On Monday it was my birthday and guess what I got? A pink scooter!
And pink skate shoes to wear when I'm riding it. Check them out!
I am 3 now, can you believe it?!?
Unfortunately I couldn't have a party because we're still not sure whether I am OK to be with other kids yet, but I had lots of fun at home with my grandparents, including Opa Ross, who arrived on Sunday night, just in time for the big day.
Opa Ross brought lots of things we like from Australia, like Tim Tams and Mint Slices and Princess nappies. He even brought a battery for Nanna's camera, so we could take photos and scan them in for you to see. Yippee!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Presents
These are all the presents I got sent, from all over all the world. I am one lucky 3 year old!
Decorating my cakes
I helped Mama to make my birthday cakes. I told her I wanted chocolate love hearts, so that's what we made. I helped her put the ingredients in the bowl, and count the eggs and everything.
Then, she let me decorate the cakes! I asked for pink and purple and green icing, so we made them all. Then I put smarties and other decorations on top, and even some sugar zoo animals we found at the shop. Finally, I squiggled chocolate sauce over it all as a finishing touch.
Then, she let me decorate the cakes! I asked for pink and purple and green icing, so we made them all. Then I put smarties and other decorations on top, and even some sugar zoo animals we found at the shop. Finally, I squiggled chocolate sauce over it all as a finishing touch.
The finished birthday cakes
Here is how the cakes looked when I was finished. Pretty good, don't you think?
Dinner at the pub
Since I couldn't have a party with my friends, we went to my favourite place to eat for dinner - the pub! They made a big fuss of me there when we told them it was my birthday. They brought me a slice of cake with a candle in it, and this flashing football badge, and even gave me a chocolate when I left.
I told Dada that he had to order Jägerschnitzel so that I could share it. His wasn't cooked properly, so he sent it back, but I couldn't wait for that, so I decided it was time to sit next to Opa Ross, who was also having schnitzel. As soon as Dada got his back, I ran around to him, because he had even more now, and I didn't want to miss out. I LOVE my schnitzel.
I told Dada that he had to order Jägerschnitzel so that I could share it. His wasn't cooked properly, so he sent it back, but I couldn't wait for that, so I decided it was time to sit next to Opa Ross, who was also having schnitzel. As soon as Dada got his back, I ran around to him, because he had even more now, and I didn't want to miss out. I LOVE my schnitzel.
Blowing out candles
After dinner we came home to sing Happy Birthday, blow out the candles and cut the cake. And do you know what, the cake actually tasted pretty good! (Some of us were a bit surprised...)
A weekend in Brussels
Last weekend we had my first trip away since I got sick. We went to Brussels for 3 nights, and we took Noni and Nanna, to say thank you for everything they have done for us while I've been sick.
I was much cheerier with the change in scenery. It has been hard for me not being able to see any of my friends for so long, and it was nice to have something different to do.
We took a day trip to Bruges, which was really beautiful. We even went on a boat ride and I felt like I was Veruca in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, riding the boat on the chocolate river.
Speaking of chocolate, there was a lot of it in Belgium. And it was all good. We had to try quite a bit of it to make sure.
Sadly, our new camera hasn't arrived yet, so I don't have any photos to show you of our trip. :-(
I was much cheerier with the change in scenery. It has been hard for me not being able to see any of my friends for so long, and it was nice to have something different to do.
We took a day trip to Bruges, which was really beautiful. We even went on a boat ride and I felt like I was Veruca in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, riding the boat on the chocolate river.
Speaking of chocolate, there was a lot of it in Belgium. And it was all good. We had to try quite a bit of it to make sure.
Sadly, our new camera hasn't arrived yet, so I don't have any photos to show you of our trip. :-(
Monday, June 12, 2006
Stitches out
Today the doctor took my stitches out. I was not at all happy about that. The doctor said "but you don't want to keep them do you? What will you tell your grandchildren?" and I said, in the middle of sobbing my heart out, "I don't have any grandchildren!"
She was very careful though and took them out very gently. The big long one got stuck and then I screamed blue murder, but after I was OK. Especially when Dr Kayser gave me a biscuit AND a tattoo. And let me take my stitches home in a bag. They are bright blue.
