Hospital discharge and Thieving B*****ds!

After spending a second night in hospital and 24 hours without pain, it was negotiated with the Dr's that I could go back home.  I had managed to dodge having  Clexane injections in the stomach - yay - as I told them the last time I had Clexane I started leaking at injection sites and had two gushing blood noses.  I did not expect they would agree but luckily the xray and bloods showed no heart damage that they could detect and they were content with me managing on meds until such time my bloods showed damage had occurred.  Score 1 to me.  Score 2 when they put me back on my old medications and no further issues.  They treated me a bit like Dresden china so had to remind them I had been taking spray for the pains and going to work earlier in the week for 8 - 10 hour days, and would not break tidying my things and picking things up that dropped off my bed.  I was given the all clear mid morning but had to wait until just before lunch to get a medical certificate for work and prescriptions sorted.  In the meantime, I had had a shower, got dressed, repacked and scored a coffee before I was on my way. 

Had to go get my prescriptions filled out - another $80 - and that is just for a months worth!!!,.  I had a few things I needed to get and some fresh fruit and veg, and finally drove up the drive around 1.55pm.  The first thing I noticed was the back gate open and I thought damn and blast, I am sure I left that shut, and that was after finding it open on the Thursday when I got home from work too. As I turned the car off and got out of the car, I then noticed the sliding door into the kitchen open and I knew I had shut that and checked it before I left for hospital, so not good.  I went through the door and saw cupboards open, packets of crackers and biscuits on the floor,  and as I moved towards the lounge saw the front door and the porch slider open at the same time I saw  suitcase lying in the middle of the lounge floor with a guitar hero (play station 2 guitar and dvd) packed in it and sideboard open with bottles of alcohol out on the floor.  I moved towards my bedroom and OMG, what a mess.  Clothes were strewn over  the bed, on the floor and every drawer and shelf had been emptied, lipsticks, eye pencils, brushes etc  were strewn everywhere having been thrown out of  the case I had them in. On the way to my room, I noticed that foundation (makeup) had been squirted up the wall, over the mirror and over the vanity.  Buggary bollocks.  I went straight outside as I heard the next door neighbour out there to ask if she had noticed anything at the same time trying to ring the Police.  I wasn't sure what number to ring - it is 000 here not 111 like in NZ and as I couldn't get my phone to work she rang for me.  Of course it rang in Perth, not Geraldton so when they asked where I was, I said at home, lol (must have been shock) and the woman said no, what state!!!!  Then she wanted my phone number and I said didn't it come up on her screen, the number I was ringing from - honestly does nothing work like on TV!!!!!!!  Had to give her my house ph number as do not know my mobile number by heart - too many phone numbers to remember, lol.  I then txt the WMH to let him know.  He was at work as were three of the four kids and he left work in such a hurry to come round, he left one of the kids behind, lol. (Bronwyn had come too so after seeing I was ok, she left and went and picked up Em who had been left behind)  We sat round in the midst of chaos and waited for the local police to turn up when Gerard finally rang  to see where they were, laying it on a bit thick about me coming home out of the cardiac ward to find the house burgled and ransacked,  to give them a nudge and was told they were not far away. 

I had noticed on my second sweep through the house that there was a running shoe (not mine) left in the lounge by the sideboard and then on further investigation in the kitchen/ lounge, a bag of playstation games( not mine) that had been left behind.  While outside ringing the police, Gerard noticed a fly screen on the ground and that the  side window had a chunk of glass broken out of the corner, which was probably how they got in, putting a hand through and opening the sash window, lifting it then to get inside.  ******
The police did arrive and took away the shoe in a plastic bag, plus the dvd's,  getting quite excited that there may be DNA evidence left behind with the shoe especially.  They were impressed I had done no cleaning before they got here - saying that most people start cleaning straight away - again do they not watch CSI, Bones,Morse, Taggert, etc lol.  Of course I wasn't going to touch anything until the fingerprint bloke had been or any police for that matter.  They took photos of my room, bathroom, window etc and then left.  They said I could tidy up after isolating items most likely to have fingerprints but did not feel up to it, so after  another look around went round to the WM's for pizza and left over birthday cake and desserts which was a nice interlude.  Gerard drove back behind me on my return more as reassurance than anything, no one about,  so sat up for a time playing on my computer until I felt I could sleep.  I think I was more shaken than I realised and I could not settle so in the end pushed the bed up against my bedroom door (was in the spare room), leaving a light on in the lounge, finally sleeping with my laptop and two phones beside me, lol. 

