On Thursday night my 2 year old daughter started throwing up about 4.30pm and continued to do so every half an hour. By 7pm the poor little soul was exhausted and miserable and Mum couldn't take any more...so off to the hospital we went (I should mention, as I've noticed a few Americans have joined, that this service is free in Australia).
The staff were really kind, telling us there were several cases of gastro going around. We were put in the "handle with gloves" bays and my daughter soon relaxed after some anti-nausea medication. I was super impressed with their non judgmental approach. I was never made to feel like an "over reacting" Mum. I was musing on this, when I overheard a doctor tell the family in the bay nextdoor to monitor their daughter's diet.
"No probs" said the Dad casually
The doctor went on to recommend "no dairy, lots of veggies and plenty of fluids....avoid soft drink" there was an almost pleading tone to the doctor's voice.
Soft drink! Who on earth would give their child a can of Coke straight after a fit of Gastro?! And it only got worse - when I walked past to leave I saw the child (maybe 6 or 7 years old) eating a big box of KFC. When I saw this, all judgments left me and I was overwhelmed by a genuine sadness - where are our health and education systems failing that some people have so little nutritional understanding? Or perhaps what is even more frustrating is that we've built a food supply chain that can sell a box of fat-covered chemicals at a much cheaper price than fresh food...
Now I'm no Saint - who doesn't enjoy a McDonald's chocolate sundae (sauce on the bottom and top thanks) every now and again. And perhaps, just maybe, that is the only food option these parents had available to them.....?
Friday 11 September 2015
Friday 4 September 2015
18 months to live - what would you do?
Mr TJ is my Dad's bestie from High School - they have a friendship that has spanned 50 odd years, several countries, a couple of marriages, business ups and downs and a health scare or two...(may you all have a friend like this xo)
I met TJ when I was little, really little and he seemed like the biggest human being on earth! He is very tall and generously proportioned but I have never been scared of him even when I only came up to his knee caps. He is kind to the core and has a hearty, warm and frequently-used laugh. He is the personification of the image we push to our children of Santa.
TJ has devoted his life to protecting our marine life particularly from large, foreign (and often illegal) fishing vessels. I am sure his intimidating frame and big, burly voice helped him on the job (but I'd rather keep the Santa Clause imagery!). It's a particular type of lifestyle - endless patrolling of the sea and complete exposure to the sun...the latter of which will ultimately cost him his life. TJ has Grade 4 skin cancer and has been given 18 months to live.
I had the privilege of talking to him in person yesterday and was amazed at his strength and humbled at the dignity he displayed in sharing this horrible information. I'm not sure if I used the right words to comfort him or whether that's even my role to play. At some points in the conversation I had no words at all...but perhaps that's OK too. Being sad, being angry and being uncomfortable are 'right' emotions. The two overriding emotions for me were:
1. ANGER: He is too young and the world, his world, will be sadder without him. It sucks and it's not fair. This gentle giant (rather fittingly) had 2 daughters and now 3 granddaughters - ask any of them if there is a silver lining!!!
2. GRATEFULNESS: I caught my Cancer early, I have two beautiful children, a loving family amazing friends and the 'leave-pass' to tell them all, whenever I can, that they rock :)
I can do little to help TJ - I'm not a doctor and my quest for wellness guru status is largely failing as I allow myself to get drawn back in to the Busy Delusion. I think I'm writing this blog to let him know how I have always viewed him - brave, kind, honourable and just a little bit cheeky. Now fight TJ - fight to prove them wrong, fight to enjoy your world, fight to see your horse make it over to the big-time Melbourne spring racing carnival!
And for the rest of us....be kind and don't stress the little things (yes, that's the sum of my philosophy today...just call me Socrates ;)
I met TJ when I was little, really little and he seemed like the biggest human being on earth! He is very tall and generously proportioned but I have never been scared of him even when I only came up to his knee caps. He is kind to the core and has a hearty, warm and frequently-used laugh. He is the personification of the image we push to our children of Santa.
TJ has devoted his life to protecting our marine life particularly from large, foreign (and often illegal) fishing vessels. I am sure his intimidating frame and big, burly voice helped him on the job (but I'd rather keep the Santa Clause imagery!). It's a particular type of lifestyle - endless patrolling of the sea and complete exposure to the sun...the latter of which will ultimately cost him his life. TJ has Grade 4 skin cancer and has been given 18 months to live.
I had the privilege of talking to him in person yesterday and was amazed at his strength and humbled at the dignity he displayed in sharing this horrible information. I'm not sure if I used the right words to comfort him or whether that's even my role to play. At some points in the conversation I had no words at all...but perhaps that's OK too. Being sad, being angry and being uncomfortable are 'right' emotions. The two overriding emotions for me were:
1. ANGER: He is too young and the world, his world, will be sadder without him. It sucks and it's not fair. This gentle giant (rather fittingly) had 2 daughters and now 3 granddaughters - ask any of them if there is a silver lining!!!
2. GRATEFULNESS: I caught my Cancer early, I have two beautiful children, a loving family amazing friends and the 'leave-pass' to tell them all, whenever I can, that they rock :)
I can do little to help TJ - I'm not a doctor and my quest for wellness guru status is largely failing as I allow myself to get drawn back in to the Busy Delusion. I think I'm writing this blog to let him know how I have always viewed him - brave, kind, honourable and just a little bit cheeky. Now fight TJ - fight to prove them wrong, fight to enjoy your world, fight to see your horse make it over to the big-time Melbourne spring racing carnival!
And for the rest of us....be kind and don't stress the little things (yes, that's the sum of my philosophy today...just call me Socrates ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)