Today is 3 months since Roger passed away! I think time has gone very quickly and I seem to have done quite a bit in those 3 months.

How I miss my darling. I think most of all I miss the chatting we did together. I suppose you don't really think about it, when you are together all the time. I miss Roger not being at home with me, or when I come home from work or a little holiday, he is not here to greet me and then for us to have our chats together. I feel lonely for him, but not lonely in other ways.

I think I am doing quite well. Of course I have my moments, but mostly I am happy and getting on with living. I can remember people saying to me when I was completely absorbed in caring for Roger "Be strong", "You are a strong person, you will get through this", etc. I hated it! I didn't want to be strong, I didn't feel like "getting through it", but now, I know it is my strength, and my faith in a loving Heavenly Father that is helping me to cope with each day. Plus I continue to receive such beautiful emails and cards and encouragement from my beautiful family and many friends. Taking baby steps is a good idea and this is what I have been doing. I seem to have spent quite a bit of time on the bed!! I am not sorry to have done this. I needed time to recover from the exhaustion of caring for Roger, and still there are times when I feel so tired and I can quite easily have a sleep for a couple of hours. I will go on doing this until I know the time has come for me to rise to new challenges. I am even doing this is some small ways.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, dear readers of my blog. Maybe it is time I said goodbye to this blog and just share thoughts and news on Gaynorsworld. I have not been terribly good at keeping up with all my doings, but it has been a bit of fun of late, so hopefully I will be able to post some pictures soon, especially of my beloved twin grandsons Nathan and Edward, who are not 8 months old and absolutely delightful.

FINISHING STRONG - A TRIBUTE TO ROGER

There's something BIG to be said about friends who have lived a life which was honourable, generous, full of faith and hope, admirable in word and deed, and then who suffered courageously. My friend Roger was one of those persons. He recently died of a Motor Neuron Disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

We watched this vivacious 57 year old man fight a disease which ravaged his healthy body reducing it to a skeleton of its former self. However, his spirit did not waver. He walked with a hope and fought courageously against this foe. He gave the rest of us more courage and shame (for ever complaining of our petty physical issues) as we cheered alongside him and his faithful wife Gaynor- right up to the end.

There's something BIG to be said about those who walk through the trials of life and carry on (not missing a beat). We've now lived life long enough to have seen how life's challenges derail individuals or grandly show what resilient stuff others are made of.

Finishing Strong is all about taking the "junk" of life and living through it with strength and hope beyond yourself. It's about a reliance on a heavenly strength that you knew you didn't possess. Finishing Strong is about courage and integrity. It's about picking oneself up once again (not being perfect) and getting right back on the bucking bronco. You are bolder, less beholden to the superficialities of life, more meaningful in your encounters, and more aware of how precious each day we have lived really was.

When Roger was my age, he didn't know that this train was going to hit him and that one day, when he woke up, life would never be the same. But, Roger was prepared spiritually. It was as if the whole of his former days had been spent wisely in preparation for this season. He lived life to it's fullest, he gave God credit for his joy and the big blessings in life, and he never blamed God for this disease. He knew that disease was part of the fallen world we all live in.

Roger looked towards another world. A Kingdom he couldn't fathom but trusted was there waiting for him with a whole cheering squad of others welcoming him "HOME". This faith kept him going through many a breathless, choking, weak moment. This Finishing Strong doesn't go unnoticed in the Kingdom Realm nor in this Earthly Realm.

Farewell, our Dear Roger! We know that you are dancing and singing with a new body.....

Well Done for Finishing Strong!

by Barbara James (works as an Educator in Europe)

A WALK IN THE CLOUDS WITH ROGER

KEVIN’S MEMORIES OF DEAR FRIEND ROGER RIDLEY

“G’day mate, beaut day for walking in the clouds isn’t it?”

Can’t remember when we met for our first walk down there in the Basel area yet you probably do – “another yappy bloke,” you probably said to yourself!!

