Adelaide, the RAH and the Flying Doctors

For two days I took Annabell to the Emergency area of the hospital until we   were finally told that the pain she is experiencing is related to her cancer and there is mothing the Emergency can do, so we were told to go home. On Thursday she was going to the toilet and she fell in the hallway. I called out the ambulance.  We decided the best way to tackle the problem was the two paramedics would put a rolled-up sheet round her back and under her arms and they would lift her up. I would be behind with a chair and  get it underneath her and she could sit down on that. In the process of lifting her Annabell had a mini-seizure. This concerned the paramedics and it was felt that she had to go to the hospital. The doctor decided that Annabell should be admitted for observation and did not like her constant  turning up at Emergency — there had to be a reason. Anyway, on Thursday afternoon she was admitted to the hospital and the boys and I visited her and stayed until the end of visiting. On Friday morning I went back up to the hospital to walk in to  the aftermath of a flurry of activity.

During the early hours of the morning Annabell felt very  sick  and pressed the emergency . As the nurses arrived  Annabell vomited — Blood. Nurses hit the panic button and the emergency doctor was called out. A particular scan was authorized which showed that Annabell along with the cancer had a very large peptic ulcer and it was bleeding. Doctor called the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) because we do not have the special equipment to deal with this in Whyalla but the RAH does. She was to be flown down to Adelaide,  so the Royal Flying Doctor Service was alerted. For much of the day she remained in Whyalla mainly because the RAH wanted blood transfusions to be done.  At about 7:00 pm. Annabell  was taken to the airport, boarded the aircraft and was flown to Adelaide. I organized things as best I could – arranged for Benji to be looked after and this morning (Saturday)  I drove the 300 miles to Adelaide. I was able to stay with her for about half an hour  or so before they took her away to pe prepped for surgery.  I will be back up there tomorrow about 9 am

I tell you it has been a dreadful week and I am just about stuffed. Poor Annabell,  I so feel for her and  I also  feel so much of a bystander not able to do anything but watch.  The boys are feeling it too and they are very concerned about what is happening to their mother and they are concerned about how it is affecting me. LOL — I’ll be fine as long as I keep the caffeine levels up!!

Sunday 25th June

Woke up very early this morning. Yesterday was a long day for me and I fell asleep early, so probably another long day  today but for different reasons. Found the nurses here are all very young  or perhaps they are not and it is just me getting old and probably senile.  I am only booked here in the  Lodge until Monday but I do not see her being released, or returned to Whyalla at the moment so I will extend my stay here. I am not going home and leaving her down here on her own.

However, the surgery went well and she looked well when I saw her – tired but well. She slept much of the day while I sat quietly – either brought my diary up to date or read a newspaper. I did help her to drink water when she asked for it from time to time. By mid afternoon she was starting to come to and we were able to hold a conversation.

I have extended my stay for one more day, so if she is flown back to Whyalla tomorrow (Monday) I can pack and get away early on Tuesday  morning, and if I can get away early enough I should be home not long after lunch

This evening when I went on line I was shocked to learn that Norman,  Monica’s Old English Sheepdog – had died – or as she put it, “Become an Angel” Something I never expected, and it hit me like a brick.  I am so very, very sorry.