I am feeling better and better every day and making everyone at home laugh with the funny things I say.
It is a crazy time to be in Germany right now, with everyone going mad about what they call football over here. (Dada tells me it is not real football.) Uncle Hammer flew over from Sydney to watch a game and that's where he and Dada are today. Mama and Anna and I just watched it on TV, and Australia beat Japan 3:1. We looked for Dada and Uncle Hammer going crazy and shouting Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, but we didn't see them. Maybe that's for the best.
She was very careful though and took them out very gently. The big long one got stuck and then I screamed blue murder, but after I was OK. Especially when Dr Kayser gave me a biscuit AND a tattoo. And let me take my stitches home in a bag. They are bright blue.
I am feeling better and better every day and making everyone at home laugh with the funny things I say.
It is a crazy time to be in Germany right now, with everyone going mad about what they call football over here. (Dada tells me it is not real football.) Uncle Hammer flew over from Sydney to watch a game and that's where he and Dada are today. Mama and Anna and I just watched it on TV, and Australia beat Japan 3:1. We looked for Dada and Uncle Hammer going crazy and shouting Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, but we didn't see them. Maybe that's for the best.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Found a nice doctor!
Yesterday Mama and I went to visit a new paediatrician, that's a special doctor that's just for kids. We had to find a new one because Mama and Dada were not at all happy with the one we went to when I was sick. But that is a long story that we better not get into...
Anyway, my new doctor is VERY nice. She asked me about kindergarten and she even knew the Mr Men characters from my books. Her favourite is Mr Bump, and that's my favourite too! She speaks English to me and she doesn't wear a white coat. And at the end of my visit she even gave me a biscuit!
The best part of seeing this doctor is that she didn't do anything to me at all. She didn't even touch me. I lifted up my top to show her my stitches and she said they look good. She said on Monday she will take them out for me but that it won't hurt, it will just tickle a little bit. That doesn't sound too bad to me.
We had some friends from Canberra come and stay the last couple of nights, their names are Liam and Moira. Last night we went to the pub with them and Nanna and Noni. I was very happy because in hospital I kept telling Mama "I want to go to the pub!"
Anyway, my new doctor is VERY nice. She asked me about kindergarten and she even knew the Mr Men characters from my books. Her favourite is Mr Bump, and that's my favourite too! She speaks English to me and she doesn't wear a white coat. And at the end of my visit she even gave me a biscuit!
The best part of seeing this doctor is that she didn't do anything to me at all. She didn't even touch me. I lifted up my top to show her my stitches and she said they look good. She said on Monday she will take them out for me but that it won't hurt, it will just tickle a little bit. That doesn't sound too bad to me.
We had some friends from Canberra come and stay the last couple of nights, their names are Liam and Moira. Last night we went to the pub with them and Nanna and Noni. I was very happy because in hospital I kept telling Mama "I want to go to the pub!"
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Outpatient visit
Today I had my first visit to the outpatient clinic. I was very, very, very scared to be back at the hospital again but I tried my best to be Dada's little toughie. I tried not to cry when we went in and I even put my arm out for the nurse when she got the blood pressure monitor out.
But when they poked around in my tummy where my stitches were and then took more blood from me, I screamed my head off. Enough is enough.
The last straw was when they wanted me to do a wee on the potty there. I was petrified and Mama and Dada had never heard me scream like that before. Needless to say, they didn't get their wee.
The news was all very good, it looks like my kidneys will work again like they should, and if all goes well, I may not have any more problems. They will just monitor a few things for the next few years to make sure everything is still alright.
They told us that it was a bug called e. coli that caused all this. We really don't know where I got it from, it usually comes from uncooked meat or unpasteurised milk or even soft-serve ice-cream. Since I didn't have any of these things before I got sick, we just don't know. The only thing they think maybe it could have been was some salami, but we're not even sure if I ate that. It's hard to remember what you ate a month ago!
The health department in Bonn contacted Mama and Dada, since this is such a serious bug, and they want to make sure that no other little kids get sick like me. They told us that it could have been picked up anywhere - someone might not have washed their hands properly and then prepared some food that I ate, or it could have been from water, or from ground where animals had been in the park, even from unwashed fruit or vegetables. I guess we will never know.
