Online again - at last

I am still in Launceston and Carole is hanging in, but the poor darling is so weak and has no strength left.

She has made the decision for no more treatment, although she is so weak now her body wouldn't tolerate any more chemo.

The last week and a half has been tumultuous for us all, including Carole.

Trying to help organise a will for her once we found out the level of death taxes took up a huge amount of time, but was done at last on friday.  It was complicated by Carole's eldest son, who kept ringing her up and complaining that Rob was ripping her off and was only after her money.  He rang several times and never once even asked her how she was.  All he wanted was to make sure he got his inheritance.

Carole was so distressed and in the end told him he would be getting nothing.  Rob has been given a huge list of who is to get what and he will ensure Carole's wishes are carried out. I hope that Rob does end up including Barry.  While I deplore what Barry has done, he is still Carole's son.  I just cannot believe how venal he has been.

I hope that Barry wakes up to himself soon and calls Carole and apologises.  It would be awful if this is not repaired before she dies and I know that one day he will regret his actions terribly.  His fiancee is probably behind it, but he still went ahead and did it.  What an idiot.

Allan, the younger son, has been terrific.  He flew out from London and is staying on.  He goes in to see Carole every day.  he is good fun- and a bit of a play boy.  He had a friend down from Melbourne over the weekend and really hit the sauce.  And blotted his copybook big time too.  I think he has sworn off the alcohol for at least the next day or so.  Just as well he is good fun.

Mum and Dad had to leave today and head back to Port Macquarie.  I know how hard it was for them both.  Going in this morning to say good bye and knowing that they may not see Carole again.  We were all in tears.  Dad is scheduled for what we hope will be his last round of chemo next week, and with Easter this weekend, this was the only flight back they could get.

Heading back to Launceston

Well tomorrow morning I am heading back to Launceston to say good-bye to darling Carole and support my brother through this process.

There was some good news today.  She was able to spend a few hours at home.  I know how much she wanted to be back in her own home again and that this would have been very special for her.  Rob is hoping she can come and  spend several hours tomorrow and Sunday at home too, if she is able.

She is wanting to sleep more and more and is too tired to speak to people now.  I am taking a lovely book down with me that I hope to be able to read to her if she is up to it.  I am taking my sewing too and my lap top and a couple of good books to read.

I have only got a one way ticket as I don't know how long I will be there.  I have leave until Easter and we will reconsider then if necessary.

My neighbours are wonderful.  They are happy to feed the dogs and Luka for me so I don't have to worry about that.  No wonder I love them so much.  We have known each other over thirty years and they are just the best.

It will be wonderful to see Mum and Dad again too.  They are staying with some friends, which I think will be good for them. 

Not so good

I spoke to Carole today and it is obvious her condition is deteriorating.  She is wanting to sleep more and finding it harder to talk to people.  I spoke to Mum and Dad and they said that it is obvious now that she is winding down.

I am heading back down on the weekend and will stay until it is over.  I don't think it is going to be more than a week now.

Carole's birthday

Well yesterday was Carole's birthday and she was thoroughly spoilt and feted from the family and the nurses.  It sounds as if she had a wonderful time, but she was worn out completely by the end of the day. 

I spoke to her in the morning and she was very excited by having everyone there.  I spoke to her today and she was so tired I told her I would hang up so she could go back to sleep.  Poor darling just has no reserves.

I spoke to Rob during the day and he is still hoping she will be able to come and spend time at home, but is now being realistic  and recognising that getting her home full time is likely to not be possible.  I just hope for both their sakes that they can get her home and enjoy some quiet times together.

Carole's quilt

I finished off the quilt I was making for Carole at 11pm the night before I headed down to Launceston, and it was great to be able to finally give it to her.  Some idiot, sadly myself, had decided to use all the scraps to make the bindings.  Great idea and it looks great, but oh boy it sure was extra work.  Still, I do like the effect.

So is the link to some photos with Rob holding it up.  Rob is over 6 foot and the quilt is larger than him.  It is a generous queen size and just fits their King size bed.

And the best thing is that Carole loved it.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/548442938ujyFzp

Relaxing and destressing

I am having just the weekend I needed - quiet and relaxing.  I am doing some cooking - making a great potato soup.  And also have been doing some hand sewing and sorting out some of my photos from my trip.  I have put together a photo album for Dee celebrating my time in the Pacific North West.  It has been fantastic going back through my photos and remembering the fun we had. 

A great visit

Back home after six days in Launceston, with nothing but good news for a change.

Carole has recovered well from the last set back and every day you can see her looking stronger.  She has lost a LOT of weight, but is smiling and laughing and determined to come home next week after by then more than four weeks in hospital.

Her son, Allan arrived yesterday and after getting over the shock of seeing her so thin is happy to see her feeling so up. her other son arrives on Saturday.  other family members are also coming this weekend to help her celebrate her birthday, which is Monday.  Her brother Ian is also talking of flying over from Scotland.

I can't believe how far she has come in the last week.  She has also started her next round of chemo.  Becauswe of her weakened state they devised a way to split it over several days so that the potential shock to her system is reduced.  This was so good to know, as the doctors had told Rob they were very concerned that she would not be strong enough to tolerate it.  But after a day and a half of infusion she is doing so well.

I am planning on going down again for Easter in three weeks.  I am hoping that once she is home she will continue to get stronger.

Normal service has been resumed

I rang Carole this morning to say hi and have a chat and found that there had been a crisis last night I knew nothing about.

It turned out while they were putting in the port she vomited and aspirated some into her lungs.  She came out of the operation in a terrible condition and Rob was told she was not expected to last the night.  they also told him atht if she had a heart attack they would not revive her.  Rob was in tears when he went in to see her thinking it was the end.

Well she made it through the night and is in much better shape today.  She is on strong antibiotics and receiving physio to help make sure any gunk is out of the lungs.

I was so shocked when I found out.  I just couldn't believe that yet another thing had happened following an operation at this bloody hospital.  I just wish we could get her out of there and take her somewhere decent.

I have spent most of the afternoon crying and trying just not to fall apart completely.  God this is just so awful.

At last some good news

The big news is Dad's tumour is responding well to chemo and has shrunk considerably.  He was due to have another infusion today but his white cell count was too low so they postponed it to next week.

Carole was having a port put in today so she can have another round of chemo to try and shrink her tumour to buy some more time.  I so hope she and Rob can have some good time together.  If they can make their second wedding anniversary in June that would be wonderful.

I had a game of bridge tonight - first time in weeks.  First couple of hands I played like a nutter, but we got our act together after four rounds and picked up.  We got quite a few tops towards the end, so hopefully they will cancel out the early boards.