How is Age? Part 2

There is no good news when it comes to a few words being bandied about - those being hospital, brain tumour and seizures.

Its late Tuesday night and Age is still in hospital with no real answers.  He has had a number of small seizures and is kept under constant observation.  His medication has been changed and then increased - so its a wait and see game with that at least.

Yesterday he was super optimistic and felt great.  However after seeing a gaggle of doctors this morning, is pretty fed up with the attitude most of them have.  We both understand that  doctors in particular have got to have God like presence to instil certainty  and that you really wouldn't want a nervous or unsure doctor to be operating on you.. I also understand that they are caring and deeply humane people - though its hard to find that stance when they are undertaking bullying tactics and scare mongering. 

The course of action they are strongly suggesting involves him getting a biopsy on Monday. This is to acertian the grade of the tumour and if it has turned into a grade three, then a course of either chemo or radiotherapy will be undertaken.

There had been talk of debulking the tumour - which is basically cutting out some of it or complete removal - but the risks involved with both of these are still high.

Something I guess to recall is that none of this si shocking or new news.  Having lived with this for 11 years, at least in the backs of our minds, we knew these decisions would need to be made and this day would come.  Its not like this is a shocking revelation or that its only just been discovered.  We still have an emotional reaction to it - despite all of this.

I’d like to clarify too - that I am not in la la land. I may joke about being in denial, but I am meticulously clear about the future options and what lays ahead.  Just because I am not laying on the floor weeping or beating my head against a wall, doesn’t mean that I don’t ‘get’ the situation.  I figure it will do no-one any good if I fall apart. The kids need me to be together.  Age needs me to be strong for him…...  and I am no good at pity parties or wallowing is self pity.  So I am accessing my masculine and coping…There will be a time and place for me to drop that and fall apart at the seams.

At least too the kids aren’t going to have any issues with repressed emotions.  We have had screaming matches, tears and both kids have told me that they hate me today… so great…..

I’ve spent the days with Age - playing scrabble.. and how sucky is this?  He still beats me!  I am going to bring in Backgammon tomorrow…  he has been so appreciative of the amount of phone calls and SMS he has had - so thanks to everyone who has done that.

So as it stands, Age will not be undergoing surgery, unless it is proven to him that his health is under serious threat right now.  Something we learnt from last time was that  doctors like to rush decisions, load it up on emotions and force you to make uninformed choices.  We aren’t sure when he is allowed to come home; but I have made an appointment to see Dr Greg - who is a wholistic medical doc - and a very open one to very alternative medical practices. If it takes me to ‘bust’ Age out tomorrow… then thats what I am doing to get him to Dr Greg for a second opinion.

I’ll be in the getaway car on Wed arvo.  more news as it comes to hand.

Like a Portait Painted?

I’ve been meaning to write about an awesome painting we had done a little while ago of our family.. but with recent events.. well its not been a priority.

One of Adrian's workmates is starting a business based in Thailand, contracting local artists and ensuring that they are paid a fair wage for the work that they do.  having been to Thailand, I know these talented people don’t generally get a fair deal - so was delighted to see someone ethical look into this.

Simon and Lyndall will give your personal advice on what works best, the medium used and are happy to either visit you or forward you examples of the work already completed.

We are delighted with the painting done - its been made up of three photos - with the image of me flipped around. The photo of Morgan had him with a lanyard round his neck and a cap on.

Basically, find the best photos you have of each person or animal you’d like in the painting. Forward them to Simon and Lydall and they will advise you on layout and the procedure.

At this point, the prices are reduced ( so they can establish a business)

Our painting was an Oil painting (40cm x 50cm) and was framed beautifully ready to be hug. ( come over and see it - its very well done)

  The prices are as follows (Delivered);

1 Person, Animal or objects         $200

2 People, Animal or objects       $235

3  People, Animal or objects      $270

4  People, Animal or objects       $295

These prices would be the same for Charcoal as the frame includes glass.

If you don’t want a frame, it will be approx $40 - $50 cheaper. 

For more complex paintings  contact them and if in doubt they have assured me that they will always sms or email if quote from artist is higher.

Lyndall's details are Home 3343 7914 or mobile 0438 837599 and email is lyndalltanner@gmail.com - or Simon on simontanner@energex.com.au

At the moment Simon is still not an up and running business so this deal is treated as friends of friends/ word or mouth. Simon will be issuing receipts etc. with his details - just in case you were wondering.

