Mon 15-Nov-10 (Movember - half way there)

There is something I haven't blogged about until now. This "Movember" I've decided to donate my face to raising awareness about men's health. My commitment is the growth of a moustache for the entire month of Movember, which I know will generate conversation, controversy and laughter (especially).

I am doing this because close to 3,300 men die of prostate cancer in Australia each year and one in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime.

I have never tried to grow a moustache before (and may never again), so I wasn't sure how it will turn out. My aim is to grow it, let the kids shave it off, then donate an amount of money myself for the privilege of doing it. A few have asked about supporting my efforts by making a donation. If you feel compelled, then why not join me by donating either by:

• Clicking this link and donating online using your credit card or PayPal account; or
• Writing a cheque payable to Movember Foundation, referencing my registration number 1251974 and mailing it to: Movember Foundation, PO Box 292, Prahran, VIC, 3181.

Through the Movember Foundation and its men’s health partners, PCFA and "beyondblue: the national depression initiative", Movember is funding world class research, educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible.

For more details on the impact Movember is having please visit this link:

So, here is how things are looking at the half-way mark. I think Gabi is leading the race!

Fri 12-Nov-10 (Gab still off school)

While it was unfortunate that a dear friend Cath had developed strep throat, it was a blessing that she by being off sick from work she was able to care for Gabi for the day. She had to take one of her kids to the doctor as well, so Gabi got out and about a little.

Gabi will hopefully be non-contagious by the weekend.

Thu 11-Nov-10 (Remembrance Day, illness identified)

Gabi woke feeling quite unwell, with ulcers in her mouth. I stayed at home again and worked.

I missed the minute's silence at work at 11:00am to commemorate Remembrance Day. For our non-Commonwealth friends, it is a memorial day observed to remember the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War This day was chosen to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918, as the major hostilities of World War I were formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.

I called my brother in the evening and during this conversation I discovered that Luka had developed Coxsackie A Virus (Hand, Foot & Mouth disease) and was on the way to recovery. The timing suggested Gabi may have caught it from him. Sadly, little Ingrid may have also been infected.

Ben had this virus as an infant and was isolated in hospital and on a drip as his mouth was filled with blisters. Fortunately Gabi's case seems mild albeit her mouth blisters had increased, with some small spots on her hands. Her feet were otherwise fine.

Wed 10-Nov-10 (more illness probs for Gabi)

Gabi went to school on the Monday and Tuesday as her eye settled and she was otherwise well, although a little run down.

This morning we were about to leave for school when Gabi remembered her dance group was performing at assembly. We madly got ready and I had to cancel some work meetings at short notice, but it all seemed to sort itself out.

Gabi and the girls performed so well. After kissing her goodbye I started to head into work. I was only 10 minutes into the drive (about half-way) when I received a call from the school to say that Gabi had thrown up. I turned around and collected her. I spent the rest of the day working from home (the advantages of being networked in), while Gabi relaxed. While she didn't vomit again, she was off her food.

We were planning on being at Small Group as we've missed a few weeks, but it was not to be, again.

Sun 7-Nov-2010 (time in hospital for Gabi)

It's been a while since I typed and since then I suppose it's mostly been regular day-to-day stuff, until today.

It all started on Thursday afternoon/evening when Gabi complained that she thought she could feel a sty developing in her right eye. We started treating it with warm salty water. As we left early Friday morning to travel to Sydney, we didn't think about it first thing in the morning. By the end of Friday, Gabi was still complaining of pain in her eye. There was nothing that could be seen.

Come Saturday morning I had just taken this photo of Gabi and Ingrid (focusing on Ingrid to get an expression) and didn't notice that her eye was closing.

About half-an-hour later I was chatting with Gabi and noticed he eye had closed a fraction more than in the photo. As we were heading home, we treated it with a cold press before leaving. Upon returning home late in the afternoon we headed straight to the pharmacy and were given some eye drops to try.

We woke this morning for church and Gabi's eye again had swollen. After chatting to a dear friend (former paediatric nurse) I called "Health First" who (also) suggested I take Gabi to hospital to have it more closely examined.

Upon arrival it didn't actually take too long to have Gabi taken around to a Paeds bed in the Emergency Department where she and Ben were able to watch a DVD while they observed her. The nurse looking after us said it was the quietest shift she could remember for a long time. All the nurses were great and had an awareness of our family situation, which probably added to their gentleness. They appreciated that as I was happy to avoid the hospital as much as possible, there was some concern that led to bringing her in.

Our dear friend Cath came with her kids (with lunch and bearing gifts) and took Ben home for a play, which allowed Gabi and I to hang around to have this resolved.

The initial view from nurses was the possibility of orbital cellulitis, which would lead to the administration of IV antibiotics. The doctor checked her closely and felt that it was an infection of a gland in the eye. Her eye was responsive and there was an absence of a few other symptoms that swayed him away from the former view. He also had the registrar double-check and she agreed with his diagnosis.

Gabi was sent home with a combination of oral antibiotics, eye drops and an eye ointment (the latter for bed time). We've been told there should be an improvement, and if so, she can go to school in the morning. If things haven't settled in 24-48 hours, then it will be a return trip to the hospital for a drip. Without the swelling and the tenderness on the swollen part of the eye, you wouldn't even know there was anything wrong with Gabi.

As an aside, the doctor that treated Gabi was originally from Kenya. After a brief discussion we both worked we were "brothers in Christ". It was a real blessing to talk at that level and have someone who genuinely cared about how we were travelling as a family but able to rejoice in our salvation and knowing where Maria TRULY has gone!

After a weekend of driving and hanging around the hospital (sometimes reflecting on times I'd spent next to Maria, especially as Gabi's bed was around the corner from where Maria had stayed on two occasions prior to her admission) I've hit a wall. I am acting at a higher level at work for the week ahead with my boss overseas on work, so I'd better try and grab some sleep soon.