Wedding of Christopher and Kerrie, 20th September 2008
A very special day!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Behind the Green Curtains
.
Two meters apart — an intimate distance of just six feet! Neither knows what the other looks like but you know their sex and can have a reasonable guess at their age.
Between bouts of not caring where I am as my focus is on whether I will survive the next few hours, I come to know the intimate details of this life so awkwardly close to me yet out of sight. I experience his pain without feeling it, the anxiety of his loved one beside him without seeing her.
What image are they getting of me? Does it matter? While I wait, I pray. I pray that I might live to pray for this human behind the green curtain that I could almost reach out and touch, and his loved one...before I am again overtaken by my symptoms.
Next I pray for the elderly lady I can see, parked in the passage waiting for a free cubicle, with bandages hiding her injuries from a fall. Her loved one looks at me and we exchange a smile of understanding — whilst understanding little.
Those awful human sounds! Are they coming from behind one of the green curtains, maybe even mine?
My history, given again. Sorry, poor fellow-sufferer next door that you have to hear this and know my body intimately inside whilst you will never know it from the outside. It can't be helping you feel any better.
You hear more of my intimacies. I hear you being told you have a failing heart. You hear me vomiting as the vertigo takes over. I hear a compassionate, disembodied voice tell you your heart is beating far too fast and they are trying to slow it. You hear me being asked if I can bear the torture of the head-twisting, fast dropping technique of physio another time. I hear the fear in your loved one's voice as she asks when your heartbeat will slow down and is told it is taking longer than they would like...but there are good signs...
[This post is in appreciation of the wonderful, dedicated and caring staff in the Emergency Department of the Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia. It comes with a prayer for them as they do their work, and for those who lie beyond the green curtains.]
Two meters apart — an intimate distance of just six feet! Neither knows what the other looks like but you know their sex and can have a reasonable guess at their age.
Between bouts of not caring where I am as my focus is on whether I will survive the next few hours, I come to know the intimate details of this life so awkwardly close to me yet out of sight. I experience his pain without feeling it, the anxiety of his loved one beside him without seeing her.
What image are they getting of me? Does it matter? While I wait, I pray. I pray that I might live to pray for this human behind the green curtain that I could almost reach out and touch, and his loved one...before I am again overtaken by my symptoms.
Next I pray for the elderly lady I can see, parked in the passage waiting for a free cubicle, with bandages hiding her injuries from a fall. Her loved one looks at me and we exchange a smile of understanding — whilst understanding little.
Those awful human sounds! Are they coming from behind one of the green curtains, maybe even mine?
My history, given again. Sorry, poor fellow-sufferer next door that you have to hear this and know my body intimately inside whilst you will never know it from the outside. It can't be helping you feel any better.
You hear more of my intimacies. I hear you being told you have a failing heart. You hear me vomiting as the vertigo takes over. I hear a compassionate, disembodied voice tell you your heart is beating far too fast and they are trying to slow it. You hear me being asked if I can bear the torture of the head-twisting, fast dropping technique of physio another time. I hear the fear in your loved one's voice as she asks when your heartbeat will slow down and is told it is taking longer than they would like...but there are good signs...
[This post is in appreciation of the wonderful, dedicated and caring staff in the Emergency Department of the Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia. It comes with a prayer for them as they do their work, and for those who lie beyond the green curtains.]
Thursday, September 04, 2008
In Remembrance of Mark Priestley
A gifted actor from Perth, Western Australia, and highly respected young man, Mark will be missed and remembered by many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,
friends and workmates for comfort and peace.
"The Seven Network said Priestley was a brilliant artist and tremendous young person – loved and respected by his fellow All Saints cast members and crew."
Monday, July 21, 2008
Expensive Burnt Toast, Mark II
Yep! It's happened again. The toaster timer was set which prevented auto-turnoff, and the toaster left unattended = totally incinerated toast! This time the fire bug shall be known as 'Professor Y'! Again the Firies attended – trucks, bells, whistles and all! Another expensive exercise and embarrassment!
Could these occurrences be the result of the constant pressure of continuing staff cuts and over-heavy workloads which means staff are too busy to stay and watch the toast? But worst of all, now the perfectly functioning grill-toaster has been removed – and the rest of us can no longer enjoy our cheese-on-toast or my favourite avocado on toast for winter lunch!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Is it a Boy or a Girl? Nope...
...
...it's a *kidney stone*! And I think it has a twin!
