GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PARCELS ....

Wednesday 6 November Good things come in small parcels so the saying goes … and for us this is true with our beautiful daughter-in-law Shell. These days everyone seems so busy with their lives that we don't get to spend that quality time with our loved ones that we should - so when an opportunity arises we grab it with both hands! My appointment with Louise Nardone was scheduled for 11.20 and Shell offered to be my support person and drive us to Traralgon - 45 minutes in the car gave us a chance to have a natter and a few laughs. A couple of forms to fill out (isn't there always!) - the waiting area for radiation at LVRH is quite pleasant, well lit with nice comfy couches and chairs, tea and coffee making facilities, the obligatory jig saw puzzle sitting waiting to be completed and a delightful hospitality worker Brenda who is always on for a chat, knows and remembers patients and family/support persons and who has been happily doing this for over 20 years. Brenda starts discussing climate change with us … when a male voice calls 'Valerie', he introduces himself as Christian - I tell him he doesn't look like Louise! Then I remember I hadn't been available for Robyns initial appointment with Louise and she told me she had seen Christian and said something similar to him - yes my beautiful friend is watching over me and putting words in my mouth!! Thankfully my memory isn't too bad (yet) as the questions Christian had to ask required me delve way back - almost 60 years back … what age did you start menstruating, how many children do you have, did you breast feed, what age did you reach menopause, how long did you take HRT, Shell learnt lots about her mother-in-law today …. all questions that may be helpful with research into breast cancer, its causes and relationship to lifestyle and health as we progress through life, I was finding it hard to concentrate on this handsome young Dr as he had an Essendon Football Club membership lanyard round his neck and I kept thinking of the absolute drubbing the Bulldogs gave them … and yes it got the better of me I just had to ask if he'd been at that game - yes unfortunately was his reply …. big grin on my face as I told him I was a Bulldog fan. I'm not sure what question Christian asked that brought on my tears - Shell explained that I'd had a really traumatic time recently … and as quick as the tears came they stopped. (I understand we grieve because we have loved … but I'd prefer to not cry in public so often!) After an examination to ensure my wounds were completely healed and ready for radiation he left the room to get Louise - I thought Louise would have been advised Robyn had passed but she didn't know until Christian told her … Louise delivered the good news - I would have the three week course, 15 sessions of more intensive treatment …. woohoo that's 10 days less of travelling to Traralgon daily. Normally I would have had the planning CT done after this consultation but the CT machine was out of action (overworked probably and unfortunately) so I'd need to come back either Friday or Monday for this. An enjoyable lunch in the hospital cafeteria (lamb roast for $7 was delicious) before heading home - discussion on the way home was centered around my question answers, information that may be helpful or necessary for Lilly in the future. Heather and I had only discussed menopause yesterday and the fact I'd had endometriosis at age 34 which resulted in a total hysterectomy and early menopause therefore she has no maternal gauge as to what she's experiencing. Another positive from this negative is that information regarding family health has been shared - I'd not thought previously about the fact that this information may be of importance to my beautiful Princess and any daughters she may have in the future. Not many of my family and friends are shorter than me … however the honour of being the shortest in our family goes to Shell … love my beautiful English DIL