Where has the summer gone

October 1, 2015
It's hard to believe that the summer has come to an end, we have had a warmer than normal September.
The leaves are starting to turn and there is a chill in the air. It was down to 4c last night.
We have enjoyed our time at the lake this year, some of us to much.
Hubby felt that after 13 years of not smoking it was ok to smoke cigars daily and even some cigarettes, what was he thinking, he has beaten cancer and that hasn't been a wake up call to live a better life. I finally confronted him as summer drew to an end, I guess he thought I didn't know, but unfortunately he wreaked every time he came back from fishing, and while he ran to the bathroom to wash it off his hands and brush his teeth, he still breathed like an old ash tray, it was disgusting.  And beside so many people told me what he was doing, yes its not my issue, but it does affect me.
It was time for a conversation, I reminded him that he had just cheated death, not once but 3 times in March, I asked him if he felt he needed help to stop smoking, he said no, its ok, I don't need to see anyone, I've got it under control.
A week later he came down with a bad case of shingles, another sign that his body has been under some stress since he was sick.
I hope this is his final wake up call, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, but some times people need a scare to bring them back to reality.
I myself have continued to walk this summer when it wasn't to warm, I haven't had the time to paint this summer like I have wanted to, hopefully I will get more time when we get back to Australia.
I have discovered bread making, I am loving my 4 dollar bread machine, yesterday I made 2 loaves  of gluten free buck wheat bread and froze them so that I can have some bread when we move out of here, we will have 3 weeks floating around until we fly out. My weight has remained down and my goal is to lose some more once we get back to Australia, I have missed walking on the beach.
Looking forward to our next journey.
Today's Quote:

 

Enjoying the Summer and Recooperation Time

August 03, 2015
The summer is going fast and I have been taking time to walk every day, even walking one of my neighbors, she is in her 80's and usually just sits inside everyday. So I started taking her for small walks each day and she has lost 10 lbs and has given up drinking 5 cans of pop a day. What a difference it is making. Her Doctor is even impressed.
Charlie continues to get better, he even tried Kayaking yesterday and was out for a few hours.
His abdomen is still tender and the swelling is still going down from all the surgeries. He saw his new family Doctor and he remarked that he still looked very thin, he is eating well and out daily fishing, he needs to start a daily routine of exercise and do some juicing.
Myself, I am doing fine, the same old aches and pains and I will see my new family Doctor this Thursday. Other than my arthritis I have no other complaints.
We have a new addition to our family, his name is Oliver Finnegan Pryde, he is so adorable and weighed 9lbs 12 ounces. My daughter Stacey is a natural Mom. She has waited for this moment for 7 years. We are enjoying time with him.
The lake seems to be quieter this year, not as many families. We have some new friends and some old ones that have moved into the park. It helps to pass the time playing cards and visiting, afternoons on the boat with a picnic.

 

Oliver

Today's Quote: “The chief beauty about time
is that you cannot waste it in advance.
The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you,
as perfect, as unspoiled,
as if you had never wasted or misapplied
a single moment in all your life.
You can turn over a new leaf every hour
if you choose.”
― Arnold Bennett

Heading Home

June 11, 2015
Well again it has been weeks since I wrote. Charlie had a barium test last month and after a stuff up by the x-ray place had to have it redone at the hospital. The a visit to his surgeon to get the news that nothing was leaking and he was booked in 10 days for his reversal surgery.
I am happy to report that this surgery has been successful, all is healing well. He still has a lot of swelling of his abdomen and that will take a few more months to settle down.
So we have packed up the house, packed our bags and are ready to head back to Canada for the summer, I feel it will be a great relaxing place for him to finish recuperating.
We are looking forward to our new grandson arriving soon there and will spend as much time as we can with him. Looking forward to seeing my son and his very busy family and enjoying a few ball games, fishing and time with friends and family.

I have finished my time here at Anytime Fitness and am happy with my results, I have lost 6 kilos and 6 inches, not bad for the stressful time I have had over the last few months.
I will endeavour to post more regularly when we get settled in and I get back to exercising.
Today's Quote:

