitated to order  just a cuppa and cheese and biscuits, and I didn't. If I get a chance to fill out a survey I'll suggest that filtered water be available in the wards and also tea and coffee making facilities. (the water in the tap of the bathroom basin was perfectly okay as I had to resort to using it when I hadn't ordered enough bottles)
I took a photo of this section of the menu because this is all Dr Cheung would allow me at the end of  Day 1. I chose the consomme...bad choice! It was yucky!! lol

That's enough about food...now a photo of sartorial elegance! After I became ambulatory, my 'cricket pads' were removed, just leaving the traditional compression socks. My DD2 and brother 'cacked up' at the sight of me in these which I think was unnecessarily cruel of them. lol (the alternative is unthinkable; my late mother's lifestyle change so much because of a pulmonary embolism after an operation)
DH is now in charge of getting these stockings back on after my showers.

On Friday I was discharged in the morning rather than the expected late afternoon as my doctor was pleased with my progress.

While I waited for DH to bring the car to the front entrance, I looked around the front reception area; looking up I saw this beautiful stained glass skylight...

Another view of the lobby

Some art work in the reception lobby area...

It was amazing how tired I got in the drive home, but friends had warned me this would be the case. Any way I'm enjoying being home and DH has stepped up well taking over domestic matters. I lounge on the sofa, have a nanna nap on the bed, sit on the deck and enjoy the breezes, I walk around the house doing the exercise suggested for this first week home. I also enjoy being called to the table where my cooked meal is waiting for me! Yesterday afternoon, I started casting on stitches for a new chevron throw...I'm slower than normal but today I managed to set the pattern on row 2 so the brain 'fog' is starting to clear. Stay tuned....

My stay at the 'Mater Mirage'...

Well a friend told me before I went to hospital that the Mater Private Hospital is nicknamed Mater Mirage after the resort chain here in Australia. I had a very comfortable stay but I think the real Mirage resorts might be a bit miffed by the comparison! lol
This is the hospital reception at 5.50 in the morning. The reception desk doesn't open until 6...

 At 6 am all the patients waiting, made a line and as each of us got to the front of the line, gave our name, we were given some sheets to fill out. Sitting down, filling in the pages, I couldn't stop myself from commenting rather loudly, ' I've filled these same forms out once already and posted them to the hospital and have also given the answers over the phone to the admissions' nurse, twice. I reckon they have given them to us once again to keep us quiet and focussed'...the woman next to me agreed that was probably the plan! lol

Then my name was called and DH and I, plus another couple were taken up to the Welcome Lounge. Here there were comfy chairs, 2 computer stations and a TV viewing area...

A couple of patients were watching one of the morning shows...

I sat on the sofa and contemplated what was ahead of me...

It wasn't very long before my reverie was interrupted by my name being called. DH and I went for my interview with the nurse, then a consultation with my charming Irish (from Dublin) anesthetist, Janne. Then it was time for DH to go, and the staff prepared me for theatre. I changed into my theatre garb; paper pants, paper hat and shoes and a quite nice hospital gown made of pretty patterned fabric. I was wheeled into theatre, chatted with the theatre staff and then, the next thing I remember, I was back in Recovery.  
I had no idea of time but there was a clock in Recovery that showed the time was after 12 noon. So not long after that I was transferred to my private room...DH arrived very soon after that.
Egads! The walls of my private room were made of fabric???  Yep! The hospital was short on single rooms so I was sharing with 3 other ladies. Two of the other ladies were so ill from the anesthetic, I counted myself lucky that I was so well...

Later in the day, I asked DH to get out my bag of crocheting and I did a few rounds...

Some lovely flowers arrived which brightened up 'my room'...they were from my SiL and BiL who were away holidaying...so lovely!

I asked DH to take a photo of my legs. As well as the white compression stockings, each leg was encased in these. The nurses who put them on me before the op, joked that they were just like cricketer pads! They were connected to a little compressor under the bed and the air sacs would fill with air and then relax; one leg after another, all through the op and into the next day. The physio told me later that they were giving the same effect as if I was walking around instead of being confined to bed for 24 hours. The goal being to prevent blood clots etc.

 Bed lowered now to help drift off to sleep...

More of my Mater adventures next time...

On the mend...

