Go-Go dancer with Grant and Neri at Katy's Janis Joplin Tribute Concert.
I went into school to see Neri's teacher last week. It was excrutiating trying to hold myself together and put forward the information that she needed to know. Neri has become accustomed to my carrying on about my health condition, but there was still a poignancy in the air. The teacher assured me that she will be looking out for Neri and told me that the school had support people in place to assist children with significant circumstances like this.
For the past week Neri has been at camp at Hunua with her Year six schoolmates. Of course I've missed her buoyant energy and chatter around the house, but it's also freed me up to work at crossing many things off my list. The manic rushing phase has eased and I'm now feeling a lightness of spirit. I have to keep reminding myself that in a couple of weeks I won't be feeling so flash, and then I will need all of my resources to focus in on healing and keeping myself steady.
Neri returned home full of animation, enthused about her trip away. She and another friend had sung songs and joked over the microphone to about 100 children on the double-decker school bus all of the way back to school.
It's hard to know exactly how much the past two years of her mum's illness has affected her. Admittedly she has had to deal with the extra stress in the household, but is still able to express herself over the full range of emotions. I have noticed her nibbling on her nails more frequently and also needing her mum to help soothe her to sleep some nights. However she is talking through her fears and we're spending lots of time engaged in conversation and cuddles. It shows that some anxiety is there but she's planning on having her mum around for many years yet!
Today was a good day to revisit Ak Hospital and jot down directions for friends and family to find me in there. I was lucky that a good friend offered to come along with me as she had worked there several years ago and knew her way around. Ward 62 was not easy to find.
The specialist tells me that I will feel pretty good the first week, but the next two or so weeks will not be so good until the cells start to engraft. If you'd like to visit, the best thing is to text me on my mobile phone 0274722068 and check whether I'm able to receive visitors before departing. The phone will only be set to answer texts, and if I'm asleep, or not well, the phone may be switched off. Myself or my loved ones will reply when we are able.
So here it is: Auckland Hospital, Ward 62, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland. Those of you who have pluck and fortitude can try and wing it without instructions, but it does require a steady resolve.
Drive to the main entrance on Park Road. Drive past the hospital entry and follow the signs to Carpark A which takes you behind the main buiding. Follow the car ramps, taking the parking ticket as you go, onto Level 4. This the best level, or if there are no carparks, drive up to Level 5. Then you will need to take the lift or the stairs back down to Level 4. You'll see the pedestrian exit at the side. Turn right and walk to the end of the walkway. Turn left onto the pedestrian crossing and walk into Entrance A. Follow the blue dotted lines to Adult Services and keep following these lines past the zany disc paintings right into the Ak City Hospital lifts. Take a ride to Level 6, turn right to find Ward 62.Turn left at reception. Go straight and walk to the end of the corridor and then turn left and go just past the sunflowers painting. Walk through the double doors on the right. Wash hands well at the sink. Walk through another set of double doors (this really is an isolation unit) and then on the left you'll see the reception desk. Staff should be there to assist and the five units are named individually.
On your exit check for the sign - lift to Carpark A. You'll need to pay for parking at the booth situated on Level 4 back at the carpark building. Follow the exit signs out. Turn right for motorway on-ramps and be careful to check signs for the correct motorway entry.
Sorry one more rule about the Isolation Ward: they're advising visitors not to bring any used magazines or books to leave with me as they can harbour bacteria.
Neri's trip away gave Grant and I a chance to have some quality time and we dined at an Indian restaurant. He has been busy with work commitments as he is now providing for the whole family. We will venture away overnight in our campervan this Saturday and we're looking forward to some great family time together, regardless of the weather.
I've been rushed off my feet lately and not able to see all of my friends, but I'll have plenty of time in that first week at hospital from Feb 24th for visitors, just txt first. The central line will be put into my chest on the day of admisson Feb 23rd. After that I'll have all the time in the world to wander down to the cafe and have coffee and a chat there.
