Uncle John's Second Birthday Phone Call
A quick follow-up to the first phone call earlier this morning, wishing Uncle John a happy birthday:
Having had such a success at 9.30 a.m. Brisbane time, by 9.30 a.m. our time, Mum was up, washed and dressed, and sitting in her chair, all ready for her breakfast; it was 6.30 p.m. for Uncle John, so I thought I would call the hospital again, and see if we could have another quick chat.
I got through to another nurse, who was happy to try and increase the volume on the phone she had - and again, it worked wonderfully! Mum could hear Uncle John, he could hear her, and everyone sang another round of Happy Birthday to him.
Then Uncle John said to Mum, "Hello, Phyllis, how are you!"
"I'm fine!" she said.
"I know what you're doing," he said, "you're having corn flakes, aren't you?!"
"I am!" she said.
Another couple of minutes of chit-chat, and Mum was busy eating her corn flakes, so I was able to ask Uncle John if he'd seen Johnny.
"Yes - he came round earlier," Uncle John said.
"Do you know where you might be moving to?" I asked.
"Not yet - he's going to look at a few places, and then I'll know."
"That's wonderful," I said, "and don't forget to tell us where you're moving to - Wendy is coming out to see you again, and she will be with you on 15 June."
"Yes, I know! I'm looking forward to it!"
What a positive, happy attitude Uncle John has got - and I'm sure knowing he will see Wendy again soon, has given him a real fillip.
Sunday 28 April 2019
Saturday 27 April 2019
Uncle John's 96th Birthday
Uncle John's 96th Birthday
Just about everyone who knows me, knows I am an owl, and today has been no different!
Late Saturday evening found me dashing away with the smoothing iron, until I realised it had gone midnight - 12.30 a.m. in fact - and we were into Sunday, 28 April, which is Uncle John's 96th birthday.
Up to now, whenever I have called Uncle John, the nurse on the ward has put me through to the phone by Uncle John's bed; sadly, the line on that one is too faint, and he cannot hear me on it at all. We have had two very happy sessions with a lovely volunteer lady sitting with Uncle John, who repeats to him what I have said, and that does work. However, as it is his birthday today, I felt I should try again anyway; even if we couldn't have a conversation, at least Uncle John would know we are all thinking of him.
I rang the ward number, and got through to a charming male nurse; I explained who I was, and that I wanted to wish Uncle John a Happy Birthday. I mentioned how deaf Uncle John is, and asked if he could perhaps stay with Uncle John for a few moments, and see if his deaf aids were working any better, and which ear might be on more effect "receive" mode!
The nurse said, he would give his phone to Uncle John; it has a volume button on it, and he turned it up to the maximum number it would go.
What a result we got! Uncle John could hear me perfectly well, and I sang "Happy Birthday" with great gusto. We had a proper chat, and he told me he's received all the birthday and Easter cards from us, and he was fine and doing well.
I asked him if he knew yet, which nursing home he would be going to?
"No,: he said, "Johnny is still looking into it. He might visit today or tomorrow, and then I might know some more.
I told Uncle John Wendy is coming out again in June to visit him, and will be there on 15 June.
"Right!" said Uncle John, "I'll make a note of that!"
Well, I kept it short and sweet, because I was so aware how busy the nurse must be, and I did not want to take up too much of his time; but he knew how very happy and grateful I was, to have the chance to talk to Uncle John, especially on his birthday, and to wish him well.
The nurse said, "Just ask for the phone, that we all carry about with us, to be taken to your Uncle, and to increase the volume button!"
"I will!" I said, "and thank you so much for being so kind and helpful this morning!"
What a great result - I feel positively elated!
Just about everyone who knows me, knows I am an owl, and today has been no different!
Late Saturday evening found me dashing away with the smoothing iron, until I realised it had gone midnight - 12.30 a.m. in fact - and we were into Sunday, 28 April, which is Uncle John's 96th birthday.
Up to now, whenever I have called Uncle John, the nurse on the ward has put me through to the phone by Uncle John's bed; sadly, the line on that one is too faint, and he cannot hear me on it at all. We have had two very happy sessions with a lovely volunteer lady sitting with Uncle John, who repeats to him what I have said, and that does work. However, as it is his birthday today, I felt I should try again anyway; even if we couldn't have a conversation, at least Uncle John would know we are all thinking of him.
