Taking the plunge

Dear @CheerBear ... thankyou for your reply to my post yesterday morning, and my apologies for not responding to it until now. It was a busy day yesterday and I just never got the chance to come back to you. I appreciate you taking the time to post what you called your "spilly vent" re your unwell person. And yes ... of course I listened ... !!

I am so sorry that your unwell person is so ill, it sounds as though he has been given a terminal diagnosis, and his treatments are designed to give them just a little longer. Thats always hard, but I hope it provides them with what they are aiming for ... to make Christmas. They have all those special individual gifts to give to their loved ones, so that will be truly special. My husband's cancer was metastatic and had spread to both his lungs, many tumours scattered through both lungs .. meaning it was inoperable. The immunotherapy was his last chance. It worked in that the treatment resulted in shrinking the tumours ... but the side effects of the treatment linger on. I think now, hubby would not have elected to have the treatment at all. He often says that his quality of life (or lack thereof) is just not worth it. Your unwell person has really been through the mill by the sound of it, with radiation, surgery and chemo. All so hard on the body, and plainly a compromise to the heart.

Its pretty common for the viens to pack it in after treatment over a long period of time. I know hubby had problems towards the end of his treatment too, being unable to find a vein. Heat packs helped usually, and one of the more experienced nurses. Unfortunately that usually happened after several unsuccessful attempts. But there were a couple of times that one of the Drs had to do it. Blood clots and infection at the cannula site is not good though. If it doesnt clear before his last treatment is due, I'm sure they wont proceed with it.

Yes we are rural too, but the hospital in our nearby town is very well equipped and covers a large area. They had a new Oncology wing open there only this year in fact, and have a very good Oncologist plus a registrar. We are very lucky in that regard. If hubby had been diagnosed a year earlier than he was, he would have had to travel to Sydney for treatments. So his diagnosis was very timely. Our local hospital also has quiet a good support mechanism happening, and phone regularly to speak with either hubby or myself. I have a lady there who is 'in the ear' of the Oncologist and I can talk to her any time, and know I will get an answer. Unfortunately with this relatively new treatment, there are few answers when things go wrong. But at least they are supportive in the process. I am glad that your loved ones have recently engaged with the palliative care team.

Its all so tough for everyone involved, but I am very pleased that you are seeing some positives in what is otherwise a dreadful situation. The chance to spend some bonding time with your unwell person is very special, and should be treasured. Which plainly you are. It also gives your other parent a chance for some breathing space, which I feel sure they would need and appreciate. Laughing at things which you shouldn't, and deep and meaningful talks ... all very special. Its strange how this happens when honesty is to the fore and when a sense of inevitability is there. Enjoy your time together for however long you have. You will have some very special memories afterwards.

I feel for you, because I know this will happen for me too ... all too soon.

Sherry 💔

Hi @Former-Member

You are in the thick of it up where you are - I do have an idea of where you might be - it's a large area but I think I have been there and in NSW and QLD - really dry

And we have had our droughts now here in VIC so we know - but it would be good to spread the weather more evenly through the island continent - I will be thinking of you and hoping you are safe

Sorry about your husband being drunk and angry and on your anniversary too - now he has had his post-brekky nap I hope he is in a better frame of mind. I know he has been ill - still is - but you are so faithful and do so much for him and you have your own health problems - you do deserve better - but we are all here for you

I have been getting around the forum better lately - I do know why - and it's good to be keeping in touch with so many people I hope to keep this up - knowing how other contributors are dealing with life-issues - esp something as dramatic and dangerous as fires - that is life - the real deal - we are upholding you here

Belated flowers - what a good idea - I should have some here - only takes a second to send and mean so much

Hugs Sherry - you are such a vital and caring and supportive person

Dec

Flowers say it all

Hi @Gazza75

I had a look at your art-work yesterday and it is excellent - thanks so much for sharing it - I love it

I love iced coffee and it's a great summer drink - I make it at home without a lot of fuss - just add icecream, milk, coffee and sugar - the nutrients are great for the food groups - yeah - of course yeah - sugar, fat and caffeine - surely there is some salt in there too - I can always add a vegemite sandwich

Yes - it has been good to spend more time in the social side of the forum - I think my previous posting was good but maybe not the best use of my time - I think I will measure it out more wisely in the future. What was Newton's First Law of Motion? Something like an object will continue its path until some other force makes it change. Challenging at first but maybe this was a good thing to happen

It is good to touch more people's lives and be in touch with their thinking and tasks - whatever they are - it has been fruitful and uplifting for me to be in the forums more

I have had a very busy week so a quiet weekend is in place - actually I enjoy the quiet weekends - l have been preparing a salad between posts - and getting my kitchen tidy - it was a shock to find I had not cleared the space after last night's dinner because I went to sleep watching TV - then slept all night. The last thing is cutting up celery - and storing it in a container so it will last - then I have by dinner prepared if not cooked

It's great you are planning trips - pinning them around Aus. Going oveseas might be great - I have a cousin in Canada I would love to see - west coast - but the thought of flying over ocean from Melbourne to Vancouver is a challenge though I could break the trip in Cairns - Hawaii - LA - whatever - I haven't seen him since he was 14 - he was actually born after my son - my grandparents stretched their family out - Dad was the oldest and married young - so the cousins are stretched out too.

But Aus has so much to offer - I went to Cradle Mountain in 1993 - the weather was snowy and foggy and I didn't see Cradle Mountain - and the monochromatic colour scheme for several days was a different challenge. Next year I might go in March - probably get a coach in from Launceston. Last time I drove in through a blizzard - now that was interesting

I love your art work Gazza - maybe I will be able to send my photos on my new phone - the old phone - it still works after nearly 5 years but doesn't want to send my photos often - and I need to get a new SIM card for my new phone - which I got last week. Maybe Telstra will send me one but going to the Telstra shop means someone else will put it in for me

It's later than I thought - it's great chatting though - I forgot the time

Dec

@Former-Member thanks for the update re fires near you. Glad to hear you're ok but alert to what's happening. Must ring my uncle and see what's happening in his area now.

Remembering a partner who would come home d & d like yours did - I used to cook when he was due to come in so that I could feed him straight away so he'd fall asleep quickly .... so I think I know what you're feeling and dealing with there. Hope you have a lovely dinner together tonight to make up for it. Take care and stay safe won't you xx

Happy Anniversary @Former-Member. Hope dinner is special for both of you.

@CheerBear 👋👋👋👋💙💙💙☕️☕️☕️☕️