One bad thing is that I am not allowed to see my little friends or go to my kindergarten until they are sure that the bug is all gone. They will know when they test 3 of my poos and find that there is no bug left in them. (Sorry if this is too much information, but think of poor Mama and Dada having to spoon my poo into jars and drive it to the hospital!!!)
Anyway, I am feeling much better and am very happy that I don't have to go back to the hospital for one whole month. Yippee!
But when they poked around in my tummy where my stitches were and then took more blood from me, I screamed my head off. Enough is enough.
The last straw was when they wanted me to do a wee on the potty there. I was petrified and Mama and Dada had never heard me scream like that before. Needless to say, they didn't get their wee.
The news was all very good, it looks like my kidneys will work again like they should, and if all goes well, I may not have any more problems. They will just monitor a few things for the next few years to make sure everything is still alright.
They told us that it was a bug called e. coli that caused all this. We really don't know where I got it from, it usually comes from uncooked meat or unpasteurised milk or even soft-serve ice-cream. Since I didn't have any of these things before I got sick, we just don't know. The only thing they think maybe it could have been was some salami, but we're not even sure if I ate that. It's hard to remember what you ate a month ago!
The health department in Bonn contacted Mama and Dada, since this is such a serious bug, and they want to make sure that no other little kids get sick like me. They told us that it could have been picked up anywhere - someone might not have washed their hands properly and then prepared some food that I ate, or it could have been from water, or from ground where animals had been in the park, even from unwashed fruit or vegetables. I guess we will never know.
One bad thing is that I am not allowed to see my little friends or go to my kindergarten until they are sure that the bug is all gone. They will know when they test 3 of my poos and find that there is no bug left in them. (Sorry if this is too much information, but think of poor Mama and Dada having to spoon my poo into jars and drive it to the hospital!!!)
Anyway, I am feeling much better and am very happy that I don't have to go back to the hospital for one whole month. Yippee!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Suzy Sunshine
Finally, a photo!
This one is from when I was in the hospital. My Noni took it with her phone so we thought it might not be very good, but it turned out OK. I am holding Suzy Sunshine, a special balloon my Dada bought to make me feel better. I am still looking a bit puffy from all the fluid pumped into me in this photo, I don't look like that anymore.
Mama and Dada will get a new camera soon, and then you can see how well I look.
I am so happy to be home, and so is Mama. We are really enjoying being spoiled by Nana and Noni here.
My tummy still hurts a bit where the stitches are, but I am very good about not getting into positions that hurt too much. Noni and Nanna laughed yesterday and said I am walking a bit like an old man.
I am doing so well, our little family is all marvelling at how lucky we have been. I am on a feeding frenzy and it's hard for the grown-ups to keep up with my meal demands.
Mama said to say thank you so much to all our family and friends who have been so supportive. She is helping me write the blog now, but she says Dada will still have to make some guest appearances because he did such a good job.
This one is from when I was in the hospital. My Noni took it with her phone so we thought it might not be very good, but it turned out OK. I am holding Suzy Sunshine, a special balloon my Dada bought to make me feel better. I am still looking a bit puffy from all the fluid pumped into me in this photo, I don't look like that anymore.
Mama and Dada will get a new camera soon, and then you can see how well I look.
I am so happy to be home, and so is Mama. We are really enjoying being spoiled by Nana and Noni here.
My tummy still hurts a bit where the stitches are, but I am very good about not getting into positions that hurt too much. Noni and Nanna laughed yesterday and said I am walking a bit like an old man.
I am doing so well, our little family is all marvelling at how lucky we have been. I am on a feeding frenzy and it's hard for the grown-ups to keep up with my meal demands.
Mama said to say thank you so much to all our family and friends who have been so supportive. She is helping me write the blog now, but she says Dada will still have to make some guest appearances because he did such a good job.
Friday, June 02, 2006
I'm home!
This morning dada picked me and mama up and took us home. At first I didn't want to leave and I didn't want the tubes out of me and, in general, no no no no no! But now that I am back I like it.
And I have a brand new bed to sleep in. It's pink and with a really colourful doona.
