Hello Everyone,
It has been a while between updates I know, but I was always told that if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all!!!
However, as I am not going to say all the colourful words I would like to say – I will just give you the news as I know it …..
Sadly Nan’s condition has been on the decline for a number of weeks recently, resulting in her spending three weeks as a guest @ Auckland Hospital, as she was in a lot of pain and they were no longer able to manage this at home. Her stay in hospital allowed the Medical team time to make some changes to her meds and to try what they could to alleviate the pain she has been experiencing. Whilst there, Nan – with her husband at her side, was informed that the Chemo & Radiation treatment had not been successful and the Cancer has spread everywhere now. All care moving forward is palliative and geared towards making Nan as comfortable as possible. She was released last Wednesday so she could go home and spend time with her loved ones and friends in a comfortable and familiar environment. When I spoke to her she did say she was missing the hospital food lol
A couple of weekends ago, the pain in Nan’s back became extremely intense and she was asked to go to hospital yesterday for an urgent MRI to see what was happening. Unfortunately this didn’t go as planned and the day turned out to be a day from hell for both Nanette and Andrew.
Nan was picked up by ambulance, however due to Covid, Andrew could not go in the ambulance with her so he followed in the car to Auckland Hospital as arranged. Upon arrival they were informed that the hospital had no information re the urgent MRI Nan was meant to have and so she was then told she needed to go to Middlemore Hospital. Once again back in the ambulance and off to Middlemore. On arrival @ Middlemore they were told that as it was only a referral, no appointment had been made and the only option they could offer was to have Nan to stay until one was available - but this wouldn’t be done within the next day or two or even longer. Naturally Nan did not want to stay in hospital, she just wanted to be with her family so they then had to figure out how to get back home.
Well somehow, through much pain etc Nan went home with Andrew in the car and then they had to somehow get her up the stairs and inside. Her husband Andrew, along with her sons Joshua & Riley and their family friend Dean somehow managed this at 10.30pm at night so needless to say we had one very tired and sore Nanette, a manoeuvre Nan would not be happy to go through again.
Nanette said the two lady ambulance staff were brilliant with her, going above and beyond their duty of care, She also had wonderful Triage staff at the hospital who were also good with her. Unfortunately because of the difficulty with Nan getting up and down their outside stairs she was confined to the house but they have had assistance to sort a ramp that will assist with getting Nan in and out with her wheelchair.
Nan did want to say she did have some laughs along the way as one of the doctor’s had his fly undone to the stage his shirt was actually coming through, however, somehow Nan managed to keep her thoughts to herself.
Below is a picture of the Ambulance that took Nan home last week – her son Riley pointed out the Number Plate and Nan promptly requested a photo 😊
That is all for now – keep our Nan in your thoughts and prayers as always friends !
