Health Update

Many thanks to all those who have been inquiring about my recent health.

As some of you will know, I was hit with "obstructive jaundice" while we were at the Kruger National Park in South Africa last fortnight, and, after tests in a Johannesburg hospital, was advised to return to Australia for specialist treatment.

Last week, back in Australia, I had blood tests and an ultra scan, which confirms that the "obstructive jaundice" was indeed caused by a gall stone.

If I understand it correctly (and I probably don't!), the gallstone blocks the bile duct and instead of the bile passing through into the digestive tract, it has nowhere to go, so it is absorbed into your system.

The spread of bile throughout your system causes your skin to go yellow, your urine to go brown and your faeces to go white! 

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gut pain become the norm.The liver is also impacted - liver function levels becomes elevated.

So, the specialist tells me that there is residual "sludge" in my gall ladder, which means the gall bladder will have to be removed - but only when the liver gets back to normal.

So. it is a special diet of vegetables, lean meat, selected fruits and NO alcohol!!

I am seeing the specialist at the end of May, when he will take more blood samples to determine if the liver has improved, and we will then assess when the gall bladder is to be removed. 

This could go on for some time. 

The specialist thinks that I am "lucky" - there is no evidence of anything more sinister (cancer) and he thinks the problem was almost certainly a gallstone which has subsequently been passed. I received a good talking to about diet, weight and fitness. 

Obviously, further travel is not an option until this is all sorted, the gall bladder removed, and then only after some sort of recuperative period.

Which means that we will have to stay in Melbourne for the duration. This means renting a house or apartment, which means, as very few places lease for less that 12 months, we ain't going nowhere for a while!

Meanwhile, although tired, I am feeling better, the urine and faeces seem to be returning to normal, so that is probably also an indicator that the stone has passed and I am slowly returning to whatever for me is normal. 

We are staying at the old Brunswick Towers Motel on Moreland Rd until we find a suitable apartment - we are looking at 5 or 6 places in the next few days, so as soon as we get settled, move in, get the furniture of storage, services connected etc etc, we will try and get to see those of you who are around Melbourne.

I want to acknowledge Su for her excellent care and concern! She's been a rock!

In the meantime, as they say in the classics, "Keep taking the pills!"

Cheers, Rod