Cataract surgery update

Glad to say that the cataract surgery went well yesterday and now I can see clearly with my left eye once more. Amazing the difference .... from a thick white cloud to a clear picture.
Dr Martin Duncan was pleased with the operation and how the eye looked at the check up this morning and commented that the cataract grew very quickly indeed. I knew it was much  worse than when I saw him in December, as I needed my reading glasses on all the time and couldn't drive in the last week or so. The lens was completely and evenly covered, I think, as I couldn't see anything at all out of my left eye.
In the op, Dr Duncan said to the nurse that the cataract was " fluffy, white and soft". He also said that he wouldn't leave the next one this long!  This seemed to be a bit unusual.
This morning the doctor told me that I wouldn't need anything done on the other eye as it has very good vision. I might not need the other eye done for a year or even longer, but he can't predict.
It's a nice relief to have it over. Now I just have to be diligent with all the three lots of drops I need to use for the next few weeks. Must take it easy this week It seems very bright all around me as the eye hasn't settled back to normal as yet.
We sadly have to miss the annual church camp this coming weekend. Too many risks from sand, wind, camping, rough terrain etc for my lovely  "new eye".

Cataract surgery

Today is the day I will have cataract surgery on my left eye. It will be great to see clearly again with that eye. For the past week I haven't driven the car as I wasn't confident to see clearly on the left side. Catching buses worked out OK. It felt like I was a tourist in a foreign capital city.
I have just had lunch (at 10:30am) as from now on I can't eat or drink. Must be there by 1:45pm. Barbara is taking me and Rick will pick me up after the procedure.
My prayers are with my friend Paul and also with Jeni's mum today. Their surgeries are much more serious than mine!

Good test results

Got the all clear today from yet another mammogram. This marks three years post breast cancer.

Life goes on!  I am very grateful.

The next challenge is a cataract operation in two weeks ( Feb18).  I have a fast growing cataract on my left eye, which was discovered in December 2012. While I am not looking forward to having the operation itself, I am looking forward to seeing things again! The blurriness has become very noticeable in the last couple of weeks. Fortunately my right eye has very good vision at the moment.

Dad's 85th Birthday at Lugarno

Sylvia and I arrived in Sydney last Wednesday afternoon (Jan 30), to spend a couple of days with Mum and Dad ahead of Dad's 85th birthday, on Friday 1st February.
We all went "new kitchen" shopping on Thursday and on Friday we had lunch and dinner at home with Dad. He received many cards and enjoyed all the birthday wishes. Richard and Bruce and the other Sydney couples came for a special lunch on Saturday, which Sylvia organised. It was a great get together and Dad was well enough to enjoy the time. He had been feeling quite well all week!
Bruce took some really nice shots on the day. The first four shots below are his.

Quite a cool February day, after so much heat  this Summer.

We all enjoyed the delicious lunch that Sylvia made.

Dad had a good day.

Phoebe is one week old

Phoebe is going well and Cherie needs to rest. She thinks she overdid it by having a little outing, with Stuart and Phoebe, to the shops on Monday.
I have been minding Lois for a few hours on most days. She is lovely to have around. Granddad likes to see her when he comes home from work. Sadly, Lois burnt her leg in the pattern of a large metal plate/cover that she feel onto, near their apartment. It was a very hot day and the metal acted like a branding iron! I was waiting with her outside, so I felt very bad! Happily it is healing nicely.
Last night Cameron and I took Lois home and we had a chance to hold Phoebe with Lois looking on.
Phoebe Ruth is one week old....

Phoebe is 5 days old

Things are going well for Cherie and baby Phoebe.  Lois is slowly working out that she has a little sister. She doesn't much like when mummy is busy feeding Phoebe, but she is adjusting. it has been a bit hard for her. Stuart has three weeks off work to help. His job is mainly to keep Lois occupied along with helping with everyday stuff.
We have minded Lois a few more times since the baby arrived home. I may do that this coming week too. This gives Stuart a break to help Cherie and hopefully for Cherie to rest a bit. Feeding routine is busy in those first days!
Today Bruce and Sylvia visited while we were there and took some lovely pictures.

Visiting Phoebe at home

Baby Phoebe Ruth arrives!

On Tuesday 15th January at 1:38pm , a little girl came into the world. Her name is Phoebe Ruth Lamont. She is the second daughter of Stuart and Cherie, and our second granddaughter! Both Lois and Phoebe are Greek biblical names. Phoebe's middle name is a family name.... named after her great grandmother.... Eunice Ruth. Very special for us. I quickly took some not so great photos when Phoebe was very new. Hoping to have some better ones soon.

Phoebe Ruth was 3290g or 7lb4oz and 49 cms long. Both Cherie and Phoebe are doing well. They are home now after about 36hours in the hospital.
We minded 20 month old Lois for two days, including one stay overnight. She was really good for us. Now the family is home altogether. Stuart has three weeks holiday which is great for them.

Happy New Year !

Happy New Year to all. We hope that 2013 will be a good year with health with plenty of fun and new experiences to enjoy.

We look back on 2012 and are thankful for many things.

Quick trip up north

On Saturday morning 29th Dec, Richard found out that two of his brothers happened to be in Port Macquarie at the same time.
Philip ( who lives in Tassie) had arrived there as a locum vascular surgeon at the Port hospital over the busy holiday period. Tom ( who lives in Mackay, Qld) was camping with his family close to Port.

It was a great opportunity to catch up with them both ... plus Tom's wife Angela, son Gene, daughter Vanessa and families.
So 2 hours later we were on the road. We arrived there at 8pm on Saturday and spent the following day with the family. We stayed with Philip in his rented townhouse, visited the campsite, had a swim in the ocean and a take away dinner with the family back at the townhouse.

We visited "Ricardoes"- a hydroponic farm that grew strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers. It was just up the road from the Lamont's campsite at Blackman's Point. Such quality produce. Here is Richard with Angela and Gene.

After seeing our nephew Gene's children briefly at Wauchope, we got on the road to head back home.

 Gene with Maria (12), Georgia (8), Elle (9) and Will (6) arriving at Timbertown, Wauchope. They were about to spend the day there.

 ......with Pop Tom, Great Uncle Philip, Nanna Angela and Great Uncle Richard.

 ... and lastly with Great Aunty Janelle

We only stayed two nights in Port, but we fitted a lot in and had a really good time. great to catch up with some of the far-flung family.

The traffic was lighter than we expected, so we were home within 8 hours including several stops.