It’s hard to believe that I have been here in the Geelong
hospital for over a fortnight. The main reason of course is not because I am
receiving the radiotherapy, but because of the need to guard my left hip so
carefully. I am reasonably bed-bound, but can sit up for a while (back gets
sore if I do it for long) and I independently hobble about a bit with my elbow
crutches.
I don’t feel sick, and the minor nausea I first
experienced from the radiotherapy has been managed well with medication, so
it’s really boredom to a degree that I am dealing with. However I am well armed
with books to read, crosswords and puzzles to challenge the brain with and an
ipad with some suitably brain-numbing games installed on it. There’s also the
cricket and tennis to keep an eye on.
Strangely enough the time is not dragging, partly because
I have been surprisingly tired, but especially because of little surprises that
have kept popping up. Some of these have taken the form of unexpected calls, messages
or cards, a ‘hospital survival kit’ (including some Myer perfume samples to
waft away the hospital smells), a card containing teabags (“a good brew will
see you through”), all brim full of words of encouragement. Thank you!
There’s also been the surprise visits from my wonderful husband,
family and friends. Brian has done a sterling job of just hanging around,
despite some days of fairly average health himself. My siblings are
unbelievable – we don’t live in each other’s pockets, but boy when the chips
are down there’s no greater love, care and support.
And since being in Geelong, I have also met the two
newest members of my extended family – great-nephew Benedict Pietsch, and great
niece Stella Gardiner (both gorgeous). There’s also been a couple of visits
from Portland friends – just to remind me where I live!
These are the delights that make such a difference to an
otherwise pretty average sort of day.
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