Yes, I really must do an update. My daughter is complaining loudly because I am ignoring my blog. Seems she checks often to see, although I don't think I can put anything here that she doesn't already know. Last time I was saying my garden was finished. It has managed to keep on despite the terribly hot and dry weather we have had this summer. No rain at all since November. I don't have an up to date photos but might take one tomorrow.
Then I visited Brisbane, Queensland to attend the wedding of my step-son Simon and Chrissy. I had a really nice time. I stayed with my older step-son Brendan and his finance, Carlu. Was able to meet my little grand daughter Tayla and her step-sisiters ,Maddison and Hallie. We had a really good time and went out for a few meals and Brendan cooked a great barbecue one night.
On the night before I was due to fly home, I developed a terrible pain in my stomach caused by what I thought was my hiatus hernia but wasn't sure. I had had these pains a few times prior and they usually disappeared after several hours. However, they persisted all night and for the drive from the Gold Coast to the airport. I told Brendan that there was no way I could get on the plane so we approached the Virgin Customer Service and they were very understanding and even phoned a doctor for me and made an appointment, gave us directions, and off we went. The doctor didn't think he could help and sent me to the ER at the hospital. They admitted me and were able to take an xray that showed exactly what the problem was. The hernia had filled with trapped gas and there was no way for it to escape. I had to have a gastric/nasal tube. For those who don't know it was a tube up the nose, down the throat into the stomach area in order to suck out the gas. Worked a treat but by this time it was evening and the hospital wouldn't let me go until I had been able to eat. They kept me overnight, Brendan finally got to go home. I am very grateful that he spent the day with me. The next day after lunch I got a taxi and went to the airport to face the Virgin Customer Service again. They were so kind and helpful and just put me onto the evening flight to Perth. I had to spend seven hours in the airport but I was able to go to the lounge area where I was able to wait in comfort.
It was good that at least I knew what the problem was if I had another attack of pain. I saw my doctor and eventually saw a specialist who booked me in for an operation to be done on March 9th. But that wasn't to be because a week later I developed a pain and had to call the ambulance in the middle of the night. I was taken to our local hospital and then sent on Bunbury. It was a Friday and by Saturday afternoon I had finally seen the surgeon on call, who just happened to be the doctor that I had seen about the operation in the first place. I firmly believe that God had this all in hand. There is not such thing as coincidence! On Sunday morning I had a four hour operation to put my tummy back where it all belonged. Apparently 2/3rds of my stomach was up in my chest area. I was in hospital for three days and went home only able to consume liquids for two weeks. That was hard as I was feeling hungry. I even had a room to myself in the hospital because I had been in a hospital outside WA in past year. Yes, that one night in Brisbane. Another God incidence. I am all recovered now and I really can tell the difference. I can breath much easier and deeper and have lost the feeling of having something in the way in my diaphragm.
Now what else has been happening? I have been following the adventures of several bloggers who have been to Kenya with Compassion international. The plight of these children, who can be found all over the world, living in extreme poverty and lack of all the things we think are important touched my heart. They truly are happy and know better than we what is important in life. They have a faith that is beyond description. I committed myself to sponsor a young man in Rwanda. A young boy who will be 14 in June. I didn't want a young child as I felt that since I am older I might not be able to sponsor for their entire school life and older children often go without sponsors. People seem to favour little girls, then litttle boys, older girls and finally at the end of the list teenage boys. I am looking forward to receiving information about this boy so I can write to him.
My little kitten, Gracie, is growing and developing her own personality She loves to play hide and seek and grab my feet as I pass by. Like a child, she thinks she is hiding as long as we don't get eye contact. He will hide behind the lowest of things and then when we look at each other eye to eye she dashes out at great speed. Her favourite time of day is between supper and bedtime as she goes outside then and does her own thing. I don;'t think she goes far. I let her out then because I have close neighbours since I am in a retirement village setup. At that time of night everyone is inside and doors shut so I don't have to be so worried about someone getting annoyed because a cat is roaming around. Tomorrow I will take some photos and put them up.
Well, I think I have caught you up to date with my most important happenings. I would say I will try to do better but I don't suppose that will make much difference.