*Awaiting confirmation of diagnosis.
...it's a *kidney stone*! And I think it has a twin!
*Awaiting confirmation of diagnosis.Update July 21: It appears to be an only child – and I hope it stays that way!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Expensive Burnt Toast!
...
It is not unusual to have fire alarms set off at work, followed by an evacuation. Whilst mostly false alarms, there have been genuine causes and alarms are always treated seriously. But recently a quirk of human nature was exposed and brought embarrassment to the perpetrator.
As smoke bellowed from the common room adjoining two 3-story buildings we, the newest fire wardens, joined the other wardens to make a systematic check of every office and laboratory to ensure everyone had heard and obeyed the blaring sirens and disembodied voice repeatedly commanding, "Emergency! Evacuate now!"
With an audience of dozens, and a scene that would delight any young boy, the big red fire truck arrived at the building, lights flashing and bells ringing, along with its emergency services tender, as the would-be fire bug (hereafter known as 'Professor X') retrieved his burnt offerings for lunch. A witness had checked the source of the smoke coming from the common room and found two pieces of blackened toast still cooking under the mini-grill. The toaster had been set for 10 minutes (thus overriding the auto turn-off) and the would-be diner had left the room to return to his research on physics and energy studies...
It is not unusual to have fire alarms set off at work, followed by an evacuation. Whilst mostly false alarms, there have been genuine causes and alarms are always treated seriously. But recently a quirk of human nature was exposed and brought embarrassment to the perpetrator.
As smoke bellowed from the common room adjoining two 3-story buildings we, the newest fire wardens, joined the other wardens to make a systematic check of every office and laboratory to ensure everyone had heard and obeyed the blaring sirens and disembodied voice repeatedly commanding, "Emergency! Evacuate now!"
With an audience of dozens, and a scene that would delight any young boy, the big red fire truck arrived at the building, lights flashing and bells ringing, along with its emergency services tender, as the would-be fire bug (hereafter known as 'Professor X') retrieved his burnt offerings for lunch. A witness had checked the source of the smoke coming from the common room and found two pieces of blackened toast still cooking under the mini-grill. The toaster had been set for 10 minutes (thus overriding the auto turn-off) and the would-be diner had left the room to return to his research on physics and energy studies...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A Big Green Leaf !
...
My contribution to the Big Green Leaf project, as suggested by
Caladium, commonly called Elephant's Ears
Coleus
A friend's tree-fern, with trellis pattern from the sun
I am hoping someone will name the other plants for me, which slip my mind at the moment! [Thank you, Alice, for naming them.]
Friday, June 27, 2008
Can't help but LOVE the little guy...
...
These pics are for you, Naomi and Alice!
(I only needed a little encouragement...thank you for visiting ANO!)
(I only needed a little encouragement...thank you for visiting ANO!)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
John McCarthy Ross - 1 year old, 21-June-08
...
John quickly bonded with his favourite gift -
an aeroplane from his Uncle Chris and Auntie Kerrie!
Blowing out the candle on his cake, made by his Mum.
[His face painted as a lion!]
What a joy our wonderful Grandson is in our lives!
John quickly bonded with his favourite gift -an aeroplane from his Uncle Chris and Auntie Kerrie!
Blowing out the candle on his cake, made by his Mum.[His face painted as a lion!]
What a joy our wonderful Grandson is in our lives!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
John Noel McCarthy, KIA 12-June-71
...
It is 37 years since my only brother, John, was killed in action, age 26, just 3 weeks short of finishing his second tour of duty in Vietnam.
I am particularly grateful to have found the following excerpt in Armour, Issue 446 (May 2006) (Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Assn. - NSW Branch):
I still grieve the loss of my brother in my life and that of our family. But the stories and memories of his wicked sense of humour live on, and it is a great joy that his name is carried on via our grandson, John McCarthy Ross.
I hope he never goes to war...
3112702 L/CPL 3 CAV REGT.
It is 37 years since my only brother, John, was killed in action, age 26, just 3 weeks short of finishing his second tour of duty in Vietnam.
I am particularly grateful to have found the following excerpt in Armour, Issue 446 (May 2006) (Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Assn. - NSW Branch):
I still grieve the loss of my brother in my life and that of our family. But the stories and memories of his wicked sense of humour live on, and it is a great joy that his name is carried on via our grandson, John McCarthy Ross.
I hope he never goes to war...
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