The fingerprint bloke eventually got here mid morning the next day and so began the huge cleanup.  I think I have done 14 loads of washing so far with another two to go yet,  then I will have washed my entire wardrobe and bed linens.  The police had immediately sent me an email with a job number when I first rang them and since then I have been writing down what has been missing, jotting more as I notice more things not being where I thought they should be.  The first thing I noticed when I saw my bedroom was that ALL my jewellery was gone,then as I wandered through again,  alcohol, play station 2 and sing star dvd's, both my cameras, video camera, guitar, NZ cell phone, Aussie pre paid ph that I was using as an alarm clock since I got a different phone, then weekend bag, back pack, and camera bag.   Trying to remember what I had here as opposed to still back in NZ jewellery wise was a bit of a challenge but I had tidied the drawer not long ago so have managed a fair list.  Nothing worth heaps but all with a story, a lot being gifts and more sentimental value than anything else. The bracelet that the Tardun mob gave me for my birthday two years ago was probably the most expensive, then there is my charm bracelet with all the charms having some meaning, the necklaces and earrings I wore to both my boys's weddings, my amythyst and diamond drop from Mum for graduation to mention a few. It is a total pain losing the phones as I had all my numbers in there. They didn't get the the charger leads so both totally useless especially the NZ one.    I was just thankful that I was not here when they broke in and that they had been disturbed before taking more.  The TV had been unplugged but not moved which also led me to believe they had taken off before finishing the job.  The cops told me neighbours two doors down had their shed broken into Friday night after 8.30pm and the neighbour said she got home around 8.30pm then her partner around 10.30pm so am picking it was between those times.  All the lights were turned on in the house when I got home, however I found the outside security lights had been switched off in the front, and unscrewed outside the kitchen side of the house.   As I was tidying yesterday, I had a couple of wins.  As I was clearing clothes off the top of my drawers to wash, underneath one heap, I found a sliver koru shaped pendant with the seven chakra stones and a pair of paua and silver earrings left behind.  I had talked to sister Kay on skype by then and she reminded me that she had my Grandmother's amethyst ring with her plus some other pieces I had left behind back in Feb, so whew, another special piece still with me.  It wasn't till another four loads later as I moved to take clothes off my bed, when squeal, under another pile there was my glasses case that I used to put some jewellery in while I was travelling home and back and an even bigger squeal when I opened it and there was some things in there.  The first thing I saw was the pounamo (greenstone) pendant given to me by friend John the Porter, that belonged to his grandmother.  I had thought it gone forever and was imagining what dire things would happen to those who had taken it as it is the worst of bad luck to steal someone's greenstone.  Also left was a pair of black Abrolous Island pearl earrings I had bought to match my bracelet (gone), my green jandal (thongs) necklace - birthday present from family friends in Feb ( wave to Claire and co), a paua pendant - present from J & J in Hamilton, a silver chain, one of my amethyst/garnet pendants, one of my garnet and silver earrings, -( the other is in NZ) and a pair of paua and sliver hoop earrings.  The next win was yesterday lunch time as I went to put some makeup on before going out, and there tucked in the top vanity drawer in the bathroom between a box and the side of the drawer, was my amethyst and marquisette ring that I particularly liked. 

There is no reason that the glass case should have been left behind, I would have thought they would have tossed it into the bag they also stole, and my take on it is that the old kuia who owned the pendant originally did not let it go out the door, think what you may .......  So, now the glasses case is in my handbag, and those who laughed at me taking my laptop with me everywhere - I still have it and that is probably the most important thing as with my hard copy photos, I had been uploading my most recent photos before going into hospital, in fact, I still had the 8gb memory card in the computer which I had already found by chance before I had got home to a burgled house.

I am still taking the laptop and phones to bed with me, but have managed to sleep with doors open and lights out the last two nights and am I having a spring clean whilst doing the massive clean up.  All surfaces wiped down, clothes washed, and am getting to the floors tomorrow.  The glazier arrived yesterday and fixed the window and had the plumber here to mend the second toilet where the doohickey had perished where the pipe from the cistern entered the toilet bowl causing water to gush over the floor every time it was flushed.  Received sympathy from both tradies and what was really lovely is that my hair dresser who lives further up the road, gave me her  phone number and said anytime I go away in future, to let her know and she will check the place for me on her home from work.  I was very touched by that.  I have made myself go out and about as per normal over the last few days, so as not to let the b********ds win so to speak.  I cannot be worrying about being on my own, but do find myself double checking doors etc as I leave and have taken the laptop with me in the boot of the car each time I am out of the house. 

In between all this, we had Queens birthday weekend here too (as in NZ) so a three day weekend which was nice.  I had the lad round for some time out from his carer on Monday.  We got Puss in Boots out on dvd and went to Maccas for lunch, and chilled out in the afternoon watching the movie, doing jigsaw puzzles and colouring in between playing pirates with my lego pirate ship and Jack Sparrow.  Donna bless her rang and has found another playstation 2 with 20 dvds to go with it for $50 which she will bring up in two weeks time, so next visit we will have games to play as well.

