Saturday 14th Dec - Day 15... Tim had his best night yet. Mouth still sore. Had physio and worked hard. Went for a walk out of the ward to the lifts and back, a mighty effort. He is doing well. Spent time sitting up in the recliner chair. Saw Dr Tim Hassall (oncology) and Dr Brent Masters (respiratory). Concern with his cough especially if going into transplant. Chest clear. Had a bath - very independent, determined he does not need help (wonder where he gets that from). Then back sitting in another chair. Sitting upright is much better for his breathing than lying flat. Ate some yoghurt, 1/4 sandwich and slice of toast - very exciting as it is the only thing he has eaten since we have been here - that's 2 weeks! Tim is looking and feeling better but he has a long way to go. Tim needed platelets and blood transfusion as they want to keep blood count up if in the event of another blood loss in vomit or diarrhoea. Phil and the children visited on their way to the beach - Gold Coast. Older kids very excited driving past the theme parks, reliving their memories of October when they stayed 10 days as a pre BMT holiday for Tim. Shame Tim couldn't also come this time.
Sunday 15th December 2002 - Day 16 Tim had another excellent night. Awoke hungry - good sign. Mouth still sore but not as bad. Cough and phelgm have improved but diarrhoea still present but not as much which is good. Sitting up in bed playing games on his laptop. He is looking well. I went to the "lodge" to do Tim's and my washing, on my return I was walking towards a boy hooked up to a pole being escorted by a guy - didn't register but I thought the child looked cute and well looking and noticed his Garfield slippers. TIM ! ! ! He really looked great - the guy? Dave the physio. Tim is going great guns. Went for a huge walk, Dave extremely happy with his progress.
Dr Tim saw Tim this morning. Concern with the once off spiked temp of 38.1at 17:00 yesterday. Blood cultures taken from his 4 lines (3 central lines and 1 port). Occasional Blasts seen again on the blood film by the haematologist yesterday but did not register on the machine count. Tuesday can't come fast enough for the BMA and bone biopsy. Albumin level dropped again another infusion ordered
Received a lovely card today from the staff of St Simon's, thankyou all for your prayers and support. Phil and the children spent time with Tim (as well as the Rainbow Room) this afternoon before Phil flew out to Melb and returns to Brisbane on Wednesday night. Tim ate a packet of twisties this afternoon, his mouth and throat must be feeling better.
At Camp Hill (home for the rest of the family), we had Clem Jones (the owner of the house they are at and a major supporter of the Leukaemia foundation) drop in with Bill and Tim from the Brisbane Metro Lions Club with a Xmas hamper courtesy of the Lions Club. Lovely surprise and thank you very much.
Philip arrived home in Lysterfield about 11.00pm and found the house spotless - whoever the good fairies are that mopped the floor and cleaned the fridge - thanks - it looks really good.
