ONE DOWN - FOURTEEN TO GO ....

Yesterday was day one of my radiation schedule …. I feel I've prepared myself as best as I can for this experience … I've read My Journey, asked questions of my medical/radiation team and yes I did Google some too! The best laid plans sometimes never come off and unfortunately Heather wasn't able to get the day off work and all other family and friends were unavailable, so Bill and I set off - I was confident that any fatigue I may experience won't happen until mid next week at the earliest - stopping at Clarke Rubber to purchase the weather strip for the lounge window, we arrived at LVCH half an hour early and managed to obtain a disabled park (Bill has a sticker which we seldom use) in the top car park. By now I was 'hanging' for a coffee, we headed to the café and decided to take advantage of the tranquil comfy radiation centre waiting room and consume it …. oops we upset Brenda (not really she was just pretending) as its her job to provide us with coffee and biscuits. Hannah is my radiation assistant this week and after weighing in (I like my weight better when I'm not fully clothed and with shoes on) I'm shown a row of four cupboards each one bearing an Australian native animal sticker - my gown is on a shelf (complete with my name) in the Ringtail Possum cupboard. After donning this beautiful designer gown, which just meets in the middle but hey I've flashed my boob at so many people the past two months what's a couple more! its off to the radiation 'bunker' I'm introduced to the team in the viewing room who all smile and assure me they will be watching me and can hear me should the need arise that I get traumatised or overcome - which is comforting to know. Off with the gown, hide behind the green modesty sheet and up onto the bed, feet into their correct position - somethings wrong my heads not reaching my 'mould', have I shrunk this past week (wouldn't mind if it was girth not height) nah just needed a minor adjustment on the bed and voila all is good, I lie there looking at the palm trees complete with coconuts on the ceiling whilst Hannah and Sumpta (I think that is the lovely young mans name) ensure that all the measurements are correct and that I'll be zapped in the right spots … then I'm alone in the room with the machine, I lie there silly thoughts going through my head 'glad those trees aren't real, don't want a coconut landing on me' suddenly I'm aware of someone re entering the room and Sumpta is there, handing me the rope to pull myself up and handing me the green modesty sheet once again, I head over to the chair with my basket containing my clothes and as I don my blue gown and wander back to the change room to get dressed, fold up my blue gown and put back into the possum cupboard for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be even quicker I'm told. After a quick interview with Jenny, one of the nurses who gives me a tube of cream and an instruction sheet, answers the couple of questions I have, suggests that I should have a driver each day as fatigue can set in at anytime and without warning - its time to head home. Lyn calls in just after we arrived home - she has a terrible cold and won't come inside so we chat through the security door and arrange some dates she will drive me to Traralgon. Shell rings to see how today went and find out my future appointment times - we work out a couple of dates she is able to take me and tells me to ask Rob to take me somedays, which I've been loathe to do, I know he's my son and he wants to support me but he has a business to run and now is his busy busy time as the grass just keeps growing fast and his clients like their lawns pristine. I take her advice and yep he's happy to do at least one day. Heather calls in on her way home from work - suggests the days she will try to get off to take me. Oh how much simpler it would be if we had Radiology here in Sale as well as Oncology …. maybe one day …. whilst its only a 45 minute drive to Traralgon the return trip takes at least two hours out of your day. Time to get ready for day two.

ARE YOU OK? .... WELL NO - NOT REALLY ...

