Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Family and visitors
Monday, 29 December 2008
Hubby home ...
Here's to tonight being similar, or better, than last night!
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Hubby still in hospital
I just want to take him home!
Sunday, 14 December 2008
15 December 2008 - 29th Wedding Anniversary
I wish everyone could have a marriage as wonderful as ours.
We've done so much together, been to many places and experienced so many things.
We have two gorgeous kids, who've grown into the most amazing adults.
We're truly blessed!
Hubby still in Hospital
The morning came and his breathing was still good ... a huge relief.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Week 170 - Adjustment 23
Front
Left
Right
Gap closing over impaced canine
Open Bite
The 'openness' of my bite is annoying, but I've been reassured it's part of the 'gets worse before it gets better' stuff.
Hubby still in hospital
Friday, 28 November 2008
Family begin to arrive
Our son is in Perth for the next few days with one of his bands, and he flies in on Sunday. Them more relations fly in from New Zealand on Monday. It'll be tough on them, as that's the day my hubby will be admitted to hospital, but hopefully only for a couple of days.
Two litres removed
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Second Surgery on Monday
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
My Hubby
Friday, 14 November 2008
Photos
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Week 170 - Adjustment 23
- Left side - a triangle, from upper canine to lower canine and lower premolar
- Right side - a triangle from upper first molar to lower canine and lower premolar
My ortho brought up the subject of retainers ... wow ... does this mean he can see a light at the end of the tunnel for me ... I'm excited, but I'm still not prepared to ask about time frames. Anyway he said that the cost of my 'plates' has been covered in my original payment, but that he'd also recommend I get upper and lower fixed retainers. He uses a gold wire and they cost $250.00 each. He said in general the fixed retainers do hold the teeth in place more definitely, although you have to be careful with them, as it means never eating very chewy lollies. He said my oral hygiene is excellent and that he'd never recommend a fixed retainer to anyone who didn't have very good oral hygiene.
My right side has a few aches, but in general this was a much easier adjustment than my last one. Here's to my gap being closed when I have more chair time in February 2009 ... it sure is strange typing that!
Friday, 7 November 2008
Friday - Hubby is feeling better!
It's so good to see him smiling and happy. He's able to walk to our new house (which we built next door to the one we currently live in), without having to stop for breath. He's been worrying terribly that our new house won't be finished before he dies ... I wish I could convince him not to, but I realise he's doing this for me.
We have awesome friends who've spent every weekend (and some evenings after work), this past month, working on the boundaries, preparing retaining walls and the like. Today we 'employed' a friend ... who does work for the business my hubby is GM of, but he's taken two weeks leave to work for us on our new place, preparing the outside so we can move in. We're going to pay him his weekly wage, but it's still such a kind act, as I know he'll achieve heaps and my hubby will feel loads better while that's happening.
This weekend there's more digging (bobcat) needed to 'cut' the land for more retaining walls and getting ready to order the fences and gates. We're going to have to have a meeting with our neighbours who we share boundaries with to organise fences. Our neighbours over the back are close friends and there house is nearly at the 'roof on' stage. They visit most days, so we just have to make a decision with them. The other neighbour, whom we both share a boundary with appears to 'hide' away all weekend when we're out working around our land. Not sure why, but we're going to have to talk to him, coz we need to get these fences organised asap. He's been in his house a few months now, it was built earlier this year, so hope he's allowed money for fencing in his budget. Sadly he's not had any work done around his house, which I'm sure would look really nice with some gardens, paths etc.
Post fluid removal surgery - the following day
We are hoping that tomorrow (Friday) will have him feeling better.
Surgery went well
The improvement in my hubby is incredible! All fingers crossed! :-)
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Surgery tomorrow morning
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Wilson is growing so fast!
Wilson aged 8 weeks
Wilson aged 9 weeks
Wilson aged 10 weeks
Wilson aged 11 weeks
House Keys
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Kids Visit
We continue ...
Monday, 29 September 2008
Wilson's First Day
Week 164 - Adjustment 22
Front
Left Side
Right Side
Gap over my impacted canine - Right Side
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Week 164 - Adjustment 22
I’m to wear elastics on both sides - Size 3/16". Left side is to be a triangle, from upper canine to lower canine and lower premolar. Right side is to be a triangle from upper first molar to lower canine and lower premolar.
It didn’t take long for my teeth to feel the changes … seems to be both upper and lower teeth on my left side, and think it’s due to the bends in the archwires more than the triangular elastic. The discomfort is only mild, but this is the first time I've experienced this in a while. Here's to that gap being gone ... totally gone!!!
Sunday, 21 September 2008
A Tough Week
He was very upset on Tuesday, as he felt he could no longer go to work, even for a few hours. We talked and cried together for a while, and he's decided to not try and go to work every day, and on the days he does go, he'll go for maybe only four hours.
