#2405 Thursday 24th July

 Medical stuff is on my mind ......

Kaylia at Sassy Dance this morning.... 

Kaylia is fine ..... she's had a persistent cough for a while ..... I bought a box of cough tablets and she hates them.  So she stops coughing .... 'cos she knows that if she coughs, I will give her a tablet.

#2404 Sunday 20th July

Wild weather today....

The Sunday routine was varied today..... we went into East Victoria Park to visit a place of yumminess that Naomi has discovered. It was indeed yummy!  

I was intrigued by the changes in the area....  I had lived in that suburb 50 years ago and the changes since then are huge.  The same applies to Perth in general.... so much has changed.  And I think it's all much better than before.

#2403 Friday 18th July

Kaylia is still not well.....  and she can be a so and so at these times.  I guess being sick is not part of her routine.... so it's just not right!  Today we stayed in bed till 11am and then went for a drive.... we did the Mundaring Weir circuit.

My "soopa drill" came today.....

it's a magnetic base drill so it can operate at any angle and position. 

I've been buying tools for 50 years now and I'm constantly amazed at the way that tools get better and better.... and cheaper all the time.  Tools are very cheap now. 

#2402 Tuesday 15th July

Look at this!..... We're so fortunate to live in this wonderful land.

Kaylia and I are both sick at the moment.  We've got a cold.  It's making Kaylia a bit miserable with a persistent cough and a blocked up head.  We've stayed in bed all day!  Since it's a cold day, bed is a nice spot.

One of my favorite past times is to tour the rubbish piles nearby.  The building sites throw out left over bits of timber and metal..... things that have no value commercially..... but to a "womble" like me, it's often gold!  Recently a house being built threw out a length of very heavy steel.  I spend ages planning how I will manufacture a useful tool from their scrap.

This is Kaylia at Sassy Dance yesterday..... 

#2401 Thursday 10th July

 I was thinking through the past medical events .... and I have to say the I have been very fortunate!

August 2019 - a routine prostate scan ... during this scan, the radiologist saw a tumor on the kidney

September 2019 - during a further scan of the kidney, the radiologist saw an enlarged thyroid gland protruding into the chest space.

October 2019 - a biopsy of the kidney tumor said it was benign - no action required

December 2019 - the thyroid was removed and found to be cancerous.  Radiation treatment.

April 2024 - the business failure meant the sale of our house ... during the house move, I fell and broke 3 ribs just near the tumor

October 2024 - the impact on the tumor caused a UTI and during treatment for the UTI, it was noted that the tumor had increased in size since 2019.

March 2025 - the tumor was again checked with a biopsy.  This showed that the tumor is cancerous

June 2025 - remove the kidney and tumor

Each time, circumstances have meant that cancer had been found at an early stage before it had spread.

#2400 Saturday 5th July

My building compulsion.....

I've been cruising round the industrial area nearby... today I scored a full load of good clean pallets. The idea is to construct something like this..... 

While cruising the Landrover picked up a screw in one of the tyres.... I headed home  to repair the puncture. It often occurs to me that over the years, I've saved huge $$ by being able to "do stuff myself". 

#2399 Friday 4th July

Kaylia's off at Workpower today. Her carer takes her to Salvos op shop and then assists her to function in a volunteer position in the op shop.  Kaylia clearly enjoys this. She spends 3 hrs there and then they head off for another activity.... it's to be 10 pin bowling today.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and had the wounds checked and the dressing changed. It's all going well. I'm surprised by the low level of pain.... It's not much more than a dull ache. Excellent! 

Naomi is in Karratha.... she comes home tonight. 

#2398 Thursday 3rd July

Yes.... I'm still here!  I'm well enough that I have to remind myself to take things easy. I actually had some shed time today.  I'm changing the Landrover seats so that the three of us can use it. At present there's only seats for 2.

The new cpap machine arrived today..... it's very sophisticated.  It will take time to get used to all the functions. 

#2397 Monday 30th June

I feel as though the day has been normal.  I fudged a bit and let others handle the start of Kaylia's day.  Then I've been up and about.

I've arranged the purchase of a new cpap machine....  $798 paid on PayPal with 4 instalments of $193

and claimed the possible refund from HBF.... $500

It looks like a good machine.... the watch plus the phone app will be good information 

The cpap meant that I needed distilled water.... So a drive in the Landrover.... 

