The Service 18th April 2011

Seventy family and friends celebrated Trish’s life in the beautiful little chapel beside the park and lake.

A celebrant conducted a simple service.  Gerard Madden read the eulogy and Mary Kean provided a refection of her life.

Most people were able to stay in Wagga and enjoy a meal and drinks at the Hotel afterwards.

Tim and Bradley would like to thank everyone, those at the service and those who could not make it.

We did our very best to celebrate her life.

May she rest in peace.

St Peter's Chapel - crn Main and Lake St Lake Albert Wagga Wagga

Across the road from the park and lake.



The Funeral Service 18/4/2011

The funeral service will be held on Monday the 18^th of April at 11am at St Peter’s Chapel 109 Main St Lake Albert Wagga Wagga.

Alan Harris MacDonald of 10 Baylis St Wagga are the Funeral Directors.

We believe Trish would not want flowers.

A celebrant will conduct a simple service at the chapel followed by a gathering at the William Farrer Hotel crn Edward and Peter St Wagga Wagga.

 

At a later date Bradley and I will scatter her ashes along the Gilmore Creek at Batlow.

This afternoon at about 4pm Trish passed away.

We had a really delightful day on Saturday Trish, Brad and I at Wilks Park in North Wagga, just sitting around doing normal family stuff.

Saturday night Trish slept really well, according to her roommate and new friend Lynette.

On Sunday her breathing was more laboured and she spent the day in bed.

Monday 6am the overnight nurse rang me to say she had had a bad night and it would be good if I were to come in early to be with her.

She had gone down hill quickly and Brad came back from Batlow.  Brad and I spent the afternoon with her whilst she had a CT scan and was transferred from Rehab to ward 3 in the main hospital.  At this stage she was still bright and had a sparkle in her eye.

Not long after the transfer up to the ward, breathing became very difficult.  It became apparent that she just did not have the strength to continue.

The CT scan results came back a short time later showing her lung capacity was greatly reduced, she had lost the fight.

Home Visit

Whilst Trish has been in Wagga base I have been camping at Wilks Park just north of Wagga near the Murrumbidgee river.

Brad organised a day out for her and whilst Brad did some maintenance on the motor home Trish enjoyed the sun and not being in hospital.  It was a pleasant day.

On the up

The infection under control and she will be back at it on Monday.  We have arranged an outing for tomorrow (Saturday) some time in the sun and a picnic lunch away from the hospital.

Not this Friday

Trish is continuing to do whatever physio work she can but it looks like another boring weekend at ward 11 rehab.

Up Down Good Bad

Trish has pick up an infection and her ankles and feet are swollen and very painful.  Dr Baggio has prescribed an intravenous injection of antibiotics three times a day and restricted her to a wheelchair.  The pain in her feet would not permit standing at the moment anyway.

Yesterday was not a good day but after talking with her this morning she sounds like she has more energy but is disappointed in losing ground with mobility.

Storm in a teacup

We are back on track.  It was a storm in a teacup the nurse and after hours doctor were just being careful confining her to bed for the weekend.  Mind you she ignored them and was up and about first thing Saturday morning.  Lucky they have shift changes.

She was back at it again today with the blessing of both Dr Baggio and John the physio climbing the steps in the gym in the morning then tackling the motor home in the arvo.  Dr Baggio says the knees could be medication or something we will just have to live with, but he sees no reason to stop.  So Friday discharge is still on.

I have installed a disablity fold out handle at the door on the motor home and it is a great help.

Setback

Trish had a bit of a setback over the weekend.  Whilst walking with the walker her knees let go and she went to the floor hanging on to the walker.  She was not hurt other than straining her shoulder a bit.  The nurse on duty grounded her from walking unattended till the Doctor and Physio can discuss and compare notes.

She was very disappointed after so much hard work and good progress.

It getting easier...

Dr Baggio wants to wind back the medications this next week then he expects Trish will be free to go Friday.  We will have a short break then consider the next steps.



I can do this...

One step closer

Crutches and motor home steps, what next?  I was so overawed by this performance I forgot to take a photo but today Trish with the dedicated help of the physio team at Wagga Base took on the 5 steep stairs into the motor home and won.  She was tucked out after climbing in and out twice but it can only get easier.

Wagga Rehab another week

Sorry I haven't been a good correspondent of late but my PC crashed and I have been recovering LOGIDs, PWs and contact details etc mostly from memory or trial and error…

Last Tuesday Trish, Brad and some of his friends and myself went out for the evening to Brad's TAFE presentation night.  We put Trish and her chair in a maxi taxi.  It was a good night out but very exhausting for her, but worth the effort.

She has progressed to crutches and this week is working on stairs.  She looks like being released next week if she does well.  Then we will consider what is next in her treatment, visiting the Riverina Cancer Care Centre.

