30 January 2015

Looking out of my ward windows at the Geelong hospital was not inspirational – perhaps it was just as well that the windows were so badly in need of a clean that the ugly roof below could barely be seen.

It’s certainly different in Portland.

After 3 room changes at the Portland hospital, I am now sitting beside sparkling clean windows, watching the ever-changing vista of the active Portland harbour. There are small fishing boats bobbing about, several large ships on the horizon and a continual hive of activity at the port with trucks containing woodchips tipping up at ridiculous angles to unload, logs being unloaded, wind towers turning behind them, and in the far distance the sun is shining over the sea to reveal the windfarm at Codrington. If I have to be stuck in hospital it may as well be with the spectacular view in front of me.

There has not been much action on the ‘treatment’ front for me. However today an OT loaded up her station wagon with an assortment of frames/chairs and took me home, to see how I can manage when I return. Using a light frame, I was able to impressively hop up the 4 porch steps and into our house (for the first time in almost 4 weeks). The only extra aid needed inside the house is a rail at the toilet, otherwise the OT says I am good to go. However I am still in hospital for at least the weekend as the cogs turn slowly and I have to be released by my physician (away for the weekend).

I have not yet heard from the oncology unit in Warrnambool, so don’t know what treatment options are in store for me. Perhaps I’ll just sit back and watch the two tugboats bringing in a large woodchips-loading ship, and also enjoy catching up with locals.

28 January 2015 - More from Lorraine

Australia Day Weekend

I had been rather dreading this weekend as it appeared that it would be the height of boredom – no appointments, just hanging around in hospital waiting for the final radiotherapy session on Tuesday.

However, life is full of surprises and I ended up having a lovely time enjoying visits from family and friends.

On Sunday I had a particular hankering for eggs for breakfast, but let’s just say that the Geelong hospital does not enjoy a good reputation as far as hospital food and flexibility goes, so this wish could not be accommodated.

Enter Jeanie (sister), Pete and Imogen. When they popped in to visit at lunch-time, we located a wheelchair and headed out of doors. We navigated uneven footpaths, held up traffic as the wheelchair bottomed out going through intersections, but eventually arrived at a delightful sidewalk café where we sat outside and I heartily ate every last crumb of my Eggs Benedict – pretty impressive as my appetite had been a bit dodgy prior to this!

It was also most enjoyable with visits from other Melbourne family members as well as Adrian, and also some wonderful time spent with two couples from Portland.

Not the boring weekend I had anticipated.

Meanwhile Sonya reported that my young grand-daughter Lauren has converted her doll’s high chair into a walking frame, “just like Nanna”!!

Back to Portland

As Brian mentioned earlier, I was beside myself with excitement on being told that I would be returning to Portland by road ambulance at 3pm on Tuesday (yesterday). With my final radiotherapy session under my belt, and a handing over of my case to the Warrnambool-based oncology unit, I waited with much anticipation for the ambulance to arrive… and waited… and waited…

Finally at 5:30pm it arrived – about one minute before the meal trolley arrived with an evening meal. Oh well, I didn’t mind going hungry, as long as I was heading home. Then it emerged that the ambulance was transferring two patients, so we would be travelling to Portland via Hamilton, lengthening the time spent lying on the trolley to 5 hours. This was not the most comfortable ride I have ever had, and everything I had heard about ambulances having truck suspension appeared only too true. Then there was the matter of my poor fellow patient who had gut difficulties and broke wind frequently as we negotiated the rough Western District roads. I was very happy to finally arrive in Portland, tired, sore, thirsty and hungry but I was met with some familiar friendly faces at the Portland hospital and they soon had me settled and comfortable.

Today was spent talking to a variety of support people who are looking at ways to enable me to return home. We will have a few hand-rails etc to sort out so it will be easier for me to manage (on one leg).

I haven’t met yet with the Warrnambool team, to determine the next regime of treatment. Perhaps I can just enjoy being close to home and catching up with ‘the locals’. Certainly it is much easier for Brian to be back home and to potter around catching up on the chores.

Back to Portland

28 January 2015

Brian here

Lorraine completed her last radiotherapy yesterday, and was then told she would be transferred to Portland Hospital by road at any time after 3:00pm. Ambulance arrived at 5:30pm, picked up Lorraine and another patient and then proceeded to Portland via Hamilton, finally arriving in Portland at 10:30pm. I will leave Lorraine fill in all the sordid details, but we thank God she arrived safely and had a reasonable night’s sleep afterward.

This morning she has been busy with pharmacist and other details, but has not seen a Doctor yet. She is being treated as a Rehab patient, and is currently in room 17, North Ward at the Portland Hospital.

   
    More later from Lorraine.