#2396 Sunday 29th June

1.30pm.... I've slept the day away!  I got up to eat something..... porridge. Pain level is 1 or 2 if I don't disturb the incision site by moving.  Rolling in bed is hard.  So all in all, things are good.   N + K are off on the Sunday routine..... gone to the balcatta op shops. They should be home in about an hour.

I'm flattered by all the interest on FB.  FB is an incredibly useful social tool. It is very good for my mental health.

I had an interesting experience with one of my oldest friends. While I was in hospital I kept updating this blog.... I didn't have energy for much more than that.  The blog means that information is circulating to people that are interested in me. I didn't have stamina or energy to write more than a couple of word answers to emails.....  and my short emails seemed to be causing offense!  Sad. I don't feel able to do more at the moment.

6pm  I've stayed in bed all day.... I have strength to get up but the discomfort of moving makes it easier to stay still.  I had a good tea. I'm so appreciative my wonderful wife.

7pm.... I've been up out of bed for an hour.... I think that's enough.  Pain 0 to 1.... No meds.  It only hurts if I'm disturbing the wound. 

#2395 Saturday 28th June

During the night.... What a madhouse!  The nurses YELL at the other patient in the room..... It seemed to go on for hours.  Doors slamming..... Call bells constantly beeping.  It seemed to go on for hours before quiet descended.

Now it's 6am and the yelling is slowly subsiding..

12.30pm.  I've been able to arrange to rent/buy a cpap machine..... Pick up this afternoon.  So I can go home this afternoon.  I may have to sneak out..... their politics may not mesh with transport arrangements.

Lessons learned. 

1 go private.  The public system SUCKS.

2 be very assertive.  When I really badly needed attention, I had to ask 5 times..... Ended up standing in the corridor and yelling. 

I took this sign off the wall and pointed out that they say they will listen.... but they don't listen at all

I will probably end up self discharging.

2.45pm. .I've been able to arrange for purchase of a new cpap.  I'm determined to be departing from hospital at a time to fit Kaylia's needs. I don't accept other requirements. 

They use little tricks to get power...  the final one is not allowing me to have my medications.  If necessary I will walk out without them cos I know the pharmacy will give me a replacement set. 

5.30pm.All is well.... I'm home and happy. 

#2394 Friday 27th June

I slept well last night.... apart from the usual being woken up for readings. I can drift back to sleep fairly quickly.  I've just had the doctor's rounds.... the tubes are getting less. I'll probably be going to the ward today.

10am...... There're getting ready to move me out of the ICU and up to the ward.  I'm told that I have sit..... stay out of bed. 

This whole rigmarole tells me that I will be well advised to do a serous exercise program.  I'll use the benefits available from our health fund.  There's a gym not far along Guilford Rd.... it should be convenient.

10.15 am..... Sure as eggs if I get involved in something, they will give the order to move.

1pm .....  The transfer is a right shemozzle!  We got the ICU transfer all done correctly..... but the receiving ward is in a bit of a mess.  So I'm sitting in the ICU room..... just parked there till the ward is ready.

2pm..... I have been successfully transplanted from ICU to a normal ward. .... and boy have I been spoiled in ICU!  ICU is like a 5 star hotel..... personal attention 24/7.  Now I have a nice room, shared.... stale biscuits..... Phew!

The biggest issue at present is that the doctors say that after the acute pulmonary odema, they insist on me using a CPAP machine at home..... and the machine that I have is old and dirty! The nurses spent hours trying to resurrect my CPAP but they can't get the mould out. They say that I have to buy a new CPAP..... and I have no $$.  HBF can pay for one but I have to buy it first.....  then claim a refund.

The doctor's say that I can't go home till I have a CPAP.....  and I want to go home. 

I might explain to HBF and see if there is another way..... Except that I can't find any way to send a message to hbf!  Amazing.

4pm.... Showers and toilets are communal.  I kid you not!  The bathroom is 1950s style.  Only 2 showers and 2 toilets for the whole ward.

This time of sickness was easy to manage in ICU.... but this is pretty amazingly bad.  I feel sorry for the staff in these working conditions.

5pm......i had a urinary catheter during the surgery. It went bad last night and I asked for it to be removed.... Things got very bad and I was very upset. I had to ask 5 times before a doctor authorized the catheter removal. Its out now and I've been able to calm down

6.30pm..... After tea I went down to the cafeteria.... some yummy food. 

After return to base a physio came inspect my CPAP.... he made no comments...... so I guess that I'll set up my own machine for tonight. My logic is that it has been in a very sad state for many years and it hasn't killed me. Now that it's been thoroughly cleaned,  it will MUCH better. 