What I do remember, having got to know you a little, was asking what the hell you were doing in the Schopfheim/Basel area. You very diplomatically referred to your mission of reaching out to those beyond the walls of the church. Reflecting on that response I now realise what a huge impact you and your wonderful wife Gaynor had on the greater community in which you lived. You proved a love of all people regardless of their religion, race or sexual orientation and we in turn loved you dearly for that.

“So how’s it going with the men’s modelling group that you instigated? Started one up here yet?” I recall a great deal of mirth, given an image of men strutting down a catwalk yet your modelling is real men’s stuff – boats, planes and trains – yeh!!!

Those Friday coffee mornings at Centrepoint in Basel were such fun, especially when you took charge of the “special” coffee making. There was always a big welcoming smile and hug and of course a very well made cappuccino. Those Anzac cookies of Gaynors were the icing on the cake. On the subject of food weren’t those walks in the Schopfheim area great, culminating in soup and crusty bread at your cosy welcoming home – oh, and those special cakes of Gaynors too. I trust the canteen up here is as good as the home cooks down there.

You did encourage us to attend movie nights at Centrepoint to view and discuss great Aussie TV series like Brides of Christ which really got us going – fun evenings indeed. Do you have digital TV up here? How many channels?

I know your involvement in the Basel Choir meant a chance for you to realise your passion for singing – we watched with pride as you sang your heart out one Christmas performance with “Sleigh Ride ”, my favourite, especially the crack of the whip being non other than your hand slapping your thigh – brilliant. They tell me there’s a pretty good choir up here too.

You know Roger, dinners at your home in Schopfheim were always a casual and welcoming experience with as many guests as possible huddled around the kitchen table devouring the famous Gaynor roast. I still laugh at the memory of the first time you asked us to hold hands in thanking the Lord for the meal and I made mention of the fact I had always wanted to hold your hand – we all cracked up and it took some time to restore the reverence your words required.

Remember that day when we were walking in Basel and you first complained of having no grip in your left hand – we now know it was God calling you on another mission for eternity.

Hey Roger, it’s getting pretty cloudy up here although there’s a gap in the cloud and a ray of sunshine beaming on a group down there in Perth – I reckon it’s your family and friends telling you they too want to come walk the clouds with you someday.

Hey, it’s been great walking and chatting with you mate - till next time. Tschuess. Kevin

(Kevin is our dear friend from Basel. He visited us for 2 nights back in October.
We treasure his friendship and care of us)

Apologies to my faithful blogger friends who keep checking for updates from me. At last I feel I can update you on how things are going without my beautiful Roger, who I miss very much. But as I said to a dear friend only yesterday, I miss my Roger before Motor Neurone Disease took over his (and our) lives. To see him suffering as he was, was breaking my heart and I wasn't coping at all well with this.

How blessed I was to have Tim & Amy, Jocelyn, & Glenda, Tom and little Edward & Nathan with me for an extended time. Tim & Amy flew back to Melbourne on 2 January and the others left Tuesday 10 January. Life was busy whilst they were here and it was a good distraction for me. We did some lovely things together and made the most of the time. After Irene and I took them to the Airport I came home and booked my fare to Melbourne for 11 days, leaving 25 February. Tim turns 34 on 23 February and Glenda 30 on 7 March. So we will be doing some partying!!

I had no idea how much work is involved when someone close to you dies. It seems to be endless and sometimes I don't cope very well as I try to get my head around all that needs to be done. Many have given me good advice like "one day at a time", which I have listened to!

I had a wonderful 4 nights away with good friend Mary Snowball from Adelaide from 12 January. Mary drove my car to Mandurah, about 1 hour south of Perth and we were treated to a lovely place to stay partly by Bronni (Mary's sister) and partly by Mary. Mary spoilt me in every way and we swam, ate lots of seafood, drank, slept, watched a good Charles Dickens BBC series "Bleak House", prayed together, cried together and walked a little!! I didn't want it to end, which I thought was a good sign! It was difficult to spend the first night at home alone, but I am okay with that now.