Sunday 17 November Spring is drawing closer to summer - the days are getting warmer - that's what should happen but here in Gippsland its still been cold and windy. Appointments last Monday with my GP followed by Radiation CT scan and planning so we made it a day out .. I needed a referral signed to take with me to Gippsland Cancer Centre and I've been struggling emotionally the past week or so - I feel I've coped with losing Pete as I'd known for the past 6 years he was on 'borrowed' time but losing Robyn seemed so sudden even though I knew her prognosis was terminal - so I put my 'big girl pants on' and asked for an appointment with a counsellor plus a referral for oncology rehab exercise and a dietician to help me lose some weight. Admitting we are struggling mentally isn't easy to do and I admire those in public life who have come forward recently and sought 'time out' and help. Next stop Rosedale to pick out a purple pot ready to plant the daffodils from Robyns garden, alas the pot place only opens Thursday to Sunday, oh well just have to stop there another time. Onto Clarke Rubber, wasn't quite sure what we needed, served by a most obliging young man Aaron who gave us a sample piece to bring home and try - just what we need so will stop off on our next trip to Traralgon. On to Morwell where I had to return a couple of items I'd purchased on-line but didn't like before a well earned morning tea at Donut King where Shay another delightful young person served us, good customer service with a smile makes such a difference. After a quick walk round Big W it was back to Traralgon, enjoyed a cup of coffee courtesy of Glenda before my scan. After changing into a delightful blue hospital robe, a walk of approximately 20 paces down the passage to the scanning room where I had to disrobe again - flashing my boobs is becoming a regular occurrence and I guess its only going to happen more frequently as the weeks go on!! Alex and Dom were the radiology technicians assigned to 'map' me today ready for commencement of radiation on Wednesday 20th - after positioning me in the position I'll be required to be in for each session a mould was formed ….. the following information is from BCNA and gives a more accurate description than I could! Careful planning is necessary before radiation treatment can begin. The planning ensures that you get the full benefit of radiation with minimal impact on other parts of your body. During the planning session, a radiation oncologist maps out the breast area that needs treatment. The oncologist or radiation technician uses a special X-ray machine called a simulator, and the process is called simulation because the treatment is being "simulated," or not really given. Because it is so important to position the angles of radiation accurately, the planning session can sometimes last up to an hour. The extra time and care during this session will make your future visits run more smoothly and help you get the most from your radiation therapy. You do not receive any treatment during the planning session. Positioning is extremely important in radiation therapy. Your body will be positioned carefully in order to get the best radiation treatment. You will be in the same position during every treatment, and you will have to remain still. To stabilize your position, you will probably be asked to lie in a special "immobilization device" on the treatment table. You may be asked to lie down in a custom-shaped mold that just touches your back and sides; or your treatment center may use a "breast board" that places your head, arm, and hand in a fixed position. Unfortunately, no padding can be used on the treatment table or positioning devices because that makes your treatment position less precise. Pictures will be taken of the area that needs to be treated. Those images are sent to the radiation planning computer, which will help set up the general treatment fields (the areas that get the radiation). After the simulation is done, the dose of radiation you'll receive is calculated, and your radiation treatment is designed over the next few days. This is called dosimetry. Your radiation oncologist works closely with a radiation dosimetrist, who helps further define the best arrangement and size of your treatment fields and is responsible for making sure you receive the correct amount of radiation. Together they establish the size, shape, and number of the treatment fields. The treatment fields are designed to maximize the dose of radiation to the area that needs to be treated and to avoid or minimize the dose to the normal surrounding tissues. My Princess, Lilly Georgia turned 17 and we celebrated with family dinner at Lakeside - the years are flying by way too fast. Tuesday we left Sale at 8.30 with the LVCH Carers Group for an overnight trip - the weather was quite pleasant when we set off however by the time we stopped in Yarragon for refreshments etc it was raining and the wind was blowing a gale (no refreshments for us) It had been 12 years since we last went on Puffing Billy when we did the tourist 'thing' in the open carriages - today we were treated to the Steam and Cuisine trip, the dining cars had been purchased by the Puffing Billy Historical Society back in the early 60's from the Mount Lyle Railway in Tasmania and named after towns along that railway - Mt Lyell, Double Barril, Rinadeena & Teepookana. The food was beautifully presented and restaurant quality - we both had pork rib eye for mains OMG it was huge but so tender and succulent and dessert was decadence at its best, crumbled chocolate mud cake in an espresso martini jelly, topped with chocolate mousse and Chantilly cream. At the end of the three hour round trip we were off to our overnight accommodation in Kalorama, unfortunately our bus driver hadn't done his homework and was relying on good old Google maps so we did a few laps of the Dandenongs! Our room was not overly large but absolutely spotless and quite comfortable …. dinner … yes more food …. Lamb noisettes for me, salmon for Bill (enjoyable but didn't surpass lunch) tiramisu for dessert. Bill spent a lot of time over dinner reminiscing with another couple who were originally from South Gippsland and whom he had known way back when - in fact he and Beryl had worked together when in their teens. Buffet breakfast on Wednesday morning - yes more food - an excellent selection of hot and cold foods to chose from. Homeward bound (bus driver must have done his homework overnight as we didn't get lost once) with a stop at LVCH in Moe for a talk by Corina on Health matters for seniors, I don't think I have ever been so entertained at an information talk/lecture before, this lady knows her stuff and had us all in fits of laughter (we all received a little gift from her - not sure you'd really want to know what it was!! Last stop on our way home was at Green Olive in Traralgon - oh yes more food ...Chicken Duchess and Mars Bar Cheesecake for me, Seafood platter and Banana Spring Rolls for Bill …. everyone just rolled out to the bus - an amazing couple of days and a welcome break for all carers and those they care for. Thursday was spent recovering from an over load of scrumptious food. Friday had a little bit of 'me' time for a cut and colour. Saturday Heather & I had planned to go to Red Katt for lunch but as it was McHappy Day we changed our mind and supported Ronald McDonald House by having a burger for lunch before going to watch Jack & Shell play tennis - it was the first time they had been in opposition teams playing against each other - Jacks team won, rather proud of my grandson he didn't lose a service game all day. Today the weather is still chilly though the sun is finally shining - supposedly going to warm up as the week progresses.