Wagga Rehab Meeting with Dr Jane Hill (my notes)

Current Status

Lesion in the lung

Enlargement of the adrenal gland and lymph node

Tumour in the bones of several ribs

Exhibiting a classic example of lung cancer that is now metastatic (spreading)

Shortness of breath after physical exertion

Wound from vertebrae operation still weeping and very slow to heal

Walking pretty well but knees give way occasional

Pain on the side of rib cage could be a pinched-nerve or bone cancer in a rib.  A further CT will be used to diagnose.  If it proves to be a tumour on a rib causing the pain radiotherapy could be used to relieve that in those specific areas.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a hole-of-body treatment.  The chemo drugs are give once every three weeks and it takes most of the day to take the treatment, spending the time in the cancer centre outpatients area.  Usually four to six cycles of the three-week treatment, overall three to five months.

30% of cases respond to chemotherapy. After two months check to see if the tumour has reduced in size by using the CT scan.  After 4~6 months the chemo, if it is working, will have done all it can.  If the cancer has shrunk and stays stable it has done all it can.  Sometimes the treatment needs to be stopped because of the side affects.  It is uncommon to get rid of all the cancerous cells.

In between each treatment life goes on pretty much as normal.

One of the side affects is loss of hair, but it will grow back.  It makes you tired and nauseous but there are good drugs to combat this. The drugs also cause some aches and muscle pain for three or four days after treatments, upping pain kills could be helpful at these times.  The drugs can cause tingling in the fingers and toes having an affect on the nerves and this can be a reason to stop treatment as it can take time for the nervous system to recover.

Continuing with the current pain relief medications currently being administered would be recommended.

The biggest risk with chemo treatment is that it lowers you immune system and makes you susceptible to infection for a week or two after each treatment.  As a precaution you must constantly check your body temperature each day.  If at anytime you are feeling particularly lousy you should check your temperature.  Any rise in body temperature must be treated as serious and you must go to hospital immediately. 

Rehab Thursday

Rehab ward 11 Wagga

Trish is getting around with her walker and doing physio daily.  She is progressing well and could be out in a week or two.

Wagga Rehab Visiting hours and numbers

Weekends here are quiet as well but they do give the inmates homework so Trish is doing her scheduled physio.

The contact number for the ward is 02 6938 6385 then ask for Patricia Madden.  The numbers I gave before are not correct, I'm not sure why.

Visiting hours are very strict: 10am to 12:30pm and 3pm to 5:30pm and 6:30pm to 8pm.  Meals are 12:30pm and 5:30pm and you are not permitted to be in attendance at these times.

Wagga Rehab ward 11

Trish has been shifted into the Rehabilitation Ward, ward 11, the phone numbers for patients are 02 6938 6570 or 02 6938 6633 or 02 6938 6656.  The staff here are focused on getting people back on their feet and back out into the community, that's what we needed!  The patients all have their own physio nurse and walker and being in bed during the day is frowned upon, except for an afternoon nap.

Wagga

Trish has settled in here and is receiving far more attention from the medical and physio staff.  A good move even if the hospital is old and tatty and food not so nice.  The staff attitude make up for it by far.

Now back in Wagga base hospital

Now we get stuck into the physiotherapy and get back on our feet.  Hospital number 02 69386666

Trish still in Sydney just waiting, should transfer tomorrow...

Still in Sydney

Trish is in Sydney and I'm now in Wagga, she was supposed to go yesterday, so I started driving about 10am.  No news her end so we wait for transport to sort it out, probably Monday now.

Looks like we are off to Wagga tomorrow

Wagga soon.

Wagga needs a bed here so a swap has been agreed to.  Should happen soon.  In the meantime they will be upping Trish's physio sessions and she will be working out in the hospital gym as from tomorrow morning.

No News of Wagga yet

That month went quick... NOT!

Trish was told to pack to go back to Wagga early this morning but very soon after was told she would not be going today.  Wagga said they did not have a bed.  Nothing much else happening here Trish is comfortable and mostly painless just waiting for transfer and to continue the therapy.

Saturday nothing much to report

A quiet day in the Park.

Radiology and the weekend

Radiology has finished and we will probably get the results on Monday.  Some chance Wagga is on the agenda for next week.  Brad and I expect a quiet weekend as most staff are off and it can be a bit boring.  Wheel chair to the park and kiosk being the highlight.

Up and about

Up and about

Doctors had a good look at her legs and muscles and after checking her medical records from St Vs think they will be upping the physio from tomorrow to maybe 3 times a day. (about time I say)

After the physio session we spent sometime on the balcony getting some air.  This time in a wheel chair.

Soon on foot...

radiotherapy

First day of radiotherapy this morning it was uneventfully and easy apparently.  They just wheel the bed down and put her in the machine for 5 minuets and then back to the ward.  Physio team start working on walking again tomorrow.