#2393 Thursday 26th June

Wow! What a saga!  The main operation went fairly quickly..... probably about half an hour or so...... then I had a "acute pulmonary odema"..... APO..... which is when blood is sucked into the lungs. This took a long time to fix it..... about 5 hours in the theater! So I was then a further 24 hours in the  postoperative ward........  then I was moved to the intensive care unit.  It's now 1.30pm and it looks as though I'll be moved to a ward soon.  The whole affairs has been beautifully managed.  Top marks to RPH.  The pain levels have been much lower than I expected....

I now have just one kidney and the remaining kidney is functioning perfectly.

5pm...... Still in ICU 

Pain 1-2.    Sleepy

9pm....... Still ln ICU 

The nurse on duty tonight brought me another meal.... and I made the mistake of eating it.  I'm too full now.  I've been dosed with Movicol twice so my full tummy will self correct in due course. My nurse is from India and her English is so so...... she understands the language but not the colloquialism...... the meal was a mistake on context.  (.... bit of a worry in the medical system.)  For example the Aussie nurse next door had her coffee mug in her hand..... so I said "weak, white and one. Miss Oz understood perfectly.....  but my nurse was very puzzled and I had to give her a long explanation of the saying. 

#2392 Tuesday 24th June

My bag is packed ready to go.... 

#2391 Sunday 22nd June

The days are getting longer.....

Yesterday was the day for kaylia to visit Dr Neel and have her flu needle. All week she was in high anticipation! Dr Neel was very patient with her and waited till Kaylia indicated that she was ready.....  then it was over. She is very proud of herself.... "brave girl".

My turn next.  On Wednesday I have be at RPH at 6.30am so I'll have to get a taxi in.  The operation will be over by midday..... and then I must get up on my feet ASAP. 

#2390 Friday 20th June

No date for the operation yet.

I've just been past the Bunnings backdoor (on the way to collect Kaylia).... and once again scored some very good pieces of timber that will be very useful in future!   When I find these bargains I usually don't have anything in mind.... but having the stock of raw material feeds the inventiveness! 

Later:  the supervisor reported that Kaylia worked well today. She was at Salvos op shop in Morley and worked 3 hours continuously doing sorting of clothes on the racks. 

OPERATION NEXT WEDNESDAY 25th

#2389 Wednesday 18th June

This morning I thought that I'd donate blood..... only to find that I've reached a "life milestone" and I can no longer donate.... I'm too close to surgery for donation now and after surgery, I'm prohibited for 5 years.... which then puts me outside the age limits! 

When Kaylia was heading off for a day with Jenny yesterday I was struck by how cheerful she was..... and it occurred to me that she is nearly always very cheerful.  We are so fortunate to have her in our life.

I miss having my shed!  I see lots of simple things that I could make.... in my old shed it would be easy.... but now it's almost impossible to make them.... and if I did make it, there's nowhere to store it and no way to use it. Sheesh.

#2388 Sunday 15th June

On Thursday I had a session of pre-operative consults.  All OK but still no date for my operation.  The hospital classes me as "Urgent" so I hope it won't be too long.  I've got all my instructions..... 

I love the "TACO" meme.... it serves him right. What an incredible idiot! 

Kaylia had Sassy Dance on Thursday.... she really enjoys those times. 

#2387 Friday 13th June

I'm sitting in the front room with Kaylia..... waiting for Jenny to get here.  Kaylia has a day with her.

I've included this picture as it's quite incredible that an explosion on the moon can be so large that we can see it from earth.  This surely will have some sort of effect on the orbit of the moon. 

Kaylia is a very easy person to live with..... she has few real desires.....  drives in the car.... trips..... DVDs.....  Red Rooster....  and above all, SNUGGLES!  She craves company and touch with her important people. 

#2386 Sunday 8th June

Yesterday while shopping, we were at the pharmacy and Kaylia's favorite pharmacist was there..... he is able to give an injection to her! He has a technique that overcomes her fear of the needle.... and so he has become a very important person in her world.  Her trust of him is remarkable.  She now looks forward to the next injection! The appointment for her next flu shot is for the 21st.

The other day I was driving along in the Landrover and there was a loud BANG..... a vibration followed but no other results.... so I continued my trip.  I found that the bang was caused by two fan blades parting company with the radiator fan!   I posted about the event on the West Oz landrover FB page and very quickly had a offer of parts needed.  I'm impressed with the friends I'm gaining with the fellow landrover enthusiasts. 