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

FAMILY, FRIENDS, FLOWERS ....

Tuesday 5 November 2019 ….. Melbourne Cup Day Wow I didn't realise how long its been since I last blogged - life has been getting back to some form of normality - Watched a few games of cricket on TV - amazing how the social media trolls have been quiet now the Aussies are winning and Dave Warner and Steve Smith have been making the runs. Sold our large outdoor setting and gas BBQ as we seldom used them and they were way too big for out small courtyard and replaced them with a hammock chair and a small 3 piece bistro set - an electric BBQ seems a much safer option as Bills memory wanes. Dylan was home for a few days and we enjoyed a lovely family dinner at H's - I do so miss his head pats and hugs. So proud of him and the grades he is achieving at UQ - I'll need to start saving as he's hoping to achieve a years study exchange in Seoul next year! Weather has been so up and down lately - a wild wet windy weekend where it was movies and cricket followed by a few days of beautiful sunshine and temperatures into the high 30's Went along to Carers Group - as I parked my car a lady parked beside me and she followed me into LVCH and sat down beside me and I felt a familiarity about her, as she introduced herself I realised she was Glenys who had been my mates spiritual and financial mentor - I'm sure our beautiful friend Robyn had a hand in us becoming friends. I've had a few emotional outbursts, just simple things make the tears flow, like my fluffy pink slippers - yep a simple pair of slippers (we'd both bought them on one of our visits to Big W prior to one of Robyns appointments at Gippsland Cancer Centre - why waste an opportunity to shop was our motto) Had lunch with the 'hydro group' - best chips in Sale are at Aqua Energy - I have really missed my hydro exercise …. roll on radiation and the New Year so I can get back in the water. Bill wasn't happy with me 'street walking' though I'm really sure no-one would really want to pick up this old chook! so he bought me a treadmill - my kilometer rate is much faster when I'm out pounding the bitumen than the rolling rubber! Enjoyed a relaxing hour in the Salt Cave with Noelene - its the one place I can find complete peace, no distractions, no phones, no TV, no doorbell - just utter relaxtion. Finally received the call I was waiting for my appointment for the Radiation Oncologist - Wednesday 6 November at 12 noon with Dr Louise Nardone (this brought on another flood of tears - I've met Louise on several occasions as she was the oncologist Robyn saw for her brain mets … I think they were more happy tears that I have already some rapport with Louise and I'm not dealing with a stranger. I'm hoping I can put off starting radiation until around the 14th after we have been on the Carers Group Puffing Billy trip - two days away from home with all meals, accommodation and travel provided. Lots of visitors last week, Hannah & Heather came with a beautiful bunch of roses from their garden, Bills cousin Col just back from his three month winter sojourn and my BFF Lyn with a bunch of orchids stopped off on her way to the airport for another one of her international escapades OMG the mind boggles at what scrapes she may get into this time! Lindie treated me to a day out - morning tea, shopping, lunch at Eviva followed by more shopping - even the rain couldn't dampen our day. Today was just the best - H and I went down to IGA to meet Samuel Johnson - yes the legendary Love Your Sister Samuel Johnson - this man deserves every award and accolade ever awarded him - his quest to vanquish cancer sees him travelling around the country raising funds towards a personal treatment of cancer and other serious illness' for every - yes treatment tailored individually. https://loveyoursister.org/get-involved/ The world needs more Samuel Johnsons. Backed the Melbourne Cup winner - go me!!

