A Sudden Trip to Perth

[tcpip]

On Wednesdsay night caseopaya received the 'phone call that her mother, already in her eighties, had been diagonised with T-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer that is pretty much untreatable. By the following day work had been informed and by Friday we were in Perth for the coming week. We spent the weekend with family in their Mandurah holiday house and currently staying with mother-in-common-law in the southern suburb of Medina, doing what we can (and what she will allow us to do!) around the house, running errands, etc.

At the point of last week's 'phone call things did seem very grim. However a transfer to the Fiona Stanley hospital has seen a remarkable improvement in her symptoms, courtesy of a hefty dose of steroids. The hospital itself is quite a remarkable and impressive institution, located next door to my alma mater, Murdoch University. Once described a "nursery for left-wingers" with radical ideas about teaching (e.g., mature-aged students, distance education, Deans teaching first-year subjects etc) it really has proven itself over time.

In so many ways caseopaya's mother is quite a remarkable woman. Moving from Germany to Western Australia by herself in the 1950s with very minimal English, and bringing up three children after her partner died in an accident in the mid-1970s is evidence of a quiet determination that is not immediately obvious from her slight size and conciliatory demeanor where every third word is punctuated by a small laugh through a thin smile. From conversation it is evident that she is facing her own mortality in a practical sense without much fear, although in contrast to denominational Catholicism, she has made it quite clear that she does not want to suffer and has expressed support for volunatry euthanasia.

Comments

[helvetica]

I'm so sorry to hear about the cancer. I'm glad you guys were able to be there for her. It must be scary having to go to a hospital like that. I'm glad that her symptoms have improved as well! I'll send you all lots of positive thoughts.

[tcpip]

Thanks for the kind words. The symptoms are being dealt with but the steroids will only be effective for a period of time. Then I suspect it will be a very rapid decline.

[aeris]

It is amazing what our minds and bodies can endure, but it really does take a capable and strong person to be able to make a life changing decision on their own like that and thrive on it.

[tcpip]

We never know how tough people can be until times of crisis, and often then we can be surprised at their resilience.

[usekh.livejournal.com]

So sorry for you mate. Best of wishes.

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

I hope things go as well as they can.

[horngirl.livejournal.com]

Best wishes and love to Ms E.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks, they are deeply appreciated. We're doing well especially considering the circumstances.

[redcountess]

Best wishes to caseopaya's mother, and *hugs* to you both.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

You have my thoughts and support.

[delphipsmith]

I am so sorry. May everything be as well as it can be, for all of you...

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Serious news indeed. I hope Erica, and all of you, are okay.

[zenicurean.livejournal.com]

You have my sympathies.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks again everyone. It's been a tough week yet one with much happiness for simply being there...

[(Anonymous)]

Our thoughts are with Erica. Sorry to hear the bad news.

[khrysha.livejournal.com]

My best wishes to your partner, you and her family. I hope her Mum doesn't suffer too much. xx

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly; one of the things I did check up was potential future symptoms and whilst the overall prognosis is not exactly great it is one of those diseases that doesn't generate significant amounts of pain.