Sam, Archery, Motorcyles

Sam had a small surgery today to remove prickles from grass tufts that line the pathways of a local park Five small lumps were actually removed, we thought there was only one still embedded in one spot. Because of his past surgery to remove a Mast Cell Tumour it was a rather be safe than sorry decision. The vets have stored the lumps for reference should any similar incident arise in the future. He has to wear an Elizabethan collar for two weeks to stop him scratching out the stitches.

Baby Willow Rose was born at 11:57am today to her Mum Sonja and Dad Jason at Logan Hospital QLD. She weighed in at 3.00Kg, and is a beautiful, healthy and happy baby girl to add to our family. Baby Willow was transferred across to the Mater hospital after her assessment for surgical procedure to her nasal passages and a checkup of her stomach. Mum Sonja will be transferred to the Mater today after her recovery. The pic is of a recent ultrasound.

The report from the MRI of my right knee is fairly lengthy.
MRI Report 26/07/2010 Right knee.
Anterior knee pain.

Normal amount of joint fluid.

There are several small areas of ossification in the patellar tendon at the at the tibial tuberosity. This could represent old Osgood Schlatter’s disease.

Conclusion:
1. Medial meniscal tear.
2. Cartilage change in all three compartments as described.
3. Several ganglia posterior to the knee as described.

The Orthopaedic surgeon has decided to initially remove the torn part of the medial miniscus under arthroscopic surgery as soon as possible as a pain relief measure. He advised that this right knee will need a full knee replacement at a later date. I’m waiting for admission to Sutherland hospital.

Melorheostosis (which literally means “dripping candle wax bone disease”), is a rare genetic childhood condition that affects the skeleton and soft tissues, mainly the limbs. Melorheostosis is characterised by new bone formation that appears to run like dripping candle wax on the outside of the long bones. Lesions are usually asymmetric and may involve only one limb or several limbs. They are often accompanied by stiffening of adjacent soft tissues associated with joint contractures, muscle atrophy, soft tissue swelling, and pain.

This was today’s diagnosis by my Orthopaedic Surgeon as soon as he viewed the X-Ray of my right knee. The radiologists report on that X-Ray had incorrectly referred to it as extensive enchondromas affecting the patella, fibula and tibia of the right knee.

Next step is an MRI late July and followup visit after which he will evaluate the need for arthroscopic surgery.

I had an X-Ray for a painful Right Knee that had been a bother for many months. I expected and received the usual ‘Osteo-arthritis caused yada, yada, and another rather unexpected bit.

(THIS WAS MISDIAGNOSED) - Right Knee X-Ray report - ‘Extensive enchondromas are incidentally noted along the patella, tibia and fibula’. What the Hell does that mean ?

In a nutshell the GP later said that my Right Knee required a full knee replacement. He didn’t elaborate at that time on the ‘extensive enchondromas that were reported from the radiographer. At an even later visit I asked for explanation and he virtually passed the buck to the Orthopaedic surgeon, “he will decide whether to do the knee replacement or not, depending on the risk factors of your other conditions. He may do a biopsy of the bone cancer.”

The information that I had was that ‘Extensive enchondromas’ would need to be investigated to determine the extent to which hands, feet, and the body’s long bones are affected through MRI and then a biopsy to determine if any are malignant as usually they are benign.

Most enchondromas are found when X-rays are taken for another reason, such as injury or arthritis. The diagnosis of an enchondroma is important. This is to make sure that it is not a more aggressive or cancerous tumor.

The physician evaluates the history and physical examination along with images. It is important to know if the tumor is painful and the kind of pain it causes. There is greater concern if the pain occurs at rest or if the pain occurs at night and does not go away. Pain caused by activity is not as troublesome.
Often pain from a different reason in a nearby joint may have prompted the X-ray.

The next most important information is found on the X-rays.
Enchondromas appear as small (less than 5 cm) lobe-shaped white tumors in the middle of the bone.
The white areas of the tumor usually show a pattern of rings and arcs that indicates the tumor contains cartilage.
Characteristics of a more aggressive tumor or malignant chondrosarcoma include:
• Scalloping of the inner surface of the bone
• Thickening of the bone cortex
• Reactive bone growth on the outer surface of the bone
• Destruction of the bone by the tumor
• Soft-tissue mass
• Large amounts of erosion of the bone
• Bone erosion that is growing
• Erosion surrounded by reactive bone
Most enchondromas are diagnosed on plain X-rays.

We celebrate Deborah’s 47th Birthdate today. It’s been 25 years since her passing at the much too young age of 22 years. Deborah Anne Waye was born 5th June 1963 in the Mater Hospital at Brisbane Queensland. She attended a couple of primary schools while young, finally doing her HSC at Marrickville High School NSW followed by her Bachelor of Science at Griffith University with Graduate Teaching, practical training at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane Queensland.

Deborah was posted to Hughenden in North Queensland for her first teaching role in 1986. At the completion of her first semester she returned to Brisbane with a couple of the other young female teachers for the school holidays.

On the return journey back to Hughenden near to a place name Balfes Creek on the Flinders Highway she was fatally injured in a vehicle accident when a rear tyre of the vehicle ruptured, causing the car to roll over, which in turn caused Deborah to be thrown from the vehicle. Tragically, she had been asleep in the rear without a seat-belt restraint.

RIP Deborah Anne Waye 5.6.1963 - 6.4.1986 : Always in our Hearts..
The Fleeing Spirit - Forever Fearless and Free.

Little Patrick Jnr had his very First Birthday today, celebrated at home in Millbank. He’s growing so fast, not quite walking, just standing and hanging on to move around. Teething at the moment. The picture is an earlier one taken when visiting Engadine NSW, being held by his Great Grandmother Beryl Catherine, aged 93.

Baby Mace celebrated his very first Birthday today with a cupcake tea party with his best friends Blake and Leah at his grandparents home. He had a terrific time, loves his food and playtime on the grassy yard with little Blake. Just ready to take his first steps, he crawls extremely fast, pulls himself up onto anything handy, and laughs at everything.

Just a few days after her grand-daughter Emma and husband Tim visited her at home, Beryl had a fall in the bathroom in the early hours of this morning. Her legs suddenly lost strength and she collapsed onto her back with her head against the vanity unit. Later in the emergency room ward of Sutherland hospital all of her examinations found no injury to head or body apart from some slight bruising. They did find a continuing infection that is most likely the cause of her weakness. She was admitted to an aged care ward later in the day.

Recently received the Shark 100w audio system to be fitted to HY-044. I had tried out a small system to test functionality and am looking forward to fitting this system, it has the capability to easily support all the audio output required, Radio, iPod, GPS, mobile phone. Picked it up online for an extremely good price of $89.99 for a $400 RRP strong, waterproof, motorcycle audio system.