Dad

I never thought when I started this blog to keep a record of my overseas placement in Canada that it would become the best way of keeping kind friends and family up to date with Dad and Mum. It seems a long time ago that all seemed normal in our world.

To recap, following a couple of days having difficulty swallowing a routine gastroscopy showed not the symptoms of a stress reaction but an oesophageal tumour. They were able to tell by the scope that it had been there for some time and the consultant found it hard to believe that there was no other symptoms. A referral to St Vincents Hospital was immediate and Dad was sent home to rest and "build himself up" in preparation for a hospital admission when the biopsy results were through (3-4 days). We all went home shellshocked but the message coming through was that this was going to be serious and that surgery may not be an option. A PET scan was carried out as an out patient on Friday and though the results of the biopsy are not through, we hope that both results will be available early next week so we know what the options are.

Mum, of course, has been told everything and is aware of the implications for her. She will be going into the community hospital in Rathdrum Co Wicklow for emergency respite and this is available until the end of February when we should get a better idea of how to facilitate care of both our parents in a way that reflects their love and care and concern for each other as well as their dignity.

This will be an extraordinarily difficult time for us as a family as well as so many people who care for us in the situations we find ourselves. I think we have all benefitted already by the support and care we have received from those around us.

I pray for peace and calm in the days ahead.