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.

Hats and Beanies.

After a long day of blood tests and PET scans, I went home and had a nap. I woke up to the buzzing sound of clippers. Mum was over clumps of hair falling out, so she shaved her head. She faced it with a good sense of humour, but quickly grew tired. She retired to bed wearing a beanie. 

Chaos Kids/Shoot The Sun at Pony

Ash's brother's band Shoot The Sun had their EP launch at Pony last saturday night. They were supported by the Chaos Kids. Click on the band names for some fun times.

Chaos Kids

Chaos Kids

Shoot The Sun

Shoot The Sun

Shoot The Sun

Gypsy Bar

I guess this is a bit of a plug. The awesome guys at Gypsy Bar in Brunswick St, Fitzroy made us these awesome shots the other night. I also ran out of flash batteries and they ran out and got me some (because they are pretty much amazing). Check it out! 

Visual Symbolism

Just after two weeks since my mums first chemo session, her hair has started to fall out.

Off at the North Fitzroy Bowls Club

Okay, so this is no Glen E Friedman shot. In fact, its a pretty crappy photo. But it has sentimental value to me. Off are an awesome new punk band formed the ashes of half a dozen awesome old punk bands. The lead singer, Keith Morris (centre), was in the infamous Black Flag and Circle Jerks. It was great to see them at a local bowls club in front of a relatively small audience on a ground level stage.

I went not intending to take any photos at all, but i figured, 'Hey, I'm here, the band is here, Chloe (my camera) is here'. I cracked of a few shots before my flash died. I shot this photo after being knocked on my arse and lying in the middle of a circle pit. That is my boot in the foreground. I was shooting from the hip. Between my legs. I am not sure how that works.. I think a guy fell on me after it, so I stashed my camera behind the stage and enjoyed the show. 

Circus/Dance/Performing Art/Other Development Training

My friend Amy Gibson works with ballet, dance, circus, and theatre. She asked me to photograph some of her latest work. Hidden in the glorious building that was once Melbourne's Meat Market, a cast of amazing performers from different worlds of training to put on what will undoubtedly put on an amazing performance. 

Exhaustion

My mum started chemotherapy last thursday. Friday was spent partaking in a trial for a new cancer drug. Saturday she functioned fairly normally under the influence of one of the anti-nausea drugs, which also negates the exhausting effects of chemo. On sunday, she crashed heavily.