8 JUL 2015

On Friday night (my Birthday) I got no sleep. The pains in my ankle were excruciating. Didn't matter what I did, how many pain killers I took, just wouldn't stop. I was exhausted on Saturday... so no computer.
To be honest I've been off the computer for a few days... just didn't have any inspiration.

HOWEVER
During the days off so many things happened.

I told you Jason packed Hayden's bags last week and told him to move on.
It appears this was the best thing Jason could have done!
We got a phone message for Hayden to call someone re his detox.
Jason went to Hayden's Mum's (Helen) place on Tuesday to get her to pass on the message since we had no idea where he was.

Turned out he was staying with his mother!
He had kept all his appointments... dentist, probation, Centrelink and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) centre!
He is going to the Detox centre at the Maryborough Hospital on Friday afternoon.
Jason is going to take him to be admitted.
Once he's detoxed sufficiently the AOD are going to have him admitted to the Rehab centre
in Nambour, about 2 hours south of us. Jason will take him when he's ready. Hallelujah!!!

Helen's partner, Ian got stuck into Jason for tossing Hayden out after ONLY 6 months.
Jason told him he'd done more for Hayden by doing this than he (Ian) had in the past few years!!! It worked!!!

I can't stand Ian !! There are words for him that I can't print here but believe me I'm thinking them!

THEN

Jason and Jared went to Gympie (about 1 hour 45 min south of us) job hunting for Jared.
He has to go back in a couple of weeks when the person hiring is back from vacation.
BUT he also left his resume with the Gympie Council as well since it seems they are hiring too.
If he gets a job out of town Centrelink with support him with $$$$ to make the move and get settled.

He's making an effort and is enthusiastic about finding work.
If he gets something out of town I'll miss him but I won't miss the mess *S*

FINALLY

I have to do shopping tomorrow (Thursday) so I'll be cactus tomorrow!!
But I have an appointment with my GP on Friday morning and will see what she can do to help me with the pains in my leg (from my ankle ulcer).

So all in all the good things overpowered the bad things this past week.
Things can only get better.

16 JUL 2015

On the homefront...
My second grandson, Hayden, the one with the drug problem has admitted himself to our local "religious" Rehab Centre!! He had to come up with $500 up front and was short around $50.
His mother came up with the difference!! Shock.. Horror!! About time she took an interest!

I was so sure he wouldn't go to this centre because of the religion theme but thankfully I was wrong. I think the fact that Jason tossed him out had a lot to do with this. I just thank God that Hayden was desperate enough to change his life. He'll have a minimum 6 month stay (I think). They have activities, job training and of course chores to keep them busy. So, here's hoping.

Me.. I got a script from my GP last Friday for Lyrica.
The pain I was experiencing in my legs was nerve related. Felt like continual electric shocks.
All pain gone and I'm getting plenty sleep for a change.
Hallelujah!!

It's damned cold here, especially for a tropical area.
My hands have been freezing.
Summer will be here soon enough... I'll be wishing it was Winter again... *S*

That's about it for now.

30 JUL 2015

Sitting here this morning I heard what sounded like someone walking on the roof..
but it stopped after a few seconds so I thought no more of it UNTIL people started phoning the radio station I listen to all day.

Seems there was an 5.3 magnitude earthquake 100K (62 miles east) off Fraser Island (next to where I live) and 200K (124 miles north east) off the Sunshine Coast at a depth of 35K (22 miles) to 50K (31 miles) (different announcers give different depths).
Biggest earthquake in this region since 1901.

Fortunately there's been no reports of damage and no Tsunami expected.
We had an earthquake west of us last February... I hope this isn't going to be a regular occurrence.

Computer died... again....
Jason spent a couple of days trying to fix it by reinstalling XP but had lots of problems.
He managed to score a new XP reinstall disc from his friend at the computer repair shop.
Finally we got it working a couple of days ago.

On my last visit to my doctor she suggested I have my ankle checked at the hospital wounds clinic.. I gave in and agreed.
Went yesterday.... I sometimes wonder how people get jobs at this hospital !!

First.. I checked in at Reception...
The woman checked all my details... nothing new here.
Then asked for my Medicare and Pensioner Concession Card.
Told me my Pensioner Concession Card would expire in 2 days!!
I had a look at the Expiry Date on the card when she handed it back
and in BIG BOLD letters under 31 JULY it said 2017.... DUH!!!

Showed her... she apologised and said she didn't notice that!!
Maybe she should go to SPECSAVERS!!!

