This morning I left early with the kids to head to the other side of Canberra to drop something off to someone. On the way back Maria called and told me she was awake. As we arrived home, the kids went ahead of me. The next thing I know they both come running to me saying, "Mummy has fallen and she's on the ground". I moved with considerable pace to find Maria sitting on the kitchen floor, next to the fridge. She was sore and shaken. Her version of events is as follows. After speaking with me she decided to go to the kitchen using her walking stick (instead of the wheelchair). She started to make a hot chocolate and left her walking stick to go to the fridge. The next thing she knew she felt herself falling and couldn't stop. She landed on her face and knees. She felt considerable pain and waited until she heard the kids enter. She recalls with humour that at first Gabi came into the kitchen, looked at her and ran out screaming for me. Ben followed a few seconds later and did exactly the same thing. She was worried that no-one would come for her. I lifted her up into her wheelchair then we iced her right cheekbone. She otherwise seemed okay, except for her loss of confidence.
I took her to the bathroom for a shower. She decided that she needed to go to the toilet and could manage herself. As she left go of me, she fell backwards, fortunately straight onto the toilet seat. This was a further confidence blow for her.
A dear friend popped through during the morning to deliver some Christmas goodies. Thanks Mary.
We left the kids and headed in for Maria's final radiotherapy session. She has developed an amazing rapport with the staff, who have encouraged her to drop in anytime.
They also took her blood, which again was quite an adventure. Maria sits there expressionless, even when it is painful. She is quite the veteran. She was seen by the Registrar and we will see the specialist in four weeks time. Hopefully an MRI will be arranged for around that time.
We celebrated when we got home as it is so freeing to not have the daily rigmarole of travel, especially as Maria's mobility has declined so much in recent times.
Our dear friends Paul and Mel came over during the afternoon to install some more handrails and help me to rearrange Maria's room to make it user friendly for her condition. They have blessed us endlessly.
We also spent time wrapping presents on my bed, which we later finished in the kitchen.
In the early evening some other dear friends came for a visit and showered us with gifts. That too was a lovely blessing. Thanks Michael, Viv and kids.
Ben and Gabi have been great helpers and are so much more aware of Maria's state. We all speak more openly about it pretty much every day as a question arises.
It is amazing how quickly Maria's condition has deteriorated. I am now her round-the-clock companion. Until now, there were periods that she could be left alone, but that is no longer the case. I help her shower and when she goes to the toilet. She is spending pretty much all of her time seated/laying. We pray that God continues to strengthen us as the challenges compound.
I'm off to bed as it's nearly midnight in what has been an exhausting day. I also need the energy as we have our family visiting tomorrow, which we're looking forward to.
