24 May 2007

Dear Beloved (Hi Maria)
Today went pretty well. It was Dad’s first day to receive radiotherapy treatment. Plan is for 5 days, whole brain, low dose with low risk of unpleasant side effects, except maybe hair loss. He had no problems with it and was keen to go into Civic afterwards to personally thank the RSL advocate who assisted with the applications to Dept Veterans affairs regarding the Melanoma. They were both very moved – Dad, because he was so grateful to have a positive decision so quickly and Arthur, because many claims are denied so he was happy to see Dad’s positive result and that he personally came in to see him.

Getting into the car was difficult, but at the hospital I was able to aquire various helps. The equipment loan service has provided us with a wheelchair, wheely walker and shower chair. So after the tricky bit of helping Dad in/out of the car to the wheelchair, we are now pretty mobile and outings seem a lot less daunting. Most importantly, he can use the wheely to get around the house in more safety. The legs are very weak and the right one is basically paralised, with a foot drop that drags, gets in the way and trips him up.

The home care team have been out and activated all kinds of services and consults, phew! Occupational therapy, Veterans assessment, physiotherapy, care assist, domestic help, modifications, etc….

Mum is feeling better and happy the tummy problems are settled. Will be even happier when I stop giving her anticoagulant needles, when the warfarin is back up to therapeutic strength. She’s still in trouble with a shoulder injury that happened over a month ago and still limits her abilities and disturbs sleep. She’s coping with so much, doing all the things to help Dad and the things he would usually have done. Chris and I are helping lots, but she’s the one on duty at 3am when Dad’s up crashing around the hall or fiddling with his CPAP (sleep apnoea) machine.

Chris and Mark have their new (old) car and for a good price too. She’s taking days off work, depends what she has on at work and what Mum/Dad have on, too. It’s a strain for her. I think Mark’s Dad goes back into hospital next week for an operation.

The girls are the healthy kids. Michelle and Leah faithfully trotting off to school, but Ruben and Steve have been home sick with coughs and asthma – cold weather hit suddenly. I am speaking with a polyphonic, ultrasonic, modulating voice of persisting laryngitis or something like that. No throat, nose head problems, but speech is wacky/squeaky.

With thanks, each one of you, for loving thoughts and prayers and actions.
As I’ve said before: we appreciate those who ring, and those who don’t, those who visit and those who don’t. Everybody pray, and thank the Lord for His blessings and mercy.
With warmest thoughts and love,
Beth