Second... got in to see Teresa... she changed the type of dressing I was to use.
Told me I wouldn't need to change it for a couple of days... yeah right!
Before I went to bed last night it was weeping through the dressing so I had to change it so it wouldn't leak on my bed.
The supplies she gave me won't last a week.
BUT that's not the problem..
She gave me a form to take to Bookings to get appointments for the next 2 Wednesdays.

Handed over the form... got 1 confirmation handed to me.
Told her there was supposed to be 2 confirmations.... she looked surprised...
Retrieved the form from the rubbish bin... OOPS!
I was right!!!
Maybe she should go to SPECSAVERS!!!

Third.... Teresa gave me a form to get an X-Ray of my ankle to make sure the ulcer isn't too close to my ankle bone. If the bone gets infected I could have major problems. So I then took the long walk to the other end of the hospital to X-Ray.

Handed over the form.
The receptionist asked me what it was for.....
Told her to have my left ankle X-Rayed!

She said nothing had been indicated on the form as to what type of X-Ray was requested!

Told her I don't know who filled put the form since there were a couple of students in the clinic.
Suggested she give Teresa a call.
She told me to take a seat and she'd sort it out.
While waiting I had a "Nanny Nap" !!!! ROFL!!!

When my name was called out I woke with a start.... the man sitting opposite had a laugh..
so did I....

Had the X-Rays and got the receptionist to call Jason to collect me at the Main Entrance ... not the Clinic. Over 3 hours of my day taken up by now!

One good thing may come out of this... Jason agrees...
Maybe the results of the X-Rays may show a POSSIBILITY that I could have problems if something is not done quickly to heal the ulcer. THEN maybe... they will finally give in... admit me.... put me on the drip I had before... that I know works.... and solve my problem!

I am so sick of these damned ulcers... the constant dressing changes and the cost $$$ to me.
I worked out that it costs me at least $500 a year for dressings etc.

If the ulcer was gone I could get and use the medication for my arthritis.
I can't use it while I have any infection.
The instructions state that categorically.

My doctor prescribed Lyrica for the nerve pain I was experiencing.... no more problems there thank God.
It was driving me crazy and I was getting no sleep.

Hope I haven't bored you to death!! *S*

6 AUG 2015

Computer is working OK except that occasionally it won't let me open folders... GRRRR!!

Teresa, at the Wounds Clinic is retiring in 2 weeks... couldn't believe she's been nursing for 40 years, she doesn't look old enough!! I'm jealous!! LOL!
Jo, the lady taking her place seems nice thankfully.
They are trying a different dressing this week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed (mentally).
The X-Ray showed no problems and the swab showed no infection.
So my hope that I would be admitted and put on a drip went out the window!
I suppose I should be thankful...

8 AUG 2015

Have had a week full of interference (blood sucker/wounds clinic/doctor) and things here have become out of hand. So many things needing tidying up... all mine...
Not enough hours in the day for me because I'm so SLOW with things.
Even taking a shower eats up an hour. Not actually showering BUT all the prep before and after because of my ulcer problems.

20 AUG 2015

Been checking regularly to see if the Artistry site is restored... apparently not yet.
I'm sick of this! How long does it take them to do their accounting?!
I've left 2 "Tickets" on their site re the problem and have sent an email.
All I can do now is wait....

When Jason finds out if we can get a compatible larger drive for the laptop we'll move everything to the new site.
The laptop is too slow to do the job right now.

I saw the horrific fires on TV from Idaho and California. Also saw what was called a "FIREADO" a tornado whipped up by the fires in Idaho. My heart goes out to everyone forced to evacuate or preparing to evacuate.

Good news from the wounds clinic yesterday. Teresa was really happy with the progress on my ankle ulcer.
The new medication is working a treat!! So I have to continue it for one more week then I'll be on something less aggressive. Hallelujah!

Let's hope next week is better... couldn't be any worse than the one I've just had.

24 AUG 2015

First... the word "Bloody" is not considered cussing here in Australia,
it has been used regularly in TV, Press and radio advertisements.

SO.... here goes....

I am totally BLOODY sick of this internet host messing me around!
They don't send out BLOODY reminders for fees due and are BLOODY quick to cut me off if I am a day (or even hours) late! BUT take their own sweet BLOODY time reinstating the account!
So I am going to teach them a BLOODY lesson!
Can you tell I'm ticked off????

