The Lost Kidney

 Ten years ago today I lost my kidney. 

Today I am celebrating the ten wonderful years I have shared with Robert and our family since that day. 

One evening in August, the 11th to be precise,  I woke with severe abdominal pains, which I attributed to an abscess that had plagued me. I must have been crook because I let Robert take me to the Emergency Department at a local Public Hospital. There I was given some painkillers and a CT scan, the radiographer asked me quite a lot of questions and repeated the scan. I got an inkling that something was awry when I was transferred to a private room (that isn't what happens in a Public Hospital).

After a few hours sleep a doctor came in to talk to me. He bluntly told me I had a large tumor on my kidney and said "You know what that means!" He planned to transfer me to a private hospital for treatment and surgery. That was a lot to take in so we called our son the surgeon. 

It so happened that the son was having a research day at a university on the other side of Sydney so he was able to get away. He hopped in his car, drove to the hospital, signed me out and bundled me into his car. He spoke to some colleagues and made arrangements for me to be admitted to the private hospital where he worked. He wanted to keep an eye on me. 

After dropping me off  he left me in the care of a geriatrician (was I that old?) and other assorted specialists. I spent a week at that hospital having a range of tests to plan my surgery plus IV drugs to clear up the abscess. 

I even scored a room with a view!

I was then allowed to go home for a week to rest and get ready for surgery. During this time I had a black cloud hanging over me. I knew what that doctor had meant when he said "You know what that means!" Thinking the worst I thought that I may not be around for much longer.

On the 24th August I went into surgery and was pleased to wake up in Intensive Care  to discover that, apart from a little hiccup, the surgery was successful. The next few days were a blur thanks to the drugs. I was moved to a regular room where I was so comfortable that I was able to nod off after evening visiting hours. 

Resting in Intensive Care

My lovely surgeon, Dr Kris, came in around nine one evening and apologised for waking me up. He had news to deliver, the pathology was back - the tumor was enormous but benign! I forgave him for waking me. That was one of the happiest moments of my life. I vowed to live life to the fullest. 

Ten years down the track I am so grateful for those years. We have spent many precious hours with our family and travelled to many far-flung lands. I have devoted an enormous amount of time to family history endeavours and made some wonderful friends in the geneasphere. 

I reflect on the words of my 3x Great-Grandfather, Patrick Curry who, in an interview with Caroline Chisholm in 1848,  stated “I have reared a large family in comfort, want for nothing.”

I have been similarly blessed. 

I'm also especially grateful that those mysterious gut pains led to the discovery of that nasty growth festering in my abdomen. 

The 3H's - A New Year's Day Wish

Our 2023 started out well with a family skiing holiday in Japan with our 21 descendants and partners. We had many happy times on our holidays across the Pacific, around the Mediterranean and driving in remote Queensland and the Northern Territory. 

Sadly our adventuring was interrupted by my life-threatening illness and subsequent surgery that clipped my wings and forced us to cancel two cruises in Asia.

Reflecting on 2023 I have decided to commit to the 3H's in 2024: Health, Happiness and Holidays.  

I urge my family, friends and followers to also commit to the 3H's. 

 

Breaking the Drought

One of my favourite pastimes is heading to bed early with a good book.

Although I was confined to bed I just didn't feel like reading when I was in hospital for 24 long days in October. I didn't manage to read many books and thus fell behind in my Goodreads Reading Challenge. While in hospital my head was woozy from the pain medications and, with canulas in each arm so I couldn't hold a book,  conditions for reading were a challenge.

I only managed to read four books in October (two of them before I was admitted to hospital.)

	The Lost Jewels	Manning, Kirsty *	3.87	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars[ 4 of 5 stars ]5 of 5 stars
	The Accidental Duchess: From Farmer's Daughter to Belvoir Castle	Manners, Duchess of Rutland, Em	4.09	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars[ 3 of 5 stars ]4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
	The Paris Mystery (Charlotte 'Charlie' James, #1)	Manning, Kirsty *	3.48	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars[ 4 of 5 stars ]5 of 5 stars
	French Exit	deWitt, Patrick	3.55	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars[ 3 of 5 stars ]4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

As a result I adjusted my reading goal of 120 titles in 2023 down to 110 titles. 

After leaving hospital on 30 October I found myself in an environment that was conducive to breaking the reading drought. With little else to do I have read 12 titles in November and am on track to complete the reading challenge by the end of 2023. 

From Goodreads:

You have read 106 of 110 books in 2023.

MY NOVEMBER BOOKS

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A Break between Cutlets

One of the few meals that my mother cooked well was crumbed lamb cutlets which she regularly prepared for us. My kids loved these and now my grandchildren who have developed a taste for them often request when coming to our home for dinner.

Back on 6th October Robert and I prepared some cutlets for dinner with a daughter and her daughters. I had been feeling a little unwell during the day but I still managed to put three cutlets away. 

Four weeks later our other daughter and her family visited for a cutlet dinner. On this occasion Robert prepared the meal and I exercised restraint by devouring only one cutlet. 

