Six Months. 44 Years.

A person in a wheelchair aims a toy axe at a colorful target on a blue stand. The person wears a patterned headscarf, purple sweater, and glasses, with their right arm extended toward the target. The target features concentric circles in blue, white, red, and yellow with a small orange dart stuck near the center. They are on a grassy lawn in front of a brick building with large windows.

Mum had her first stroke six months ago tomorrow. She’s been between John hunter Hospital and the Rankin Park Rehab Centre since.

A rectangular aquarium on a light gray cabinet in what appears to be a medical facility. The tank contains light sand, dark rocks, driftwood, and green and red artificial plants. A plaque on the hood reads: Donated to the Staff of the JOHN HUNTER ICU By the Maher Family In Loving Memory Of Daniel. To the right is a white refrigerator. A wall socket and informational poster are visible in the background.

We’re at the stage of looking for nursing home placements. First reluctantly now more urgently. Mum’s waiting on the manual wheelchair from Enable NSW that the OT scripted as she can no longer walk, and she needs hoisting into that and two people to support her for transfers and care needs. Still hoping to convince mum to get the powerchair conversion for the chair after it comes so she can putter around at her leisure.

She’s currently back over at John Hunter due to some health complications and infections and to treat an embolism. But she’s still mentally mum – her speech and cognition are all but the same as “before” as is her humour, like the rest of us fatigue and stress is taking its toll on her psychologically, but we’re all still looking forward while trying to deal with all the things that are thrown at us.

Japanese takeout meal arranged on a kitchen counter. In front features five black plastic trays containing tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi with lemon, fried chicken pieces, grilled octopus, and steamed edamame. A tall yellow Naked Life Limoncello Spritz bottle stands behind them next to a small lemon cake in packaging. A pair of wooden chopsticks and spoon lie in the foreground. Background shows a wire fruit basket with lemons and a patterned tissue box.

I turned 44 last Wednesday. I got presents and ate my little treats.

I feel like I’ve had to grow up a lot the last six months. I love it and hate it but I’m proud of how I’ve been able to step up and handle this.

But I’d like the challenges to take a break soon please?

Gas pump display showing 55.91 dollars for 30.40 litres at 183.9 cents per litre. Fuel prices listed: diesel 225.9, premium 98 206.9, premium 95 197.9, unleaded 91 ethanol 184.9, unleaded 91 183.9. Preset buttons for 5, 10, 20 litres visible. Gilbarco Veeder-Root brand. Minimum delivery 2.5 litres.

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