Julie had a game of scrabble with Larissa on Saturday where Larissa had a
positive win, and then again yesterday (Sunday) where Julie had a positive
win. I'm not sure if they will get the decider in today or not, as
Larissa needs to leave the hospital reasonably early in the afternoon to catch
her plane back to Townsville.
Julie had two firsts yesterday: she spent some time out in the secured
outdoor garden area within the hospital grounds with her nurse, Larissa and
me. Whilst there, she had her second 'first' since her accident: part of
a bottle of Diet Coke!
Julie also enjoyed yesterday a visit from Karen Sanders and from Ange
(her friend with the mother and sisters who all cook wondrous foods).
Speaking of foods, Larissa and Celeste made some delicious (I tasted it!)
celery and potato soup a couple of days ago for Julie, and yesterdary Larissa
used David Herbert's recipe from The Weekend Australian Magazine for Coconut
fish curry. Julie declared it "yummy", and so did Larissa and I
when we returned to the unit. Thank you to David Herbert AND to Larissa!
All in all it was a good day, which could have been better if Julie wasn't
from time to time needing the nurse or the physiologist to help her clear her
chest of phlegm, etc.
Early morning yesterday before going to the hospital, I visited a good
friend, Evelyn, who has been battling lung cancer for 18 months now (she has
never been a smoker). Evelyn has been a successful artist both here
and in Malaysia (where she and her family have lived and worked for many
years), painting from a young age. In 1987 she got breast cancer and
had a mastectomy, which included having a large number of nodes taken from her
right arm. Eventually Evelyn lost all feeling in this arm and was
bereft at not being able to paint. She decided she could not enjoy life
if she couldn't paint, so taught herself to paint left-handed: you would all be
surprised at the magnificence of her paintings, both from her right hand and
then her left hand. With this lung cancer, she eventually had to give the
painting away. However, the artistic nature would not let things be: she
took up 'scrap booking'. I didn't even know what it was, but had the
pleasure of seeing her three books she has done. They too, are a work of
art - I was overwhelmed with what she has created. I told her in only one
or two generations, that I was sure they would make huge money for contestants
on 'Bargain Hunt' (although I doubt family members would ever dispose of them).
The human spirit is amazing. I have seen it shining brightly in both
Julie and Evelyn.
Best regards, Val
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