FB is turning into a real favorite of mine..... it gives me a constant supply of ideas for projects that I can build.  For instance...... 

This a tool for making tight bends in metal rod.....  not often needed but a very handy gadget. 

#2385 Wednesday 4th June

 

I came across this and I thought ... "This deserves comment!" So ...

1 Call who calls you

   ie - reciprocate!  If you like something that was done for you, return the favour

2 Ignore who ignores you

   mmmm.... this rule doesn't allow for contacts that you wish to encourage 

 ...............or contacts that are shy or lacking self-confidence

3 Forget who forgets you

  gee ... this is a bit harsh!  What if life is very busy?  The person hasn't necessarily forgotten you.

4 Love them who love you

   Yes .... Yes .... always

#2384 Saturday 31st May

I've spent an hour or so this afternoon exploring the Kimberly lands....

This is the country that Anne and I were so privileged to have lived in..... 50 years ago! 

I can tell from the details on Google maps that much has changed in those years.  Roads have been rebuilt and improved. The roads are so straight now! It would be so good to travel those places again. 

#2383 Thursday 29th May

Good news... RPH can do the op in about a month. So I don't need to go private.  This is a big relief.  It's likely to be at the end of June.  I am classed as being an urgent case.

Kaylia has had Sassy Dance this morning.  The group is good at posting video and photos after each session so if you search FB for "Sassy Ability" on Mondays and Thursdays you will usually be able to see her. 

My current project is building a "camping kitchen" in the Landrover.....

This is like a long drawer with rollers underneath and sections for storage or equipment and utensils. 

#2382 Wednesday 28th May

We've got machines working out the front.... digging for new cables to service the house being built behind us.

I'm waiting for the appointment tomorrow at RPH to see what is possible for surgery.  I had a look on the "My Health" record to read up on the biopsy reports..... my cancer is giving me all the classic symptoms.

I'm preparing Kaylia for the time that I'll be in hospital.... I think she's envious..... she likes hospitals.

#2381 Monday 26th May

This describes Kaylia.....  she is happy! 

-----------------------------------------

My son Andrew will never get married. He won’t have children. He won’t drive a car or experience many of the milestones we take for granted.

But he is happy. And he is healthy.

And to me, that’s everything.

When a stranger gives him a smile, it lights up my entire day.

When a girl glances at him kindly, joy rushes through his whole body like a wave of sunshine.

It doesn’t take much to be deeply, profoundly human.

Let me tell you a story.

At a party held at a school for children with special needs, one father stood up to speak.

What he said stayed with everyone who heard it.

After thanking the staff who worked with such devotion, he paused and shared a reflection:

“When nothing disturbs the balance of nature, the natural order reveals itself in perfect harmony.”

Then his voice began to tremble.

“But my son Herbert doesn’t learn like other children. He doesn’t understand like they do.

So tell me… where is the natural order in his life?”

The room fell completely silent.

Then he continued:

“I believe that when a child like Herbert is born—with a physical or cognitive disability—the world is given a rare and sacred opportunity:

To reveal the very core of the human spirit.

And that spirit is revealed not through perfection—but in how we treat those who need us most.”

He shared a moment he would never forget:

One afternoon, he and Herbert were walking past a field where some boys were playing soccer.

Herbert looked longingly at them and asked:

“Dad… do you think they’ll let me play?”

The father’s heart sank. He knew the answer was likely no.

But he also knew—if they said yes—it could give his son something far more valuable than a goal: a sense of belonging.

So he gently approached one of the boys and asked:

“Would it be okay if Herbert joined the game?”

The boy looked over at his teammates, hesitated, then smiled:

“We’re losing 3–0 and there’s ten minutes left… Sure. Let him take a penalty.”

Herbert lit up.

He ran to the bench, put on a jersey that nearly swallowed him whole, and beamed with pride. His father stood at the sidelines, tears in his eyes.

He didn’t play much. He just stood nearby, watching. But something in the boys shifted.

They began to see him—not as a distraction, but as one of them.

And then, in the final minute, a miracle happened.

Herbert’s team was awarded a penalty kick.

The same boy turned to the father and gave a knowing nod:

“It’s his shot.”

Herbert walked slowly to the ball, nervous but radiant.

The goalkeeper caught on. He made a show of diving to the side, giving the boy a clear shot.

Herbert nudged the ball gently forward.

It rolled across the goal line.

Goal.

The boys erupted in cheers. They hoisted Herbert into the air like he’d won the World Cup.