Ride in the park

A tour around the ward and a snack in the kiosk followed by a ride in the park, next time in a wheel chair.

Saturday

Saturday was another quiet day at Sacred Heart.  Tomorrow, Sunday, Brad and I are planning to take Trish for a ride in the gardens of the hospital either by bed or wheel chair. It has been sometime since she has seen the light of day and the gardens here are worth the effort.

Nothing to report today.

Nothing to report today.

Sacret Heart Hospital

She has settled in OK.  Nice and quiet compared to the main hospital.  Physio is on the agenda they want to get her walking around and the hospital has some private gardens that would be a good retreat away from the main stream.

Moving to Sacred Heart Hospital

Trish will be moving, tomorrow morning, to the Sacred Heart Hospital at 170 Darlinghurst Rd just one street away.  They specialise in Oncology.  She will have 5 days of radiation treatment starting on Monday.  Radiation Oncology Associates will provide the treatment and care.  She is expected to be there until the end of the month, at least.

Having just been told she was off to Wagga a new plan is in place.

After a lengthy discussion with doctors from the Oncology team who advise that it would be best for Trish if she were to stay here in Sydney and start radiation treatment sooner rather than later.  She will start treatment from Monday and expect it to take a week for the initial session.  It would seem I will complete my latest loyalty card at the coffee shop afterall and maybe then some.

Up and about

She looking and feeling better all the time.  Physiotherapy has started already with a short walk across the room with support and assistance.  An administrator told us she maybe ready to go back to Wagga Base as soon as tomorrow.  Air ambulance not Winnebago motorhome thank goodness.

Back to 7 north

Trish is back on the ward and improved 100%.  They have had her up and walking around and she is bright and chipper.

Ready to go back to the ward

I spoke with Trish on the phone this morning and she sounds really good.  If they don’t need the bed she might stay in ICU for today but she is fit enough to go back to the ward.

ICU Saturday afternoon.

The duty doctor told me that there had been an infection in the lungs.  They were not sure where it came from.  The treatment is working and she is now looking a lot better.  Not real comfortable but if she continues to improve she will be released back to the ward tomorrow afternoon.

Good news from ICU

Trish is awake and doing well. Could be back on the ward tomorrow.

She is awake

Trish is awake and able to move her hands and feet and the nurse thinks she will have the respiratory tube out by the time I she her this afternoon.

I rang ICU for an update at 5.30pm.

More xrays and scans.  She is still out to it, sleeping.

No change

Still sleeping.

ICU Thursday

I got to see Trish twice today but both times she was asleep.  The third time she was having a procedure and I was not admitted and spent more time in the waiting room. 

ICU is very protective of their patients and their privacy and a lot of waiting room time can be involved.

I did get an update from her nurse.  She confirmed that the consensus is that the spinal procedure went well but was marred by the vomit/lung thing happening.  But they are all over it and will resolve it.  They were expecting a quiet night with her sleeping through.

ICU Update

The previous posts were short because I was sending from my phone.  I’m now on the PC at ‘home’.

The neurosurgeon told me he was happy with the op and all went well from his point of view.  After the main procedure a complication occurred when Trish coughed up some vomit and breathed it into her lung.  They had to put her back on the respirator tube to make sure her breathing was OK overnight.  She was sedated and asleep when I got to she her.  Her nurse said she will be slowly brought up from there bit-by-bit and by tomorrow afternoon should be awake.  They expect her to be in ICU for 2 or 3 days then back to 7 north for sometime.

Note: They do not permit organic flowers in ICU and they don’t look good at my place either.

I will follow up with more detailed questions of the medical staff tomorrow when I’m a bit sharper and more likely to remember the answers.

Thanks to all for your support, flowers, prayers and best wishes.

Tim.

FW: Now in ICU

The operation went well just a bit of a problem with her breathing but otherwise ok

FW: Still no news

Still sitting in ICU waiting room. At 2pm they said 3pm. At 5pm they said soon. 7pm very soon. Just now its 20 mins more.

Still waiting

I spoke with the in-charge doctor about an hour ago she will contact me when Trish comes to ICU

Tomorrow finally...

Tomorrow is the day.  It maybe delayed to the afternoon but she is restricted to no solids from midnight tonight.  A few more tests today beside the normal daily routine of checking blood sugar, temp and I don’t know what else.  Never thought I would be looking forward to getting her of to surgery.  But the waiting takes a toll.

Waiting

No tests just waiting, Wednesday at 11am has been confirmed.

Quiet Day

Even the hospital was very quiet compared to last Sunday.  Nothing new to report.  Just waiting...

Saturday

Quiet day no tests.  We went down to the ground floor Trish in her wheelchair and a quick look outside, too hot high 30s, so just sat in the cafe for a bit.