I rang the ward number, and got through to a charming male nurse; I explained who I was, and that I wanted to wish Uncle John a Happy Birthday. I mentioned how deaf Uncle John is, and asked if he could perhaps stay with Uncle John for a few moments, and see if his deaf aids were working any better, and which ear might be on more effect "receive" mode!
The nurse said, he would give his phone to Uncle John; it has a volume button on it, and he turned it up to the maximum number it would go.
What a result we got! Uncle John could hear me perfectly well, and I sang "Happy Birthday" with great gusto. We had a proper chat, and he told me he's received all the birthday and Easter cards from us, and he was fine and doing well.
I asked him if he knew yet, which nursing home he would be going to?
"No,: he said, "Johnny is still looking into it. He might visit today or tomorrow, and then I might know some more.
I told Uncle John Wendy is coming out again in June to visit him, and will be there on 15 June.
"Right!" said Uncle John, "I'll make a note of that!"
Well, I kept it short and sweet, because I was so aware how busy the nurse must be, and I did not want to take up too much of his time; but he knew how very happy and grateful I was, to have the chance to talk to Uncle John, especially on his birthday, and to wish him well.
The nurse said, "Just ask for the phone, that we all carry about with us, to be taken to your Uncle, and to increase the volume button!"
"I will!" I said, "and thank you so much for being so kind and helpful this morning!"
Friday 26 April 2019
Golden Moments On Our Travels (1)
Golden Moments On Our Travels (1)
A quick look back at Brisbane/Singapore experiences:
We flew from Heathrow on Saturday, 23 March; our flight was scheduled to leave just after 9.00 a.m., so we had a jolly good breakfast first, at The Gorgeous Kitchen, which really lives up to its name.
Once on the plane, we were well fed - usually, I am not keen on in-flight food, but I did enjoy the meals on the leg from London to Singapore, doubtless enhanced by the fact they had a plentiful supply of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bars on board! Every time I was offered a cup of tea, I could have it with another bar of chocolate. Bliss. Also on the menu were Singapore Slings, so Wendy enjoyed one of those. I watched one of the films on offer, dozed a bit and slept a bit. Wendy is wonderful: she can sleep anywhere, with her "j" shaped pillow tucked under chin, she snuggles up against the window, and is soon in dreamland.
We arrived in Singapore at 6.20 a.m., and had three hours to wait before our onward flight. I had booked one of the Executive Lounges; this is a really good idea, with facilities to have a shower, get changed, have breakfast and sit in seats that are in no way cramped. (Oh, for the pleasure of turning left as you board the aircraft, eh?!)
Before the clocks went forward to British Summer Time, we were 8 hours ahead in Singapore, and 10 hours ahead of the UK in Brisbane. Wendy kept her watch on English time, so we wouldn't have to stop and think about when would be a good time to ring home and speak to Mum; we were able to keep in touch regularly, and if Mum was up and awake and having a good day, we told her where we were, and what we were doing.
Before the clocks went forward to British Summer Time, we were 8 hours ahead in Singapore, and 10 hours ahead of the UK in Brisbane. Wendy kept her watch on English time, so we wouldn't have to stop and think about when would be a good time to ring home and speak to Mum; we were able to keep in touch regularly, and if Mum was up and awake and having a good day, we told her where we were, and what we were doing.
There was time to visit the butterfly house in the airport - absolutely amazing butterflies flitting around your head, landing on slices of pineapple or other tasty flowers, and such a sense of calm and rest, with a waterfall splashing down in one corner.
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| Butterfly House and Waterfall Changi Airport 24 March 2019 |
Back on the second leg of the journey, I still felt pretty fresh; we had dinner, another sleep (and I watched another film!) until we arrived in Brisbane in the evening.
By the time we had gone through passport control, collected our cases and picked up the car, Wendy - who has done this routine so many times before - said,
"Now: it's Sunday evening, so not much is open; we'll drive straight to the Midtown Mantra Apartments, and check in. Then we'll have a quick visit to MacDonalds, where you can have an apple pie and a hot chocolate - it's much nicer here in Brisbane than in the UK, because they make the whole drink with milk - and then it's back to the apartment to sleep."