The trip through the centre of Australia to Darwin was an awesome holiday, but when we got to Darwin, my hubby spent long hours fishing ... so I think it's to be expected that he's feeling tired.
This week we will organise bloods and a visit to our GP, who the palliative care team, have said we can keep as our primary care giver for now. Important for my hubby, as this is the first doctor he's felt good about.
Here's to next week being better!
Monday, 15 September 2008
We're back
The trip up in the train was fun and we had an awesome time seeing Uluru and Kata Tjata. A truly magickal area of Central Australia.
The weather in Darwin was fantastic ... with most day temps in the mid 30's and night temps high 20's. This is the weather we love and we were totally comfortable.
Our kids joined us in Darwin for a holiday and that was loads of fun. They're gorgous and we had a great time together ... sweet as!
Monday, 25 August 2008
Trip to the Northern Territory
We're staying for two nights at Uluru, so we can get some major cultural experiences. On the first night, we're doing the Sounds of Silence experience. Then early the next morning we're doing the Sunrise and Base Walk.
On Saturday a coach will return us the 400 km to Alice Springs, where we stay the night. On the Sunday we will board the next Ghan and travel to Katherine. After a few hours to do some tourist stuff, it's back on the Ghan to Darwin.
We arrive in Darwin on the Tuesday, mid afternoon.
Our kids fly in from Sydney on Wednesday.
On Thursday we hope to go the Mindel Markets.
On Friday Merv is hoping to take the kids Reef Fishing.
Then hopefully on Saturday it will be a ride down the Adelaide River, doing a Jumping Crocodile Cruise.
Late Saturday night, some more friends arrive and Sunday will probably be a rest day with maybe a visit to some markets.
Our kids fly back to Sydney at 1.40 am on Monday morning ... very early, but it means they're back home in time to go to work.
The rest of our time will be spent chilling with friends, visiting markets, eating out and for my hubby to do as much fishing as he can. My hubby and a friend are planning a barramundi fishing adventure on the Daly River. They will have a guide with them, so here's to it being a load of fun.
We haven't bought return tickets, but expect to fly back after about a three week break.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Yum
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Three Years - 3 August 2008
Dentist and Hygienist Appointments
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Olympic Medals for New Zealand
We love sport, with our first love being rugby union. We never have a large team to go to the Olympics, but we do dream of medals for our amazing athletes.
Finally today it's happened ...
All Blacks Win!
We played South Africa in South Africa and kept them to 19-nil ... amazing. Dan Carter missed a conversion and three penalties and yet we still managed to score the win!
We rained on Percy Montgomery, 100th cap for South Africa ... but are we Kiwi's concerned about that ... not in the least!
Maltalier
Breed Information
Coat - minimal shedding, non allergenic coat that is soft and wavy
Grooming - regular grooming required, this includes brushing daily and clipping regularly
Size - 20-30 cm
Weight - 3-8 kg
Temperament - great house dog, good with people of all ages, easy to train, very intelligent and extremely loyal make a fantastic lap dog, or companion very laid back
Colour - any colour combination except chocolate
New Puppy
Next I plan to buy dry food and freeze chicken necks in single bags, so I can give my new baby one of those a day. Did I mention that I'm very excited.
Monday, 11 August 2008
My July Bite ...
How I'm supposted to bite ...
And the bite that makes my upper jaw look like it's in class I ...
Planning trip to Darwin
Sunday, 10 August 2008
We are back
Monday, 21 July 2008
Planning our Trip Home
Our daughter has been staying, while she recovers from her back surgery. She's returning home, when we fly to Sydney this Wednesday. I know already that I will miss her something wicked, when we return from NZ.
We have a HUGE few days planned before we fly to New Zealand.
We're staying at our favourite spot, overlooking the harbour ... so hopefully that will allow us time to refuel before our flight across the ocean.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Trip to New Zealand
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
I loathe having to be practical ...
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Visited our kids ...
We had a sad but wonderful time together.
Our daughter's surgery went well and she's now joined us in South Aussie.
Much grieving was started. Hard, but important.
Those words ...
He said the cancer will spread ... lungs, liver, kidney, bones etc.
To say we were both shattered, would be a massive understatement!
We're to continue seeing this doc at the end of each month.
What now ...
We're taking the Ghan to Darwin.
Hubby will go barramundi fishing in the Northern Territory.
... and any thing else that he wants to do.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Week 150 - Adjustment 21 - Photos
How I prefer to bite ...
How I should bite ...
Right Side ...
Left Side - Class I bite ...
Right Side - Class III bite ...
Monday, 23 June 2008
Week 150 - Adjustment 21 - continued
Two brackets moved
Ligs changed to purple
Lowers
Two brackets moved. Ouch ... removing the bonding off the lower left second molar was nasty!
