Category: House, Garden and Dogs

Saturday 26th August.               It has been a very busy week.  We just arrived home this afternoon after having spent the last few days in Adelaide at Flinders Medical.  Annabell has not had a great week and to make matters worse most of the chaos this week was caused by me.    I have been the primary carer for Annabell for the last two years. Generally, I   can keep things, like appointments, organized and flowing well as well as attending to other things and keeping her medication organized, but two years in this environment is draining. People have visited, called on the telephone, came and offered all sorts of help but to date, nothing has been done. I have to confess that I was reminded of something about politicians that my father told me many years ago – Politicians promise you the Kingdom of Heaven, then give you Hell for expecting it.  Well that’s how it all seemed to me.  Anyway, what’s all that got to do with the trip to Adelaide. Well, put simply we should not have been there!  For some reason I got it into my head that the visit to the Flinders Medical was this weekend. It was not – it is next weekend.  I got Annabell ready, organized John to look after Benji and on Thursday set off to Adelaide. Even then I was still under the impression that it was right when a proper look at my Filofax would have told me I was wrong.  It wasn’t until we arrived at the Cancer Lodge that I finally discovered just what I had done. They had no booking for us for this weekend and what booking they did have was for next weekend.  Fortunately, they did have space and I was able to book us in until Saturday morning. At 9:09 am on Friday I telephoned Flinders and told them what I had done, that I had stuffed up and instead of next week, I had brought Annabell down this week.  They were very helpful and very understanding and were actually able to get us an appointment to see her specialist that afternoon.  To say that I was relieved and very grateful is an understatement. However, even now (Sunday) I am still angry with myself for my stupidity.

The consult with the specialist was very helpful and we went through all aspects of the proposed operation, how it would be done and the outcome. We also went through the risks involved and she was very explicit in this and didn’t mince words. There is a possibility that Annabell might not survive the operation. One more test has to be done before a final decision made – she has to have an ECG Heart Scan, and depending on the results of that, a decision will be made as to whether or not they will do the operation. Annabell and I will be brought down to Flinders and if Annabell agrees, a proposed date will be set for the operation to remove the cancer. It will be by keyhole surgery and provided all is ok, it should take about two hours.  If there are complications, then   they will have to change to a major incision operation.

Annabell wants to have the operation in spite of the risks. I have reservations, but I fully understand her decision. These last two years have seen her decline from someone with whom I did the shopping, walking around the shops, to someone who needed a cane – to someone who needed a walker – someone who needed a wheelchair. Everything that she has experienced and undergone these last two or so years have had a major effect on everything we say and do. She is very tired and exhausted, and if there is a chance that she can get rid of the cancer and have a fairly normal (??) life afterwards, then despite the risks, she is willing to undergo the operation.  I have, as I said, reservations, but I fully understand her decision and I accept that decision. If, the opposite is true and the operation cannot be done, then I am faced with a decision. Given that she is almost chair-bound, unable to stand, walk or do most things, do I keep her at home or do I accept the advice of others and let them put her in a nursing home to be looked after. For me that’s no decision at all and I will gladly go from a primary carer to a full-time carer,   and I will do everything in my power to look after her and attend to her needs and do so until that is no longer possible. We have not come this far in our journey to even consider breaking the partnership.   That may well happen, but not today!

What can I say — the placement is just brilliant.

Monday:

First of all I have to say that Annabell is back in hospital again. At 1-40am she rang my buzzer and I came through to help her out of bed. In doing so, she lost her balance, and I was unable to hold her, so she slid onto the floor. Called out the SA Ambulance, which took the best part of 40 minutes to arrive.  The hospital where they are based is only about 15 minutes away. This is a country town.  However, they might have been busy and I had no desire to start anything that detracted from helping Annabell, so I  kept  my mouth firmly closed Rather than go back to bed, Annabell decided to go to her recliner, and I covered her up. At about 4am, she decided she needed to go. She was exhausted and on the way back she pushed the walker too far and she lost her balance again and fell in the hall. Ambulance called out again and this time they beat their previous record taking 52 minutes to arrive. The point is that when they did finally arrive, they got down to helping Annabell, and that’s all that’s important.

