#2432 Wednesday 5th November

 The coming of AI affects us all .... so we have been pondering how we can use it in Kaylia's life.  At some point in the future, intelligent artificial carers will be available.  So when that time comes we may be able to have a personal carer for Kaylia .... something that can keep her safe, that can ensure that she is caring for herself, that can be a companion.  

#2431 Thursday 30th October

Halloween time ... at Sassy dance they had a party and Kaylia dressed up.  

                                  She was very excited by it all.

          

She won a prize for dress up.

 ..... and in the middle of the day she had a session with the exercise physiologist.  I was listening from round the corner and it was clear that she was really enjoying the session!

#2430 Tuesday 28th October

 As usual, Kaylia is loving the twice per week dance sessions at "Sassy Dance"  She goes in the mornings of Monday and Thursday .... the organisers post video and photos on Facebook after each session so you can find these if you're interested.

#2429 Sunday 19th of October

Phew.... we're home.  Naomi drove all the way.... I was non compus with flu symptoms.... aches and pains, stuffed head, mentally defective.....  all due to lack of the normal medication I think. 

#2428 Saturday 18th October

Happy birthday to Naomi!  One of Kaylia's quirks is that whenever someone has a birthday, she must have a present too..... so she had a dingle dangle.

Now (at 10am) the round of op shops has begun.  For Kaylia the visits a quick..... pick 5 dvds and then out.  Then Kaylia and I wait in the car while Naomi has a serious clothes shopping session.

#2427 Friday 17th October

Kaylia's had a very good morning at the op shops..... some of the dvds were quite special..... a boxed set of all the "Braby Einstein" dvds! It's now 11.30am and she is in her room going through her treasures.  She is crooning away and having a great time.  She's very easy to look after.

Naomi has had a good time with her handbags and clothing. 

(I don't get anything.... I'm the driver.)

This is the engine bay with new radiator, water pump and hoses. I've added a filling cap at the highest point to aid bleeding the system. 

#2426 Wednesday 15th October

Day 1.... A leasurely drive with a stop in Williams.  We've arrived at the kojonup caravan park. 

It's a neat, basic place.... it has a beaut community kitchen.  Kaylia's settled in and very enthusiastic. The weather is mild. The scenery is excellent. 

DISASTER..... I forgot to pack medicines for me and for Kaylia.  I can probably cope without mine for a few days but I will need to get our pharmacist in Perth to authorize a 3 day stopgap for Kaylia. 

#2425 Sunday 12th October

Naomi saw this..... I'm looking forward to the time when we can have another daxxie.

We head south on Wednesday.... a few days in Albany.  There are 10 op shops in Albany so we can do 3 or 4 per day! 

.... and I saw this the other day..... 

I had one of these from 1985 to 1997. I was given it as a non runner..... used it unrestored till about 1990 when I restored it to look just like this.   Then I foolishly sold it. 

#2424 Friday 10th October

Not much to report..... Kaylia really likes the sessions at Sassy Ability on Mondays and Thursdays.  It's reassuring to me that she can have rewarding experiences.

I've been working on the Landrover.... The new radiator is installed.... but I keep finding new leaks.  Each leak means disassembling it again.  I work for short periods and the rest my back. 

I saw this and thought you might be interested..... 

#2423 Thursday 2nd October

Phew.... I'm stuffed. I've got the water pump in and the new radiator in place.... but found that the belt pulley on the new water pump is not in line with the original pulley. So it will have to be partially disassembled to correct this.

I've been at it for about 4 hours and my 74 year old back is saying "TOO MUCH!".... so I'll knock off and do some more tomorrow.

#2422 Wednesday 1st October

Pinch and a punch.....

The new radiator for the Landrover arrived today.... 

..... so the old one is out. Tomorrow I'll remove the water pump....  and then the new water pump goes in and the new radiator and all new hoses.  I've got some nice coloured hoses! 

#2421 Sunday 28th September

 I'm a sucker for gadgets ..... and I'm a fan of Ozito power tools.  I have a large number of the tools in my shed.  Here's the latest ..... an inverter!  It takes the 18v battery and puts out 240v AC and 5v DV for charging phones etc.

Of course its usefulness depends on how much AC power it can provide .... so I have it powering a 35W fan as a test.  If it keeps the fan going for a few hours then I know that it can power lights etc in a power failure.  It will also be very useful in a camping / travelling  situation.

