Thu 17-Dec-09 (FULL DAY - medical appts, RT 21/25, party)

Maria had another dreadful night. Unfortunately I needed to get her up before 9am as we had someone from Home Help visiting to discuss their services and how we could best use them. After that we had a Palliative Care nurse visit from Clare Holland House (Hospice) to also discuss their services and lock in regular home visits.

By the time the above visits were over, Maria had a brief nap before we headed off to RT. Today it was 37 degrees and unfortunately ideal conditions for bush fires with no humidity yet strong and hot gusting winds.

Tom got to come into the RT room to see where Maria receives her treatment. They even rotated the machine for the kids.

Afterwards, Maria had to have blood taken to check how she's coping with the daily chemo (so far no problems). As we didn't have time to go around to the other side of the hospital and visit pathology, we had the RT nurses take the blood. Unfortunately Maria's veins were very difficult to find and after some attempts they got what they needed. She is sore and sorry, but quite used to it.

We got home in time so Maria could have another brief nap while I madly prepared things for Ben's party.  Ben is not '10' until early January, but as many people are away during the summer school holidays it was easier to do something now.

We headed off to the party venue on the other side of town, called Zone 3 (laser tag). Everyone had a ball and Maria got through it. I made a basic '10' cake and didn't even bother decorating it. We just didn't seem to have the time to do much in the lead-up. That said, our first party away from home was a huge blessing and it went off without a hitch.

We left the centre at 6pm and it was still 37 degrees! Effie drove up and collected Tom. It was lovely for the kids, especially Ben, to have him stay.

Maria didn't get to sleep until nearly 11:00pm. I'm praying that she experiences good sleep as it will be another busy day tomorrow, starting with a meeting @ 9:30am with the Neurosurgeon, followed by a long gap before RT (but not long enough to go off and do much).

It's nearly midnight. The temperature has dropped a few degrees and there is now some light rain. The change has come, but we're hoping this rain will develop into something more significant.