We did just that. As soon as we got up to the flat - beautifully appointed, on 26th floor, with wonderful views, including the Wheel of Brisbane - I could see so well why, every time she came out to see him, Uncle John loved spending a holiday with Wendy. When Uncle John joined her, she rented a larger, two bedroomed apartment; she is such a regular visitor, she was always given the same one, on the 28th floor. It was so high up, with fantastic views over the city, and sitting on the balcony gave them the benefit of cool breezes, and no insects!
To make sure everything would be perfectly clean for us when we needed it, Wendy put all the crockery and cutlery into the dishwater and set it going, As soon as it was into its cycle, we walked to MacDonalds for supper; after that, oh, yes, I was seriously ready to get my feet up and have a decent sleep! For a day or so afterwards, I could still feel the movement of the plane underneath my feet.
Come Monday morning, Wendy was up bright and early, and walked to Woolworths (or Coles - I can't remember which!) to get in some provisions for breakfast; after we'd eaten cornflakes and had a cup of tea, we were ready to visit Uncle John.
During the flights from London, one of our main concerns was, how we would get on, once we arrived at Princess Alexandra Hospital the next day? Would we be allowed to know how Uncle John is doing, or would the Enduring Power of Attorney be quoted, to prevent us for having any information?
In the end, we need not have worried. To begin with, the love and warmth we had from the first moment when we saw Uncle John in the ward, made all the effort to fly to him worthwhile. The message had also got through, that Uncle John had already given his permission for us to be told how he was, which made things a lot easier.
We were also helped by another senior nurse, who in turn went to find the Social Worker dealing with Uncle John's case. She was happy to talk to us, and confirmed that the way an Enduring Power of Attorney works, is that it only comes into effect when the Donor (in this case, Uncle John), no longer has full mental capacity. Clearly this is not the case for Uncle John - he is fully in command of all his faculties!
We mentioned how Wendy, when she came back home at the beginning of March, had made a very prescient remark: "You know Mum," she said, "Uncle John could die, and we would never be told!"
Well, at least that won't - or shouldn't - happen now. We were asked to provide all our contact details - names, home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and these were all added to Uncle John's file. It is such a relief to have met people who understand how much Uncle John means to us.
To make sure everything would be perfectly clean for us when we needed it, Wendy put all the crockery and cutlery into the dishwater and set it going, As soon as it was into its cycle, we walked to MacDonalds for supper; after that, oh, yes, I was seriously ready to get my feet up and have a decent sleep! For a day or so afterwards, I could still feel the movement of the plane underneath my feet.
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| The view from the 26th floor of our Mantra Midtown apartment |
Come Monday morning, Wendy was up bright and early, and walked to Woolworths (or Coles - I can't remember which!) to get in some provisions for breakfast; after we'd eaten cornflakes and had a cup of tea, we were ready to visit Uncle John.
During the flights from London, one of our main concerns was, how we would get on, once we arrived at Princess Alexandra Hospital the next day? Would we be allowed to know how Uncle John is doing, or would the Enduring Power of Attorney be quoted, to prevent us for having any information?
In the end, we need not have worried. To begin with, the love and warmth we had from the first moment when we saw Uncle John in the ward, made all the effort to fly to him worthwhile. The message had also got through, that Uncle John had already given his permission for us to be told how he was, which made things a lot easier.
 |
| Uncle John is pleased to see us! At Princess Alexandra Hospital, Monday 25 March 2019 |
We were also helped by another senior nurse, who in turn went to find the Social Worker dealing with Uncle John's case. She was happy to talk to us, and confirmed that the way an Enduring Power of Attorney works, is that it only comes into effect when the Donor (in this case, Uncle John), no longer has full mental capacity. Clearly this is not the case for Uncle John - he is fully in command of all his faculties!
We mentioned how Wendy, when she came back home at the beginning of March, had made a very prescient remark: "You know Mum," she said, "Uncle John could die, and we would never be told!"
Well, at least that won't - or shouldn't - happen now. We were asked to provide all our contact details - names, home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and these were all added to Uncle John's file. It is such a relief to have met people who understand how much Uncle John means to us.