I have received hundreds of emails, cards, letters and other messages. I am feeling overwhelmed by them all, but very, very touched. I hope eventually to answer each one in some way, but it will take me a few months I am sure.

Will try and post some photo's soon.

BLUE EYED SYMPHONIC SONG

Blue eyes brighter than a brilliant summer sky
Dark brown hair abundant around your head
A face that's comely you cannot deny
A voice that would recall us to our 'Daily Bread'

Roger in name and Ridley in nature
You held steady to the faith you professed
You always walked towards the future
Ready to be faithful and fully blessed

You loved people, it was plain to see
Always ready with a welcome
Food, beer or a cup of coffee
No one was ever barred from your home

Your heart burned for the gospel
You could speak it plain
On Sundays we'd find you beside the well
Drawing water for the thirsty again and again

If travel involved a trip on a train
No one was happier or easy to please
A joy in the journey you didn't have to explain
But boy were you an easy target to tease!

You captured a story not only with words
But with your tone of voice and expression you gave
Breath and life to people, flight to birds
And a lost world invariably you'd save

We were looking so forward to seeing you as Gramps
But your light burned brightly and not overlong
Still you filled passports with numerous stamps
And leave us with a symphonic song


Jocelyn Ridley
17/12/2011
In Memory of my Dad 19/5/1953 - 15/12/2011

MY DARLING ROGER

My darling husband and my very best friend and companion Roger passed into the presence of his Father in Heaven this morning 15 December 2011 at 8.30. He died peacefully at home, which was his wish. He was 58 years old and gave in to the ravages of the dreadful and debilitating Motor Neurone Disease after a very tough fight of just over 2 years. He was so brave and stoic and just didn't want to give in.

I haven't asked Stewart's permission, but I am sure he would not mind me sharing this very special poem he has written about his dear friend Rog. We met Stewart (from Cairns) in Basel, I think it was in 2007 and we became good friends with him and his gorgeous Swiss wife Katja.



My friend left this world today.
His name was Roger Ridley.
Although MND came on slowly.
It took him way too quickly.

"You must meet Rog and Gaynor".
I was told at Centrepoint morning.
Who'd have thought a short time later.
He'd officiate at my wedding.

He was my go-to guy.
For all things model and manly.
We spent hours on building, walking and talking.
And the beer went down very gladly.

He left a lasting impression.
On me and everywhere he went.
So long to my mate Rog.
Thank you for being my friend.

Stewart

Roger continues in Bethesda. They are talking about letting him come home on Monday 12 December, but will make the decision on the day. We will be prepared for whatever happens.

Just when I think it can't get any worse, it does! I have had the most horrendous week and have leant very heavily on Irene. She has been thinking for me and doing a lot of running around. I am so thankful I have her close by and thinking more clearly than I am!

We had a meeting with the Dr's Monday morning trying to figure out a plan for Roger's care. Roger was booked to have a lung function test yesterday (Wed. 7 Dec) but we cancelled it as Roger didn't want to do it and also there is no point. It was going to be very difficult to get him to the other hospital anyway, as he hasn't been out in the wheelchair since his admission to Bethesda on 5 December. He is weak and very tired all the time. Roger and I wanted him to use a VPAP machine at night to help with his breathing, but it is too late for this now.

Roger had a chest xray last Thursday and his left lung has partially collapsed. His breathing is shallow and sometimes difficult, especially when he is coughing. I think this really frightens him.

One of the upsetting things for me is that Roger wanted to do a Medical Health Directive and when we went to see our lawyer back in August he said what we needed was an Enduring Power of Guardianship. Well, let me tell you this is not correct. Now it is too late for Roger to do a Medical Health Directive as he is not always thinking rationally. So now I have to do a Enduring Power of Medical Guardianship! Please, please my dear friends make sure you all do a Medical Health Directive stating exactly what medical help you want to happen at the end of our life, otherwise you are at the mercy of the medical profession to make those decisions for you. It can be so very complicated let me tell you!

