Trenna’s Diary Summaries From Her iPad (with photos)
Intro and extra clarifications by Greg, the rest by Tren
As I’ve said previously … In Trenna’s iPad she has written summaries of each year. As you will see from what she has written she has gleaned the information retrospectively from a wide range of sources.
As I reproduce them on this site I’ll take the opportunity to clarify and expand on some of the stories. Trenna wrote these summaries (and there are many of them) to help her and I recall our many experiences. It was probably another preparation she was making to tell her story, or knowing her, making it easier for me to tell her story.
Introduction
This is the second in a series of posts which reproduce from Trenna’s iPad her summaries of years. The first in the series is here. She has left out a few months, which was probably just a case of her not being able to get around to finishing it. I have taken the liberty of adding a few bits and some photos.
Trenna’s Words and Greg’s Comments
1989
REFERENCE SOURCES:
Our meal calendar
Our memories
Photos from Family + friends.
Greg’s work diaries
My personal diary
My gardening diary
Dates we purchased items
Medical visit & procedure dates
FEBRUARY 89
Tue 21/2 – Dr Mews (Scan results)
MY ADDRESS IS KENSINGTON.
GM in 2023: Geoff Mews was Trenna’s Cardiologist. She is referring to a report from him which showed her address as Kensington, verifying for her that she had moved into my house by then.
MARCH 89
Sat 18/3 – Our front porch morning tea for Libby’s 8th b’day.
My dinnerware, I MUST be living here in Kensington.
APRIL 89
Fri 14/4 – Becky’s 18th @ Kingsley home & then at Horsefeathers Tavern in the city. I buy her a Tia Maria.
MAY 89
Thur 3/5 – Fri 4/5 – RPH overnight Angiogram
GM in 2023: I remember this visit to hospital, and the Angiogram. This was several months before Trenna had open heart surgery to replace her aortic heart valve and a section of aorta, but trouble was already brewing.
It was early evening. I had been waiting with Trenna in her hospital room for several hours. We knew that Dr Mews would be coming to do an angiogram, a test Trenna had never had.
When he eventually rolled up he was his usual laconic self (I’m sure some would say “grumpy self”) but Trenna didn’t mind, she quite liked his straight talking approach. He said he was happy for me to stay.
He had someone assisting him, I don’t know if it was a nurse, a radiographer or a cardiology registrar. There may have even been a couple of people. Whoever they were, they were about to hear from Dr Mews.
Trenna was given a local anaesthetic and shortly after a catheter was inserted in a blood vessel in her groin. He started feeding this tube up into Trenna and she almost immediately started gasping, groaning and complaining.
Geoff: “Ahh! What’s wrong?”
Trenna: “Well, it hurts!”
Geoff: “It doesn’t hurt, you can’t even feel it.”
Trenna: “I can! And it hurts!”
Geoff: “I’ve done thousands of these. There is no way you can feel it.”
Trenna: “I can, it’s here isn’t it?” Trenna pointing to some point on her abdomen.
Stunned silence from all the medical professionals present. Then …
Geoff (in a loud and agitated voice): “Why can she feel it? Why can she feel it!?” He was admitting that Trenna knew EXACTLY where the catheter had got to.
“Umms?” and “Ahhs?” from the others present.
At about this time Geoff Mews suggested that it might be best if I waited outside.
Trenna later told me that after lots of one sided terse exchanges between Mews and his colleagues, Geoff calmed down, apologised for both hurting Trenna and for doubting her. He agreed that she must be feeling it, but had no idea how. Trenna agreed that the test could proceed and eventually I was allowed back in the room. However, as things hadn’t gone as expected Trenna was kept in hospital an extra night for observation.
After that experience Trenna and Geoff Mews bonded a bit and she kept him as her cardiologist for many years, until his sudden retirement and premature death – mind you, he was a cardiologist who smoked!
Thur 18/5 – Dr Mews Appointment
JUNE 89
Date deleted by GM – Caroline Seckington born
GM in 2023: Her brother Colin’s daughter.
JULY 89
Fri 14/7 – Curtin mob, Xmas in July party
Fri 21/7 – I started keeping period dates
GM in 2023: I confess this one has got me thinking in 2023. Why did she suddenly start doing this? Was it part of her emerging interest in record keeping, especially in relation to her health? Or, was Trenna considering having children with me? I’m pretty sure at that point she was taking the contraceptive pill, but…?
The decision of whether or not we should have children was one we agonised over for many years. At some point I will write a post about it.
OCTOBER 89
Fri 13/10 – bought lawn mower
Mon 23/10 – Greg & me wed overnight Parmelia Hotel
GM in 2023: As in “got married”. Of course, there is a story. I am currently writing the story of our engagement and wedding. I’ll publish it when it’s ready. (UPDATE: It’s ready, and HERE!) You can get a taste in Trenna’s own words in “The Newlywed Diary”, HERE.
Tues 24/10 – Fri 27/10 Mandurah unofficial honeymoon then in arvo drove to Dwellingup, set up camp ready to meet some gang & break the good news, stayed until Sunday 29/10
GM in 2023: This will be covered in the upcoming story. (It’s HERE!)
NOVEMBER 89
Mon 6/11 – Greg & me back @ work after 4 wks of annual leave.
Tues 7/11 – Wear a hat to Curtin Melb Cup festivities
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