This day will affect the rest of your life, those thoughts came into my head as I drove home from Darwin Private hospital yesterday afternoon.
Wednesday evening in ER at Darwin Hospital we were told that George had what appeared to be a tumor on his brain and would be staying in for more tests. I remember sitting in my car at 11.16 and ringing son Nick in Houston (he was actually in Colorado at work). I was stunned. I emailed work and set up relief teaching. Went to bed, talked to my Heavenly Father for awhile.
Thursday George was still in ER as there were no beds in the main hospital or private wards and it was chaos, so much noise, but oh how I admire and respect the medical people working there. Such diversity, intensity, and ongoing admittance to their care.
Early afternoon we were informed by Dr Murrow that there was a tumor on the back, left side of his brain and he showed us the cat scan images. We talked about symptoms and I remember laughing because I now had something to hang George's erratic behaviour on, it wasn't him, it wasn't a marriage gone stale after 42 years, it wasn't Alzheimer's disease, it wasn't old age and ASD behaviour worsening it was a tumor. YES!!! Rang and told children, usual Shaw uproar, always before acceptance and then intelligence. Emailed family and close friends, hated sending that news, just hated doing that, wanted to be there with them to give a hug and a gentle message of hope and love, to comfort them.
NO!!!! but yes a tumor.
I managed it through the rest of the day, my emotions, stunned was the predominate emotion followed by relief. Rang school, couldn't think, couldn't plan relief lessons. My head of department emailed me, she had it all in hand, such admiration for Kate and relief. Sleep with the help of half a sleeping tablet. Phone seemed to never let up, Home teachers gave George a blessing, District President Steve Bond visited him in hospital now in the Oncology ward in Royal Darwin
Friday, my emotions everywhere, all kids upset. I swore at Nick who hit "Nicksville' and would not listen, always wanting to McDonald speed fix anything. He rand back and we both apologised. George wanting out, dressed, packed ready to go to be told that he had a bladder infection and would be staying. A catheter and liquid drip later a very unhappy husband gave in, ate his lunch and some jelly lollies I bought him from the canteen and started on reading my kindle. I drove home, ate, sat and talked to Goy, talked to kids and friends. Slept,washed clothes, slept, read, talked to Heavenly Father. Goy, Kieran and the boys visited dad in hospital he is now in the Darwin Private hospital.
Saturday visited, was told to go home and rest by George. Took him the Saturday papers to read, jelly lollies and new bath gear as he had left everything in Royal Darwin hospital. The specialist saw him and gave a battery of tests, told he will be medic-vacated to Adelaide for the biopsy and what else comes from there. MRI scan on Monday, Samantha and Jacob arrive Monday from wintry Melbourne to sunny tropical Darwin same day.