So many things to think about and I am feeling drained, flat and exhausted. Fortunately Jocelyn arrived yesterday and I had my first good sleep in a long time. It is lovely to have her here with me at this difficult time.

On a lighter note. Irene and I were spending time with Roger after the Dr's had left on Monday morning and Roger seemed to perk up. He said "So, let's have a game of scrabble"!! We looked at each other in amazement and said "Why not"!! How precious is this! "Who won", you ask? "Roger of course"! He is the scrabble King! And we DIDN'T let him win either. He put the last word on the board PERSONAL to use all his letters and get a bonus 50 points!! Irene and I might have said a few little swear words!! I was left with a Z, Q and X ! ! Needless to say I lost. But is was so special to spend this precious time with our beloved Roger.

Our beloved children Tim, Jocelyn and Glenda have been such a strength to me in these difficult days. They are so tuned in to how I am feeling and I just love them very much. I know it is so far away for them, being in Melbourne and also not being able to talk to their Dad. I've had lovely comforting phone calls from them and their wisdom and understanding is amazing. It just isn't easy at the moment for any of us.

Tom and Amy are amazing to. They are loving and supporting Glenda and Tim and, as much as they can, Roger and myself. Not easy when big decisions need to be made.

Thank you my very treasured family. I truly need you at this difficult time.

Irene took Roger and I to Bethesda on Monday morning. We took the wheelchair, cough assist machine, Roger's new light writer (which speaks phrases for him), his tins of food (mains as we call them) and of course his suitcase.

Roger was very weak and not well when he woke up Monday morning. He did not get much sleep, coughing again being a problem for him. It was a huge effort for Michael to get him ready. The hospital wanted us there at 10am. All my poor darling wanted to do was sleep.

Admitting Roger (for just one week I think) was a long drawn out affair and I am relieved Irene was with us. We had to wait for the Dr for quite a while, but it was worth it as she was just so lovely. She mentioned about Roger staying in for 2 weeks, but I don't think I want him to stay that long. It is so hard and full on when he is at home and I don't always get a lot of sleep, but I miss him so much. If I can only get good sleep a few times a week I think I will be okay.

I have to tell you that I can't handle anything to do with the 'serious body piercing' as Roger calls it!! (The tube insertion in the stomach). It need to be cleaned and turned each day and I just can't do it! I have managed to do everything else, but this all turns my stomach green. The nurses have been cleaning it up and reducing the oozing. Sorry, but this is life. This is what we deal with each and every day!!

I've been feeling very sad this week. I have been enjoying being on my own without the home invasion of carers coming in, as lovely as they all are. I haven't been motivated to do too much when there is much to do. Our little home is looking quite nice as I have pushed all the 'hospital equipment' into the spare room out of sight (apart from the huge lift hoist).

I am having to make other hard decisions, which I don't feel right about doing. Darling Tim has been helping me and it's good just to talk things over with him.

If you visit I might now greet you at the door with "You are now entering Princess Gaynor Hospital"!!

On Monday a hospital bed arrived for Roger. Dear Russell dismantled the bed in our spare room and I gave the room a thorough spring clean before the bed arrived. Roger is now settled in the room. So very sad that we can no longer sleep together. I hadn't given this a lot of thought up till now and it is just sinking in that we probably won't sleep together again. Just another little bit of grief for us both to try and bear.

With the bed came an electric hoist for moving Roger in the future. What a monster. Irene and I had training on how to use it Wednesday lunchtime. What an ordeal and how very scary. If I have to use it all the time I am going to be ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED and I thought I was that already. It is very involved as it has to be moved into place, etc, etc. It can't even be maneuvered into the bedroom because it is so big. Two people can lift it in!