Tuesday 23 April 2019
I'm Still Playing Catch-Up
I'm Still Playing Catch-Up
Wendy and I have been back home for just over two weeks; it's one thing landing at Heathrow and arriving home physically, it is quite another overcoming jet lag (I've just discovered that the older you get, the longer it takes!) and it is only now that I am just about mentally and emotionally back with my feet on the ground.
For at least 48 hours, my body clock was still on Brisbane/Singapore time and over the first couple of days, I found myself waking up at 3.00 a.m. and thinking it felt more like mid-day in Brisbane. (It was nothing like the time before Wendy and I went to Australia, when I woke up at 3.00 a.m., feeling I was sure something was wrong with Uncle John, and had to start finding out what had happened to him; on this occasion, I was ready to get cracking on a good day's work).
The first time it happened, I lay in bed, wide awake, thinking: "This is silly. I am not going to sleep, so I may as well get up and do something useful." I duly got up and dressed and spent the next six hours doing various household jobs: peeling the vegetables and potatoes for dinner, getting (more!) washing for Mum on in the machine, doing some ironing, and getting various bills ready to be paid.
It's amazing what one can achieve in the wee small hours!
Slowly I got back into my natural rhythm, and I am now definitely back to being an owl, and working to my own time - ready for bed at about 1.00 - 2.00 a.m. UK time, and having an afternoon kip when I can!
I had been so worried about leaving Mum, but she had been looked after wonderfully well whilst Wendy and I were away. I think Mum probably did not miss me terribly, which was a huge relief, and if she ever thought to ask after me, everyone explained to her where I was: with Uncle John, who was seriously ill.
Mum would then ask, "What's the matter with him?"
When she was told, "He's got cancer," she would accept it - or seem to - and then ask "How did he catch that?!"
We have also celebrated Easter, which I love to do, sending cards and letters to dear friends and loved ones. This year, I had started writing letters very early, and was well ahead on time, until I had to drop everything and fly to Uncle John; having me in Australia, and the cards and letters left behind in England, was not conducive to sending everything out to arrive in good time for Easter! I have now written letters to everyone, explaining what happened, and I am sure most people will understand why I was so adrift this year.
So, the days since I got back have passed in a bit of a blur, but it's good to feel I have just about caught up with everything now.
Wendy and I have been back home for just over two weeks; it's one thing landing at Heathrow and arriving home physically, it is quite another overcoming jet lag (I've just discovered that the older you get, the longer it takes!) and it is only now that I am just about mentally and emotionally back with my feet on the ground.
For at least 48 hours, my body clock was still on Brisbane/Singapore time and over the first couple of days, I found myself waking up at 3.00 a.m. and thinking it felt more like mid-day in Brisbane. (It was nothing like the time before Wendy and I went to Australia, when I woke up at 3.00 a.m., feeling I was sure something was wrong with Uncle John, and had to start finding out what had happened to him; on this occasion, I was ready to get cracking on a good day's work).
The first time it happened, I lay in bed, wide awake, thinking: "This is silly. I am not going to sleep, so I may as well get up and do something useful." I duly got up and dressed and spent the next six hours doing various household jobs: peeling the vegetables and potatoes for dinner, getting (more!) washing for Mum on in the machine, doing some ironing, and getting various bills ready to be paid.
It's amazing what one can achieve in the wee small hours!
Slowly I got back into my natural rhythm, and I am now definitely back to being an owl, and working to my own time - ready for bed at about 1.00 - 2.00 a.m. UK time, and having an afternoon kip when I can!
I had been so worried about leaving Mum, but she had been looked after wonderfully well whilst Wendy and I were away. I think Mum probably did not miss me terribly, which was a huge relief, and if she ever thought to ask after me, everyone explained to her where I was: with Uncle John, who was seriously ill.
Mum would then ask, "What's the matter with him?"
When she was told, "He's got cancer," she would accept it - or seem to - and then ask "How did he catch that?!"
We have also celebrated Easter, which I love to do, sending cards and letters to dear friends and loved ones. This year, I had started writing letters very early, and was well ahead on time, until I had to drop everything and fly to Uncle John; having me in Australia, and the cards and letters left behind in England, was not conducive to sending everything out to arrive in good time for Easter! I have now written letters to everyone, explaining what happened, and I am sure most people will understand why I was so adrift this year.