GOOD NEWS DAY!

Sunday 20 October 2019...…. Friday was good news day - the wait was finally over - the results were in - the biopsy done on my two sentinel nodes came back clear - the cancer had been confined to 'Dotty'. No further surgery needed. The dressings were finally removed and woo hoo I no longer need to wear the TEDs. Goodbye BO I'm now allowed to used deodorant under the right arm again. Next step is for a medical oncologist and a radiologist to contact me to make appointments for further treatment - Mr Strauss says he doesn't believe chemotherapy will be warranted just radiation followed by hormone blockers. Heather and I celebrated with coffee and cake at Café 123 and a rummage through the clothes in the Thrift Shop there - got a couple of bargains. Last Sunday Heather took me out to Legends for afternoon tea - my first outing since the op, apart from a couple of short walks round the block. David & Lindie brought us lunch on Monday - vegetable pasties which just needed heating - oops they ended up a little burnt, gave the boys something to stir us about! Happens when you talk too much!! Kath arrived on Wednesday lunchtime with KFC $5 meal boxes as a treat for us - the value in them was amazing. Thursday was Cancer Support Group meeting and I drove for the first time in two weeks. Agent Creative is making a video about Kindness in Cancer and wanted to film some of us and our stories to use, possibly just a few words from each interview will be used. Bill & I had been a little reluctant however over afternoon tea Andrew Gill the facilitator got talking to me and felt our story was exceptional and of great interest so I agreed to an interview with him being filmed - will be very interesting to see the finished product. www.gatheringofkindness.org/kindness-videos Yesterday we lunched at Dock 70 with Geoff and Pat - lovely sitting by the window with the sun streaming through looking over the Port of Sale. Bill & I strolled through the Art Gallery afterwards. I've been sleeping well, getting around 8 hrs a night. The past few days my wounds have been a little itchy as they heal, a few twinges here and there when I reach or stretch and an odd sensation around the nipple area when I'm walking (hard to describe). All in all I'm feeling extremely grateful for Breast Screen and regular mammograms and early detection.

