What's happening now...

Hello dear friends and family,
Beth here again – on behalf of Mum and Dad and Chris.
Thank you for your love and support. We appreciate prayers more than you can know and know God’s grace and presence rests on us, even in these rough, tough times.
Actually, Dad’s not very doing well. These 2 weeks have brought almost daily changes. The cancer is obviously developing. No pain, thank you Lord!
He is still developing more symptoms from the melanoma lesions now in the brain. He is frustrated by the word block and would likely use some bad words about that, if they would just make themselves available. On the other hand, he has come up with some pretty original words of his own, although they usually make some kind of sense (like: murwix for Dr. Mark Hurwitz. Like: ambassaderry for Embassy) And of course, the one word he can never get out is melanoma, as hard as he tries. But he is still able to pretty much say what he wants, even though deafness (hearing is probably affected also) also contributes to communication difficulties.
Whilst earlier, Dad was focussed but words came out wrong, now there are distinct episodes of confusion. But mostly, he’s on the track, it’s just that he loses concentration and has to catch up again, or he does not hear well enough. We’ve had a few conversations in which he’s talking about one thing, and we’re talking about another thing and neither of us have any idea what the other is going on about. Results in tears, anger or laughter . . . then, oh yeah, someone ‘gets’ it - hopefully.
Other effects of the brain lesions: He is missing chunks of vision, and probably has difficulty processing what he does see. Writing is almost impossible, although he is pretty good with his signature. The legs are letting him down sometimes, not being exactly where they need to be, so he has tripped hard a couple of times, without falling, fortunately. And he is becoming wobbly and tottery.
It’s probably the steroids to reduce brain swelling that are making him get the munchies, so food snacks are welcome.
He is coughing up a lot of secretions and puffs/gasps a lot when he walking around, or doing things. It is great he is able to actively cough to clear his chest. We will be in trouble if he becomes immobilised.
Dad saw the radiation oncologist today, Wed 9 May, for an opinion on brain radiation. We had all pretty much resolved not to go down that line, not wanting to make things worse or endure nasty side effects, recurrent trips to hospital, for maybe minimal benefits. However, the specialist explained that the radiation to the whole head (for multiple lesions) does not have significant side effects (hair loss only) and in the low dose/5day course has good effect in alleviating symptoms caused by the brain tumours. No extra time, but hopefully better quality. So we are happy to accept the radiation therapy but is does not start for another 3 weeks. It seems a long time away, considering the ground Dad’s losing at the current rate. He sees the medical oncologist again next week.
With or without this option, there is still the possibility of convulsions or a bleed, but no way of predicting this.
Mum has been out of action, really unwell over the past week. Actually, on Saturday 5/5 we were stuck in casualty for hours and tried to figure out how to get them both seen. Dad had broken off his eyetooth but the root was sharp and above the gum – should have seen emergency dentist. Did not think it could be reattached but because of his condition I was concerned that it could become septic. Always happens Friday night! In the end, Mum came home on antibiotics and antispasmodics (gut pain ?diverticulitis) and Dad had is tooth sealed over (and next tooth needed filling, too), as it was too risky at this stage to try extraction ('cos he's on Dexamethasone). Mum is off to the gut specialist next week and the renal physician (for the massive polycystic kidneys) week after.

Chris has had an awful couple of weeks, desperately concerned for Dad and Mum but torn in many directions and having things go wrong. A car accident (dratted insurance has dropped from expected $3300 down to under $2000!) and a lost mobile phone (very expensive to replace, so ring her and tell her how great is to talk to her on her new phone). Working full time, her own recently diagnosed coeliac disease (no gluten please!) and Michelle with medical problems. Then there’s her husband Mark’s parents. Big worries here. Mr Sawa was admitted to hospital and he is carer for Mrs Sawa, who needs full assistance. His story was looking grim for a while but he got himself let out. They are both desperate to stay at home, even though they have both been rated by aged care assessment for needing nursing home care. So they are very dependant and needs lots of help too. Poor Chrissy, has so many responsibilities and commitments. It’s overwhelming.

It has been sad to be reorganising the finances and assets and Vets affairs claim – I never wanted to take responsibility there. It has involved some gruelling days for Mum and Dad as we went from one thing to the next to streamline their affairs - Appointments and interviews and traipsing about. It has been an emotional as well as physical, not to mention mental strain for all. I am so really proud of how well they have planned and provided, as well as having a pretty good system for keeping files, etc. I am not business savvy, but between us we have probably made one average sort of team for the job. I am inspired to work out a better system at home now.
Well, there it is! Some more details to put you in the picture. We have so much to be grateful for and feel such love and appreciation to have this time. There is no sense of despair or defeat. But we still pray for mercy and wellness, and time, more time together. We all feel God is in control and trust in Him.
Love and blessings to all,
Beth for Ron, Joan and Chris (and our families)