Friday, January 11, 2013

SECOND WEEK OF JANUARY 2013

5th to 11th January 2013

It is hard to believe we are into the second week of January, time really does seem to fly by and hasn't this week been stifling hot in many areas of Australia. 

The raging bush fires have caused so much destruction and heartache for many, it is so terrible to see it happening all around us.  I think the most distressing thing is that in many cases these fires have been lit deliberately, that is just horrific.  Maybe some of these teenagers that have nothing better to do, could be helping those less fortunate in our society instead of lighting these fires.

The heat has made me feel so dreadfully nauseous and tired.  We have little portable air coolers in the house but they just take a little of the heat away.  The temperature in the house is still above 30 degrees, but I guess that is far better than the 37 that it is outside. 

With the high temperatures you can not do too much, especially outdoors, so it has been good weather for playing games, watching DVD's and reading. 

In the heat this week I had a physiotherapy appointment with Kaitlyn who worked on my hamstring, buttocks and neck, I have been so dreadfully tight and sore in these areas, of course they are nowhere near as sore as my spine but when they are sore at least I have another area of pain to think about apart from my spine.  At the end of my session, I had those absolutely marvellous heat packs on, they are truly splendiferous and with the hot weather I have not been able to use mine at home often this. 

I also had an appointment with my Paediatrician this week, he is a wonderful doctor and takes good care of me.  I have been having regular headaches lately in my front temple area, so he carefully checked behind my eyes with his little light to make sure there was not large mass there.  Fortunately at this stage there is not, my headaches may be from the hot weather, hopefully they will ease as the weather improves.  He suggested that during the heat that I eat small meals regularly rather than just three large meals, it may help my nausea.  Pain is probably one of the largest concerns with it being around 6 - 7 out of 10 constantly, despite taking my regular pain medication. 

My spine remains twisted to the right at the top and to the left down the bottom and I am only to have gentle massage on my spine.  I can not remember if I have mentioned this before but when I had my last blood tests, it was found that I am menopausal, it is a difficult discovery when you are only 14, that is something that much older people have to face.  It is extremely annoying for me to have some of the symptoms but again, it is something that is part of my journey, it is most likely from my radiation treatment as well as my cancer.   I have to see my Paediatrician again on 18th February after I have seen my Oncologist on 7th February.

I found out from my medical care team that I can take more oxycodone, as when you take it for an extended period of time, you often get used to it, originally when you start on it, it is based on your weight.  They suggested that I could have an extra half dose at bedtime, to help me sleep through the night without waking with pain or discomfort.  I am also able to have five doses of the oxycodone a day when it is required, their may goal is to keep my pain down if possible.

Last night was Interclub and I was really determined to throw after feeling so unwell the week before and not been able to compete.  I was sore but when you really want to do something you love, you sometimes do it despite your pain.  My first event was discus, I had some problems this week throwing either too far to the left or right and fouling, however I managed to get one decent throw in, it was not a personal best but I was just relieved that it was in.  Nalani also threw discus and even though she threw well, she did not achieve a personal best either.

It was then time for Shot put, doing that event you are less likely to foul, and I was so excited to get all good throws and in the end I managed a personal best of 2.26m.  Unfortunately, Nalani did not get a personal best but she still enjoyed throwing because she came first in her age group.

Jarrett ran in the Mile Championships, he wanted to do really well and was aiming for a time under 4:45:00.  The weather was still rather warm at the time of his race and the heat of the AIS track is much hotter than the actual air temperature.  He had a reasonable start and worked his way through the pack, then in the last four hundred metres he surged and he flew, he had a magnificent finish and came 5th overall but 2nd in his age group which he has moved up to U20 Men.  The race had competitors from all ages from U14 Men to Open Men.  The time he achieved was fantastic, he got 4:42, so that was below his goal. 

As I finish my Blog entry for this week I pray that areas of Australia with such hot temperatures and sinister fires will see some relief in the form of cooling rain and temperatures. 

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Dainere

Am glad to read that you can increase your pain medication at night to obtain decent sleep. Often when you experience pain or nausea, the only respite is whilst you are asleep so drug up and get that rest you need to get you through the following day. I pray that it helps bring you some relief.

