Japanese Windflower
Well, as they say, ‘there is never a dull moment.’ There isn’t a nook or cranny that we are now not familiar with in regard to our local hospitals. How a fortuitous choice we took some eight years ago in the decision to live almost next door to not one but two hospitals. It’s a toeing and froing not just of ambulances but also care-flight helicopters whirring over our roof-top picking or delivering patients that are in a hurry to receive life saving procedures. What a prime position! At our age one needs to be within metres of caring nurses and doctors. Better than water views. We are also blessed with two hospital cafes. So both, the alcohol laced hand sanitisers and the lattes are never far away.
Going back to ‘never a dull moment’, Helvi came home from her operation two days ago. The lumps and nodes that were cancerous, removed by the surgeon. We are now waiting for the community nurse to exchange the plastic bag into which her lymphatic fluid is being directed to flow in. Compared with her chemo therapy, the breast operation was a pic-nic. Yesterday we joined the community care organisation and met two of their staff who will now take care of Helvi’s post operation recovery.
Helvi doesn’t really like any attention to herself and her plight, so I have been somewhat reluctant to write about something which she feels is unimportant in the general scheme of things. She is more interested and concerned in issues of others.
Even so, she is happy how many people have shown they care and is grateful for the attention and well-wishing she received and is still receiving. It is amazing. The dedication and sheer hard work of hospital staff admirable. Helvi is thanking all the blog followers and friends and will keep you informed.
This journey is ongoing.
Hugs, Helvi and Gerard
Tags: Breast, Cafes, Cancer, Family, Helvi, Hospital, Latte, Lymph
Oosterman Treats Blog 
February 3, 2018 at 12:09 am |
Oh what good news! Please give her my best wishes.
Yes, you are fortunate to live so close to good care. It becomes more important as we age to keep things simple and convenient.
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February 3, 2018 at 9:23 pm |
Yes, Kayti.
Keeping it simple and convenient. Ridding the unnecessary and superfluous. You know we can walk to our hospitals hitting two nails at once. Keeping fit and getting our medical needs.
How good can it get?
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February 3, 2018 at 12:43 am |
We are just 10 minutes away from 2 fabulous hospitals, one of which I have visited frequently over the last 3 weeks for some minor repairs. Choosing to be close to good medical facilities was a conscious decision as we turned 60. You and Helvi are in our thoughts and we hope there is a steady stream of improving news and a full recovery.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:16 pm |
How fortunate you live close to hospitals too, Andrew.
I can well imagine with the ageing of the population that agents will advertise properties on their books; ‘Nice 3bedr,apartment with Miele appliances, and within minutes walk of operating theatres, with good supplies of stents and keen surgeons’.
Helvi is so happy with all the best wishes.
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February 3, 2018 at 2:02 am |
Your windflowers — what we call anemones — are beautiful. I hope they’re bringing pleasure to Helvi as she continues recovering. It’s certainly good to know that care is convenient as well as of good quality. And I really am glad that you let us know how things are going. Tell Helvi that a little bulletin now and then keeps our anxiety levels down! Strange, how we come to care for people we’ve never met in person, but it does happen — and we do care.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:23 pm |
Thank you ,Linda.
I was surprised myself of the quality of the windflower photo. I used the iPhone camera. It works well enough.
You are right that people get to know each other and care even without meeting in person.
Right now we are waiting for the community nurse to arrive to teach me to change and measure the fluid in the receptacle dangling from Helvi’s shoulder.
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February 3, 2018 at 2:44 am |
It is good to hear that all went and it is now the recovery stage. You might remember “The Castle” where the family lived near the airport that was a good position to be because one day they might need to fly.
Later this afternoon we will see the movie”Just to be sure”.
We wish Helvi a speedy recovery and with the help of the medical staff looking after her, it seems to be guaranteed. Best wishe from Aunty Uta and me.
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February 3, 2018 at 8:09 pm |
Good to know, Gerard, that Helvi is receiving the best of care. Thanks for adding these beautiful wildflowers to your blog! I can imagine that your garden gives both of you continued pleasure and helps Helvi to recover.
Just to be sure, this film was excellent indeed. It shows how important it can be to know who your birth father is.
Hugs and cheers, Uta 🙂
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February 3, 2018 at 11:36 pm
Thank you, Uta.
The Japanese windflowers come up each year. They are so gracious and their swaying in the slightest of breezes makes the bees dance in unison.