THE DEMISE OF DOTTY ... AND THE WEEK SINCE

As if my 'vampire' experience of Tuesday morning wasn't enough, word filtered through that 44 Hospitals and Medical Centres in Victoria had had their IT hacked, yes Central Gippsland was one, yet the thought hadn't crossed my mind that my surgery could be delayed until Rob called after work to check and wish me well for Wednesday, as I hadn't had any message we assumed all was going to plan. Elaine arrived and we enjoyed Singapore Noodle takeaway washed down with a glass of red (just a small one for me). A cup of tea and a Tim Tam at 10.30 then off to bed. Wednesday dawned a beautiful sunny spring morning, Elaine & I met Heather at the hospital at 7.30 - first stop Admission, then round to Radiology & Nuclear Medicine where I was booked in for 8am for the first procedure - I'd been warned some women, in fact many women, found this to be the most painful and uncomfortable of the whole surgery as no local anaesthetic can be used. Out of my clothes and into the haute couture blue hospital gown with the help of my entourage! Heather sat beside me holding my hand and YES it was painful a thousand times more painful than childbirth but only for about 15 seconds twice - yet to my credit I only said SHIT and FAR OUT FRUITLOOPS - though I think Heather probably wanted to say more as I crushed her hand! Then the wait … you may feel a stinging sensation which some have likened to vinegar slowing going through your boob I'd been told and this process may take up to 90 mins and sometimes even longer …. Heather found some relaxation music for me to focus on, after about 10 minutes I felt a slightly warm sensation but nothing uncomfortable and voila after 30 minutes the radioactive material had located three sentinel nodes - a few 'photos' and a couple of trips in and out the tunnel and stage one was done and dusted EARLY … thanks to the lovely Leesha who helped make this experience as pleasant as possible. A short wait which included a visit from Marg Centra my McGrath breast cancer nurse and then on to Step 2 the insertion of a fine wire hook guided by ultra sound - this time local anaesthetic is used so there is no pain, I almost went to sleep lying there but for the comic repertoire between Dr, Nurses, Radiographer and my support crew. Step 3 a gentle mammogram to ensure the hook was in the correct position to guide Mr Strauss. Step 4 off to Day procedure, by now I was feeling hungry and thirsty and that couple of mouthfuls of water with my pre op meds was heaven - it was here I had a 'melt down' the nerves really hit and I couldn't say my name and date of birth even thought I'd parroted them off at least ten times during the day .. Sue the nurse assigned to me walked off giving me time to settle down and regain my composure once more, on with those sexy white stockings and at 11.11am I was wheeled off to theatre … I remember glimpses of sunlight streaming through the windows along the passage, I recall Mr Strauss inserting the canula into my hand, Nicky's calming voice as she sent me off to sleep … I've a vague recollection of waking in recovery, Heather was there holding my hand once more and apparently the nurse with me was also Heather - no recollection of the trip from recovery to ward though. Once in the ward it hit me - I'm still alive and Dotty is gone - onwards and upwards with recovery now. Time for a lovely warm sponge bath and discover why my legs were 'pumping' I was fortunate to have a DVT Prevention: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Device on them. Elaine had gone home and brought Bill into the hospital so he was there when I reached the ward - it had been a long day for him waiting although Heather kept him informed as each step was completed. Dinner came - even though hungry I couldn't face the creamy chicken soup or sandwiches and the inner child came out in me as I devoured the jelly and ice-cream!!! The best ice-cream I've tasted for a long time and its gluten free. Rob, Shell & Lilly called in bringing me my favourite tea bags as I'd forgotten to pack them - yeah I know I'm fussy! Then it was walkies time - (only to the bathroom) - my two nurses Mary and Ash had obviously never drunk several blue cruisers or blue lagoons in one session as they were fascinated by my blue wee (product of the blue dye injected during surgery which highlights the sentinel nodes to be removed - my skin colour was also slightly grey blue). Cheese and crackers and a cup of tea for supper and I was ready to settle down for a sleep … woken at 11pm for observations .. woken again at 4.45 when a new patient was admitted to the ward Hannah the night nurse sat and chatted with me for a while - then next I knew it was breakfast time. The lovely Learne was back on duty and understood my whacky sense of humour when I asked to be released from my shackles to use the bathroom. Mr Strauss did his rounds shortly after 8am and was very pleased with my progress - only painkillers I'd needed had been Panadol and was happy for me to be discharged later in the morning once I'd been seen by a physio and given a set of exercises - which for the first week are some of what we do on Tuesdays hydro exercise class. Elaine went home just prior to lunch and the rest of the day is a bit of a blur - think I slept for a lot of the afternoon. Lindie called in with flowers and Heather called in after work. Friday - another year older! Kath called in for coffee and stayed for lunch as Lindie had brought hot chips, gravy and fresh bread rolls plus a white chocolate mud cake - best foster daughter ever! Relaxed afternoon catching up on some TV - I managed to have a shower in the morning and wash my hair left handed - sat on bed with head down to blow dry (no styling though) amazing how we women can improvise when necessity deems so! Family dinner of Thai take-away and chocolate birthday cake complete with candles was delicious and I received some lovely gifts and was spared the traditional 'lets hang shit on Grandma'. Lilly bought us some beautiful hand made placemats home from Vietnam - gorgeous bright colours. Today I managed to put on my bra which meant less pain. Sleeping partially propped up is most comfortable with the under arm cushion in place (thanks to the lovely volunteers who make and donate these cushions) Saturday saw a visit from Julie and Maddie with Mac and Mia - flowers, a beautiful T2 Teapot and one of Julies beautiful birthday cakes. Once Mia was asleep I was able to nurse her left handed. Heather and Chicken called in on their way to SFC presentation night, Heather looked stunning in the outfit we chose last weekend. Physically I had a really 'off day' I think it was a combination of the operation, Thai food and anti inflamatories which saw me spend quite a large portion of the day in the bathroom. Sunday I woke feeling a lot better - still a few rumbles from the tummy. We spent a lot of the day watching a Netflix series - all 8 episodes (not all at once though) Cold wind outdoors so decided not to go for a walk. Monday walked up to Fitzroy Street and back - just a very brief walk. Heather called in for cake - sent some home with her for Chicken and also her boss Aaron who has been so generous in allowing her time off to be with me - Shell also called round and I sent cake home with her for Rob and Lilly. Today Tuesday - still ten days to go before the sentinel node biopsy results and my dressings are removed. Keeping the positive vibes going - they result will be negative, Dotty has not sent her offspring to any other part of my body. Bill has been amazing - the cared for one is now caring for the carer! - a cup of tea in bed each morning, leg massages before I put the TEDS back on after a shower. I've needed no pain killers since Saturday lunchtime - sure there's some discomfort each morning when I get out of bed and gravity hits but not for long. Two parcels arrived today - new Doona cover from my Queensland family and book and card from Rachel and Kris (what Rach had written brought tears to my eyes). Throughout my journey thus far I've been blessed with so much support and love from my family and friends, I'm so proud of the strength Heather has shown especially when last Wednesday was not only a tough day for me but for both her and Elaine.

