Anchors Away!!!

Gina, Jeremy, Lynne and me in grounds of Cafe Hoz, TCH


Message from Lynne

Day 9 was so special!
All lines and tubes are now out, and with the help of morphine Peter had his first night's sleep in a week as a prelude to the day. He showered and shaved himself and was looking bright eyed and amazing. Sister Gina arrived first, to check on the patient, to be followed by Jeremy. Jeremy arrived with friends going back to college and Uni days, Ro and Nick and flowers, chocs and a card. Ro and Nick have just got engaged - love is certainly in the air just now - we are so pleased for them and they will be at the wedding!
We were such a noisy crew we were banished from the ward, with a seriously ill patient opposite, and the party adjourned to the hospital cafe. We ordered black coffee for Peter, but one (or 2?) corners of Gina's chips were stolen by Peter and Jeremy wheeled him outside for temporary hospital discharge.
The next call was to fiancee Claire's Mum on Level 8 of the hospital, and Mum-in-law to be, Gayle popped down later in her lunch break. We called on Level 9 also, for Peter to visit a friend who is also in hospital - (a stray strawberry was removed from a slice of pavlova there by Peter). Back to Level 10 for the rest time and we withdrew briefly.

Jeremy and I spent time with Peter in the afternoon. The staff are talking about Friday as a possibility as a discharge day. Visitors are welcome now, but please ring the hospital from Friday to check just where he is in port as I would hate you to have a wasted trip. Sister Gina will be there for discharge and to see Peter home into his own bed, if discharge permission is given while I am away. (Of course, this is subject to how his new stomach goes handling food). Surgeon Dr Charlie Mosse didn't put in a feeding tube and is very pleased with progress to date. He is getting married himself the week after our son.

Peter had handled fluids - clear soup, fruit juice jelly and lemonade, so the dinner tray this evening progressed to yogurt and custard. After dinner Peter walked from the ward, to the lift, and through deserted hospital foyer. We rested a while and then did the return lap - the longest walk so far. I left the patient in bed, tired but soo happy after this amazing day. Next port for me, disembark in Melbourne for the wedding - just two sleeps away! Many thanks for the support from everyone.