15 January 2017

Brian here:

                 There have been some changes since the last blog, firstly I am going to transpose some notes Lorraine wrote while in Portland Hospital on Saturday 14th January while waiting for a patient transfer vehicle to take her to Geelong Hospital.

Her notes:-"Oh the difference a day can make.
                   I've been disappointed over the 'slowness' of my recovery from the 'pleurodesis' over the past week or two - culminating in a few very uncomfortable and rather breathless nights.
                   However yesterday was the funeral for our dear friend Richard von Stanke. Richard's cancer battle lasted 16 years, including periods of remission - and there was no way Brian and I would have missed it!
                  So on Friday, after the funeral, off we went, following what became an unexpected teary outburst over the phone to the District Nurses - most unlike me!, to Portland Hospital A&E, where I was attached to Oxygen - ahh quite a relief, and had a further Xray and CT Scan.
                  It appears that the pleurodesis has not worked as well as it should have, so after a comfortable night at the hospital, I am scheduled to be transferred to Geelong Hospital today (Saturday) at 1pm.
                 Guess that's it for today.
                 Who knows what tomorrow will bring?"

Brian now - As all of you who know Lorraine personally would know she is very good at hiding her pain/feelings, but I was aware that she was not well and so was she - when she would not move out of the house - even to go to church something had to be very wrong. When asked she would always say she was feeling a bit sore, but thinks that generally since the 'pleurodesis' that things are improving.
                   Back to Saturday - the patient transfer vehicle did finally arrive and left for Geelong at 5:15pm. for a 4 hour trip there.
                   Sunday morning (today) I received a phonecall from our good friend Jen Merrett, who just happened to be in Geelong and knowing Lorraine was in hospital there visited and was able to tell me the details - including what she could overhear the team of doctors discussing Lorraine.
Apparently her heart rhythm was very fast and she had very low blood pressure, she has been stabilized by medication through the day.
                  I was still in Portland at this stage, but left immediately for Geelong. By the time I arrived Simon and Caitlin were there and although pale and quite weak Lorraine was much better.
                 Tomorrow a team of doctors will be deciding the next move.

                Please keep Lorraine and myself in your prayers - they are a great help!

               Special thanks to Jen Merrett and the Portland prayer team for all they have done.
             
              Brian