#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.