They didn’t just let him play.

They let him belong.

The father closed his speech with tears falling freely:

“That day, a group of boys made a decision… not to win, but to be human.

To show the world what kindness, dignity, and love really look like.”

Herbert passed away that winter.

He never saw another summer.

But he never forgot the day he was a hero.

And his father never forgot the night he came home, telling the story as his wife held Herbert close, weeping—not from sorrow, but from joy.

A final thought:

Every day, we scroll past distractions—memes, jokes, quick laughs.

But when something truly meaningful crosses our path, we hesitate.

We wonder: Who would understand this?

Who should I send this to?

If someone sent you this story, it’s because they believe you’re one of those people.

That you see the heart in others.

That you understand what really matters.

Because each day, the world gives us countless chances to choose decency over indifference.

As one wise man said:

“A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable.”

#2380 Thursday 22nd May

Surgery status report.... I've had to give up the 6th June date as we can't commit to it till after the appointment with RPH.

This is very appropriate for the current times.

#2379 Wednesday 21st May

Wow!  Mind boggling.....

Surgery status report.... Today RPH gave me an appointment and we will see what opportunities we have for surgery on the public list.  If the wait time would be too long, I can stay with the current plan of surgery on June 6th.

#2378 Sunday 18th May

This is very appropriate for me as I head off for a Landrover group run to Gin Gin for the British Car Day.

Midday.... It's a good day. There're heaps of cars... about 25 landrovers. 

#2377 Wednesday 14th May

 While at the chemist this morning, (They of course know of the imminent surgery on 6th June) the chemist mentioned that they had also had a nephrectomy and that the pain on the first day after the op is pretty bad ..... but that it lessens quickly.  It's good to have people caring.

I'm taking the Landrover for a decent run next Sunday .... there's a "British Car Day" in Gin Gin that day.  Of course Landrovers are very British.  I'm meeting up with fellow Landrovians in Midland so that we can drive up in a convoy.

#2376 Thursday 8th May

This is a bewdy!

#2375 Tuesday 6th May

I'm musing here.... it seems that for many of us, the "latter years" are often associated with a diagnosis of cancer. I guess we all have to die at some point.... and there will always be a cause for our demise. 

#2374 Monday 5th May

It's 4:30pm and Kaylia's on top of the world..... She's had a good day with dancing and driving.  Now we're cooking her favorite tea.... sausages and mashed potatoes.  She is very happy.

The Landrover project is going well but as usual I wash too rushed in the measurements and now I'll have to re do part of it. 

#2373 Saturday 3rd May

I will probably stay with the current surgeon ..... the cheaper options would involve a significant delay in treatment.

 

On Fridays, Kaylia goes to Workpower in Malaga.  While there she usually works at one of the Op Shop centres .... and this week she was accepted at the Salvos for future work.  This is good progress.

While in Malaga I have to drive past the rear of Bunnings and they often have very nice stuff in their discard bin.  Yesterday I scored a full sheet (900x2400mm) of 16mm MDF board! This is $50 off the shelf.  The discard is dirty but undamaged ..... so I'm chuffed.  I'm planning to build a slide-in kitchen drawer for the back of the Landrover.  ...... sort of like this.

#2372 Friday 2nd May

Good can come from misfortune!  If I hadn't had the fall and broken 3 ribs a year ago, I wouldn't have had the UTI .... which then led to the cancer being found!  The cancer would then have continued to grow and then spread.  I'm very fortunate.

This is Kaylia at her Thursday dance session..... 

#2371 Thursday 1st May

 I am booked in for surgery on the 6th June.  It will be 3 days in Hollywood Hospital.

Post script:

I'm in turmoil.... I've received the paperwork from the surgeon.... and the amount being charged is much more than the scheduled fee that is covered by HBF and in our current financial state I just can't afford to proceed. I don't know what to do now.  I think I will have shop around for a surgeon who charges the schedule fee for the operation. 

The following is astounding  ..... especially in the context of the bigotry in our world.

#2370 Tuesday 29th April

 Uh ...oh ... I must have dozed off! It's a while since the last post (Boom Boom .... April 25th Anzac Day has just been .... bugles sounding "Last Post")  In the meantime, we've been down to Busselton for Easter.  Kaylia loved the trip ... as usual!  She travels perfectly in the car .... she listens to music the whole time .... she watches the world passing by but if Naomi or I mention her in conversation, she immediately tunes in to see what we are saying.