Friday

The biopsy results are back from the lab and it just confirms what we all new anyway, cancer.

Trish had another CT scan and now it seems they are ready to schedule the operation but it won’t be till after the weekend.

Should be an uneventful weekend other than planning a wheelchair excursion to the great outdoors or at least to the lawns out the front door of the hospital.

Thursday

We still haven’t heard if the results of the biopsy are in or not.  Or it could be a hold up elsewhere you never know in big busy hospital like this with so much going on 24/7.

Trish has had a quiet and uneventful day.  Her meals are varied and she reports they are pretty good.  The staff are friendly and helpful and the coffee in the café down stairs is good.  So we’ll have to wait just a bit more.

 Not expecting anything to happen tomorrow at this stage anyway.

Wednesday

Dr Winder (Neurosurgeon) had a long discussion with us this morning.  The results of the biopsy hadn’t returned so there was no news on that front.  But he went on to explain that the game plan has shifted a bit now that they have a better handle on the other problems.  He will be consulting the Heart/Lung experts to see if some work can/could/should be done at the same time whilst looking at the spine issues.

Otherwise an uneventful day and no firm date for the operation.

Tuesday Night

Trish had a biopsy today whilst in the CT scan donut.  The surgeon used the scanner in real-time whilst he poked the needle into her back to take a sample.  It all went well and after a chest xray as well they appear to be closer to firming up on the game plan for the operation.  Could be tomorrow but things are pretty fluid and can change from moment to moment.

We are learning to go with the flow and take it just one step at a time.  She is in very good hands here.  Thanks you for your messages of support they brighten her day.

Monday

She had a quiet day with only a CT scan. Trish had to drink some sort of fluid to enhance the quality of the results, not too unpleasant to swallow apparently.

At the moment she is scheduled for theatre on Wednesday. The neurosurgeon says he will remove the vertebrae T6 and replaced it with a ‘cage’ a metal substitute so the spine does not collapse. He will remove other material as required. He intends accessing the spine via the chest.

Sunday arvo 30th

Trish is doing OK.  They have mastered the type of drugs and the dosage.  She has a lovely en-suite private room on the 7th floor with panoramic views of Sydney.  She will be scheduled for surgery sometime this week.

Saturday Night email

Thanks for all the messages of support.  I will be passing them on tomorrow when I see her.  It will mean a lot thanks all.  Tim.

Saturday night

Trish has arrived in Sydney at St Vincent Hospital Darlinghurst, not sure of the phone number yet but will update the blog when I do.  The flight was uneventful. 

Saturday 2pm

We met with Dr Venter today who gave Brad and I a good description of the major issue Trish faces.  There is a tumour mass pressing on and distorting the spinal cord.  The doctors find it hard to believe that it’s not interfering with the spine in a serious way already, hence the concern about standing or bending.

When Trish arrives in St Vincent Hospital in Sydney the neurosurgeons will determine what course of action to relieve the risk of damage from the growth, either remove by surgery, radiation treatment or chemotherapy.

She was transferred early this afternoon to the Wagga airport and air ambulance on to Sydney.  I am heading off today and Brad will arrive Monday.

Friday 28th - Wagga

6pm called to the hospital, results of the MRI are in and as expected not good.  Cancer in 3 parts of the back.  The main concern is a large lump of growth in the centre of the back and it could be trying to invade the spinal cord.  Trish needs to remain in bed and not bend forwards or sideways.  Also some in the left lung could be the source but need a biopsy.  Constant checks as to her coherence, feeling and strength in her legs.  Lots of pain killers and blood samples every hour.

The local doctor is arranging an air ambulance flight to Sydney's St Vincent Hospital Darlinghurst tonight or first thing in the morning as soon as the medical team are available to operate to either remove the lump or check the viability of such action.  Hopfully she will get a good nights sleep first as the flight may not be very comfortable.

Thursday 27th - Batlow

Trish is off to the Doctor with the results of the CT scan to be discussed.  I knew it was serious when the Doctor's nurse came out to the motor vehicle and suggested I would be needed inside.  The Doctor said he thought it was Cancer and Trish was to go to Wagga base hospital by ambulance immediately.

Monday 24th - Batlow

Monday two days before Australia Day and after 7 weeks of ever increasing pain Trish finally saw a compotent medical professional, in Batlow.  Nagging back pain had increased to unbearable.  First considered to be a muscular problem visits to masseurs and Chiropactors gave little or no relief.

The Batlow doctor said the xrays from Narrandera Hospital were of little or no use and a CT scan was needed.  On Tuesday down to Wagga and back to Batlow.  Trish is not travelling well.  Australia day was a quiet day waiting for the appointment to review the CT scan on Thursday.