Thank you for all those well wishes following my operation last Tuesday. I have been so fortunate; I had no adverse effects from the anesthetics, very little pain  discomfort in hospital which was controlled easily with paracetamol, little or no bleeding and best of all, my biggest fear wasn't realised. I was terrified that my bodily functions would 'sulk' after surgery and it would take ages to get them working again. But they worked fine with no discomfort! Woot Woot!! lol

 I have been home since Friday morning as I got an 'early mark' for being so well. So I have been doing lots of resting while DH takes care of catering, cleaning and laundry. For this week, I just have to take little walks around the yard, taking it gently.  Today DH went for his usual Sunday golf game so DD1 came over to 'babysit' and generally look after me. 

DD1 brought over 2 platters filled with cheeses, antipasto and fruit; I was very spoiled

She arrived at 10am and about 10.10 I said I felt a bit tired so was going to lie down on the bed for half an hour. I woke up at 12.10! lol

After lunch we sat in the lounge and Eduardo was thrilled to have DD1 over and promptly sat on her lap...

He got lots of tickles and behind ear scratches from her...

By mid afternoon I was weary again and settled down on the sofa...so Eduardo came and sat on me!

I'm not quite ready for any sewing or knitting at the moment as my attention span is affected, but have been sorting through patterns and craft mags instead. It won't be long before I'm back into it. (I hope! lol) 

It's finished and posted...

The throw that I was making for my recently (and unexpectedly) widowed friend was finally finished this morning (Monday) and is now on its way to her. I think this will be so much better than condolence flowers that we could have sent...more long lasting for sure!
I took photos in a few places around our home trying to get 'those colours' true. I think these ones are the closest but the second colour still comes out looking pale instead of a lovely warm caramel color that it is.

When you use black as the main colour in this pattern you get what I call the 'licorice allsorts' look! The next waffle slipstitch throw I make will be in greys/mauves/purples and pinks and it is a replacement for one which someone won and then gave away to someone else the winner felt needed it more. More about that a little later on. 

What if ?...

If I didn't enjoy crafting with fabrics and yarns (and have enormous fabric and yarn stashes)

would my spare bedrooms look like this do you think???

This was the second bedroom in the unit we rented last week...

 No clutter...

Remember how I tidied up bedroom#2 for DsD1 and Dan's visit in the recent school holidays???

Floor visible, and only the doona on top of the bed....

 On one wall are the shelves, but you can see a glimpse of the big striped bags filled with yarns on top of the shelves too unfortunately! lol

Yesterday my friend came over with 3 HUGE bags of fabrics and 1 filled with yarns that one of her scrapbooking friends had given her, for me to hand on. Today (Monday) I started sorting out the fabrics. One pile of mainly quilting cottons and children's designs for Sunshine Linus, another pile for Morag at Sisters of Stitch who collects fabrics for a Refugee Ladies' sewing group that she helps with, another pile for some ladies at the Zillmere Knit and Natter who make children's clothing and quilts for K4BN and one more pile for some ladies at the Scarborough Knit and Natter who also make children's clothes for K4BN. So I guess my messy second bedroom can be viewed as a 'Distribution centre' at the moment.

Dreadful mess isn't it? Oh dear...such a shame! lol (I still haven't removed the traces of the stickers that were put on the shelves by the girls when they were a lot younger) 

The bag of yarn will naturally go to K4BN as well, so theoretically all of this should be moved out in the near future. 

So what have I been reading lately?

A little while ago I read a newspaper feature about an amazing man called Robert Hoge. Robert had been born with an enormous tumor on his face, where his nose should have been and his legs had not properly formed either. Robert had written a book about his life experiences and I decided that I would buy an electronic version and store it on my iPad.

I resisted reading it as I planned to 'keep' it for my convalescence, But while we were up the coast, I started to read it...and I kept on reading it; I couldn't 'put it down'. I was impatient to get to the part where Robert met his first wife.
After I had seen the original article I discovered that one of my friends from Knitting for Brisbane's Needy, Sue, was actually Robert's first wife! Needless to say, I read the book very quickly and was humbled by what that man endured, his amazing positive attitude and his achievements. I loved the book!!

Sue is second on the left. her mum Laraine is on her right...