If you’d like to take advantage of this specail reduced price - orders need to be in by 23 September along with a cash deposit of $100.

Any Orders taken before the 14th September will be guaranteed delivery in early October .

Update on Age

For anyone who has facebook, this news in not new. For those without it - or who don’t look often; take a seat.

First - Age is ok - for now.

Thursday afternoon while he was waiting for a bus to meet us at the Library, Age had a massive seizure.  He lost consciousness for about 20 mins, waking up disorientated in the ambulance near the RBH. I got a call to come immediately and that he was in emergency.. so had a pretty hellish drive into hospital, thinking all those positive thoughts along the way…( note the dripping sarcasm)

One of the worst things was the waiting and not knowing what was going on.  When I arrived and asked to see him, the emergency nurse asked for my id and then rang ahead to see if I could be admitted.  Now I REALLY had positive stuff going though my head then…

When I got to see him, he was all hooked up to machines ( that went bing) and was strapped to the bed so he couldn’t move. They suspected head injuries and spinal problems.  On his head was a lump the size of an ostrich egg.

He was still pretty dazed then.  He was wheeled off for scans and bled out for blood, and finally allowed to be unstrapped. Poor bloke was starving as he’d had nothing since lunchtime - and being gluten intolerant couldn't have the sandwiches being offered. 

I have to say I was very impressed by the emergency team.  Adrian had another seizure - not a big one - and the nurse pressed the button… and people ran from everywhere, wheeling trollies and ready to go… It was like being on the set of Grays Anatomy.  He was shot with an anti seizure drug and steroids.

Jodi - who had kindly taken the kids as I threw them out on the way past, came in with a care package of coffee and lots of chocolate, and some fresh clothes. We sat together and chatted to Age while we waited for more tests and for a doctor to come and tell us what was going on.  She got the kids sorted out to get off to school the next day too.

I was impressed too by the light atmosphere of the emergency ward - the people coming in - how polite and grateful they were to the nurses.  Nurses - by the way do not get paid enough.. Especially for working past midnight when the weridos, drunks and druggos came in, abused shouted and yelled at the staff.  We had people refusing treatment and being handcuffed to the chair.  It was pretty ordinary..

By three am, it was clear to me that we weren’t going to see a neuro and I was exhausted - so drove home.  Age tried to sleep in the bright lights of emergency, whilst being hooked up to drips.

Incredibly, the neuro did turn up - about 4 am. Age was moved to another ward and put under hourly observations and a list of more tests to do later on that day.

Later - well - Friday morning, Max and I went in to see Age in his new bed, sat around a table and chatted when Scott came to visit and were generally heartened to see Age in a positive and up beat mood and outlook.  

Age had seen another set of neuros, desperate to push their case for surgery.  He was moved up to the Neuro ward and taken off for more scans. His medication had changed and perhaps it has something to do with the thickening of his tongue or he may have bitten it the day before, but by mid afternoon, it was obvious he as having trouble forming words properly. About 5 pm he had another mild seizure - so was moved to a private room, next door to the nurses station and put onto regular observations.

Hes is a bit spacy with the drugs they have him on and noticeably forgetful, which I know will irritate him to no end. The drugs have side affects such as more seizures, enlargement of the liver and fatty liver, so alright for now - but not a long term solution.

Its our intention to gather as much info about the options available and to talk them through - without being forced into a fear based one. Two options immediately presented involve surgery - one to partially remove the tumour, the other to try and get the whole thing.  Each with risks involved. 

The scans so far have revealed that there has been growth in the tumour  - but not to a dramatic amount which would warrant this sudden change in seizures. The other is that there is calcification within the brain - esp around the tumour area.

Its been 11 years since the tumour was found. After radiation, Age had five good years with no seizures. Seizures have gradually progressed from a mild annoyance and now to potentially dangerous situations. 

So that brings us up to Friday night.  I’ve come back to Jodis house where the kids are having a wild time.  I’m numb I guess. Have cloaked myself in the masculine and coping that way; just getting through.

Again, we are taking this an hour or two at a time… and I’ll keep you up to date as I know stuff - via Facebook mostly.


I guess the best thing you can do is to just send blessings, good luck or whatever it is that you may believe.  Adrian would love to chat with you - even for five mins - so a call is always appreciated.