I'm even more ticked off after checking my emails I saved from my host!
I discovered I had contacted them on 6 May 2015 asking them when my Hosting and Domain Name fees were due. I was contacted the next day with the hosting and Domain Name fees required and paid both on 7th May 2015

THEN on 18 August 2015 (my time) my site was closed down owing to DOMAIN NAME fees being outstanding!!!!
Not realizing I had already paid the Domain Name fee... I paid it again !!
I've emailed them with copies of their email to me (7th May 2015) with the fees they required.
Also sent copies of PayPal confirmations of payments for both 7th May and 18th August.

Yes I'm BLOODY angry!!

OK... MY PLAN...

I am hoping (this coming Saturday) to purchase a new 120GIG hard drive for my laptop, providing Jason can get one that is compatible, so he can start work transferring everything to do with my site to the new host site that he purchased. I have agreed to share the cost of the hosting with him...
I'd agree to anything to have things run smoothly again.

I didn't expect this extra expense, especially on top of making solar panel payments now.

Hayden (grandson) only lasted a week at the local Rehab.
Couldn't handle the forced religious lessons and religious projects several times every day.
That was back in June.. so I haven't had any reprieve on groceries.
Honestly... he never stops eating! I can't keep up!

We are trying to get him into another Rehab place (several options... non religious) BUT they keep putting up roadblocks! One of them had him phone them 3 times a week to check in (to confirm his interest) for a month before telling him they wouldn't have space for him for at least NINE months!!! So we have 2 others we are trying. They're both some distance from here and both want face to face interviews. Jason is trying to organise both interviews on the same day because it will cost at least $100 for fuel to get him there and back. Doesn't want to do it twice... can't afford it.

I'm sick of the whole deal !!

Hayden gets money from Centrelink (Govt) but never offers to contribute to his upkeep!!

Normally I can ignore all this crap by busying myself with Artistry.
I HAVE been busy with Artistry BUT not the kind of busy that's been productive.
I'm sick of sending emails to my host and also posting my emails on their site and getting nowhere fast.

I'm off... I need a break.

27 AUG 2015

Well... after many, many emails and numerous "Tickets" left at my Hosts' site we're still not back.
I went through past emails sent to them and found some phone numbers we can call.
I didn't want to make overseas calls BUT desperation wins out.
One number in particular belongs to a chap that Jason helped out when he was setting up his hosting back in the 'dark ages'... around 2003-2004.

So I've given Jason the contact numbers and ordered him to give his friend a call this evening (our time).
Hopefully his number hasn't changed.
I wouldn't stay as calm as Jason would.

He also has 2 numbers for the Host.
So I'm praying that one of the calls will be successful.

All we need is the IP address they use so we can access my FTP and get the Hell outa there.

I considered doing the uploads manually BUT I know my FTP folders are not set up in the same
order as they are on my computer. So that idea went right out the window.

31 AUG 2015

Still waiting for the Domain Name changeover. Not a lot we can do since we're in the hands of others and can't do anything until they cooperate.

Worst situation.... we should be back online next Thursday at the latest.... when the "Boss" gets back and provides us with the IP addy for my FTP. If we get the Domain Name changeover before Thursday Jason can work on moving everything before Thursday. If not.... hopefully everything will be back to normal by the end of this week.

Here at home I have huge problems. Seems to be one thing on top of the other.
Jared (#1 grandson) has been used to being the only one living here for the past 19 years. The fact that Hayden (#2 grandson) is here bothers him and he's become a whining pain in the butt!!! Hayden is only here because his mother is totally unreliable and we are waiting and waiting for him to get into rehab. The new place we have applied to has a 6 week wait (so they say) so we have another 4 or 5 weeks hoping he gets accepted.

Jared can't handle this. He's not used to sharing his "space" even though Hayden mainly keeps to himself and isn't really a problem. OK.. he eats all day... costing me extra $$$ but it's not forever and I figure if I can put up with thatthen Jared should pull up his socks and stop being so selfish.

Yesterday he told Hayden that he wasn't happy with him living with us! So Hayden decided to go back to his mother. Big mistake!! She got on the phone demanding to speak to Jared (who wasn't home at the time) but spoke to Jason. He had no idea what Jared had said. So he told her he'd get Jared to give her a call. Jared did that this morning. He asked why she didn't want Hayden living with her since it was her fault that Hayden had his problem. He had ADHD and she refused to get him Ritalin when he needed it years ago. He wanted to know why we had to fix her mistakes. Well... the $#!t hit the fan and she turned up here in our drive (because Jared had locked the front door) screaming her head off with foul language accusing Jared of being selfish. He retaliated, telling her she was a useless mother. That went down well... NOT!

