Category: Medical

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2010s Health and Medicine Medical Medical Records

Medical Records – Cardiology No. 5

Trenna standing behind a hanging Chain of hearts plant
"Chain of Heart me". In the Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory in Melbourne. Trenna, Helen and I flew to Melbourne for a few days between the second and third cardioversions described in this post, but by then Trenna was already back in AF.

Three Cardioversions in Less Than a Month!

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST – THIS POST IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

The following historical information is for interest only. It should in no way be thought of as medical advice applicable to any other individual. Medical science has moved on, and no two people have the exact same medical circumstances. I hope you find the information interesting, To see the “Introduction” to this series of posts, please click here.

Common abbreviations used by … Read the rest ... “Medical Records – Cardiology No. 5”

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2010s Coping Health and Medicine iPad Knowledge Marfan Medical Snippets and Vignettes

First Aid & Home Remedies

Screen shot of the document discussed in this post
Screen shot of the document from Trenna's iPad.

By Greg then Trenna

Introduction

This post comes from another document on Trenna’s well organised (of course) iPad.

All I’ve done is cut and paste the original document into the main body of this post. I’ve also inserted a PDF of the original document as it appears on the iPad.

I hope you find it either useful or interesting – or both.

Greg

FIRST AID & HOME REMEDIES

MUSCLE or JOINT PAIN/ INFLAMMATION

Consider Heat or Ice.

Heat helps … Read the rest ... “First Aid & Home Remedies”

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2010s Coping Medical

Medicinal Cannabis

Medicinal Cannabis Oil
Trenna's Medicinal Cannabis Oil

By Greg

What This Post is About and Who is it For?

Recently I was reading a Marfan Syndrome Facebook Group post. The person was asking about people’s different experiences with pain killers. A really important issue for Marfans.

I gave a reply which, among other things mentioned medicinal cannabis (MC). I then got some other questions about our Australian experience.

This post is based on my reply to them.

If you aren’t in the market for MC there is … Read the rest ... “Medicinal Cannabis”

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2010s Marfan Medical Medical Records

Medical Records – Cardiology No. 4

Trenna at Uluru
Trenna at Uluru in the Northern Territory on 7 November 2015. Nine days before her final cardioversion for the year. It was REALLY hot that day.

Tales of 3 Cardioversions in 2015

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST – THIS POST IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

The following historical information is for interest only. It should in no way be thought of as medical advice applicable to any other individual. Medical science has moved on, and no two people have the exact same medical circumstances. I hope you find the information interesting, To see the “Introduction” to this series of posts, please click here.

Common abbreviations used by Trenna … Read the rest ... “Medical Records – Cardiology No. 4”

Categories
2010s Coping Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical

“SCOLIOSIS BODY MIGRAINES” 

Trenna lying on our bed with Felix the dog on her legs
"Felix the back pain therapist". Trenna trying to get relief from a "body migraine" by lying still on our bed. October 1998.

Introduction by Greg and then Trenna’s words, with only a little editing

The inverted commas in the title were in the original document. A “Body Migraine” is a Trennaism. In this case the term she used to describe this set of symptoms.

Introduction

This is another post that I am including mainly for the benefit of those with musculoskeletal issues. That of course incudes those, like Trenna, with Marfan Syndrome.

Trenna’s words below were on her iPad. It looks like … Read the rest ... ““SCOLIOSIS BODY MIGRAINES” ”

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2010s Coping iPad Knowledge Marfan Medical Medical Records Visually Impaired

Blepharitis & Conjunctivitis

View from the London Eye
The Thames and Houses of Parliament from the London Eye. 17 September 2009.

Medical Notes From Trenna’s iPad

Here is a page Trenna made about two eye problems she encountered.

Everyone is welcome to read the post, but it doesn’t contain any funny or poignant stories. I’m just trying to pass on some information Trenna accumulated in case it is of use to anyone else.

Maybe in the future it has historical benefit as well. Who knows!

In case you are wondering, according to the Mayo Clinic (who Trenna trusted for this sort … Read the rest ... “Blepharitis & Conjunctivitis”

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2010s Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical Medical Records Writing

Medical Records – Cardiology No. 3

"Pretty spot on walk trail". A picnic at Noble Falls for Trenna's birthday in 2014. Four days later she was having a cardioversion.

