3 Too Many

“Because someone we love is in heaven …. we have a little bit of heaven in our home”

The boys and I would like to sincerely thank everyone for all the love and support we have received while we traveled this journey with Ant, and continue to receive.  The cards containing beautiful caring messages, flowers, meals and baking, visitors, all shared memories, the love and laughter that has filled our home ….. the list goes on.  Please accept our heart felt thanks.  To all the medical staff and Nurse Maude Palliative Care team we met along the way, thank you for the gentle guidance, care and support.

This very special man touch all our lives in some way, and I hope that we will continue to share our memories of Ant with each other.

Our thanks to every that has walked this journey with us.

Antony is resting at Yaldhurst Cemetery, Christchurch

“Perhaps the stars in the sky are out loved ones letting us know they are near, guiding us through the night”

Au Revoir my darling, your struggle is over

We love you, and will all miss you forever xxx

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live – Johann Wolfgang von Goeth 

Well we had a very social day in our abode today!  We had various NM ladies here, lovely to see you all!  Nutty, Billy, Steve, Carol, Rochelle, Davena, Aubrey (did I miss anyone? – sorry!) – great to see you all.  Sandra went back to her lovely family today – thank you for all your help, we have missed your humor this afternoon!

Ant has opened his eyes several times today, he continues to squeeze our hands (and doesn’t always let go!).  T0day he has been trying to talk, but is not always audible.  This evening Tony is very chesty and meds don’t seem to be helping.  He continues to be settled and comfortable at home which is all we can hope for at this stage.

Take care out there
Sue

Well there is nothing really to report from our abode, Tony continues to rest peacefully with us at home.  He is sleeping a lot now, occasionally opens his eyes and squeezes a hand when his is held.

We are fortunate to have Sandra staying and helping out for a couple of days – great to have your love, support and a yummy meals!  Thank you.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage – Loa Tzu

Well we didn’t make it to footy on Saturday despite it being a beautiful day.  Tony had a sleepy day, kids and I hung out here, enjoyed the sunshine and did gardening.  Tony has  continued to have more sleepy days, and is comfortable.  He  generally has a wakeful hour sometime in the late afternoon / v early evening.

This morning he woke for a couple of hours, his voice was clearer the longer he was awake.  He even managed to eat breakfast, first time he has eaten in a week, he has been managing to drink a small amount of liquid each day.  He still is in good humor when awake, and is restful when sleeping.

Sue

Hi All

Well first week of school holidays done, just like that!

Ant is sleeping a lot now, wakes occasionally and speaks briefly, then nods off again.  He is very chesty, comfortable and calm.

Johnston family took the boys to Orana Park on Wednesday – thanks!  They had a great time!  Anzac day was a generally quiet day with family visiting.  Friday Richard (brother in law) came over and hung out for several hours – thanks Rich, was great to have you here.  Thank you Rusty for mowing the lawns.

Hopefully Ant wakes bright eyed and bushy tailed for big boys footy tomorrow – have promised him that we will go and watch footy (Pinky’s team) in the arvo with a bottle of bourbon on the side line … tempting …. I think so!  Well, I got a thumbs up at the suggestion!!

Take care
Sue

Hi all

Well the weekend was wet – kids played footy!  Fire went all weekend, cards were played and the house was quiet, with visits from Aubrey, George, Reagan and Solly.  Great to see you all.

Ant has had pain behind his right eye for several days now, and the discomfort has obviously been huge as he has said several times that he wants to pop out his eye ball.  This pain seems to be under control now, and Ant is resting quietly in his bed in the lounge.  He has been dozing more in the last couple of days, is responsive when spoken to and pain levels are under control.  This morning and afternoon Ant  is finding it more difficult to talk.

The Johnston family arrived from Motueka, great to see you all!  Ant wakes, sits up, chats quietly, enjoys dinner  Kids play rugby, scooter – the laughter is divine!!  So nice to see the five of them all having fun.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring ….

Sue and boys

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I’ll try again tomorrow – Maryanne Radmacher

A lovely, quietly social day in our home!

Kids off to school,  goodbyes were said with Jane    great to have you visit.

Nurse Maude x 2 arrive, Nutty arrives with Morning tea, closely followed by Rochelle and Kate with donuts!  We hoist Tony into his wheelchair and he joins us at the table for coffee and a feed!  Rochelle and Kate head off, Aubrey arrives.  Great to hear laughter in the house.  I head off to pick up the boys from school, and when we get home Aaron, Nigel (Tony’s bosses) and Bernard (work mate) are here.  Stories are shared, plans are made, tales are told, stirring is done …..  Mo’s has a lot to answer for  Great to see you guys, thank you so much for your visit and the lovely flowers.

As I said, it has been a quietly social day, with lots of laughter throughout the day.

Take care
Sue

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself – Wayne Dyer

Well so far it has been a quiet week in our home.  After a relatively pain free Sunday, Tony’s pain levels have been slowly increasing again.  Tony continues to be in good spirits and has been keeping us all entertained with his good humor.

Jane arrived from Auckland on Tuesday morning!!  Great to have another pair of hands helping out

Today it is cold and wet, the fire is lit and music is gently playing.  Tony is having a sleeping day, he is calm and cosy in the lounge.

Take care out there!
Sue

A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror – Ken Keyes Jr.

Ant is doing well, cruising along

A lazy sunny Sunday!  Slow start in our home, Aubery popped in, NM came thru, Jacob headed out with a friend.  Lachlan, Tony and I took the dog for a walk up to P&P diary for ice cream!  We discovered which bits of kerbing are not wheelchair friendly as I nearly tipped Tony out a couple of times when the foot plate connected with the road!!  Pretended that we were cyclist and used the cycle lane also  Cheap entertainment all round really, and possibly a small amount of whip lash for Tony!  While walking along the street Mark and Irene stopped for a quick catch up street side, nice to see you both.

Was a relatively pain free day for Tony and was great to get out for a walk.