Previously, Sue had given us notice of the TV program, Australian Story, aired on September 16, 2013, which featured Robert's life and showed all the operations that he endured,and all the difficulties and obstacles he overcame to become a successful journalist, writer, speech writer, science communicator for the CSIRO and political advisor to the former Queensland Premier and Deputy Premier. What a CV that man has!
For more about Rob try this site. Or Rob's webpage here. 

And this is what DH is reading at the moment...another autobiography. And apparently, Petero grew up in Redcliffe just like William McGuiness. 

So that's what DH and I have been reading...

Just a quick update

The operation went ahead yesterday without any hitches. There is only one tube left in now and after a shower, I am now feeling quite human again! And I have been moved to a private room.

On the way home...

If we holiday at the beach DH and I always have at least one takeaway fish and chip meal and this short break was no exception. We had decided to self cater on this break with one night off from cooking. So on Friday night, we stopped at our favourite Fish and chip shop in Maroochydore to buy our dinner. 

Back at the unit, I made a salad and DH served up the fish, chips and potato scallops. When we were children, potato scallops were an easily affordable treat from the local F and C shop. DH always buys a few of these scallops just for old times sake! lol

Our traditional fish and chip meal while holidaying at the beach

The next morning we breakfasted on the half of homemade quiche that was left over from another night. 

The last breakfast on the balcony with the beautiful views...

Then we packed up the car, handed in the unit keys and headed off home...but not directly ...we had planned a few stops...

First stop was a walk down Maple St in Maleny...

I'd heard about the Rosetta Bookstore from Jean over at Allotment Adventures with Jean. It sounded too good to miss; and I wasn't disappointed. They had a lovely range of books and the coffee was excellent! 

There were lots of families in the shop, a discussion group in one section and a delightful children's area at the back of the shop. 

The barista was kept busy that morning...

 And look at what I ended up buying in the bookstore...

The bag of books...

 Two picture books for the great nieces...

 And a book that I was shown by an Advisory Teacher about 5 years ago but had never been able to find a copy...

It is a picture book which explains the behaviours of those identified as ASD in a delightfully sensitive way...

 One of the pages has a cat who looks just like Eduardo...just like a child with ASD, Eduardo does not like to be cuddled which is sad for me!

Continuing our walk up the main street of Maleny, we saw these magnificent doors on the new Community Hall.

The door just draw you towards them and I just wanted to reach out and stroke them...

 A few more metres and I saw the sign for the little quilt shop, Quiltopia. I have often bought items from the online store and this was my first visit to the store. Here is Ann the owner, who kindly allowed me to browse even though the shop wasn't opening for another 20 minutes.

 Ann and I had a lovely chat. She is an ex teacher and had taught in a number of places including overseas. We both had also trained as ESL teachers (English as a second language) even though I remained a classroom teacher not a visiting advisory teacher.

The store is tiny but well stocked...

Oh and I didn't leave there empty handed either... :-)

Then it was back in the car and back along the Maleny Montville Rd to Geordie Lane Antiques and Tea Room. I just took photos outside but the items inside were beautiful and such a lot of lovely items for sale. The website has some photos here. There is also a Facebook page which has even more photos of some of the delightful items in the shop.

old farm equipment

The old farmhouse that the business is run in

 Then it was time to get back on the road again. Just a short drive to Maleny Magic...another quilt shop!
I forget to take a photo here but the lady in the shop was so lovely and helpful to all the customers in the shop. And this is what I bought there...

The lady in the shop gave me 30cm of the striped fabric for free as she said it would make a great contrast with the 'coffee' panel, especially for binding. How nice was that? 

 This pattern was part of a kit which used Asian prints. I could see the possibilities using Christmas fabrics, so I asked if I could just buy the pattern...which I was able to do.

Finally we headed for home...as we neared this landmark in Beerburrum, we remembered that we needed some fruit and vegetables. I remember the Vecchios shop being there when I was a child.

When we were at the register with our tomatoes, mangos, and bananas, I noticed this lovely item on the counter...sadly he wasn't for sale but he did like his ears being tickled.

From there it wasn't long before we were back home in suburban Brisbane.

When this post is published I should be at the Mater having my operation that was postponed 2 weeks ago. Fingers crossed that my doctor has no emergency this time and can devote her attention to #2 on her list...me! lol