Cancer – a little poem based on their adventures
Hospital Blues
Brendan stayed in the Hospital that night. It’s hard to leave Matilda there. For a few days the baby had been screaming in pain. It is not bloody fair. Kirstie finally left the hospital worn out, drained of energy and feeling low. Then a quick shop at the supermarket, with a tired young Liesa in tow.
She felt out of place in the check-out queue, this day it wasn’t her scene. Out of the blue the student at the register asked “How’s your day been?” Thinking “ How’s my day? My week? We have had two Months of Hell !” How can you explain it to anyone? It is just too much, too horrible to tell.
This wasn’t a plastic greeting. This young bloke had empathy in his eyes. She stifled her emotion. Imagine a scene “Woman breaks down & cries!” “Daughter in hospital with Leukaemia.” To say more would be imprudent. His understanding smile suggested that he might be a medical student.
Driving back and forth from the Village to the Hospital. It’s time to reflect. They have been through the mill. What other horrors can they expect ? Diagnosis, blood transfusion then an overnight flight to Brisbane in haste. Banksia ward, blood tests, insert Port and begin treatment at R.C.H.
Six months “Protocol” set. So patients and family settle into the routine. In reality there’s infections, fevers, rashes and everything antiseptic clean. The original prognosis of chemo for six months now seems like a dream. 8 months or more now. One night is too long with painful screams.
Diarrhoea erupts and Brendan covered in runny poo, changing a nappy. Cleaned up the kid & surrounds. Went to shower & change .Not happy! Later the poor kid was sick all over. Kirstie repeated the cleaning task. Both parents splattered with baby’s Toxic waste. “What next?” We ask. Poison is pumped into the kids. Nurses are dressed like plastic druids. Heavy gowns, rubber gloves & masks to protect them from the toxic fluids
What chance of the kid surviving infection each day with low Neutrophils. Added to complications from anti-fungals, Chemo, and antibiotic pills
Scabs on her face and sores in her mouth. It’s a while since she ate. So they insert a nasal gastric tube to renourish and rehydrate.
All you can do is cuddle, console, care for the kid and seek some relief. While the Vincristine brings on jaw pain and incessant grinding of teeth.
Normally friendly, the kid won’t go to anyone else while she is sick & sad. She doesn’t go to anyone, not even Nanna. She Clings to mum or dad.
Walking around the room trying to stop the crying.The nurses can’t help. No one knows where or why she’s hurting. She says “Owwie” with a yelp.
Waiting for her to settle into a little sleep. So you can slip away for a pee. Just a five minute break would be just heaven ….time for a cup of tea
Forget the house being built in Cairns and no work for most of the year. Liesa enrolled with St Francis in Cairns. Now at Robertson down here.
Neutrophils down, next chemo postponed. The sentence is prolonged. But there are small joys as the kid resumes smiling & singing her song
The family usually sing together and use music to cope & stay strong. Between treatments Tildy is now well and smiling and singing songs.
Nurses, “Cuddle Carers” & Social Workers give their care & assistance. And family, friends and strangers and cousins help from a distance.
Music therapist and physios, “Super Heros” & “clown doctors” drop in. Another bloody Teddy Bear. But Tildy’s eyes light up with a big grin.
Liesa attends the Wonder Factory and entertains the kids and volunteers with a song and a dance routine to cheer them up with laughter and tears.
So this rollercoaster ride is crazy and it is best not to make a scene.
When some poor person, innocently asks, “How’s your day been?”
Brian Byrne
February 2013
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