Annabell underwent some tests at the hospital, and it was found that she had a serious Urinary Tract Infection. She was admitted and is presently in the Women’s and  Children Ward.  Lady came in and talked about respite and then came back a little while later and said she had a place for Annabell here in Whyalla. Wow!  Then she went on and basically, she was suggesting a Nursing Home – full time. I said NO – absolutely not! Annabell and I talked about this, and it may come to that but not today – not now. I know the place and when we came here many years ago it had a nickname – God’s Waiting Room. If Annabell were to go there, it would be the end of her. So, the answer is no. As far as I understand that seems to be the end of the matter.  We had a meeting today with several doctors and it was decided that the Endoscopy would be unnecessary since this was done in Adelaide and there seems to be no indication that   anything was amiss. To do another would be pointless.

Thursday:

Annabell was released yesterday -much to the chagrin of several people, but it was the doctor’s decision and  that was that. I can understand his decision, after all, having pesky patients to be concerned about takes time away from doing paperwork and writing reports that no one actually reads.   Today I had difficulty getting Annabell out of bed and had to stop because I was very concerned that she was going to fall.  I was trying to get her up and dressed to attend a meeting at the hospital on the provision of respite care, however, she said that she could wait until I came back – provided I was not too long.  The meeting did not take place because it was policy that Annabell had to be actually sighted in person. It was then decided that the meeting should be held here at the house. Basically, it was a series of questions and form filling as required by the Federal Government, who run and fund the programme. In essence, although all this has been done, the chances of getting a home care/ home help package any time within the next six to eight months is fairly remote. There are so many packages out already and there are no people available.

At the moment, however, she is not too bad. She is walking a lot better and she is sleeping through the night – some nights but not all…. This is good because not only does she get a night’s sleep – I do to. At the moment we have no idea what is happening with regard to the respite – just have to play events as they happen – although I was promised a full report of the meeting Monday or Tuesday. On Tuesday we are going for an EEG and they will examine her brain function and try to determine what is causing the seizures.

At the moment  we have had a few warm(ish) days but generally it is still cold, but I take comfort in the fact that it is only  26 days until spring.  Yes , we may well get the heatwaves you have experienced – probably will – but after this cold I will be glad of some heat for a change .

Benji is well and we get out for our morning walk when we can.  It depends on how often and when I get called to help Annabell. Still, he likes going out –  I pick up the car keys and he is at the door before I am.—  He is nowhere in sight – I quietly and gently pick up the car keys, look up and there he is – standing at the door waiting.

In closing; Today is Sunday (7:50am) and I have been called to assist four times since midnight. No morning walks today.

Annabell and I have spent the last three days in Adelaide. We arrived at the Cancer Lodge on Tuesday, appointments today and head for home tomorrow, Thursday. The plan was to examine her and then after consultation and examination of the results of various tests to decide if Annabell can undergo an operation to remove the cancer, since the present treatment is not doing what it was intended to do. Yes, it has held the cancer in place, and it has not grown any, but by the same token, it has not diminished as they had hoped.

The initial assessment was that she would be at risk, but that was a ‘given’ before we started. The question that needs to be examined and answered is, how much of a risk and is the risk manageable? We have more tests to be done because there is a small valve problem with her heart and her age is a factor. However, if everything is OK and it is decided that the risk is acceptable, then the operation could be done here at the Flinders Medical Centre, with possible recovery at the Flinders Hospital. Normally patients can go home after this particular surgery, but in this instance, home is too far for that to be practical. However, the next two sets of tests will be done at home and the results sent to Flinders. We are due back down here 31st August and I have booked the lodge for that date.

