About 7:45am the cooling technician turned up and repaired our evaporative cooling unit. There were a couple of blessings in that: (a) it only required the change of the controller, working out to be about a 1/3 of the cost we had budgeted for; and (b) although the new controller was a different shape and style, the painter was able to patch the area and paint it so you can't even tell that this change has been made.
Gabi stayed at home as she hasn't felt well. Maria also complained of a sore throat this morning so I encouraged her to come along. Gabi was diagnosed with a virus, which will pass soon. As soon as she looked into Maria's mouth she said it was quite ulcerated. We suspect this is a result of the radiotherapy (we didn't expect it so soon). We discussed some plans to counter it, with the primary aim to speak with RT staff later in the day.
After morning tea at a local bakery, we got home in time for lunch. Maria had her long afternoon sleep as she continues to struggle with fatigue. She is also finding it increasingly difficult to get in and out of the car.
We collected Ben from school and headed to the hospital for Maria's RT session. After RT, we took Maria around to the other side of the hospital for a blood test in preparation for her meeting with the Oncologist on Monday. That went smoothly. Even the person taking the blood commented on how "butchered" Maria's arms look at present.
Enroute home we collected a DVD (Get Smart series - which the kids loved) and some takeaway food. When we got home we realised that we hadn't addressed Maria's throat issue while at RT.
Albeit we have been blessed by many of the tradespeople we've dealt with, it is nice to know that we have our home back for the foreseeable future.
PRAYER POINTS
Firstly, I want to once again thank people for their prayers and encouraging messages. From time to time I receive messages from long-lost friends of ours who say they have been following our journey via the blog, which is a huge encouragement to persist.
These are the key prayer points at present.
- Shrinkage/elimination of the brain and spinal tumours.
- Positive response from the spinal RT (i.e. regaining of sensation and strength in legs, stabilisation of her bowel and bladder function).
- Diminishing of the RT side effects (namely the ulcerated throat).
- Minimisation of the current steroid side effects (i.e. agitation, significant weight gain, muscle deterioration).
- Restoration of health for Gabi.
- Continued positive changes in our attitudes and to retain that joy in the face of adversity. We have all been working hard on that.
- Energy for us all as we are all feeling more "wear and tear".