He told her he was glad he'd been rescued from her when he was 4 years old otherwise he'd have the same problems as Hayden. He was lucky she had nothing to do with his life and the way he was brought up. He got a better deal then Hayden!! That made her worse! The truth hurts!!

After she left, Jason and I talked with Jared... a total waste of time. Says he does feel sorry for Hayden but is still sick of him being around. Nothing we said penetrated. He's decided to move out... I tried to explain what that would cost. No internet, $$$ for rent, $$$ for food and so on.. but he knows better, just can't be convinced.

I talked with Jason while Jared was in the shower and we decided to let him go if he wants. It's the only way he'll learn. He'll soon find out we're a lot smarter than him. Just waiting to see how long it will take him... he's so full of crap. He has no sympathy for Hayden even though he insists he has. He just doesn't want to share HIS 'space'!

Jason has seen Hayden since all this happened and Hayden is fine with it. He HAS changed! Jason told him our door is not closed to him and if he wants to come back it's fine with us. We can't rely on his mother assisting him getting into rehab. It's all too much for her! He said he'll stay with his mother for a couple of days to give Jared some breathing space and time to calm down. How grown up is that??!! He totally understands where Jared is coming from.

I really don't need Jared's nonsense on top of everything that's happening. I'm amazed I'm not a total wreck!! *S* I'm so sick of all these problems. I'd like to know who has the voodoo doll !!*S*

I was concerned that Hayden might feel he's not wanted by anyone and may do something drastic. I mentioned this to Jared and his response was that I was trying to put a guilt trip on him! I don't believe his attitude!! However since Jason spoke to Hayden I can relax on that count. He knows we care.

I have to do shopping tomorrow... UGH!! So there's another day gone. BUT I like to do it myself so I can keep track of what I'm spending. I'm praying all this will be sorted out soon.

3 SEP 2015

Now Jason will be seeing if we can get a compatible bigger hard drive for the lap top so he can start transferring everything. He'll be doing that this afternoon, giving me time to update everything from the last 2 weeks before he begins.

It turned out that the host is also the company who holds our Domain Name so we couldn't transfer the Domain before this. Once all the folders are transferred Jason will contact them and request the Domain transfer.

I may have said before....
the guy who does our hosting had Jason's help many years ago setting up his site.
Because of all the help he got from Jason I got the site for nothing.
But as time passed I decided that I should pay for the space because I hadn't personally done anything to warrant getting the site for free.

That's the good news...
Now for my bitching to get it off my chest.... LOL!!

Tried to start my computer yesterday... wouldn't work!
Jason was up to his ears taking care of other important stuff so I didn't hassle him until late yesterday. First thing I did was check my FTP... nothing... so I went to bed.

Prior to this I went to the blood suckers in the morning, then went to the Wounds Clinic.
Teresa retired last week and the new "nurse" Jo was in charge.
I initially thought she was nice.... think again Jamie!!!

She decided to change the dressing to “Aquacel Ag” which contains silver.
I was concerned since I had problems a few years ago with silver in dressings.
We decided I should wait in the waiting room for around 15 minutes once I had been taken care of, to see if I was going to experience any burning pain. I didn't.

I asked her how long I should keep the dressing on before changing it. She said 2 to 3 days.
She provided me with 1 sealed “Aquacel Ag”, 1 opened “Aquacel Ag” (half used) and 2 Zetuvit Plus.

I asked… “What if I have the same problem as last week…too much exudation and I had to change it daily? Could I please have an extra Zetuvit and Aquacel?”

She snapped back at me....
“Other patients buy their own dressings from Independence Australia!”

I told her that I do purchase necessities from Independence, sometimes costing me more than $50 a month.
All I requested was 1 more Zetuvit and one more Aquacel.
She suggested I use “incontinence pads” instead of Zetuvit. (Is she serious????)
I jokingly asked why the Hervey Bay Hospital had suddenly become so stingy.
In response to this she grudgingly threw 6 more Zetuvit on the bed.

Before I left, I took one of the 6 Zetuvit and left the remaining 5.
She came over picked up the remaining dressings and threw them in my bag.
I was totally embarrassed. So were the 2 assistants who were helping me.

When I came home I checked the cost of the dressings (from Independence)
that had been used by the hospital over the past month.
TenderWet Plus (7.5 x 7.5) - $24.37 each
Comfeel Plus Transparent Dressing (5 x 25) - $7.55 each
Mepilex AG (10 x 10) - $24.50 each
Aquacel Ag (10 x 10) – $31.95 each

Now, if I had purchased these dressings from Independence..... assuming continued use... it would have been a total waste of money for me and I would be stuck with dressings
I couldn’t use because the dressing types have changed 3 times over the last month!
I couldn’t afford this on an aged pension.