The carpark at the Cancer Lodge has still not been completed. The word is that it will be ready for September. The problem is that they neglected to say what year.  It is possible to get parked to load and unload at the front of the lodge on Greenhill Road provided you are outside the times when it is designated at a clearway. Not too sure when the times are, but at 5:30 am, who cares?

John has been looking after and feeding Benji whilst Annabell and I were down here in Adelaide. Still, he does take a photograph and send it to me, which I very much appreciate.

Doctors, tests, tests and more tests and still no decision on what is to happen, but I can understand that. She is  a risk and they need to be certain that the risk is manageable.  Between all her problems and the suspect heart valve, they need to be certain and take all the test results into consideration before they make a decision.

Anyway, we left Adelaide at 5:45 this morning. It was not a good time since she woke me just after midnight and again at 2;50am and I had difficulty getting back to sleep.  Still, brought the car round to the front of the building, loaded the car, checked the room, helped Annabell into the car and off we went. Everything was fine until we reached Port Wakefield. We had coffee there and set off again. Sometime after Wakefield, I started to become drowsy. Not sure where, but there was a lay-by so I pulled in there, parked the car, made sure the doors were locked, then put my head back and slept. I slept for about 40 minutes, not a lot, but enough to give me a second wind to drive home.  In my driving years, this was the first time ever that I have had to pull into a lay-by and have a nap.  Had I not done this I believe I would have been a danger to myself and to other road users. In the years that I had to drive to church conference, one every two months at 1000 miles a time, I never had to do that.

Drove to Port Augusta and made a stop at Big W (Department Store) However, I tried not to waste too much time as Annabell was getting uncomfortable, so I got back to the car and drove the last 52 miles to home. To say that Benji was glad to see me is an understatement and I think gaga is the word. Once I helped Annabell out of the car and into the house Benji was all over her- really glad to see her. He loves John, but he really misses his peepel.

She is home and she is now asleep. We are supposed to be going for some test this morning, but I have cancelled that.  All these meetings, all these tests, all this blood they continue to take to examine for goodness knows what – I understand there may be a need for them, but they are not helping her — they are exhausting her.

Annabell was discharged from hospital on the 11th July and I have said how I got her home. It was good to have her home  and I will continue to look after her and ensure that she gets her medication. She still sleeps a lot and has difficulty in standing and walking, but I  help there where I can. She has a walker  but she has difficulty in getting out of chairs and other places  so I help there.  Benji and I have suspended our 6am walk. Annabell is still sleeping then, unless she wakens me at 5am (as she sometimes does), then, since I know she is ok, Benji and I will go out close to our time.

I have always had this sort of comment that at times ” we are a mobile disaster looking for a place to happen”  On Thursday and Friday it sort of happened. Thursday and I had to go into the town to register Benji. drove there, parked the car and within about  ten minutes I was back at the car – only it refused to start. Called the RAA and they said they would attend as soon as they could. In the meantime, while I was waiting a young friend  came over and asked  if there was something wrong. I said yes, that the car wont start, so she went and got

her car, parked it next to mind and gave me a jump start. No problem. Thanked her kindly and drove  home.  I parked the car on the road since I didn’t want to block the carport in case I needed to get the other car out.  Oh and I should say that I recalled the RAA and cancelled the callout before I left town.  They thanked me and said that not many people do that – which I thought was sad, That’s how it was until very late in the afternoon when I started to notice how close other cars were passing my car, so I went out and the car started  with no problems and I drove it into my driveway.

On the Friday I went out to move the car and it would not start. Finally called out the RAA and they came but they could not get the car started. The mechanic  did a good examination and concluded that it was the starter motor.  He then organized my car to be towed from the  house  to the repair shop.