Manny came on Tuesday 10am to talk about communication for Roger. He is such a darling and ever so gentle with Roger. It was such a pleasure to have him in our home. Roger now has a light writer which can speak phrases for Roger. He also has a microphone that he speaks into so that his voice volume can be improved. Manny also left a portable doorbell which I can carry with me when I am outside or in the other bedroom. Roger can touch a button to contact me. This is particularly helpful at night now that we are in separate rooms.

I have been sleeping much better, which helps me to get through each day just a little better. Roger has had 2 good nights sleep in the bed but last night his coughing started again and he didn't get much sleep at all. It is Thursday night and he has started coughing again and is most miserable. There is nothing I can do to ease his distress and it breaks my heart to see him so upset. I think the coughing is to do with the Motor Neurone Disease and not hayfever. His breathing is much more shallow and he just can't get a good cough. We will be seeing a breathing specialist again in a couple of weeks.

Roger is going into Bethesda for a week this coming Monday 28 November. He is going in for 'symptom management'. Hopefully whilst he is there they will be able to get to the bottom of his coughing and relieve it in some way. I think he might have to go on a breathing machine at night. I would prefer they do it in hospital and he brings it home from there.

We are both struggling to manage our own grief and other people's as well. It is so hard to be on this journey and neither of us have the energy to give anything to anyone else. We both find this hard as we have always freely given of our time to others in the past. Our energy levels are very low and we don't cope with too much social activity these days. I find it difficult to speak on the phone, answer emails and have people in our home. How very different are our lives now than even 6 months ago.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Please bear with us during this very difficult time.

Life continues to be a struggle for us both. Roger's cough is persistent and worrying and has made him very weak and set him back quite a bit. How it breaks my heart to see him so weak and unable to do anything at all for himself really. I am living each day by a thin edge and it is so easy to push me over the edge. Inside I cry most of the time. I am sleep deprived and exhausted.

Our beautiful son Tim visited us for 6 days recently and it was so good to spend time with him and to have his help with Roger. The time went ever so quickly but we felt very blessed to have him visit us.

We have tried to do some nice things with friends. Our friend Boyd Owen from The Ten Tenors was in Perth for a couple of nights and we went with him, Tim and Russell and Rene to The Naked Fig for brunch. We love this place!

Lovely friends Ruth and Andreas are visiting from Germany at the moment and we are enjoying spending time with them, even though we are very tired and can't cope with too much happening in one day. They are very understanding. We took them to Fremantle for fish and chips and then coffee afterwards, but I don't think the fresh air was good for Rog. We didn't have a good night's sleep.

We were so desperate on Thursday I requested emergency overnight respite and our dear carer Michael came and stayed overnight and looked after Roger. I went to bed at 9.30pm and woke up at 10.08am Friday. But I can tell you I wasn't bouncing with energy when I awoke.

I have officially left work as I just can't cope with all that needs to be done. Bit sad as I loved my job but my darling Roger is my top priority and I need all the energy I can get to look after him.

Roger is no longer walking and his speech is very hard to understand. He still loves to talk, but he is very quiet and you need to really concentrate when talking with him. There can be no background noise. Now he basically sits in his electric chair and reads or does his crossword. On Tuesday we are having a visit from Manny to talk to us about aids to help Rog communicate.

Motor Neurone Disease is unrelenting.

OUR FRIEND KEVIN

Our dear friend Kevin visited us for 2 nights on his way home to Basel. What an absolute treat it was for us both, and though Roger was quite unwell with hayfever, we were able to have good chats and we did manage to get down to one of our favourite restaurants "The Naked Fig" for Tapas late Saturday afternoon.

Thank you Kevin for being so loving and understanding of our situation and fitting in so beautifully as we struggle with all the grief that Motor Neurone Disease brings to our lives each day. You truly are a very special friend and we are so glad you were able to visit us and bring joy into our lives at this difficult time.

Kevin and Roger outside The Naked Fig looking out over the Indian Ocean and the
beautiful sunset after a very ordinary day weather wise!