In the letter to our doctor, the hospital said that I was a "defensive patient". What do they mean by that? Must be something to do with all the tears and tantrums when the nurses came in.
And I have a brand new bed to sleep in. It's pink and with a really colourful doona.
In the letter to our doctor, the hospital said that I was a "defensive patient". What do they mean by that? Must be something to do with all the tears and tantrums when the nurses came in.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Tummy catheter out
This afternoon I went under general anaesthetic again for a little operation to remove the catheter in my tummy. That was there for the dialysis I had last week.
I had to fast for 6 hours before the operation, which I wasn't too happy with, but when mama and dada explained it was all to help me get better, I calmed down a bit. I was wearing my "My Favourite Kitten" top before I had to put the surgery gown on and I chucked an absolute mental when mama took it off me. But then the nurse gave me some "Schnapps" (that is what they call it) and eventually I calmed down.
I was very brave when mama and dada left me to go into the operation room. I was smiling and very calm and even talked to the nurse a bit. I had my brave lion toy, an elephant named Humphrey that Harriet sent me from England, and my "whacker cushion" to keep me company.
I woke up back in my hospital room and mama and dada were right there already. I was hungry and thirsty and I've already eaten a lot of bread with butter, Salzstangen, apple and even a couple of pieces of chocolate.
The great news is that it looks like I'll be able to come home tomorrow (Friday) morning. Dada is going to come to pick me up and we'll drive back together from Cologne in our nice, but filthy dirty, black Volvo. Maybe there will be some surprise visitors for me there!
I have received so many cards and presents from people, it's been really great. Every one I open I really appreciate! I get excited every time dada brings a letter or a card in. I asked dada to list them all for you, but he's not great with that kind of thing (something to do with premature memory loss, whatever that means), but I'm sure mama will be able to fill you in next week.
We see the Professor next Tuesday to talk about what is going to happen next. Some kids get some nasty ongoing problems from what I've had, but let's hope I'll be all clear. He'll also tell us what we need to look out for in future.
Well, next time I post on my blog, I will hopefully be at home. Yay.
I had to fast for 6 hours before the operation, which I wasn't too happy with, but when mama and dada explained it was all to help me get better, I calmed down a bit. I was wearing my "My Favourite Kitten" top before I had to put the surgery gown on and I chucked an absolute mental when mama took it off me. But then the nurse gave me some "Schnapps" (that is what they call it) and eventually I calmed down.
I was very brave when mama and dada left me to go into the operation room. I was smiling and very calm and even talked to the nurse a bit. I had my brave lion toy, an elephant named Humphrey that Harriet sent me from England, and my "whacker cushion" to keep me company.
I woke up back in my hospital room and mama and dada were right there already. I was hungry and thirsty and I've already eaten a lot of bread with butter, Salzstangen, apple and even a couple of pieces of chocolate.
The great news is that it looks like I'll be able to come home tomorrow (Friday) morning. Dada is going to come to pick me up and we'll drive back together from Cologne in our nice, but filthy dirty, black Volvo. Maybe there will be some surprise visitors for me there!
I have received so many cards and presents from people, it's been really great. Every one I open I really appreciate! I get excited every time dada brings a letter or a card in. I asked dada to list them all for you, but he's not great with that kind of thing (something to do with premature memory loss, whatever that means), but I'm sure mama will be able to fill you in next week.
We see the Professor next Tuesday to talk about what is going to happen next. Some kids get some nasty ongoing problems from what I've had, but let's hope I'll be all clear. He'll also tell us what we need to look out for in future.
Well, next time I post on my blog, I will hopefully be at home. Yay.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Chocoloate and icecream
At this new hospital, I get to eat all kinds of new things. If I'm here on Saturday I'll even get some chips!
The nurses are very friendly here. I even met one who lived near Brisbane for a while with her aunty and uncle. That was pretty amazing.
Tomorrow I can't eat or drink anything until 12:00 because that's when my operation is. Everyone is hoping that goes well. I'm sure it will.
I will have some stitches in for a couple of weeks afterwards, so no baths or swimming for a while. I'll let you know as soon as I can that everything is all right.
The nurses are very friendly here. I even met one who lived near Brisbane for a while with her aunty and uncle. That was pretty amazing.