I drove up to the repair shop and spoke to the boss. I  explained what had happened and that the RAA suspected the  starter motor. He said he would try and look at it today but if not, definitely Monday.  Back home I attended to Annabell and made her something to eat. Shortly after that the phone rang. It was the mechanic, who informed me that my car was ready to be picked up. Took a taxi to the shop and the mechanic explained  what had happened.  I wont go into details but suffice to say that the starter motor was still almost as new, but the cable connecting to it had been damaged so that was changed and everything is good. AND, I had sufficient cash within my wallet to pay the bill.  So, happiness  all around!!

Annabell is still sleeping a lot but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I no longer have to stay in one room. The  servant type bell wasn’t really working so I went to the  hardware shop and bought a doorbell. I set it up so that the sound is very different from the actual doorbell. She has the door part, I have the bell part – and that is working. She keeps her part with her and I have my part in my pocked or on the nightstand . Oh if you are interested, the music I have on my part of the system is ” Santa Clause is coming to town”  Yes, I know – childish  – but there you are :o)

On Thursday 6th I went back to our doctor and reported to him why I had done what I had done and he agreed, But he  telephoned the  duty doctor and this time he put it all down on paper and wrote a letter to the senior doctor.= which he gave me to deliver. Again I organised Annabell and we went up to the hospital; at 5:15 pm.  We did not get seen to until after 9pm and then we were put into the same old side room. Once again it was cold, but this time I called John, asked him to go and feed Benji then bring the big yellow blanket to the side waiting room. This he did and we wrapped Annabell in the blanket. At 10:20 the nurse came in and took the OBS. At 11:30 it was decided that  she could go to a bed in the clinic for the moment and it was suggested that I go home.

Friday 7th..  Saturday 8th This I did, but was back up at the hospital at 9am.  I was told she was in one ward, so I went there, was told that she had been moved upstairs, went there and was told that she had been moved to the Women and Children’s ward at the far end of the hospital. Knew where this was so I made my way there.  I stayed with her for much of the day as did John & Andrew. I left the hospital and  John Andrew and I had dinner together then I went back to the hospital for the last hour.  The same  routine on Sunday except that I went home for dinner and to feed Benji I  spent much of my days walking the long corridors in the hospital to the W & C Ward. Oh – for fitbit people there are 715 steps from my car to the Women and Children Ward – 1430 x 4 each day –  give or take a few steps depending on where I park the car.

On Monday 10th June she had an assessment from My Care, but I don’t see much coming from that. There was a few people coming and going and a young “doctor” said that she could go home in the morning. I stayed with her for much of the day and she still has problems standing unaided and her walking is really not great, but there you are…..

Tuesday 11th and  just after 11:40am I took her home. I went and got a wheelchair and took her along the corridors out to the car. I got her into the car, took the wheelchair back and drove home. Managed to get her out of the car- took a while and was not easy.  Not sure my arm will recover from the gripping  :o) Still, got her into the house and into her recliner and  put her blanket over her.  It is now Wednesday 11th and that’s how things are at the moment.

She slept well last night and I did not go out in the morning with Benji since she had  not been awake. Did get out with him sometime around 11am.

Finally concluded. Sorry I have taken up so much of your time. I hope I have not bored you too much….

One last thing – the nurses were great and really looked after Annabell. I am thankful to them for all they did.

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After they took her away to be prepped for surgery, I  went back to the lodge, had something to eat, coffee and bed. In the morning I booked an extension to my stay at the lodge, then  made my way to the hospital. Annabell was sleeping but looking well and the nurse told me that the surgery  went well. It was not really  “surgery” but rather an Endoscopy which closed the tear on the ulcer. She slept for most of the morning so I  took the tram into the city and did some shopping.  Oh and I have to say that you will be pleased to know that I am keeping my caffeine levels topped up fairly well  :o)  In case this is a puzzle – someone asked me how I was and my reply was  ” Fine,  as long as I keep my caffeine level topped up”.