Movement ... not much.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Week 150 - Adjustment 21
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Adjustment 21
I'm getting brackets moved on my top arch ... so here's to progress!
Monday, 16 June 2008
Sterling Homes
Friday, 30 May 2008
The Rainbow Bridge
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Week 147 - Adjustment 20
Uppers - Ignored
Lowers - Strong grey powerchain replaced. Small gaps from the IPR (15 October 2007) still need to complete closing.
The hook on the lower left molar had come away from the base of the bracket. My ortho had no idea how this could happen. He removed the base of the bracket and cleaned the glue off my tooth ... no discomfort. He said he'd replace this at my longer appointment in June. Said it will be a good test to see how far the molar moves over the next three weeks. It's a second molar, that has moved into the place of an extracted first molar. I can tell it's already moved, but hopefully only a small amount. My orthodontist says the amount of movement a tooth like this gives, indicates what might happen when all brackets are removed and therefore indicates the type of retaining that may be needed.
I'm to continue wearing a class III elastic (3/16" elastics - red bag) on the right side - minimum of 23 hours a day, change once a day. Wear in a class III configuration - upper right first molar to lower canine. This is to continue closing the gap over my impacted upper right canine and help with my very crooked midlines. I have been wearing a class III elastic on the right since August 2006!
Next appointment - 19 June 2008.
Friday, 23 May 2008
European Holiday
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Milo died this morning ...
Monday, 5 May 2008
Hubby's Treatment is going well
During the next week he had a nasal gastric tube inserted down his nose. First they tired it 'blind', but the tumour wouldn't let it past. Next they used the endoscope and the job was done correctly.
Hubby's not very happy about the NG tube, but they said it's better to put it in place now, than have to try and get it down if the tumour swells. Plus this is a better option than a PEG tube.
We were allowed home a few days later, with boxes of 'food' ... tins of jevity to put in the gravity fed bottles. Hubby is to use 1,800 mls a night in his feeding tube. Then during the day, he's to drink as much ensure plus, as he can. Plus he's allowed to try thicker liquids ... and he has successfully done this, including eating some mushy vegetables. Yah! The priority is not to loose weight.
He's had 10 radiotherapy sessions and is feeling good. He's definitely tired and lacks energy, but we're guessing that was the least we could expect. His weight loss appears to have slowed and although he's lost nearly 40 kilos, he's feeling good. Hubby's hair has started to become fine. He's always had very thick, wirey hair, and he now has soft 'run your fingers through' hair. The chemo nurse told us this would most likely happen ... wonder if he'll become a 'nude nut'.
Here's to the next 18 doses of radiotherapy and second round with the two chemo drugs going well. :-)
Friday, 18 April 2008
Chemotherapy has started
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Photos of progress ...
Here's some comparisons. It looks like the gap over my impacted canine is continuing to close ... slowly ... but closing ... and that's good.
April 2008
March 2008 ....... February 2008 ....... January 2008
My bite continues to feel real strange ... and I think this pic explains why. Remembering I had a class III bite until late last year ... now look ...
This is how it looked in January 2008 ...
My open bite has improved, which is great news ...
April 2008
March 2008 ....... February 2008 ....... August 2007
If you check out my April 2008 'front on' photo above, you'll see that there's still some gap left from the IPR work done on my lowers back in October 2007. The gaps are reducing ... just slowly.
I can't wait till all these gaps are gone on my upper and lower arches ... as I'm sure it will then be about correcting my bite and getting a date to get rid of these things! Bring it on!!!!!!!!!
Monday, 31 March 2008
Diagnosis
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Humps along the way ...
Monday, 17 March 2008
Week 136 - Adjustment 19
My orthodontist announced my left side is now Class I ... exciting! Unfortunately my right side is still Class III ... and the gap over my upper right impacted canine is still not closed, but it's gotten smaller!
Uppers
- To continue with class III elastic ( 3/16" elastics - red bag) on the right side - minimum of 23 hours a day, change once a day. Wear in a class III configuration - upper right first molar to lower canine.
- No ligs changed (last change was 15 October 2007)
Lowers
- Strong powerchain removed
- A new strong, 13 link, grey powerchain added across all lower teeth
- There's still a small gap either side of my lower right central incisor. All other gaps have closed since I had the IPR.
Next appointment in 10 Weeks - 21 May 2008.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Heat Wave in South Australia
The weather forecast is for another week of these high temperatures.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Tomorrow
Saturday, 8 March 2008
House Plans
The room called 'Dine' ... with the double doors, will be an office. It's planned to be a 'versatile room', which means it can be a fifth bedroom, formal dining, or a 'whatever you' like room.
Our entertainment area will run from the back of the double carport, to between the laundry and toilet. Some will be covered and some not.
... we are still waiting for the the founds to be laid ... doing our best to be patient!