HAYFEVER

My poor darling has totally been inflicted by hayfever and it is making his, and our, lives a misery. I must say it has given a whole new meaning to hayfever as Roger struggles with Motor Neurone Disease. He coughed uncontrollably for 3 days and I just didn't know who to turn to. No-one seemed to understand our situation and we were both so tired and beside ourselves with lack of sleep.

In Perth we have had such good rain that there is so much pollen around at the moment and many people are suffering as never before.

We are enjoying our new bathroom and have now got everything back in order. The house is looking good actually, especially as we have now completed the front small garden as well. We even have a picket fence that needs to be painted!

BETHESDA ROCKS ! !

Roger spent 17 days in Bethesda and he was treated with much care and dignity each day. The care and nursing was exemplary and this made Roger's stay enjoyable and gave him a feeling of being safe.

For me it meant I could get things done, that are otherwise difficult as I care for Roger, and I felt I didn't have to visit him everyday as he was being taken care of in a wonderful way.

We just want to say a big thank you to the nursing staff at Bethesda who are very special people caring for people experiencing deep sadness in their lives.

THANK YOU FROM ROGER AND GAYNOR

GO CATS

Our beloved GEELONG CATS were in the AFL (Australian Football League) Grand Final last Saturday afternoon. Paul picked Roger up from Bethesda and brought him home to watch the game - just the 3 of us (but we made enough noise for a crowd!!). We enjoyed watching a great game of footy, great food and each other's company. We all wore our Geelong tops to Church the next day! What a hoot!!

OH - I ALMOST FORGOT WE WON OF COURSE ! ! ! !

Roger sitting at his room window at Bethesda (taken by Joel on his I-phone)

Roger was taken to the Pata Negra for Tapas with Paul and Joel. As you can see, he really enjoyed himself!!

I went to visit Roger yesterday afternoon and he was looking so much better than previous weeks. He has regained strength, is walking much more confidently and is much happier in himself.

When Paul and Joel arrived around 6pm they asked why I was visiting when I should be resting!! How cute! Anyway, I left and let the boys perform their magic on my darling! I am so touched by their love and compassion towards Roger. Paul is married to lovely Colette and Joel to gorgeous Louise. They are young marrieds who go to our Church.

Bethesda

Roger went into Bethesda Palliative Care yesterday for a week. I received a phone call from them as I was in the hospital foyer asking if we were coming! Obviously they have no idea what it takes to get my beloved ready each morning. He was looking his best, I felt very tired and exhausted and I wish I could have the bed and view he has for a week! But his circumstances are just horrible, so any pleasure he can get, I don't want to deny him (coffee and chocolate mint slice for breakfast!!!).

Roger is all settled into Room 5 in a 'Room with a View" (just for Jocelyn and Glenda's benefit). He has ladies fussing all over him and I think he is going to be very happy there and maybe won't want to come home!! I will take a few photo's when next I visit Roger and post them for you to see how happy he is. He has asked me to bring the binoculars for him to use.

I did not realize the tube feeding routine would be so rigorous with feeds occurring at 6, 10, 14, 18 and 22 throughout the day. But I have been told that this will settle down. It's like feeding a baby all over again. Cherylyn our Care Adviser from MND Society has reassured me the feeding will not be as regular and I will be able to feed through a syringe eventually.

I had a good nights sleep last night. It is good to have some time for myself and I'm not doing too much at all.

I continue to work at Star Settlements / ijrproperty just down the road and I am really enjoying the work and the lovely environment. I work 24 hours/week and hope to continue for as long as possible.

Yesterday was the most awful and traumatic day for us both. We had to be at the Royal Perth Hospital by 7.30am. Our darlings Irene and George were kind enough to drive us in. I couldn't believe that once in the prep room I had to undress Roger myself and put him in a hospital robe. I then had to get him on to the bed and put the sides up. Never in all my life have I wanted to be a nurse!! What on earth am I doing.

Lots of tears for us both yesterday. I felt awful leaving Roger in the hospital but knew there was no point in me sitting around. It's such a depressing place to be, with all sorts of weird and wonderful people (including us!!).

