Week 259-62 ” Congratulations Pat & Keith on 50th Wedding Anniversary”

We have just sent a great weekend commencing with the arrival of Chris, Nicole and Riley on Saturday morning followed by the 50^th Wedding anniversary of my sister Pat and Keith and then a full day with Riley.

Pat and Keith were married on May 20^th 1961 and we celebrated that event on Saturday with a great lunch at King River Café at Oxley – approximately 50 guests were there – family and friends. The full bridal party was there which include me. Pat and Keith have been not only family but great friends. Pat and Jill have taught together for many years at Yarrunga Primary school and they have been there for us every day since Jill was diagnosed. Nothing has been too much for them even with their own lives and family.

CONGRATULATIONS PAT & KEITH ON A GREAT 50 YEARS.

Over the past few weeks we have had several visits from therapists. Speech therapy is back in full swing and we have also had a student speech therapist working with Jill. It always amazes me how Jill’s voice works with the exercises but it does not always translate to every day speech. I think that Jill does not relate to the loudness and thinks it is louder than it actually is. We will keep at it. We have had visits from a couple of physio therapists and one has suggested some Lymphatic massage on Jill’s legs to help reduce the swelling. It is different to normal massage and relies on feather touch to move the fluid just under the skin through the lymphatic glands. I have been trying to do it – but will need more instruction – Jill keeps saying I am pressing to hard. It has added another 30 minutes to our routine and we are finding lunch is now getting later. I keep saying to Jill she will have to rise earlier. She seems to sleep better in the early morning.

 I mentioned our pride and joy came to visit and is crawling everywhere now. He kept Jessie the cat on the move – tracking her when ever he could. I took him down to Jill and he crawled around the bed and of course on top of her. She enjoyed him being there. It was sad when they had to leave to head home. Tears flow every time the kids leave and she worries until we receive a phone call to say that they have arrived home safely. Yesterday Chris, Nicole and Riley left here in a heavy thunder storm so the worry intensified. We are also heading to Melbourne next weekend to see Riley again and when we say time flies – Riley will be one year old on Sunday. We are taking our van so that it will be easier for Jill to manage the toilet and shower.

Our caravan is away being modified – the Under Vehicle Lift is being fitted. It is a cassette that mounts directly beneath the door and when you need to access or leave the van with the press of a button it extends out from the van and then with another press once you have placed the wheel chair on the platform it either raises or lowers.

We are told that it is the ideal piece of equipment to make access into the van easy. The next thing I have to make happen is an improvement in the way Jill gets into the car. Over the past few weeks that has become more difficult. If any one out there has some thoughts let me know.

 Time to get Jill into the shower and commence the exercises and lymphatic massage etc.

See you soon on the net