In all it was five days in Adelaide before she was flown back to Whyalla. On the 28th. I packed the car and in the early morning of the 29th June, I set out for home.  Usual breakfast at Port Wakefield.  I understood that she had been taken back to the Whyalla Hospital so instead of going home I went directly to see Annabell. She was sleeping but I stayed for a little while. Benji was glad to see me and made a sort of a fuss, but he kept going to the door to look for Annabell.  His peepel were not all home so he was not too happy.

Annabell remained in hospital until the 30th and they discharged her. I was not very impressed with that but  I took her home and at least dear Benji was happy All his peepel were back together. Added to my responsibility was the administration of her medication at various times of the day  Benji  had no morning walk because I  was too concerned to go out and leave Annabell in the house on her own  even if it was only for an hour or so. However, we did go out in the evening when she was awake and in her recliner. Generally I am wake at 2am and again about 5am because I have to attend to her. The other reason I don’t have a morning walk is I am too tired.

Saturday 1st July.

I was awake at 3am  and again at 5am but I decided since I had got her back into bed and she seemed ok. I felt it was ok to take Benji out. Annabell slept for much of the day. Generally a quiet day with no drama. Even went out in the afternoon with Benji and made a light meal in the evening.

Sunday 2nd July

Much of the day was fairly quiet. In the mid afternoon we had a slight disaster . The result of attending to that disaster  was that she fell and I called out an ambulance and she was taken to the  Emergency. We  waited for several hours until we were seen .  The “medical person” asked what happened and I told him. He also asked for some backgound so I told him -Uterine  Cancer, Peptic  Ulcer that required  Endosacpy,  has seizures and is unsteady on her feet. He had a poke at her shoulder, asked her if there was any pain – she said  there was not – so he told me to take her home and if there is any pain to give her some Aspirin. Certainly I took her home but not the Aspirin

Tuesday 4th July  and I went so see her own doctor and related everything to him -including the Aspirin. He made a telephone call then told me to take her to the hospital that he had spoken to the duty doctor and she would be admitted.  I went home got her organized and took her to the hospital. We were shunted into a side room and left there. No one came to see us and no one came to ask how she was. At 10:15 pm  Annabell was cold, tired and shivering. By then I had had enough, and took her home. For me the choice was simple – be sick, stay where we are and be cold – or – be sick, go home and be warm –  I took her home.

 

Where to begin?? Sunday 18th June, Annabell was unwell so I took her to the Emergency Dept at the hospital; in the afternoon. At 6pm that evening we were seen and  the medical person there said Annabell was fine,  just required rest, so I took her home and got her into bed. Things started to go downhill  from there and I went from doing a laundry once a week to one every other day. I barely had  any sleep since she could not get in nor out of bed without help and the only help around was me. On the 22nd June we had a serious “accident”  and I managed to get her into the shower and yes, I  did what I had to do!!  Sadly as I went to get a fresh towel, she fell and I called out the emergency Ambulance.  She was taken to the Emergency Dept where, fortunately they had a Doctor on  duty and he admitted Annabell to the hospital. It was the early hours of the morning before I got home.

On Wednesday 23rd. I went up to the hospital to see Annabell and walked into  the aftermath of a flurry of activity. In the early morning Annabell felt very sick and pressed the emergency button.  The nurses came  in  just in time to see Annabell vomit — blood. The Nurse called a ” Code Blue”  (Medical Emergency) and a doctor came in. He ordered a particular scan and it was discovered that not only did Annabell have a Peptic Ulcer – it was bleeding.  Whyalla Hospital does not have the equipment to deal with this, but Adelaide does,  so the Royal Flying Doctor  Service (RFDS) was called out. The doctor at the Royal Adelaide Hospital ordered that Whyalla begin blood transfusions immediately. This was done and in the late afternoon  she was taken on  board the RFDS aircraft and flown to Adelaide.

I had already called the Lodge so my accommodation was booked. I went home, packed what I thought I would need, arranged for John  to feed and look after Benji. On the way home I stopped at the supermarket and bought 14 cans of single “My Dog” feed and left a note for John to use two cans per day. In the morning I took off  for the 300 mile drive to Adelaide.