#2420 Friday 26th September

It's 7.30pm.... Kaylia had her bedtime routine half an hour ago.... as I sit, I can hear her singing songs in bed. Every now and then she calls out "Big shiny axe!"  She's complaining about the dog nearby who often barks at night. For some reason she really objects to this.

I'm waiting for Naomi to come home after her trip to Karratha. About once a month she flys up there for a few days work and I 'hold the fort' while she's away. 

#2419 Sunday 21st September

We have a very nice mulberry tree near our back door and this morning I was able to eat the first ripe fruit of the season. 

#2418 Friday 19th September

Interesting times.....

I won't be surprised if there's a really big earthquake soon.... The number of big quakes around Kamchatka is increasing. 

#2417 Wednesday 17th September

Kaylia is so happy these days.... we've clearly got a balance that suits her. She comes home all excited and she loves having a routine.

My 'bouncing' is going well..... I'm up to 60 bounces.  Soon I'll try the next stage... adding the rope into the sequence.

Wouldn't this be great in Australia? 

#2416 Monday 15th September

I've just bought a skipping rope ..... to work on health and fitness.  

I realised straight away that I had little idea about how to use it.  Youtube!  Sure enough there's a very good video about skipping for a beginner.

The first step is to bounce on my toes in time with music ..... and straight away I found that I will have to work at this first step!! Maybe stay on step one for a while!  My thighs can feel it straight away. 

Phew!  I haven't even got through one song!  A couple of bars of the music is enough for now.

.... but I can feel that it will be good for me .... and it's going to be addictive.

#2415 Sunday 8th September

Dogs are wonderful. 

Today I was reading of a famous person succumbing to cancer..... and I am so thankful for the sequence of coincidences that have meant that my cancers have been found in the very early stages...... and this process has ensured that I don't have any hidden nasties! 

Today is Father's day and I'm grateful for having such a wonderful family. 

#2414 Thursday 28th August

Kaylia has obviously been enjoying the dance sessions at Sassy Ability.....

She is very excited today.  She has arrived home "on top of the world".

#2413 Tuesday 26th August

 Brrr!

For those you who like your J**** workboots ........

             

#2412 Thursday 21st August

I've just finished explaining something to Kaylia..... and it occurred to me that her understanding of what I was saying was really good. .... and these days her speech is improving.  Her weekly speech therapy sessions concentrate on sounds..... and I make a point to praise Kaylia when she speaks clearly. The frequency of the occasion is pleasing. 

#2411 Monday 18th August

Wow... there's a name for it!

This is such a common issue... especially as we get older. 

I've been trying a few changes to the engine coolant system on the Landrover..... I've added and extra coolant tank and plumbed it in.  I drove up to Butler today and the engine running temperature behaved much better. It sits around 75-80°.  (details for those readers that are so inclined) 

#2410 Sunday 10th of August

Life goes on..... the gap between the blog posts is an indicator of the days cruising by.

Isn't this really special? 

Our trip to Albany in October is arranged for 16th to 19th.  Kaylia is looking forward to lots of op shops! 

#2409 Friday 1st August

We're in Busselton.... and it occurred to us that we don't have to hold our breath as we wait for the next staff person to resign... or the next disaster to strike....  it can be a proper holiday.

Kaylia is in her 'big room'..... she's happy. 

#2408 Thursday 31st July

Kaylia is very excited about the trip to Busselton tomorrow... she looks forward to all the parts of the trip.  We stick to the same places to stop at.

Today I used up most of the free timber that I've been able to scrounge from the back door at Bunnings.... I really appreciate the way that they throw out anything that is not up to standard.  This is what I've made today. 

#2407 Wednesday 30th July

Brrrr! It's still cccooollld!

We're going to Busselton for 2 days.... down Friday and back Sunday.  It's largely to satisfy Kaylia's need for routine.  We will stay at the Sebel where she can have the 'big room'! 

#2406 Monday 28th July

The month is almost over..... and it's very cold! 

Kaylia has begun a new medication that research says that it may help reduce her weight. Fingers crossed. 

I finished the drill stand on the weekend. 

It is adjustable for different materials. 

I'm off to Butler today.... Pete is in hospital and I'll visit him. I go up there each Monday. 

#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.