Back in Perth

We arrived safely back in Perth Tuesday afternoon 6 September. We had a good flight home with Qantas and the staff went out of their way to help us. This really helped us both with the stress of flying back to Perth. As you can imagine, our emotions were rather high having to say goodbye to our beloved family and our beautiful little grandsons Nathan and Edward. Too much for us to bear really, but somehow we managed.

I was feeling most unwell and have now come down with a cold. I feel tired and cast down and I know I need some time on my own to recover my strength for the next part of this difficult Motor Neurone Disease journey that my beloved Roger is on.

Roger has lost 4 kg's in the past 3 weeks, is not eating nearly enough and I am beside myself to know how to handle the coming weeks.

Roger now needs help in getting into bed, he finds it difficult to turn in bed, he is struggling with reflux due to weak muscles and walking is now a big problem.

Our darling 'angels' Cherylyn and Karlene have helped to put in place some help for me. Someone will come each day next week to shower Roger and help with breakfast. This will give me some time for myself. Also they are going to try and get him into Respite for a few days or a week. As much as we both don't want this, if I am to be of any use in the coming hard weeks, I need this time to be able to regroup and to feel as normal as possible (a bit of an understatement with what we are going through).

I need to try and put into place help from friends that would be willing to take Roger out in the wheelchair for a couple of hours just to get him out in the fresh air and enjoying the beautiful sunshine we are having in Perth at the moment (temps between 20 and 25C during the day at the moment). Roger is quiet, so he doesn't need the constant chatting of people, but just the companionship.

We're doing it tough and I can't even bear to think about what is around the corner for us.

Again, I do have to thank you for your love and prayers for us both. We really are blessed to have an amazing family and so many wonderful, wonderful friends who love and care for us.