Tomorrow I can't eat or drink anything until 12:00 because that's when my operation is. Everyone is hoping that goes well. I'm sure it will.
I will have some stitches in for a couple of weeks afterwards, so no baths or swimming for a while. I'll let you know as soon as I can that everything is all right.
I've moved
Now I'm over at the Amsterdamerstrasse hospital, still in Cologne, but more towards the middle of the city. Tomorrow I will have my operation here to take the catheter out.
Mama and I took a taxi over to the hospital, which was a bit funny after the last transfer being in an ambulance. But I thought it was all fun to have a change of scenery. I even didn't cry when the nurse came in to take my blood pressure here!
Our room is a bit smaller here, but I still have my own room at least.
Mama and I took a taxi over to the hospital, which was a bit funny after the last transfer being in an ambulance. But I thought it was all fun to have a change of scenery. I even didn't cry when the nurse came in to take my blood pressure here!
Our room is a bit smaller here, but I still have my own room at least.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
All tubes out
This morning they removed the line that goes into my neck. This means I am no longer connected to any machines or tubes. The doctor was very quick and removing all the bandages didn't hurt too much.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am going to the Amsterdamstrasse hospital here in Cologne for my operation on Thursday. Then, I will probably be able to go home from there on Friday.
I had a good sleep last night - for the first time in a few days - so mama is feeling a little fresher, which is good.
The doctors say I might still be a little contagious, so I can't meet any of my little friends yet, or go to my kindy where I have been having playgroup. Soon I hope they will say I am all clear, so that I can see my good friends again.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am going to the Amsterdamstrasse hospital here in Cologne for my operation on Thursday. Then, I will probably be able to go home from there on Friday.
I had a good sleep last night - for the first time in a few days - so mama is feeling a little fresher, which is good.
The doctors say I might still be a little contagious, so I can't meet any of my little friends yet, or go to my kindy where I have been having playgroup. Soon I hope they will say I am all clear, so that I can see my good friends again.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Follow up
My operation is now confirmed for Thursday, but the even better news is that I might even be able to go home on Friday. I'll let you know!
The doctor said today that once I am out, I will have to come in the next week, the week after, 6 weeks later, 3 months later, then every year until I am 18. There are some possible complications they will need to check on each time. Not sure if it means we'll be taking a holiday to Germany every year - I don't think mama and dada would mind that too much though.
Today I ran around a bit, but it was a little too much. I hurt my tummy just a bit and then I had to take it easy for the rest of the day. I like going down on the ground to play, especially with my new, little pink car.
Noni taught me how to say I "spit the dummy". I thought this was a very funny thing to say. Maybe she says I do that because every time a nurse comes in, I do spit it.
The doctor said today that once I am out, I will have to come in the next week, the week after, 6 weeks later, 3 months later, then every year until I am 18. There are some possible complications they will need to check on each time. Not sure if it means we'll be taking a holiday to Germany every year - I don't think mama and dada would mind that too much though.
Today I ran around a bit, but it was a little too much. I hurt my tummy just a bit and then I had to take it easy for the rest of the day. I like going down on the ground to play, especially with my new, little pink car.
Noni taught me how to say I "spit the dummy". I thought this was a very funny thing to say. Maybe she says I do that because every time a nurse comes in, I do spit it.
Operation scheduled
I am going to get the tube out of my tummy on Thursday now. We have to do it at another hospital in Cologne unfortunately (due to the doctors' strike), so I will be transferred there for 1 day on Wednesday, then back here to the Uni-Kinderklinik late on Thursday.
No word on when I will get out of hospital, but maybe it will be early next week now.
Nana, Noni and Anna have all visited me today. Dada is back at work, but will be visiting me every evening, as soon as he can. I'm moving around more and more - even starting to climb things!
No word on when I will get out of hospital, but maybe it will be early next week now.
Nana, Noni and Anna have all visited me today. Dada is back at work, but will be visiting me every evening, as soon as he can. I'm moving around more and more - even starting to climb things!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Walking around
Well, it wasn't as exciting as walking for the very first time - about two years ago now - but walking for the first time in about 2 weeks was pretty fun today.