A New Month

May 2, 2015
Well I haven't written in a while, I haven't had much time since Hubby came home. I brought him home from hospital on March 27, 2015, he felt terrible and did not want to leave the hospital, a nurse told him to rest for a couple more hours and then leave, I was a bit shocked, it was about emtying the bed before the weekend.
I brought him home and we had friends coming to see him for the weekend, which was a help to me, they did the meals while I did nursing duties, changing ileostomy bags that just kept leaking, his out put was to high in which no one told us what was to much so he lost 2 more kilos, 13k all told. I was checking his blood pressure ever 2 hours as this was a good judge that he was dehydrating on me if it was below 100/60. 
We have had a rough road with the bags trying out everything under the sun, after 4 weeks at home I thing we have one that works. We have also discovered its best to change it first thing in the morning after his shower and before he eats. So I have been doing this, hadn't change these since I was a PSW in my 20s.
It's been a learning curve for both of us, the greatest challenge now is to get more weight back on him so he can have the ileostomy reversed. He is now at 66 kilos and I can't seem to get him above that, his surgeon wanted him to be at 70 for his next surgery, but that is near impossible, the man is eating every 2 hours, donuts seem to help with thickening so we try to keep these on hand, the problem is that the ileostomy is at the end of the stomach and beginning of the bowel, so what ever he eats comes out faster than normal so by thickening it up our hope is that he is getting some nourishment, he has plenty of protein through out the day and truthfully if I ate what he is I would look like a sumo wrestler. He is slowing regaining strength and walking twice a day.  Going for a test on Monday with the hope that there are no more leaks and he can have his reversal surgery sooner rather than later.
I have to say that we met some really great nurses during our time in hospital and we met some real assholes, those I will deal with eventually when he no longer has to go back into hospital. The good ones were so supportive knowing that I had no family there to talk to or get a reassuring hug from so they stepped in, they will be rewarded when he goes back in and in heaven for being so kind to their patients and family.
Here is a definition of an ileostomy.
An ileostomy is an opening in your belly wall that is made during surgery. An ileostomy is used to move waste out of the body when the colon or rectum is not working properly. The word "ileostomy" comes from the words "ileum" and "stoma." Your ileum is the lowest part of your small intestine.
I guess I should tell you how I have done through all this, has it been hard, you bet it has, the 5 days in ICU felt like a life time and so hard to see someone you love giving up, just wanting it to be all over, to watch this man waste away to nothing. But I had to keep up the brave face each and every day, not letting him see me cry as it would have only made it harder for him. Often the nurses would give me a hug and tell me to get a drink or take a walk just to clear my head. It's times like this that family support is everything, I need to thank my sister Linda French for the numerous calls and skype visits to check on us both. The online messages from family and friends and the calls and cards have helped so much, even family that was on vacation would email daily checking in. The family that visited when they could and made the long drives from Sydney and the Central Coast and Charlie's brother who has been a pillar of strength for us and Kerry who was there for me when I needed her.
Today's Quote:

 

Feeling Emotional

March 25, 2015
Well when I last wrote I had re admitted my husband to hospital with an Ileus, he was there for another 6 days, poor man was vomiting up fecal matter for about 60 hours, his bowel had kinked and decided not to work. He was sent home on the 11th of March and went to the Dr on the 12 for his biopsy report, which came back with good news, he didn't have to have treatment and there was only a 3% chance it could come back. Wonderful news. We were both so happy we cried, but the next 2 weeks would try our patients.
Charlie did not feel well as soon as he was released and I even mentioned to the Dr that his stomach was still very distended, he didn't bother to check him.
At 11 pm on the 13 of March he began complaining about severe pain in his abdomen, I thought maybe it was gas, so I gave him a tums, the pain continued to get worse through out the night. His daughter was coming in the morning and he didn't want to miss the visit with his grandson, so we waited till they left, at 3 pm I took him back to the hospital and needed help just to get him out of the car and into a wheel chair, after many tests and scans, he was rushed into surgery at midnight for perotinitus of the abdomen, his seam in the bowel had leaked into his abdomen and when they got in there they found that the small intestine had adhered to the new seem in the bowel, so a 1 hour surgery turned into 4, he was left int-abated for a few hours after and given loads of morphine and industrial strength antibiotics to fight the infections raging in his body, he was in ICU for 4 days and still remains in hospital, his stomach and bowel started to work again on the 20th of March, but in the mean time they started him on TPN  ( or she is getting all of his or her nutrition – total nutrition – intravenously or through an IV.) to feed is body but not his stomach. They have removed all tubes from his nose, side, catheter, and feeding tube and just left in the central line in case they need it again, the plan is to possibly come home on Friday this week. This has been a very frustrating and emotional time, we have had so much support from family and friends, can't wait to get back home.
We'll see.
Today's Quote:

Back in the Doctor's Hands

March 7, 2015

Well I brought hubby home from hospital on Thursday March 5th, he seemed pretty good, tired, he seemed to sleep allot that afternoon, he ate a normal dinner. I took him for a walk as he seemed to have allot of acid reflux happening. He went to bed at 10 and began vomiting at 12:30 and continued until 5 am. I made the decision to take him back to hospital once he had woke again, which was around 8.
They have re admitted Charlie till Monday,they feel his bowels have just realized they have had a shock and stopped working, also they found a kink or two in it, that's why he was throwing up brown bile all night, and fevering off and on, so its back on IV fluids today and clear tomorrow and see how Sunday goes. I'll keep you posted, they are keeping him drugged up and relaxed in hopes it rights itself.
I'll call the hospital soon and see how his night went.
Today's Quote:

Coming Home

March 5, 2015

Well we are hoping that today my Hubby can come home from hospital, he had solid food yesterday and his bowels seem to be working, it will take time for him to heal, probably a few months, we still have the wait for the biopsy report to come back. Possibly it will be there today.
He has heard allot of information about Alkalizing the body and is keen to try this out, since he has been told that he has a very inflamed bowel, I think it is best that he get started as soon as possible, so I have printed him some information on it, the big thing for him is going to be giving up beef, pork and lamb, I feel it is best to start while he hasn't been having any on that for the last week or so.
We will see, this is his wake up call and he needs to choose what path he takes from here.
I have been at the hospital every hour that I am allowed, I am feeling tired as I haven't had the greatest of sleep for a while now, hoping that improves by the weekend.
It has been wonderful to read him all the emails from Canada, from friends and family, he was driven to tears when the Grand daughters called him and spoke, so wonderful that they wanted to do that, it really lifted his spirits. Family support is a big help in the way you re-cooperate even if it is 10,000 miles away. My Mom even knit him a blanket and mailed it over for him to have while he is getting better.
Hope for some more answers today.
Today's Quote:

Surgery Outcome

March 1, 2015
Surgery went as well as could be expected, a little longer than predicted, they had problems with his blood pressure going up during the op. Doctor feels he got it all, will wait for the biopsy this week.
Here is what went on yesterday.

Chuck had a rough day yesterday, they had trouble keeping his bp up and stable, normal for him is 100/60, his dropped to 80/50 so they pushed some extra fluids and it came back up, he sat up twice for a half hour each time. The oncologist will decide if he has to have treatment, hoping not. I called the gynecologist my Dr recommended and he said august for an apt. So I called another one and she said the same, but she asked why I needed to see one, so I explained about tamoxifen, she said you can not wait 6 months and told me she would call me back, she rang around and got the name of one starting business in march, got me her number and I called, she rang me back and I have an apt on march 6, so will go in for a DNC asap and go from there, they will test the lining and see if it shows anything, then we will go from there. So hoping for Scotland, it may have to be in sept, we may have to delay coming back, depends on how chuck heals. He still has morphine and panodol drips and injections of anesthesia in his wound site and only receiving if fluids. The morning nurse yesterday got up on the wrong side of the bed and told his he was the first patient to have this operation, he was asking her to many questions and she didn't like that, she brought his panadol tablets, he asked what it was for and the side effects, she said can cause vomiting on an empty stomach, he said I haven't eaten since Wednesday, then she offered him a stool softener, lol he said again I haven't eaten since Wednesday and I had 2 enemas before surgery, what is if going to soften. Lol she through them in the garbage lol, I guess she was glad to be off shift at 3, last nights nurse never stopped talking to her patients and telling them what she was doing, I complimented her on her approach and how nice it was to see a nurse who was doing it because she loved her job not just the pay check she thanked me. Will keep you posted, they will get him walking today. 

I have chosen to write in dark blue today to bring awareness to bowel cancer. 

Today's Quote:

 Don't get hung up on the hard times, the challenges. Tell your story by highlighting the victories. Because it's your victories that will inspire, motivate, encourage other people to live their stories in grander ways.
~Iyanla Vanzant

Time Is Near

February 26, 2015
Well the time is drawing nearer, ever so slowly it seems, my Husbands surgery will be tomorrow. He has continued to juice with his Nutribullet up until yesterday, he is now on clear fluids till his operation tomorrow.
He actually slept better last night and is trying to keep busy so as not to sit and worry to much, its up to the Doctor's now and he is in God's hands, he has resided himself to what ever will be will be, we can push through it and we have so much to look forward to this year, so I think that is helping his mind set. I know that so many people have been praying for us, I can only hope that theirs and our prayers have been answered, the old saying is that God won't give us more than we can handle, I believe this, as I have gone down this path myself, sitting on the brink of near death and being able to fight on and come back, here I am living proof 6 years on, feeling much more stronger and well than I have in the past.