Crumbed Cutlets - a family favourite

The four weeks between these two cutlet meals proved to be rather eventful for me.

I had a most uncomfortable night on the 6th October with sharp abdominal pain. On being woken by me early on the 7th Robert said "I'm taking you to hospital". 

By 6:30 am I had been delivered to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Emergency Department where I was given some welcome pain relief and had blood tests and a CT scan. I was made comfortable and had to wait for the pathology and CT results. It didn't look good. I had diverticulitis, a perforated bowel and an abscess in my colon. The consultant on call wanted me transferred to the large public hospital nearby where I could have emergency surgery immediately if necessary.

So this reluctant patient was popped into an ambulance for her ride to John Hunter Hospital. On arrival I was assessed by the surgical team who, because I had other medical issues, decided to treat my condition conservatively with IV antibiotics and other mysterious potions. For nearly two weeks and after daily blood tests and two CT scans it was noted that the IV treatment wasn't doing its job and that the abscess was growing.

At this time I was tired of the public hospital and felt like a ping pong ball being bounced from one doctor to another. I finally demanded a change to a surgeon (nominated by me) and a transfer to the private hospital down the road. At last I got some action. I was transferred and scheduled for surgery on 20th August. 

Off to surgery at last

The surgeon was able to remove a couple of sections of my bowel and drain my abscess without the need for a colostomy. I spent the next 12 days (5 in ICU) in the private hospital with regular visits from my surgeon before being sent home under the care of supernurse Robert.

While I'm not eating much I am so grateful that just four weeks after that first cutlet meal I am on the road to recovery and was able to celebrate with one crumbed cutlet.

Thanks to all my family, friends and genimates who have followed my journey via Facebook. Social Media and other means. Your support is much appreciated. 

Celebrating Health and Freedom

 

And Covid came along...

 I was looking forward to a weekend of family events but my plans have been dashed by Covid.

Last weekend we travelled down to Sydney to see a grandson in his school musical. We had a super time starting with a nice Chinese meal with the family then we drove together to the school. As a cast member had tested positive to Covid our Grandson was elevated to a leading role, in "School of Rock". We were brimming with pride especially when he performed his drum solos. As it was a late evening we stayed the night with the family. 

Next day our son kindly delivered me a morning cup of coffee with the news that one of the grandkids was feeling poorly. We packed our gear and made a hasty escape in case it was Covid. We are pleased that this five year old has now had several negative tests. On Sunday evening our son called to say that one of the other family members was feeling poorly and subsequently tested positive on a RAT. By last night another member of that family had tested positive.

I usually have a runny nose and a bit of a cough so I didn't feel much different to normal. I thought I may have escaped the dreaded bug but, as I was to be in contact with several family members in coming days, I went along for a PCR test. My result was POSITIVE!

I am so sorry that I am missing my Aunt/Godmother's funeral tomorrow, my granddaughter's 21st birthday dinner tomorrow evening and on Saturday a trip to Sydney for dinner  and  to see "School of Rock" again with another offspring and her family. We were to be joined by my better half who is away in the country but I suggested he now keep his distance.

All but one of our five families has now been touched by Covid, I pray that the rest of our crew keep dodging the bullets. I'm so grateful that we are all fully vaccinated. 

Meanwhile my fingers are crossed that I have a mild dose and can use my time in isolation to chase a few more ancestors.

20 Something Snaps - The Rush for Seats

Unfortunately I have a problem ankle that gives me quite a deal of pain when we go exploring but, as I love visiting new places on our travels, I take some painkillers, grab my walking stick and go.

When on guided tours or wandering around large sites I love to find a SEAT (or piece of street furniture) where I can rest for a few minutes. I sometimes encourage Mr GeniAus to climb slopes and stairs to make the most of his visits while I rest, savour the environment and people watch. Passing on the walk up to the Acropolis in Athens provided me with much entertainment from my shady seat.

I am not alone in my love of seats as usually, when we are in a large group and our guide stops to explain a feature at a site, there is a rush for any seats, walls or rocks where the tourists can rest their weary or aged limbs.

My camera has captured some snaps of welcome resting places.

Seydisfjodur, Iceland

London, England

In an old cemetery in Manila, Phillipines

It was too wet to take up a seat at Beatrix Potter's Hill top Farm in Cumbria, England

These were needed after a stroll down the Champs Elysee in Paris

Not sure these seats in London were intended for tired tourists

At a temple in Thailand

Banjul, The Gambia

Stockholm, Sweden

Ghana

A good spot to watch the flamingos in Walvis Bay, Namibia

Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada

Murmansk, Russia

Kew Gardens, England

Kotor, Montenegro

Richmond Hill, England

Tirana, Albania

Some shade in Petra, Jordan

Mount Stewart near Belfast, Northern Ireland

Waiting for the tender back to the ship in Nuuk, Greenland

Venice, Italy

A beach in Roatan

Hofn, Iceland