Appointments Etc

Hi everyone,

Just an update on David. He had a busy few weeks with lots of visitors, including his dear friends Grant and Chrissy from NZ for 5 days.

This week there have been quite a few appointments. Yesterday we met with his Oncologist and today with the Doctor at the Hospice. Both were very kind and supportive. Really, it is about managing the pain at this point. Previously David has been in quite a lot of pain but has increased his dosage recently and it seems to be more under control which is a blessing. There are side effects to the pain meds, particularly sleepiness, so he spends a lot of time sleeping. He has up days and down days but there is a visible decline happening. He needs to rest a lot after short visits or appointments.

There will be more home care/respite/support service available in the future but for now they are going ok with attending appointments as needed (but not too many!). He is also doing a few natural therapies to help with his pain and energy levels.

The church meal roster has been working well, with so many delicious and lovingly prepared meals being dropped off twice a week by our caring church community. Catherine and David send a huge thanks to everyone for this. The variety (and extra love in the meals) is I think enticing David to eat more which is great as he often doesn't feel like it. But he needs to eat for his energy! Meals prepped and ready to go is a huge load lifted from Catherine too as she is already so busy with full time caring and a hundred other things that need to be done.

Family and church have been supportive in so many ways, it is all so very appreciated! Today when I took my parents to the Palliative care apt, Peter M from church was there, pruning back the whole garden - what a kind thing to do!! (Three trips to the tip, I believe!!). There are so many lovely things like this, I won't try to mention them all but they are all so appreciated.

David's wonderful family are helping out with taking David to some apts and are going to start doing some 'respite' sessions, so Mum can get some time out too. We are all on a learning curve here and thank everyone for their love, patience and understanding.

David is still strong in his spirits and faith. He had to fill out a survey at Palliative care today on his various levels of distress about what is happening and he kept saying 'I'm in pain but I don't feel distressed about it!'. He is very resilient through all of this.

Texts and emails are still the best way to get in touch. The home phone can often be off the hook when they need a break, mobiles are probably a better way to get in touch when needed - please understand that though they are not always up to taking calls though they very much appreciate your love and care.

At the end of next week, Catherine and David will be going to the coast with his family for a (very quiet, low key!!) few days, which will be a very special time of togetherness.

Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.

xx Kate