So, the days since I got back have passed in a bit of a blur, but it's good to feel I have just about caught up with everything now.
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| Two very tired passengers on board the plane! |
Friday 5 April 2019
We Get Back Home From Oz
We Get Back Home From Oz
If you're going on holiday, you enjoy taking time to plan, book flights, choose hotels, organise car hire, visas, travel insurance.... but when needs must, all of this can be accomplished in 48 hours.
On Thursday, 21 March, Wendy was up for most of the night sorting everything out, and we were in the air on Saturday, 23 March.
I will write more about the whole trip, but I am still jet-lagged - the older you get, the longer it seems to take to get one's body clock back into synch - so for now, I just want to log three wonderful memories of last week with Uncle John, that I have brought back home with me, and which will stay with me forever.
The first was on Monday, 25 March: Wendy and I walked into his room in Princess Alexandra Hospital, and he looked up and saw us. The expression on his face was so wonderful - a mixture of surprise and delight and a smile so broad, he was exactly as I remembered him from the last time I saw him, when he stayed with us in England, back in 2012. He said he had never expected to see Wendy back in Brisbane again, and he had never thought he would see me, ever again. That made all our efforts to get to Brisbane so worthwhile.
The second was on Tuesday, 26 March. Uncle John had been a bit sleepy, so after a lovely time with him, Wendy and I said we'd leave him to have a kip, and see him in the morning.
I gave Uncle John a big hug, and said, "I love you, Uncle John!"
"And I love you, too1" came the immediate, enthusiastic response.
And the third moment was on Friday, 29 March. We were at St Vincent's Hospital, where Uncle John had been transferred to the palliative care ward, and we knew it would most likely be our last visit; Wendy and I had to wend our way back to London the following morning.
I gave Uncle John a big hug and told him how much we all loved him and that I would ring him as soon as I landed back home.
Then it was Wendy's turn and as he enfolded her, I saw his face over Wendy's shoulder. He was almost tearful, but determined to keep cheerful as well, to make the moment joyful; but we know how much he will miss us, and how much we shall miss him.
All these pictures and memories are imprinted in my and Wendy's head, and will stay in our hearts. He has always been, and remains, a marvellous, gentle, man, and we're blessed to have him in our lives.
If you're going on holiday, you enjoy taking time to plan, book flights, choose hotels, organise car hire, visas, travel insurance.... but when needs must, all of this can be accomplished in 48 hours.
On Thursday, 21 March, Wendy was up for most of the night sorting everything out, and we were in the air on Saturday, 23 March.
I will write more about the whole trip, but I am still jet-lagged - the older you get, the longer it seems to take to get one's body clock back into synch - so for now, I just want to log three wonderful memories of last week with Uncle John, that I have brought back home with me, and which will stay with me forever.
The first was on Monday, 25 March: Wendy and I walked into his room in Princess Alexandra Hospital, and he looked up and saw us. The expression on his face was so wonderful - a mixture of surprise and delight and a smile so broad, he was exactly as I remembered him from the last time I saw him, when he stayed with us in England, back in 2012. He said he had never expected to see Wendy back in Brisbane again, and he had never thought he would see me, ever again. That made all our efforts to get to Brisbane so worthwhile.
The second was on Tuesday, 26 March. Uncle John had been a bit sleepy, so after a lovely time with him, Wendy and I said we'd leave him to have a kip, and see him in the morning.
I gave Uncle John a big hug, and said, "I love you, Uncle John!"
"And I love you, too1" came the immediate, enthusiastic response.
And the third moment was on Friday, 29 March. We were at St Vincent's Hospital, where Uncle John had been transferred to the palliative care ward, and we knew it would most likely be our last visit; Wendy and I had to wend our way back to London the following morning.
I gave Uncle John a big hug and told him how much we all loved him and that I would ring him as soon as I landed back home.
Then it was Wendy's turn and as he enfolded her, I saw his face over Wendy's shoulder. He was almost tearful, but determined to keep cheerful as well, to make the moment joyful; but we know how much he will miss us, and how much we shall miss him.
All these pictures and memories are imprinted in my and Wendy's head, and will stay in our hearts. He has always been, and remains, a marvellous, gentle, man, and we're blessed to have him in our lives.
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