The Drive down was uneventful and once I had booked in and unpacked the car,  had a quick coffee, I  made my way to the hospital.  I had no idea where to go so I checked the information Desk.  I explained why I was here and who I was looking for. Quick as a flash, she gave me all the information I needed, and the lady came out from her desk and showed me where the lifts were. At the nurse station they took me to Annabell’s room  I had a whole half hour with her before they took her away to be prepped for surgery.

Wednesday (28th)  I went to the RAH as usual to spend the day with Annabell. I made my way to her room only to find  the bed stripped and her room empty. I asked where she was and was told that the  nurses had been trying to contact me to let me know what the RFDS had arranged a flight and Annabell was in the process of being flown back to Whyalla Hospital. The nurses didn’t have my information and Annabell could not remember my phone number.  Never mind, I just took the tram into the city, did some shopping and had a haircut, which I badly needed. As I said before the nurses here at the RAH have been wonderful and have really looked after Annabell and I am so very thankful to them for everything they did for her – and for me too.

Anyway, I came back to the Lodge and packed and  got everything ready to leave in the morning (Thursday 29th). On Wednesday I partly packed the car and had just about everything ready for a very early departure in the morning..  Set the alarm for 04:45 and by  05;30 I was on my way out of the city. The reason for the early departure is that  where the SA Cancer Lodge is situated is on one of the busiest roads in Adelaide and it starts to get busy early and – at certain times, particularly in the morning, is a designated clearway – in other words no parking or stopping or face a fine of $350. At

5am it is not a clearway so I parked, loaded the car and headed off.  Breakfast at Port Wakefield –  about 80 miles north. I  stopped for fuel at Port Pirie then headed to Whyalla and the hospital. I went there first before going home. I stayed with Annabell for about an hour then went home. Benji went gaga — but not completely because one of his peeepels was missing and he was not happy about that. Yes he made a fuss of me, but he kept going back to the door to look for Annabell.  Coming home from the hospital each time, he is still looking for her. I  don’t think he will be really happy until she comes home and all his peepels are together.

Annabell herself is doing  quite well but she will be in hospital for a while. There is to be a meeting regarding her treatment and where we progress from here. This will take place on Monday , 3rd July, so that should be interesting to see what is proposed. I have no idea just who will be involved and if or when she can come home after that. I do know that there are three avenues of concern, – the seizures, the cancer and her falling a  fair bit.   They would like an EEG done but the soonest we can have that done  is February of next year and I don’t think they can wait that long.

I have not been up to the hospital this morning because I was notified that a package which I am expecting was coming today. Also there  was piles of washing that needed to be done so I did all that – and tidied up. About 12(ish) I decided that I would go for a shower -yes you guessed it –  I had only just stepped into the shower when the doorbell rang and it was the  Postal Service with the package. LOL the odds of that happening — 100%.  Still it gives me something to tell Annabell and cheer her up a little.

Shortly after getting  dressed the phone rang. It was the hospital asking me to come to the hospital and collect  Annabell as she is being discharged. I was not at all impressed with this but Annabell was quite pleased. We went through the discharge procedure and with the help of a nurse and a wheelchair we got her to the car and  strapped in. I thanked the nurse got into the car and set off for

home. In the twenty minutes it took me to drive home she seemed to have deteriorated, and I struggled with getting her out of the car. By a stroke of fortune son John arrived and with his help we struggled to get her out of the car and into the wheelchair. If John had not arrived when he did, the ambulance people would be picking her up off the car-port floor because I would have to have called them. She slept for much of the afternoon.  I have the horrible feeling that this early discharge is not a good idea and that it will come back to bite us.  However, I do so hope I am wrong. Benji- on the other hand – was overjoyed to see her and made a fuss of her. Once John and I got her into her recliner, Benji did something he doesn’t usually do – he jumped up on her lap. He was happy that his peepel were all together again.

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.