6th October: Shirley flies to London

Up early and did a spot of gardening and some work before taking Shirley to the airport. She was quickly checked in at the Qantas desk, and even got to take her excess luggage without being charged. We were issued with a miniscule wheelchair and told to wait at the coffee shop on the departures side. Getting through the security screen was quite a palaver, but eventually we got through and settled Shirley at the coffee shop with a cappucino and a biscuit. The flight got away almost on time I think and good weather all the way up to Singapore. Shirley will land there in about an hour's time. Hope she managed to get some kip.
From the airport straight to the hospital to see Simon at lunchtime. I found him very tired and not wanting to eat. Managed to persuade him to eat some fish and some fruit. Margaret and Raina came to visit, and that perked him up a bit - he likes to see the baby, she is wonderful entertainment. Today she was chattering with George, and skipping around like a wallaby. Simon had OT and physio appointments this afternoon, but he couldn't make it, he was visibly wilting in the chair. So I arranged for him to be helped into bed, and left him to snooze.
Finally made it to work to see my research student. She had been trying to phone me to say she hadn't got much done and could we postpone. So I agreed to see her again later in the week. Slippages in research schedules are inevitable especially when you are raising kids and working. Managed to knock out some notes for my tutors for next week's seminars - might possibly have given them too much to do.
Drove down to Marion to the library and had to fess up about my late returns. They were very forgiving and said that I was one of their best offenders!
Back to the hospital with a take-away from Maccas to find Simon still in bed, but terribly uncomfortable and wet. He had tried to drink a cup of tea lying down. This had gone straight down his neck and he was lying in a pool of cold tea. The staff were all busy with supervising dinner and dishing out drugs, so I managed to get him undressed, washed down, sheet changed, dressed in pyjamas, and sitting up comfortably watching Deal or No Deal. It did take a bit of effort and ingenuity, but I am pleased to have achieved this. One step closer to coming home.
Simon enjoyed his Angus burger and chips - not good for him to have often, but better than the chick pea curry that they had planned for him this evening (it was gruesome). At least I didn't have to cook this evening.
Not sure why Simon was so tired today. It could be that we had three day's home leave and that took it out of him, although yesterday we were very relaxed at home. It could be a medication thing. Hoping that he will pick up tomorrow, not good to miss physio four days in a row.
Have to dash around the rest of the week, lecturing tomorrow and Thursday, then a full day workshop on Friday. Worried about how I will cover Simon's lunchtime sessions now that Shirley has gone home. I will see if Mel and Pen can come down on Thursday or Friday.
Skippy has been worried all day. He saw Shirley's suitcases, and always associates these with being shoved in a catbox, sent half way round the world, and left starving in quarantine. When I got home he was very relieved and has spent the last half hour wrapped round my ankle while I write this blog - very warm actually, must get one for the other leg.
Simon now has his mobile phone at the hospital and may be making calls. If you hear from him, he can understand everything that you say, so tell him everything.
Love Marian x