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST – THIS POST IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

The following historical information is for interest only. It should in no way be thought of as medical advice applicable to any other individual. Medical science has moved on, and no two people have the exact same medical circumstances. I hope you find the information interesting, To see the “Introduction” to this series of posts, please click here.

Common abbreviations used by Trenna in this series:
AF – Atrial … Read the rest ... “Medical Records – Cardiology No. 3”

Categories
2010s Coping iPad Knowledge Marfan Medical

To Feel Able

Trenna at the table
This upset the routine. Trenna turned 60 in 2017. She didn't feel up to going out to lunch so I set up a card table in the lounge room, set the table and bought a couple of take away burgers. It was a nice, low stress lunch.

Weekday Routine 2016 and 2017

Intro by Greg, and then Trenna

Among the documents on Trenna’s iPad there are two called “Weekly Routine”. One is labelled “2016” and the other “2017”.

It is actually not quite as pernickety as it seems.

In this post I will reproduce both of them. In them Trenna goes into immense detail abut times she intends doing things and what looks like a very strict routine.

It is actually not quite as pernickety as it … Read the rest ... “To Feel Able”

Categories
2010s Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical Medical Records

Medical Records – Cardiology No. 2

Trenna in the bush
"Am off for a walk." Taken on Trenna's birthday in 2014. We went for a picnic at Noble Falls. And that's what Trenna did, fall. She mentions it in the notes of the September cardio appointment.

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST – THIS POST IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

The following historical information is for interest only. It should in no way be thought of as medical advice applicable to any other individual. Medical science has moved on, and no two people have the exact same medical circumstances. I hope you find the information interesting, To see the “Introduction” to this series of posts, please click here.

Common abbreviations used by Trenna in this series:
AF – Atrial … Read the rest ... “Medical Records – Cardiology No. 2”

Categories
Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical Medical Records

Medical Records – Cardiology No. 1

Table showing Cardioversions
A document from Trenna's iPad showing the 14 cardioversions she had.

And Cardioversion

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST – THIS POST IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

The following historical information is for interest only. It should in no way be thought of as medical advice applicable to any other individual. Medical science has moved on, and no two people have the exact same medical circumstances. I hope you find the information interesting, To see the “Introduction” to this series of posts, please click here.

Common abbreviations used by Trenna in this series:
AF … Read the rest ... “Medical Records – Cardiology No. 1”

Categories
Coping Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical Medical Records Visually Impaired

Introduction to The Medical Records

IPad Screen shot
A screenshot from Trenna's iPad showing a portion of the folders she used to store medical records.

Introduction by Greg, all the records are Trenna’s work unless specified

I’ve tossed around in my head what to do with Trenna’s extensive medical records.

They mainly comprise the detailed notes she would make at the end of almost all consultations with medical professionals. At first she hand wrote them on A5 pieces of paper (actually hand written on the back of bits of paper that otherwise would have ended in the recycling bin).

Later she recorded them on her … Read the rest ... “Introduction to The Medical Records”

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2010s Carer End of Life Heart and Lung Failure Medical Snippets and Vignettes

A Trip to the Psychiatrist

Trenna in fancy dress
Trenna in 2017. Hmmm! Pehaps she did need to see a psychiatrist?

By Greg & Trenna

This wasn’t the first time that it was suggested that Trenna might need to see a psychiatrist. See also this anecdote from when she was a child.

The recent post “The Key to Happiness and Fulfilment” got me thinking of a visit to Trenna’s cardiologist, which ended up turning into a trip to see a psychiatrist. Here’s what happened…..

It was Monday, 12 June 2017 at 9:30am (actually from about this point we never made appointments, … Read the rest ... “A Trip to the Psychiatrist”

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Carer Coping Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical Snippets and Vignettes Visually Impaired

Things That Worked for Trenna -Part 2

Table set for Lunch
Trenna preparing for a long casual lunch with her friend Linda. 30 December 2017.

Strategies and tips used by someone with a degenerative condition and chronic illness

By Greg

Things Trenna and I Tried, That Worked

in no particular order

This is the second part of this list. For the first part please click here.

I’m already working on part 3 as things we have done in the past pop randomly into my scone.

Coloured Lever Arch Files (although there are electronic filing alternatives now)

As you will find out by going through this … Read the rest ... “Things That Worked for Trenna -Part 2”

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End of Life Heart and Lung Failure Marfan Medical Mourning Snippets and Vignettes Visually Impaired Writing

I am Stuck

Trenna on Staten Island
On Staten Island. 8 October 2013.