The filn ‘Just to be sure’ deals with heavy issues but in an easy manner. A joy to watch.
The garden is Helvi’s creation. She has a special talent to make things look good, both inside and outside. Of course, making things look good often makes one feel good.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:26 pm |
Thank you, Berlioz.
We are sure to squeeze a few more joyful years together, and hope the same for you and Uta.
Each day a bonus on awakening. Glad you liked that film. ‘Just to be sure’.
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February 3, 2018 at 3:04 am |
I’m glad the surgery went okay. Best wishes for her for a safe and uneventful recovery. Sounds like they take good care of you there. Community nurses are wonderful to have.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:38 pm |
The surgery went OK. Helvi thanks you.
The community nurse will be here for the second time. She is a cheerful soul and quick. Encouraging and makes us laugh.
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February 4, 2018 at 12:01 am
Laughter is the best medicine. 😊
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February 3, 2018 at 3:12 am |
Sending best wishes for a smooth recovery, R.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:40 pm |
Thank you, Robert.
Helvi is so happy about all the best wishes.
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February 3, 2018 at 3:28 am |
Great news. Hope all goes smoothly from here.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:44 pm |
Helvi has gained weight for the first time this morning. I made your chicken soup as her blood pressure is a bit low with a fast heart beat.
She needs to drink copious liquids and take more salt.
Thank you, Peggy.
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February 4, 2018 at 8:07 am |
Oh wow, I’m thrilled to know the chicken soup has been on the menu. That blog has some other good liquid-y soup recipes, so feel free to check them out. Just do a search for soup. Best wishes to Helvi and to you too.
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February 3, 2018 at 4:05 am |
I hope Helvi continues to progress well, and that you are bearing up too. I am close to a hospital, but it was not one of the factors that led me to choose this flat for my present home. but it may be very fortunate that I did.
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February 3, 2018 at 11:50 pm |
It might not be a choice for the young, but living near a hospital is very handy when getting older.
The ambulance siren in the middle of the night is so reassuring.
Of course, with my hearing getting worse I sometimes keep my hearing aids in while sleeping, allowing me to hear the trains, helicopters and of course the comfort of the ambulance.
However, one should avoid contemplating the poor victim inside the ambulance. Nothing is perfect except the Japanese windflower..
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February 4, 2018 at 4:31 am
Yes. Needing an ambulance is scary.
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February 3, 2018 at 8:27 am |
Oh! I’m so happy to hear that the surgery went well and is past now! Continued best wishes and healing thoughts for a smooth recovery and healing! It sounds like Helvi is in good hands with the medical personnel and with you at her side, Gerard! 🙂
Please let Helvi know that we do care! I know it’s difficult for a loving, caring lady, like Helvi, to do…but I hope she can accept all the love and care and let others take care of her for awhile. 🙂
❤ and (((HUGS))) to both of you! 🙂
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February 4, 2018 at 12:03 am |
Hope the news for your condition will soon be good and positive for you too, Carolyn.
Helvi is now over most of the medical procedures and soon will know if the cancer has sown itself around or not. It is all so up in the air but it is best to enjoy the present, you can’t live the moment that is yet to come…
We used to worry over careers, family, money. And what did that achieve?
How can get it any better than waking up, and enjoying the first mouthfuls of freshly brewed coffee?
There is a story somewhere about ‘The Day of a Moth’ by Virginia. Woolf. The moth lives just for one day yet it enjoys a full life. I must dig it up and read it again.
Thank you Carolyn.
Hugs from Helvi and Gerard (two hugs)
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February 5, 2018 at 6:44 am
I shall look up that Woolf story and read it, too. Sounds like a great message.
HUGS!!! 🙂
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February 3, 2018 at 9:52 am |
Sending warmest wishes to you and Helvi and your family. Praying that she will be comfortable, and for a swift recovery ❤
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February 4, 2018 at 12:12 am |
Thank you, Julia.
Things are looking up and we are going to the pub for lunch. I might go for the garlic king prawns and Helvi for the Italian pizza with white anchovies.
Nurse is yet to come here. We are looking forward to it. It’s a kind of playing nurses and doctors. Who could have thought at our age?
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February 4, 2018 at 12:19 am
😀 Well, it all sounds wonderful. Except for the white anchovies. That bit sounds horrible …
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February 3, 2018 at 3:12 pm |
(Virtual) hugs and much love to both of you. May Helgi’s recovery run smoothly.