The January holidays are passing by quickly and it's so nice to be home. Your brother & sister are still busy with athletics & well done to you on a PB for shot put. My boys have had no sport/training during the Xmas holidays & it all resumes shortly once school starts. Basketball, indoor soccer, tennis lessons then footy training starts in March ready for the winter season. It's crazy!!

I went to the Capitol Theatre in Sydney to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the other night. Dainere, it was spleniferous. I loved it, I have not been to a musical like that in a long time so thoroughly enjoyed it. The car was amazing, the performers brilliant & we were 5 rows from the front so could easily see. I've been walking around singing all the tunes in my head ever since.

Hope the weather cools down for you & that the meds give you relief. Say Hi to your Mum for me, take care, Love Fran xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear Dainere, Yes isnt it amazing 2 weeks gone so quick , oh time flies .

So very sad about the bush fires , terrible , and as you Know meryls Mum lives in Cooma, but she is ok. It is such a shame that these people who light fires have got nothing better to do , I hope that the law comes down on them hard , may be they will realise that they are playing with Peoples lives .

So sorry about the nauseous feeling , just take it easy and dont push your self to hard .

So Glad that The doctor could NOT see any mass behind your eyes. Have you thought that may be it is pollen in the air , i think the pollen count would be high at the moment too .

AH dear friend, as if you havent got enough to think about now you are given some of the menopausal symptoms at your tender age .

We will be thinking of you on 7th and 18th February.

It is good that you can increase the oxycodone at least it will hopefully help you sleep better at night time , cos its important to let the body rest as best it can .

WEll done at Discus and shot , and still getting PBs you are a star Dainere .

Well Done also to Nalani and Jarrett.

WEll my dear friend , we hope sincerely that the weather gets cooler for you , and that the increase in Oxycodone will help you sleep .

lots and lots of love from stuart and meryl

xxxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Lovely Dainere,
I hope you are keeping as cool as possible today. I know that the heat really saps my energy and makes it hard to get motivated and then I read how you have managed to participate in athletics despite constant pain.You are my hero!!
I'm glad to hear that you have room to increase your pain meds. As Stuart and Fran rightly says, getting a good nights sleep is very important and will help you cope with the demands of the day.
i decided during the week to do a bit of recycling... Ollie hasn't used his litter tray for over three years (he will only "go" outside)so i washed and cleaned it out and then filled it with water for the birds to cool down in. I manged to see several wattle birds and the baby magpies splashing in the water, having a great old time. Its important I think in this hot weather to look after all creatures great and small and Ollie has been spending time fully stretched out on the floor under the ceiling fan.
Poor you having symptoms of menopause at your age. I am going through it all at the right age and it can be really yucky.
Lets hope your increase in pain meds bring you some relief and the weather cools down a bit to give you some respite.
lemonade icy poles are my favourie in the heat - have you tried some?
I have been trying to do some visualisation at night time to cool me down. I imagine I am sitting under a big shady tree dangling my feet in a lovely cool creek, the grass I am sitting on is cool and damp and there is a pleasant breeze blowing. It seems to help me so maybe by sharing it with you it may help you also.
With love and Oliie Cat smooches,
Catherine and Ollie.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dainere,

It's terrible that people have delibratly lit those fires, I hope that they learn that they could actually be murdering people. I don't think anyone is thrilled by the heat either, it's hot for all of us.

Bush fires are terrible, aome family in Victoria near the fires are on standby for evacuation if neccessary.

Pain is horrible,I hope the extra doses of pain medication help.

I do athletics aswell, it has been great doing it again, congratulations on a well earned PB in Shot Putt!

Hope the pain reduces with your medication.

from Steph

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,

It has been very hot here in Newcastle today.

I can't understand why anyone would deliberately start a fire to destroy bushland and/or property. I know that there are people with psychological problems who have an interest in fire but mostly it is done by bored and directionless people.

The air coolers certainly are having a hard time of it in the extreme temperature.

I know you like playing games, watching DVDs and reading but it would be nice to get outside in the school holidays. Hopefully there will be some reprieve from the heat. We experience humidity, though last Tuesday it was a dry heat.

Kaitlyn sounds like a lovely person.

My father was advised to have six small meals for similar reasons. It seemed beneficial in his case.

I think pain management is so important. It most likely will be an individual treatment that works - one based on individual genetics.

Well done to you, Nalani and Jarrett in your athletic events.

God bless you and your family,

Michael

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