A Screen shot from Trenna's iPad
A screen shot from Trenna’s iPad

[Note from Greg: I don’t think for one moment that when Trenna prepared this piece on her iPad that she just added a nice picture to the top. I think the fact that she is standing on an island (Staten), with the rest of the world behind her (New York City) is entirely deliberate and relevant.]

Categories
2020 Carer End of Life Eulogy Grief Marfan Medical Mourning

Eulogy Part 2

Trenna and Nancy Outside
GIRLHOOD Sisters, 3 March 2015. Trenna and Nancy at a screening of GIRLHOOD at the Somerville Auditorium.

A Celebration of Trenna’s Life  –  15 January 2021

Below is the the eulogy delivered by Trenna’s oldest sister, Nancy Seckington-Baker at the celebration of Trenna’s life.

Eulogy

Greg has shared his story of Tren’s story. He has stressed I have 5 minutes.

We have endless, wonderful stories of our sister Trenna.  

A truly life WELL LIVED.

However those stories are for another time and place.

I am here to say how incredibly thankful and grateful that we  have … Read the rest ... “Eulogy Part 2”

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2010s Coping iPad Knowledge Marfan Medical Music Visually Impaired Writing

Moshing With Black Sabbath!

Black Sabbath on Stage
Black Sabbath - Perth 2016

By Greg and Trenna

Reliving the Experience

Looking through Trenna’s iPad I came across the document she wrote to review/record the Black Sabbath concert we went to along with a friend, Adrian. It was the first time I had read this piece since 2016.

It immediately brought back memories of a really fab night. I also found some of the turns of phase pretty entertaining.

I will put her writing below, in the main body of this post but also … Read the rest ... “Moshing With Black Sabbath!”

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Carer Collected Wisdom Coping Marfan Medical Travel

Marfan and Other Chronic Conditions – Things That Worked for Trenna

Trenna in Japan
I had that one, Yum! - Tokyo 1 April 2015

by Greg

A Need to Cope with Life

This is a list of some of the strategies Trenna adopted to try to cope with life and her many medical issues. She didn’t have a specific list of these items. This is just the things I remember us trying.

I’m expecting (hoping?) that this post might be helpful to people living with chronic disease, and their carers. But of course everyone’s situation is different.

For most of her life she was … Read the rest ... “Marfan and Other Chronic Conditions – Things That Worked for Trenna”

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Craig House GFS Grief Love and Marriage Marfan Medical

“Please allow me to introduce myself…”

Trenna in Tokyo
Cherry blossom time in Tokyo 3 March 2015. You can see the zipper scar from heart surgery, which after a while she wore with pride, and the little Hohner harmonica we bought at the New York City Library.


About This Site and About Trenna Mahney

By Greg Mahney

A quick note before you start. If you have read the “About” page of this website you can ignore this particular post as the contents is the same as on that page. If that’s you, just scroll down.

About Trenna

You will learn a lot about Trenna as you go through the material on this website. However, if you aren’t already familiar with Trenna here is a quick primer to … Read the rest ... ““Please allow me to introduce myself…””

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2010s Coping Love and Marriage Marfan Medical Travel Visually Impaired

The Wellington Earthquake

Shop mannequin fallen over
The earthquake was hair raising. A shop near our hotel the morning after the earthquake.

By Greg

Business Class Travel – It’s Not For Everyone

In November 2016 my then employer, Advocare Inc, gave me the opportunity to go to a mediation conference in Wellington, New Zealand.

Travel was becoming increasingly difficult for Trenna. Her eyesight was very bad and her pain management was not going well. We knew that the long flight from Perth in Western Australia to Auckland and then down to Wellington would take its toll.

On the other hand it really … Read the rest ... “The Wellington Earthquake”

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2010s Carer Coping Heart and Lung Failure iPad Knowledge Love and Marriage Marfan Medical Visually Impaired

The Recce-Vite

Trenna at an art gallery
Freo Arts Centre - Tired Tren, Poster & Drum Trio 3 August 2013 - a very enjoyable recce-vite

A little bit of fun is better than none

by Greg

Trenna became aware at some point around 2010 that she was getting out of the house less and less – it was often pretty hard. But she didn’t want to lose touch with the city in which she lived.  And she wanted some recreation and a change of scenery.

So, she invented the “Recce-Vite”. She was using French words to describe a quick look around somewhere.

A recce-vite was … Read the rest ... “The Recce-Vite”