Everyone was hovering around me as I did it - I was a bit wobbly - but I didn't mind as I went for a little run, still connected to my drip. Gram's dad Brad told me about how he had gone for a run through intensive care when he was a kid, so I thought I'd follow in his footsteps - although it wasn't quite as exciting as that.
Nana and Noni visited me again today and it was great, because I could really play a lot. We played Snap with Bob the Builder cards. This was a game I played a lot with Granny Bob and Grandad and I liked it a lot. I think Noni cheats a bit though - and Dada definitely does.
My face is very puffy from all the fluid going into me, so I look a bit weird I think. Hopefully that will pass.
And for those who missed what I have - it's acute renal failure (kidney failure), specifically Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We should know by the end of this week what the long-term effects are, but I'm certainly a chance to be out of hospital and back home in Bonn by then. I've been asking to go home, especially since Noni has started promising me lots of icecream and chocolate back there. I'm not sure what Nana thinks of that, but I don't think she'll stop me either.
Tomorrow I should hear from the doctors what will happen for the rest of the week.
Everyone was hovering around me as I did it - I was a bit wobbly - but I didn't mind as I went for a little run, still connected to my drip. Gram's dad Brad told me about how he had gone for a run through intensive care when he was a kid, so I thought I'd follow in his footsteps - although it wasn't quite as exciting as that.
Nana and Noni visited me again today and it was great, because I could really play a lot. We played Snap with Bob the Builder cards. This was a game I played a lot with Granny Bob and Grandad and I liked it a lot. I think Noni cheats a bit though - and Dada definitely does.
My face is very puffy from all the fluid going into me, so I look a bit weird I think. Hopefully that will pass.
And for those who missed what I have - it's acute renal failure (kidney failure), specifically Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We should know by the end of this week what the long-term effects are, but I'm certainly a chance to be out of hospital and back home in Bonn by then. I've been asking to go home, especially since Noni has started promising me lots of icecream and chocolate back there. I'm not sure what Nana thinks of that, but I don't think she'll stop me either.
Tomorrow I should hear from the doctors what will happen for the rest of the week.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Nurses and doctors scare me
My days are getting better, but at the moment I am terribly scared when the doctors and nurses come in still. I can't stop crying until they leave. I hope I can go home soon.
I am starting to get back to normal in terms of sleeping. Today I only slept for a couple of hours during the day and went to sleep around 9:30 at night. That is more like the normal me.
Tonight too, dada carried me outside for a little while to smell the fresh air and see the rain. It has been cold and rainy the whole time I have been sick. The week before I got sick it was 25 degrees and sunny every day.
Anna came to visit me today. We watched the German puppet DVD she bought me. I have basically been watching this non-stop for 3 days, but I keep asking for more and more! Anna likes watching it too. She brought a nice Pippi Longstocking book for me too and some presents for mama and dada. She's coming again on Monday and that'll be great.
My face has gotten really puffy because there is now more fluid going into me than coming out. But today my haemoglobin level went up from 5.7 to 6.0 - (at 5.0 you need a blood transfusion), so soon they should be able to stop the drips, which would be great for me.
But even better will be when I stop seeing doctors and nurses and I can go home.
No word yet on when my operation will be. I'll let you know.
I am starting to get back to normal in terms of sleeping. Today I only slept for a couple of hours during the day and went to sleep around 9:30 at night. That is more like the normal me.
Tonight too, dada carried me outside for a little while to smell the fresh air and see the rain. It has been cold and rainy the whole time I have been sick. The week before I got sick it was 25 degrees and sunny every day.
Anna came to visit me today. We watched the German puppet DVD she bought me. I have basically been watching this non-stop for 3 days, but I keep asking for more and more! Anna likes watching it too. She brought a nice Pippi Longstocking book for me too and some presents for mama and dada. She's coming again on Monday and that'll be great.
My face has gotten really puffy because there is now more fluid going into me than coming out. But today my haemoglobin level went up from 5.7 to 6.0 - (at 5.0 you need a blood transfusion), so soon they should be able to stop the drips, which would be great for me.
But even better will be when I stop seeing doctors and nurses and I can go home.
No word yet on when my operation will be. I'll let you know.
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