17 September

17 September blog post

My day off was very refreshing. I decided to be a tourist in Brisbane and took the free City Hopper ferry service down the river to Southbank where I alighted at the Maritime museum.  It was delightful to be out in the spring sunshine amidst lively people and vibrant flowers after the quiet, subdued atmosphere of the hospital.

The place was full of families and couples enjoying the beach and water, playgrounds and cafes. 

I walked the length of Southbank ultimately arriving at the art gallery. I decided to lunch there and then explore the paintings. I found the earliest historical landscape of Brisbane interesting because it showed a perspective of where I am living in Kangaroo Point. It was so pastoral then and now it is tall apartments and the Story bridge. A stark contrast. From there I wandered across the bridge to the treasury Casino ( where John works in surveillance). It is a lovely building but the interior downstairs is full of garish poker machines and gaming tables surrounded by many Asian punters. It is smallish compared to Crown in Melbourne but at least you can see the street outside to get a sense of time! After that I wandered down the mall in search of a present for Ziggy and a bookshop to buy the book club books and also some oracle cards. 

Since being at Tracey's place I have been exploring the oracle cards. She has numerous sets so you can look at different ones to get a feel for those that resonate with you. Buying them outright is a bit of pot luck otherwise because you only get to see some pictures. The art on most is very attractive but I don't like the ones that seem 'dark'.  It is a feeling that you have to trust.  Tracey has given me a couple of reikis since I have been here and it has helped with the emotional aspect of being with Mum. I realised I was holding myself so tightly.  

I found a present but forgot to buy the KISS DVD for Ziggy. He is having a KISS themed birthday party! I didn't buy any oracle cards either because I didn't find ones that resonated or called me.

Then it was home on the ferry again and a walk along the river boardwalk to home. I felt peaceful and refreshed. My brain had relaxed too.

Everyday I pull a card to get a focus for the day. It is interesting that I am exploring this aspect again. I have angel cards at home which I use every now and again but here I am doing it daily and pondering the topics. It is a form of meditation or reflective thinking to see what is within the unconscious. 

I have focused on my logical brain for so long that I doubt my intuitive feelings sometimes. Once I was much more confident. I am trying to recover the 'faith' in my intuition by  practising this ritual.  It is enjoyable and enlightening.

Mum has been so good for a couple of days that I felt confounded. I have been here almost nonstop for two months now and she seemed so close to the end a couple of weeks ago but now seems to be stable. We pass the time comfortably playing scrabble and chatting or watching TV together or just reading quietly. I help with little things like the food, or getting out of bed, massaging her hands and feet, arranging visitors. The days pass quite quickly and the changes are barely noticeable. 

Yesterday she had to have a suppository for constipation which is a huge problem and she spent the day in fear of an uncontrolled explosion which she had once before to her utter horror. 

The effort of going backwards and forwards to the toilet until finally she succeeded really highlighted her weakness. It sapped all her energy and reminded me she really is failing still. It was awful to see her so distressed. Tracey arrived late in the day and found it very upsetting. The fact is none of us want to see this happening to Mum. It seems such a long process this dying and while I am grateful for the opportunity to be with Mum and so glad she is mentally okay it is still difficult emotionally.  I have been on the edge now for a long time expecting any day for a rapid change but instead it seems she has plateaued. She is so pleased I am here every day that I can't leave her now. I will take a day off every week to help me stay positive.