I was surprised to get Roger's sms at 10am to say he was back in the prep room and the PEG was in! As I had a long list of things I wanted to get done whilst Roger was being looked after, I didn't get back to the hospital until around...... actually, I have no idea, but I think it was around 4.45pm!! He had not been fed, he was very hungry and extremely thirsty. I was a bit cross about the lack of nursing, but of course, hospitals are always understaffed.

I'd been told by the Dietitian that Roger would need to stay in 2 nights so that he could recover and I could learn to feed him via the tube. I didn't dare tell Rog as I knew he would be more upset. I thought I would just wait to see what today would bring.

Anyway, the long and the short of it is that we are now home (thank goodness), but we are both very, very tired and a bit sad. It has been a difficult few days. Roger is in pain from the PEG insertion (directly into his stomach) and he is quite emotional, which is understandable.

There is a highlight. Our Football Team - The Geelong Cats, won against the Perth West Coast Eagles to go into the Grand Final next Saturday. Our dear, dear friend Paul - a Geelong fan - came into the hospital to watch the game with us, and brought lots of party food and drink. It was so lovely of him. His wife Colette bought Roger a giant chocolate football (yum, yum!!).

Roger goes into Respite at Bethesda on Monday 26 September for a week. I think this is good, especially as he gets used to the PEG. It also gives me some much needed rest to cope with the coming weeks and months. Here is the link if you want to find out more about the hospital. It is in the most beautiful location and I can't wait to see it.

Bethesda Hospital www.bethesda.asn.au/

Our bathroom renovations start on Monday 3 October, so it is all systems go here in the Ridley household!!

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. WE CAN FEEL THEM.

I want to share some funny ditties with you just so you know it's not all doom and gloom around our place!!

I was helping Roger in the shower the other week (whilst in Melbourne) and I said to him, "Just hope out the shower darling"! His reply "Yeh sure, I'd like to do that, but that's a bit impossible at this stage"!!

Last night as Roger shaved around his beard (yes, he has a beard and looks gorgeous - and I'm not biased) he was trying to put his shave cream on top of the cupboard. He can no longer reach up with his right hand and there he was creeping it up alongside the cupboard to the top. I couldn't help it, I just roared with laughter and started singing the old Play School song "Open shut them". One of the lines is "creep them (your hands), creep them....." Oh well, maybe I'm the only one that will get pleasure out of this!!

We have settled into our routine again and this past week has been good for us both. We've had a quiet weekend and are trying to gain strength for the week ahead. We've had lots of laughs, some good chats together and just basked in each others company. It's been great.

We are enjoying listened to our old vinyl records which bring back lots of happy memories for us both. I'm so glad we didn't throw them all out, but kept about 40 of them.

Thanks to those who leave comments - I love them!!

It's Thursday night. We are both feeling much better and are settling back into life in Perth and our routine. There have been a few changes. Rog now has help each weekday morning to shower, dress and have breakfast - 2 hours each morning. I don't think he's very impressed by this really, but it is a huge help for me and I am feeling better for it.

We have both been getting some good nights sleep. Rog has been coming to bed earlier and this is helpful for me.

Another machine has entered the house, this time a 'cough assist' machine. Roger, with my help, goes on this machine morning and night. I think they are worried about what might still be on his lungs after his sickness in Melbourne.

I am now looking a tiles for the bathroom. I went to 5 places today!! Very tiring. Also looked at bathroom cabinets. In my spare time I had my hair cut!

I received a phone call from Bethesda Hospital today about respite for Roger. There isn't a bed available at the moment. I am sure it will work out just at the right time. More paperwork to do.

Roger is applying to get a Taxi subsidy, but this will mean another trip to the Doctor for more paperwork to be filled out.

Roger continues to work on his Dignity Therapy and the story of his life. I haven't got too involved in this but look forward to reading the finished manuscript which will be ready soon.