Long time. . .no blog :P

Life sneaks up and makes you soooo busy at times!

Where to start .. .

Possibly last thing was Pops toe op - all went well, home and recovering fine. He then fell ill, was spending a lot of time sleeping (in bed alone, as Nan slept in the spare room so she wouldnt bump ihis foot during sleep) taking his time in the shower/bathroom, not quizzed as he is private and wouldnt ask for help. . . .nan started to notice him doing strange things, and once he lost movement in his left side she finally called an ambulance. . .you know the generation - dont ask for help/charity, just go through life as best they can. . . gathered him up in his gown and slippers and got him to the hospital.

Turns out he had a minor stroke, possibly brought on by his low sugar levels (they are meant to be about 7 and he hardly registered 1 on the test at the hospital). This blood pressure was extremely LOW too, plus blood results pretty low.

Nan had gone back home at this stage (about 10pm) and noticed blood and eerm poop on the lounge where he had been sitting. . .she checked out the bed and noticed little stains/spots there too and hidden rolls of loo paper. She called the hospital and told them about this, they had a look and he was bleeding from the bowel. Was in a mess poor old pop, how horrid for him.

He had 6 blood transfusions in a few days and his levels (and general colour) came back up. They also dont tests (scope etc) to see what the bleeding was from.

Turns out he has cancer, very advanced, in his bowel and liver. The doc has out a 6mth time stamp on him.

Turns out the bleeding had been going on for a while, Nan is giving herself heaps about it. . .as she 'should have noticed' but how could have she? She slept in another room once he came back from the toe op, didnt question excess time in bathroom due to the fact walking with a sore foot was hard - showering and using the loo would have been tricky.

He was in hospital for almost two weeks, but due to the terrible state of our hospital (lack of staff means we dont even have day surgery anymore) he is home again. Which is ok, as he is going along ok and is doing better in his own surroundings. His gout has come back (sore foot/ankle and elbows). . .the med for the gout plays up with his sugar, so he has to check that more often during the day, taking meds for the cancer. . in hope that it will allow him to toilet for himself (as he refussed a colostomy bag, dont blame him) plus mega big pain killers.

Now its just a day to day thing, their GP has been excellent. He lives nearby and drops in on his way home every few days, great to have such a caring doc that goes beyond his job!

As if this isnt enough. . .lets see what else has happened (in point form)
* 15 year old cousin is pregnant and due in 3 weeks, we have just been told as she had been living with her mother (uncles ex wife) but has moved back in with dad - so less stress there now she is in a more stable environment :)
* Work dramas to the max. . .
* A missed call from my fathers sister (have not had contact with that side of the family since I was about 6 .. so 20 years) - automatically think its to do with my Grandmother, and spin into thoughts of a funeral and how to deal with seeing my father. Finally get in contact with her after three days of messages left on her phone. . .to find out Grandma had a fall a few months back, is losing her memory and keeps asking for me and my sister (refers to us as toddlers). Going downhill fast, has had to take an AVO out on my father and had her will changed to state father will get nothing in her will instead his 'share' will be given to sister and I. Wanted to warn us, in case father finds out about this and tries to contact us. Joy. . .
* Cashed out my savings and brought a lounge :) But its delayed. . .nothing too bad but it follows the string of bad news!

So. . .for anyone still reading this far - thanks for hanging in there

xx Renee