I have been very sick the last week with a cold and flu, thank goodness hubby didn't get it, I am feeling much better today and actually got to the gym 2xs this week after missing a whole week. I have gotten back on the elliptical machine today and did 25 minutes, that's my best since October, I grabbed a magazine to read and cover the screen and put on some music, as I leafed threw it the minutes ticked away, so proud of myself, I just need to keep it up.

I bought a Withings tracker and am loving it, I have always known that I am not a good sleeper and now I have proof, it keeps track for me, usually I get 4 - 5 hours and up about 3 - 4 times. I am hoping that I can improve this. I have also been documenting my steps taken and yesterday I got to 8500, my goal is 10,000, so not bad, I will keep working on it. I have a meeting with Sheldon Reed my trainer on Saturday, so hopefully I will be feeling up for it.
I will try to do lots of juicing over the next week, it will make it easier while at hospital to take my own food.
Today's Quote:

Still Juicing

February 19, 2015
Well my husbands surgery is a week away on the 27th. Since he was to see his surgeon he has take on juicing, I bought his a NutriBullit 900 and he has run with it, now this is a man that eats very little vegetables.
I noticed on his report that it showed that he has diverticulitis as well, he asked whats that I said google it, I have found that it is better for him to look this stuff up as it seems to have a better impact that me saying anything.
I am still enjoying juicing and find it very fulfilling, I do it 2xs a day, but add a lot more variety than hubby does, I try to use less fruit than he does and more vegetables. My weight is dropping. I am working with the personal trainer to get a routine that will work for me. Lots of stretching, who knew I was so tight in spots.
I had to cancel Tuesday with him as I have a terrible cold, who gets a cold in Australia in summer??? 
It has really knocked me about a bit, feeling very weak and fatigued. I'll try to get to the gym tomorrow if I am up to it.
I have also been making some home made granola bars for hubby,as part of his new diet, he is trying to cut out sugar in his diet, along with these I have made him some nice gluten free, sugar free muffins, to eat in place of cookies. The granola has oats, prunes, and nuts in it, great snack for when he is looking for those sugary snacks he use to eat.
We have one more week to get through before surgery, so looking forward to it being over and getting the results back, should only take 5 days.
Today's Quote:

Answer's

February 10, 2015

Well last Wednesday my husband had a colonoscopy, we heard the dreaded words you have bowel cancer. He was sent immediately for a CAT scan and the Doctor did a biopsy during the colonoscopy, so today we get all those results and will find out his surgery date. This is a man that has never taken a pill in his life. It has hit him hard and since I have been through the cancer journey I would not wish it on anyone. It's not easy.
It seems the last week has been full of bad news, my Uncle passed away, a Great Nephew was killed in a road accident, my sister fell and broke her arm, now this.
I know they say God won't give us more than we can handle, but today is going to be a hard one for both of us.
I was very happy that his brother came down for a visit and his son came up, his daughter can't seem to get her crap together to come and see him and frankly I am washing my hands of it, I offered to pay her train ride up, but she had an excuse, no spending money till she gets her dole check. Crazy, I bet we won't hear from her after Wednesday this week when she gets her beloved money. Our friends are rallying around him and at the end of the day that's what important. Lots of love, prayers and positive thinking.
Today's Quote: Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill
 Never, never, never give up. ~Winston Churchill
 If you’re going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

Stretch, Stretch, Stretch

February 3, 2015
Well I met with the trainer yesterday and he did allot of testing to see if my muscles were stiff or bouncy, happy to report that on my right side I am bouncy, not so on the left, it needs allot of work, goes back to an injury in 1999.
I am hope full that this may help with some of my pain issues, since I have been in so much pain alot of my muscles have tensed and become short and stiff.
He gave me some stretching exercises to start with, my diet is very good, so not much work to do there, just keep juicing, along with a little meat.

 

So this is what I will be doing from now on, along with some yoga, hoping for much improvement.

Today's Quote:

3 Days of Juice Cleanse

January 30, 2015
Well I completed 3 full days of juicing, I didn't find it hard at all, just the juicing part and I planned ahead and made up a few days at a time so it was easier, I put the juice in a sealed glass jar to keep it fresher. I lost 3.2 pounds, and the swelling in my right thumb has reduced in size. I also feel a difference in my spinal pain. Has the juicing helped, I think it has, my plan is to continue this for 2 meals a day for a few more days and see if I have continued success. Thank you Joe Cross, I watched his movie and figured it was worth a try. I wish I could go to one of his retreats.
I have been to the gym each day this week and continue with my physio exercises and they are helping as well, it has been cooler so walking at the beach has been very enjoyable. 
I am going to do some more research on foods that increase pain and see if eliminating these from my diet may help as well. I have stayed away from alcohol as well and will try to continue this for a while and see if it helps as well, not that we drink very often once a week at the club usually, so not having any for a couple of weeks is no big deal.
I am looking forward to dinner tonight. LOL I will check in and let you all know how the weekend went.
Today's Quote:

Cleansing

January 28, 2015
Well I have decided to do a juice cleanse, so Sunday afternoon I prepared enough juice for 3 days, I'll see how it goes after that. I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, Joe Cross from Australia was able to cure his autoimmune disease so I am hoping it may help with my joint pain. Worth a try, hoping to do 4 days and then maybe do juicing 2 xs a day for a while to see if it helps.
I have been working hard on my painting and have started a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SandydArtist to try to sell some, my husband is selling home made wind chimes as well. I have also started to list on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/CanOzzyStudio?ref=hdr_shop_menu. Worth a try.
I have been going to the gym regularly and have a meeting next week with the trainer, I'll see how that goes.
I want a program that I can do and take with me where ever I go. Hoping to join a gym in the country when we are in Canada for the baby's arrival.
Went for a nice long walk on the beach today, its cooler so it was very nice, walked for an hour. Great cardio and its easly on my joints.
Today's Quote:

Another New Week

January 19, 2015
Wow today would have been my oldest Brother's birthday. He died when I was 13 scuba diving. His boys have grown into fine young men, father's and grand father's.
I have passed 6 years since I finished treatments on the 16 of January, time is really flying by.
I meant with the trainer and we both agreed my diet is fine, he was suppose to call and set up an appointment to go over some exercises for me but he has failed to call, bugs me a bit I have to say as I approached him the next day at the gym and he had his phone in his hand as he always does when he is with clients, and told me he would call me, that was last Wednesday. So I guess I will have to try some one else. All I wanted from him was to know what to do to work on strengthening my body, I am working on core exercises, losing weight, but feel I need to make better use of my time when I am there to get better results.
I saw him at the gym this morning and again nothing and he had time to speak to me, so I guess I will try some one else.
I was really hoping to have sold some paintings by now, but so far none have sold, guess maybe my prices are to high for people. I will give it some more time and see what happens.
Today's Quote:

 

Meeting With The Trainer

January 13, 2015
Seems strange to type 2015. Here we are nearly half way through this month. I am beginning to feel excited for May, I get to see my daughter then, she will be 6 months pregnant by then. A journey she has strived for over the past few years and now it is a reality, in vitro fertilization worked, She lost one of the twins but now has one healthy baby, she is feeling so blessed.
I have been going to the gym regularly and trying to take extra walks on the beach, I find some of my joints seem to be getting worse, I am doing the paleo diet an have booked in for an injection at the end of the month in my thumb, its been very swollen and sore for over a year now. It's time to get it under control like I did my shoulder.
Since starting the Paleo diet I have lost 1 kilo, finally below 83 kilos, fist in a long time. Staying positive and working hard to stay on track.
I have a meeting today with the trainer from the gym to see what suggestions he has for me as far as work outs that won't cause me more hurt, but yet continue to build strength and lose weight, I'll keep you all posted with his suggestions.
I just finished a painting today, here it is:

Today's Quote:

New Year

January 7, 2015
It is a New Year and I am starting things new. I ahve started the PAleo Diet in hopes it will help me have less pain in my joints.
I had a bone scan done last month and it showed that I have Osteoarthritis in almost every joint in my body.
Some days the pain is excruciating, so I am hoping this new program will help. I am hoping to talk to a trainer at the gym this week and get some help with my work out so as not to hurt myself again, like I did in December. I started back to the gym yesterday and so far so good.
I have also ordered myself one of those fitness bracelets that tracks sleep, I believe I get about 4 hours a night, it will be good to see just how little or much I do get.
I have begun tracking my weight as well and so far Paleo is working on that as well., started at 83.7 kilos on Sunday and now down to 83kilos. Hope this keeps up.
My Husband is retired now and has decided to do some volunteering with the Marine Life Savers, will be good for him to get out and meet people and utilize some of his skills, I believe it keeps the mind active.
I hope to be more aware of my surroundings this year and enjoy them more, the last year was full of ups and downs with all the moving and now its time to enjoy it. We have started a budget to keep us on track so we can enjoy the finer things of life like traveling. We will trial this for 2 months and see how we go.
I decided to start a faebook page to advertise my art, it is called CanOzzy Studio's, I hope that people will start to see my talent and will want to purchase one or two.
Well that's a start for this year.
Today's Quote: