Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Thursday 5 July 2012

The bad, the worse and the beautiful

This has not been a good week.  Until life calms down a bit I will continue flying into the blogosphere, depositing a post and flying out again.  I am hoping that soon I will have the time and spare brain cells to enable me to read and comment on other people's posts.

The Smaller Portion is still in hospital.  His bowels are still partially (almost completely) blocked.  Today he had a colonoscopy - a last ditch attempt to avoid going back into major surgery.  It failed.

 He was told nothing after he was returned to the ward except that from midnight he was on 'nil by mouth'.   The nursing staff knew, or professed to know nothing.  Sadly, fasting spells imminent surgery to us.  (Since the 19th of June when he had his last surgery the Smaller Portion has been on an unrestricted diet for only three and a half days).

While I was visiting him a baby doctor appeared (I use the term baby doctor to describe one with limited experience and/or authority.  In this instance he had nothing to do with maternity care)  He confirmed that the colonoscopy had not been able to clear the blockage.  He went on to say that this meant that something would have to be done.  And from that point he descended into mealy mouthed platitudes.  Perhaps a colostomy would be needed.  Or then again it could be an ileostomy. Almost certainly a bag would be necessary, or maybe it wouldn't be.  It might be needed permanently- or maybe not.  Perhaps they would remove the narrowed segment of bowel and do a resection.  Or maybe not.  The surgical team would need to meet and discuss the options.  Which left us in limbo - not a nice place to be

The Smaller Portion and I know that he would need to sign a consent form before they could do anything - and that he needed much more information.  The fasting from midnight suggested to us that they wanted to get him to theatre early tomorrow.  If they are able to tell him what they plan to do he will sign the consent form and ring me.  Joy and bliss.

It has certainly been a stressful week, but there have also been magical moments of beauty which I treasured.  Early in the week I thought I had lost my wallet.  I went tearing outside just after dawn to check the car, and was greeted by this (and the wallet was indeed on the floor of the car).




The cockatoos at the hospital continue to add pleasure to our afternoon visits - they are elsewhere in the mornings.




And this week another bird has brightened our days.  We have been seeing one or two Red-Rumped Parrots, so I have taken to bringing my camera up to the hospital.  Today, when we badly needed the cheer, a small flock of them were in the tree outside the hospital entry.  Not only were they there, they were co-operative as well.





And I almost forgot.  Tonight's sunset was pretty special as well.




52 comments:

  1. Oh EC, you truly live in paradise. So beautiful, my breath catches in my throat. Being able to see wild parrots and cockatoos hanging around like sparrows seems like a dream to me – like heaven.
    Am so sorry about what you're going through at the hospital. It sounds like a colostomy is in the Smaller Portion's future and, honestly, it's not a bad thing if it makes him healthy again. Love and best wishes to you both.

    Am so glad you can still find beauty in the every day while engulfed in such heartache. oxoxo

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    1. Cathy Oliffe-Webster: The birds are keeping me sane(ish) at the moment. He/we don't want to go down the colostomy/ileostomy/complete reversal path again, but if that is what is needed sobeit. Some information would be nice though.

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  2. Hope things start trending up soon!

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  3. Thinking of you and the smaller portion. Beautiful birds, sunrise and sunset.

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    1. Mia McPherson: Thank you. The birds give neverending joy. As you know.

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  4. I'm so sorry your wee man is going through such misery.

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    1. mybabyjohn/Delores: Misery it is. Hopefully we will get a definite direction soon. Today would be nice.

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  5. Oh my - so stressful for both of you. I am anxious to hear how it goes and will be thinking of you.

    You do indeed live in paradise. I'm glad you had that glimpse of beauty when you went out to your car.

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. I think I am lucky, not only to have the beauty around me, but also to be able to see it.

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  6. Thank heavens your wallet was there, and that you got to see such beauty. Not to mention capture it for me to share with you. And the birds are indeed a joy at such a time. I do hope that this entire segment of a very trying time will be behind you soon. I am so sorry for your suffering, along with SP's suffering. :-(

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    1. DJan: With your recent experience I know that the panick I felt about my lost wallet would strike a chord with you.
      Everything crossed here.

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  7. Beautiful Morning sunrise, beautiful birds if only the rest of your life were so tranquil. So sorry for both you and SP. The pain and stress of it all must be overwhelming, but through it all you can still see the beauty that surrounds you. You are a good person and my prayer is for your and SP to see better days soon.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea: I am well nigh drowning in the stress, but yes the beauty around me helps. Thank you.

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  8. In the midst of all the pain and anxiety you find yourself and loved one in, you see that life goes on and there is still beauty that surrounds you.

    Take care of yourself and continue to look for things to lift your spirits during these difficult times.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you too.

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  9. EC, so glad you are able to find beauty and peace in your tumultuous life. Sometimes what we take for granted becomes more precious when all else looks bleak. My prayers for you and the SP continue, and here, catch--more ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))

    Peace...

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    1. Linda: Small steps at a time, and the eyes to see the wonder around me helps immeasurably.

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  10. Sorry to hear that there's more pain and strain for you and the SP to endure.

    That view though, and those gorgeous birds......!

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    1. Kath Lockett: I think there will be at least two more and possibly three more operations for the smaller portion. The birds and the view are a grounding point for me - and for him when I take in the photos.

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  11. The E's Child, O dear, that's not good news. My SIL's Father is going through a similar thing and I'm no expert but they possibly don't know until they look inside, what they are planning. I know this doesn't make things any easier . . . it must be awful and frightening for you both.
    It's so good that u can still appreciate the beauty around you, I love the first photo . . . Take good care. Thinking of you x

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    1. bugerlugs63: Thank you. I hope that your life is continuing its upward trend and that I will soon be free to drop in on you and see those strides you have been making.

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  12. It's a beautiful world, with all its pain and suffering. I so hope and pray that this terrible problem of SP's can be resolved and your lives can be restored to tranquility. Birds do help, don't they?

    Wonderful photos.

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  13. It is tough to be at the hospital...I hope all goes well. The birds are so pretty

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    1. Kim @ Stuff could...: Hospitala are low on my list of favourite places. We will get through this - but it is not easy.

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  14. Beautiful birds and scenery! At least one thing is constant. Your beautiful place to live. Doesn't seem that beauty turns up when we most need it. I hope SP's problems can be resolved soon. That Dr really didn't tell you much did he?! Why didn't he just say we're not sure yet. More tests, etc are needed instead of the run around? Better then yes, no, maybe. Prayers said for bbetter news. Hugs, Teresa

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    1. Teresa: That Dr told us less than nothing and left me angry, frightened and confused. Hopefully more and better information will be available today.

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  15. I am so sorry you are both going through this. It's amazing that you are able to find the enjoyable and the beautiful things. Hugs to you both!

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    1. Riot Kitty: It is the beauty around me that keeps me putting one foot in front of the other.

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  16. I still say you don't have to run in here and post before running out again. Just take care of yourself. It'll be here when you're ready.

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    1. John Wiswell: Thank you. Given the support and encouragement I have received it seems appropriate to let people know what is going on. Also, which I am sure you understand, writing it is cathartic.

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  17. I am sorry to read of this. Take care/

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  18. Lovely lovely photos. May SP's problems be sorted out soon.

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    1. Joanne: They were beautiful places, moments to photograph. Fingers crossed for my smaller portion.

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  19. Dear EC, one of the delightful things I remember about living in Minnesota were the apricot colored skies at sunset. And that's just what I saw in your sunset photographs. Your dawn sky seemed to be blushing. So beautiful.

    I'm so sorry to learn that Smaller Portion will need another operation. All of you must be so frustrated by all this. It's like being caught in a quagmire. With no head in sight. I hope you can continue to go good to yourself. Maybe getting up and watching the sun slowly rise in the east will help. Peace.

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    1. Dee: I am an early riser by choice and habit. The dawn skies here are often lovely, but the mist lying in the valley below us just added to the beauty that day. The Smaller Portion will need at least two, and possibly three more operations. Which is frustrating and frightening because we believed the one he had in June was to be the last.

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  20. I really admire that you find time in your mind to be thankful and find joy in your surroundings, whilst everything in your lives is so very stressful. I have been feeling more than a bit sorry for myself today and you reminded me that despite the difficulties in my life that I too should find joy in nature because today I quite forgot. Thank you for this and for taking the time to post the photo's they are absolutely beautiful.

    I am so sorry that the smaller portion is going through all this. My thoughts are with you all.

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    1. Achelois: I would love to take the credit and be a person to admire, but stopping to look at the small things and to take pleasure in them is essential to stop me from drowning. A form of self preservation as it were.
      I hope that your difficulties leave you very soon.

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  21. Wishing you strength, EC. Surgery and recovery can be so very long and draining. For everyone. Take care.

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  22. The birds are beautiful.
    The surgery? It's possible they cannot make a definite action plan because they don't know what they will find until they get in there. It does seem as if a bag will be the outcome and given the history, probably permanently. Unless removal of the blocked section and resectioning is successful.
    I bit the bullet on my last visit to the doctor and asked for a colonoscopy. I have no symptoms, all my pipes seem to be in good working order, so there's no urgency, but my Mum died from bowel cancer and this doctor agreed I should have one. A referral letter was sent to the hospital and I'll go on the waiting list and be informed when it will be done. A few months away.

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    1. Good on you for taking a positive step, the preparation is the worst part of the procedure. I hope you get totally clear results. xxx

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    2. River: Good luck with your colonscopy. The birds are indeed beautiful. The hospital is still talking more surgery in three months, so it is a waiting game.

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  23. Gorgeous photos, glad there are still some small things in each day to keep you smiling. Wish I was there to help in some small way. Much love xxx

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    1. Kakka: Thank you. The small things are often what keeps me going.

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  24. Beautiful pictures, love to you xx

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    1. All Consuming: I will be wearing your earrings when I go back up to the hospital - another small thing to keep me smiling.

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  25. Do you drink, EC? If not, maybe it's time to start! Your young doctor in his back and forths sounds like our current presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Maybe they are related. those birds are beautiful as always. I hope this all one day ends, all the surgeries and that your smaller portion regains intestinal health. You cergtainly have intestinal fortitude to deal with all this. I salute you but I also wish you had lots more easy days in your life than you do.

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    1. Strayer: His sister and I have been enjoying wine o'clock most days. We have a glass for ourselves - and then we share his glass.

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