Today I visit the urologist to find out the result of the biopsy .... will I be having a hospital visit?

Later ... back from the consult.  The kidney is cancerous and has to come out.  It doesn't seem to have spread.  Surgery in the coming month.

#2369 Saturday 12th April

Kaylia is counting the days till our next trip to Busselton for Easter. Her bedtime routine includes a listing of all the significant events for the next 12 months...... every night!!

The dance sessions on Mondays and Thursdays is still very good for her. 

Naomi is back on deck and happy with her progress 

I find out my next step in 2 weeks time. 

Aren't the world events amazing! 

All my life I have carried a background trust that America was basically "a goodie" that could be trusted.... and now that belief has been smashed....  the abomination seems to be truly evil. 

#2368 Saturday 5th April

Naomi is in hospital for the sleeve op.  She's not happy as it has had a hiccup.

I'm doing "Kaylia Duty"..... as long as her routine is followed closely, she's happy.  We've been out to the op shops and she has a collection of new dvds that she 'processes'.....  this means removing any sticky tape and then watching a few minutes of each one.   Then at 4.30pm she can have bacon and eggs.  She's happy.  Sometimes I feel guilty that I'm using her routines to manage her. 

#2367 Thursday 27th March

Kaylia is enjoying the dance sessions on Mondays and Thursdays.....

#2366 Thursday 20th March

This one is self explanatory.....

This morning Kaylia has enjoyed her time at the dance group.... 

In four years life will seem boring! 

#2365 Tuesday 18th March

 Yesterday Kaylia was with Jenny .... driving back down the Gt Northern Highway from New Norcia.  Jenny used her handsfree to send me a message that they'd be late.  The phone created the message as ".... coming from New Nausea." !!!

The biopsy of my kidney that I had a few weeks ago was a dud!  It only collected dead tissue.  So I have to have the biopsy again tomorrow.  The aim is to collect live cells so that they can see if it is cancerous.  If not cancerous, then the kidney doesn't have to be removed.  The urologist thinks it may well be the baddy ie cancer .... but he wants to be sure before a big operation is undertaken.

Kaylia is very stable and happy .... as long as her world proceeds along the usual path, then her anxiety levels are low.  Even when things are upset, her faith in us is such that she can cope with a lot.... she can communicate that she doesn't like it.

#2364 Monday 10th March

 Ah .... such a sad time is upon us ...

Last night several posts came up .... long videos of speakers at the European Parliament.  The sentiments consistently expressed were views and ideas which I fully support.  There were some very eloquent speakers  .... they all came across as genuine .... not AI.

The speeches give hope .... recognizing that a tough time faces us .... but emphasizing that European nations must act ... together to face the threats of this new age

#2363 Sunday 9th March

Today has been the usual op shop crawl with nothing unusual to make it especially different.  We go to Kalamunda first.... and then to Balcatta for another two op shops.  Along the way we grab some lunch.  Then it's homeward bound.  The afternoon is spent playing with the DVDs that she's added to the collection. 

This text below was a post on FB that I thought worthy of sharing. 

__________________

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?

What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.

And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.

Not a cranky old man .

Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too!

PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM!

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart!

#2362 Thursday 6th March

 It's very sad to be in times such as these.  Just when we hope that times are getting better .... something comes along to completely change the way we see the world.  

 

 .... and we ponder "How could they make such a mess of their systems??"

Fortunately Kaylia is completely oblivious to all the turmoil.  She is so happy and brimming over with cheerfulness.  I often see her just gazing at Naomi ... her world is complete while she is with her mummy and daddy.

#2361 Monday 3rd March

He is such a huge inspiration..... It's a pity the whole situation is so messed up.

As a fan of the artwork of Banksy, I'm going to include examples. 

#2360 Sunday 2nd march

Well..... at least we can be sure that the Cold War is over!  And the winner is?.....

#2359 Thursday 27th February

 Naomi is away in Karratha for 2 days .... this is a regular FIFO arrangement.  Kaylia copes really well with Naomi's absence .... the vital strategy is to stick to Kaylia's routines ..... tea at the same time, bed-time routine the same.

No information about my kidney biopsy yet ... the next specialist appointment is on the 11th of March.

His view that"... You can't reason yourself back into cheerfulness ...." is true but it's only part of the picture.  Depression can be managed by a few strategies .... the first step is accepting the depression .... then analyzing the beginnings of the depression .... Once the beginning/cause is accepted then a way can be found to manage the depression.

This is my understanding of the way that Buddhist concepts can help me.