Sunshower

After a weird day of weather in Melbourne, I felt pretty happy to come home to this. 

Feet Street

Havent shot street for a while. Havent shot feet for a while. 

Ashee D

Ash and I went for a coffee in the city. I haven't been there in ages. It was fun. 

As A Bird

After spending the past four days in hospital, mum should hopefully be released tomorrow. Her white cell count has risen to acceptable levels, meaning that her immune system should be kicking back in. Hopefully she will be cleared by the doctor tomorrow and free to head home.

The past few days has been fairly stressful and boring. She has kept her spirits up by playing with an iPad and constant visits from my aunts.

Feverish

After three days of lying in bed, I felt that mum's lethargy was fairly unusual, even for a person suffering from the normal post-chemo exhaustion. She was nauseous - also unusual.   I called up the hospital, who asked her to come in.

Mum having blood tests/being giving fluids at the RMH Oncology Day Clinic.

Blood tests showed that she had virtually no white cells in her blood, leading to a general lack of appetite and exhaustion. She was given fluids and discharged.

Upon leaving the hospital, she commented that it felt cold. As we walked to a car, the air ambulance arrived at the hospital. I really should have taken the hint.

After arriving home, she lay in bed for three hours. I was due to head out with some friends, but I thought it would be safe to check her temperature. 37.4ºC - quite high. I called up the hospital, who told me to monitor it. Half an hour later, it had risen to 38ºC - a clear sign of bacterial infection.

The magical 38ºC - confirmation of my fears and a rush to the Emergency Department. 

Last night was spent in the emergency department of RMH. They gave my mum  antibiotics, and a few bags of fluids. She was admitted, and it looks like she will be there for another 3-4 days until her white cells increase. It has been a stressful 24 hours.

Upon arriving at the hospital ED, mum was given a mask to stop her picking up any other bacteria. 

Mum was admitted at midnight last night. Hospitals are exhausting. 

Taibesi Markets PTII

A few months ago, I posted Taibesi Markets PTI. I recently realised, I never posted the second part. I feel that I should issue a warning. These images are not for animal lovers. That being said, please keep in mind it is a different culture and people are raised with different attitudes and perceptions of animals.

A lovely old lady selling corn. Her teeth have rotted out due to all the betel nut she has spent years chewing. 

A man selling pigs at the market. 

A pig tied to a tree. 

Pigs being loaded into the boot of a car. 

Playing cards to pass the time. 

5 West

I spent the day in the oncology ward of Royal Melbourne Hospital. I found the following interesting.

Saline IV Bags at the oncology ward, Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Beanies provided by volunteers at the oncology ward, Royal Melbourne Hospital.