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February 4, 2018 at 12:16 am |
Thank you, dear friend, Nina.
How are you going?
Helvi is feeling fine and fortune has it she is naturally cheerfully positive. The curmudgeon totally missing which makes me envious at times.
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February 3, 2018 at 5:25 pm |
Very best wishes to you both. I’m glad the op went ok. Here’s to a speedy recovery. xxx
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February 4, 2018 at 12:19 am |
Well wishes is aiding Helvi’s recovery, there can’t be any doubt. She is recovering very fast and thanks all of you.
Thank you, Jenny.
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February 4, 2018 at 7:05 am |
Good to here all went well there Gerard and Helvi is on the mend.
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February 4, 2018 at 10:35 pm |
Thanks Algy. She is back writing her political answers to the unfortunate misguided LNP cohorts.
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February 4, 2018 at 8:22 am |
When Dad had chemo (for mesothelioma) it aged him 20 years. It’s a brutal process. I often wonder if in 50-100 years, doctors will look back on chemotherapy much as they do on leeches now.
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February 4, 2018 at 10:39 pm |
The research is making sure that the fight against cancer will be won. However, as people get older the chances of getting cancer increases proportionally. Something or other finally makes us go into the never never. Science will never change that.
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February 4, 2018 at 2:19 pm |
I wish Helvi a gentle and positive return to full health.
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February 4, 2018 at 10:40 pm |
Helvi is up and about, getting stronger. Thank you, Hilary.
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February 5, 2018 at 4:55 am |
Gerard, this is wonderful news about Helvi’s operation and subsequent recuperation. I am sending my best wishes and healing karma that Helvi will soon be back to feeling vital and chipper again and on the path to complete wellness.
As an aside and maybe an interesting note, here in the states the protocol for many cancers is to operate first and then do chemo and radiation. I think what is done in Australia is the better treatment process. Surgery first can unleash cells that travel all over the ,body. To kill the cells first with chemo and radiation and then operate seems to me, to be the logical choice.
May you both remain strong and lean on each other during this trial of healing, strength and determination. Bless you both.
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February 8, 2018 at 9:18 pm |
Please give my love and best wishes to Helvi. I’m in a similar situation with hubby. 24 kms to hospital with its adjoining cancer centre.
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February 8, 2018 at 10:15 pm |
I’ll pass your kind wishes to Helvi. We are so fortunate to be able to walk to the cancer centre next to the public hospital here in Bowral. Who would have thought breast cancer would pop up in advancing years. The cancer surgeon told us that the older one gets the higher the chance of a cancer.
Hope your hubby is doing well.
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February 9, 2018 at 12:12 am |
Our cancer centre opened last year. Way overdue and now working to full capacity. Long road – began early Nov. Had 6 hour surgery and just completed two weeks of radiotherapy and chemo. Had complications. It is energy sapping and tiring. But, he’s doing well. Daughter No.1 expecting second baby and now can’t visit which is a bummer. I still miss you and Helvi at the pub – lots. It’s plodding along.
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February 9, 2018 at 11:19 pm |
Glad your hubby is doing OK. The present is all we have and making the best of each day is what we try.
Helvi was fed up with the abuse from Voice and thought it best to leave the P/A. The same happened on other blogs, especially Bob ‘Ellis’ and others but at least she got banned.
I’ll try and keep going with writing but with all else going on am often rather lacking in energy.
Very frustrated with the lacklustre performance of ALP, wished Albanese would take over. Can’t imagine the Libs getting another term.
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February 9, 2018 at 11:52 pm |
Sad wasn’t it. Abusing fellow patrons. Well I whacked them back ! I noticed Helvi on Ellis’ site but missed where she got herself banned. Ellis could be rather odd at times – a bit of a misogynist and couldn’t stand being faulted. Do keep writing – you’ll be bored.
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February 10, 2018 at 5:46 am |
I think I put it badly. Helvi was never banned from Bob Ellis. (one of the few) It was the same troll on the P/A who was very often banned.
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February 10, 2018 at 6:19 am |
Gawd, I did read it as Helvi got banned but on re-reading see not so ! Sea Monster comes in every now and then and annoys and says some garbage which is unrelated. Everyone tells him to eff off. I guess you are doing all the cooking and loving it. Keep well Gerard. Much love…
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