I'm tossing up whether or not to go back next week.
I have a letter written to the Patient Liaison Officer but haven't sent it because.....
Jason said she may just have been having an "off" day.
He's suggesting I go back next week and see if her attitude has changed.

Heck... I have off days... but I don't take it out on the closest person.

I have to see my GP tomorrow... so will see what she thinks.

*****************

On the homefront.....

I suggested Hayden spend a week with his mother and a week with us to give both he and Jared their own space.

Jason put this to Hayden and he's happy with that. This way we'll make sure he keeps his phone appointments and the face to face appointment when the time comes.
His mother can't be trusted...

So Hayden is going to give it a few more days... to give Jared space before coming back.

Hopefully this will work out.

Maybe the pin in the voodoo doll is becoming dull.... let's hope so. *S*

10 SEP 2015

Good News

We have the new hard drive for the laptop.
Jason needs to use my computer to transfer his data from the original drive onto the new drive.
Then he can install the drive on the laptop and once installed ....zip up my FTP folders and do the transfer. He says he'll do it in the evening when I'm asleep in front of the TV (as usual) *S* !!!
I tend to live here in front of my computer most of the day...always something needing fixing, updating or creating.

So.... I'm hoping this will be completed by the weekend.
Fingers crossed!

Other News

Went to the Wounds Clinic yesterday for 9am appointment.
The head nurse didn't arrive at the clinic until 9:25!!!
Was called in 10 minutes later by a gorgeous, handsome student nurse... who I found out is studying Mental Health but is doing anything to gain experience in as many fields.
I may be old but I ain't dead yet!!

He was there last week when I had the dressings thrown at me. Hoped this week would be better.

She (the head honcho) had a dopey assistant helping. She hadn't a clue!
Removed the dressing... I wasn't happy with the result. She went off without covering the wound.
Came back with the same dressings used this past week THAT WERE NOT WORKING.
I suggested she cover the wound with a swab soaked in Prontosan (antiseptic).
She waved the Prontosan over the swab.... I soak the swabs.
It was almost dry. Came back 2 minutes later (it's supposed to soak for 15 minutes) removed the swab and poked around the wound to removed unwanted stuff.
That wasn't at all successful.

Then she was going to use the same dressing as last week!
I calmly "suggested" we should use something else since that dressing wasn't working.
So she had to consult the Head Honcho who finally came to have a look.
She had a couple of pokes (pretending to be interested).
Took me up on my "suggestion" and brought over 2 Sodium Chloride Dressings.
Told the ass.. istant to cut it to the shape of the wound and use saline solution.

The ass... istant opened the package... cut the dressing in half and wet both halves (barely).
She chopped up one half piecing it over the wound like a jigsaw puzzle.
I was biting my tongue... she was clueless!
She was supposed to put Barrier Cream on the surrounding healthy skin first..
but no... she had to do it after, meaning she had to lift the dressing to get to the edge of the wound.

WHERE DO THESE PEOPLE GET THEIR QUALIFICATIONS????

Job done... she covered it with a 10 x 10 dressing.
Had that taped and opened a 15 x 10 dressing....
I asked what that was for. To put over the 10 x 10 one!
I said... "WHY??"
For more absorption... she said as she taped it over the other one.
I asked... "Wouldn't another 10 x 10 have been enough since the wound is only 6.5cm x 6cm????"
She was going to remove the 15 x 10 when I stopped her.... I wanted out of the place!!

The other (wet) half of the unused Sodium dressing was tossed in the bin!
I was given ONE (10 x 10) to do the 3 changes over the next week.
Asked if that would be sufficient since half of one had been used today.
I was told to make it do.
DOESN'T COMPUTE!!!

So when I got home I checked on the cost from the wholesalers.
It was only $3.60 and I needed Hypafix tape too... So I ordered another and with the cost of the tape it meant I didn't have to pay $5 delivery.
They arrived today.

The Clinic has gone downhill fast since Teresa left.
Not sure I will turn up next week.

That's my bitchin' for this week.
Reminds me of a Gloria Gaynor song... "I Will Survive"

17 SEP 2015

Gave the Wounds Clinic a miss yesterday.
Didn't get a decent nights sleep all week owing to the pain from the dressing I had to use.
I changed the dressing to one I've used before (on Tuesday evening) and got my first full nights' sleep in 7 days.