NO WONDER PATHOLOGY MAKES ME NERVOUS ...

The past few days I've felt calm, sure there are times when I think about tomorrow and the removal of 'Dotty' but on the whole its not something I've been dwelling on as I've kept busy cooking and making meals for the coming weeks. Saturday was hard when I had to get my acrylic nails removed - I so loved those nails - my nails now look disgusting, short, thin and peeling - I'm rubbing tea tree oil in constantly (as recommended by a friend) hoping to strengthen them. Caught up for coffee with my beautiful foster daughter Lindie who has just returned from holidaying in the US, watched parts of the AFL Grand Final thankfully GWS got a flogging. Sunday was mother/daughter time again, after Devonshire tea went clothes shopping with Heather. A visit from Julie & Tony brightened the afternoon. Monday lazed around catching up on a bit of TV then walked up to Margs - a 4km round trip, was really pleased with this. Today I had to have blood tests ready for tomorrow, the request slip I received was for Dorevitch Pathology so I went there - normally I go to Clinical Labs at Inglis Medical Centre - wish I hadn't. There was a long queue when we got there and two pathologists on duty, I took one look at the male and said to Bill 'hope I don't get him' - yep you guessed it I did - now there was nothing wrong with his manner, he was quite a pleasant man but not competent in taking blood from someone with 'scared' veins so after three failed attempts he had to call for assistance, by this time I was in tears, (memories of 1972 came flooding back when I'd had a similar problem after an operation and in desperation Dr Barry the anaethesetist was called in and he used a vein in my ankle) Pearl came in and in one second flat she had a vein and blood ..yes I had drunk lots of water to plump up my veins … in future I'll only every go to Inglis Street. Bill 'shouted' Macca's for breakfast and we were attended to by a delightful young lady Akanna who brightened my day with her big smile and friendly customer service skills. Lunch outside enjoying the beautiful spring sunshine. Time now to pack my overnight bag and re-read my hospital instructions.