 I had left the tv unplugged on the first night home in case there were finger prints that they needed from it (they didn't) so in between the loads of washing since, I have managed to watch a fair bit of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations which have been spectacular.  The first I saw was the Royal barge going down/up the Thames to the Tower bridge - and I  HAVE BEEN THERE.  Then there was the concert outside Buckingham Palace and I HAVE BEEN THERE, and last but not least, the Church Service in St Paul's Cathedral ..  and yes.. I HAVE BEEN THERE too.  I am not sure what it is about seeing places that you have visited overseas in movies or other televised events, but there is just a little bit more excitement for me and it is almost like being there, without the sounds and smells, lol.  There is no one who can do a spectacle like the Brits and they did not disappoint this time either.  My paternal grandmother had the chance to attend the coronation in 1953, turning it down because she got sea - sick ( did not make the leap from steam ship  to ocean going liner, lol) and was a Royalist through and through, buying her first colour tv for Princess Anne's (1st) wedding, so I am always reminded of her at every major Royal event and how much she would have enjoyed the jubilee as well.  Once again, thanks to skype was chatting to Mum and sister Kay while different events were on so got to enjoy them with some of the family after all.

Am back to work tomorrow morning and looking forwards to seeing all the kids.  Caught up with the babies today as we had a farewell lunch in town for a staff member who is leaving and moving back to Queensland.  I will miss working with her but am already looking to forward to having somewhere to stay when I manage to get up there for a look around.  There is a silver lining to every cloud, lol. 

Speaking of clouds, it has finally rained here today after a tiny shower about two weeks ago so I cannot believe I am saying this, but I hope we get at least three days worth if not a little longer as the farmers are desperate for it.  They have had to dry seed this year with the rain being so late and if this does not work, after the bumper year last year, this year it will be a disastern instead this year without rain.    Lunch has worn off and I am feeling peckish so better go look what is in the fridge to eat and then some more tidying away before bed. 
Ciao.

Drs and Nurses

Well, here I am again, in hospital.  I had been round to the Workmates place for dinner on Wednesday night and just as I was about to go to bed at 1am I got pain after a day clear of it. I went to get toothbrush and nickers together with laptop when I got another belt, so after my second lot of GTN spray, grabbed two books, my phone and packed laptop,  and drove to hospital.  Got in the door and was just attracting the attention of one of the nurses when I got another pain, which was good timing as I got whisked straight in, and on an ekg after another blast of my GTN spray.  I was expecting a canula to be put in and bloods taken,  however it was just my luck, instead of the experienced staff I have usually encountered, I got a beginner!!  First of all he said my veins were not good and after much tapping inside both arms and tops of my hands, he settled on top of my right hand. After saying this will be a little prick (had to bite my tongue at that one as I felt I already had the little prick in front of me, lol) there was a considerable jab and ouch and more ouch. He stopped finally and told me the canuala had come out because I had moved (my eyes were shut tight so had no idea what was going on except the pain was at last beginning to stop.  I told him that when it is done properly it should not hurt, and he kept saying that I had moved - I was too busy gritting my teeth stopping saying some very unladylike words and going feral on him to respond to that one.  Then my next hand was swabbed with alcohol, more tap, tap, tapping and fortunately that one went in ok.  I was moved into a four bed holding room off the emergency dept and next morning after more pain and an ekg with some changes, and a chest xray, I was moved up to HDU.  Have had two of the same nurses as my Christmas admission which was good, - as soon as they saw my laptop come out, they also remembered me.

After another bout of pain, they put a GTN patch on me much like a nicotine patch which I had on for just over 12 hours and no more pain. During the day had Dr's tooing and froing asking histories etc so mostly read and slept inbetween obs being taken and answering questions.  Because there were some seriously unwell people on the ward, I was mostly left to my own devices once the patch went on and I had no more pain.  My patch came off at midnight as I was having more obs taken (I was still awake and just thinking I probably should get some sleep soon though).  I was hungry having had a cardiac diet for the day, - no frills lol,  so the nurse got me a cup of coffee and two sandwiches and then just as I had been to the loo, and was getting back into bed, bang, another pain.  More GTN spray, and things settled, another ekg was run which showed some changes straight after the pain. Again this was good. When I saw the Dr's this morning they said that it was definitely my heart and not reflux or osophogeal spasm which the specialist still reckoned on (they had rung him yesterday). They are reinstituting my original tablet regieme and strongly advised that I might like to get a second opinion from a different specialist without actually saying the words. 

After I had the pain at 1am, the nurse came asked if I had fasting bloods taken which I hadn't so a bit of an ooops having the coffee and sandwiches as the blood nurses needed minimum 10 hours without food.  No probs slept not long after that, waking around 8am, not hungry and went till 10am no problem.  The nurse was more concerned than me, I think she thought I may fade away, lol.  Thankfully had a pro at taking bloods this time and though she had to try both arms, barely felt anything at all.  I am becoming quite expert in my pin cushion role.  Had toast followed by lunch not long after and then dozed and played on computer for the afternoon before a visit from the WMH.  It was his birthday so I had a visit before he went home to roast pork dinner, red velvet mud cake, tobelerone mousse, home made vanilla ice cream.  I remarked there was something about occassions and hospital admissions having been admitted last time on just before Christmas and the Tardun mob's    Christmas dinner at my place.  I settled back to my sausage meat meatballs, steamed silver beet, boiled small potoato and sliced steamed carrot with not the same joy as I would have approached the aftorementioned repast, lol.  Time for more medical attentions so will pause here :). More soon.