07/28/2020, Tuesday

Good that your dad has some time to research options, although what ever the decision, I pray, is curable in result and not too great a burden to endure. Stay strong!

Figs?! Well, yah---PRESERVES!!! Leave whole. Put in boiling liquid just to cover. Now, this liquid can be any thing from straight up water to heavy syrup (which is 1:1 water to sugar). I would recommend at least a bit of sweetness to brighten the flavor of the figs. Stevia or agave might do it. I have used a ratio of 1:1/4 water to sugar successfully. Simmer till the product is how you want it, anywhere from 10/15 minutes to a thicker reduction of syrup. Watch closely stirring the thicker you want it. I simmer for about 30 m\ pretty liquid and just ladle the figs out of the jar to use. For each pint add a tablespoon lemon juice or some ascorbic acid (per label instructions). Ladle into sterilized jars and water bath a good 10-15 minutes. If you have the freezer space, you can forget the water bath. Kansas won't grow figs---I would almost kill....

Tough decisions. Would your Dad have a reconstructed bladder or a urostomy if he had it removed? The latter is hard (not as difficult as a colostomy but still...).

Good question. It hasn't gotten that far in discussions. The neighbor's friend has the reconstructed inner bag, so no external bag. I think he's leaning toward one of the two enhanced BCG treatments, but we'll see. The length and difficulty of the radical cystectomy is not terribly appealing to him. (Wouldn't be to me either!)

It is good that your Dad and family have time to be able to research and weigh the pros and cons of his options.

Good Morning All

Up early as woke with a headache overnight - always a bummer. Taken pain relief and see what happens. Have the wood fire roaring and sipping second cup of tea.

Not a lot on today - just work and I have a Body Corporate Teleconference Meeting at noon for our Unit in Far North Queensland. Then after work I will go and do my Mums groceries and drop them to her. I made a Creamy Pumpkin, Cauli & Chicken Bake last night as cream needed to be used - so easy dinner tonight. Just a reheat - perfect.

No weight - avoiding......

Happy to report we saw a drop in numbers to 384 yesterday but another 6 deaths. They are bringing in more of our armed forces to help clear out the nursing homes - moving many to hospitals. The state of them just breaks my heart. All non essential elective surgery has been cancelled in order to free up the qualified nursing staff - they will be directed to the nursing homes to care for the elderly patients there. Hoping we start to see a positive knock on effect from the enforced wearing of masks over the coming few days.

Dropped off 10 or so meals to the autistic guy I try and look after. He isnt in a good way mentally and broke down in tears numerous times while I stood and chatted to him. He was going to have a homecooked meal for his dinner last night and I have offered to go and get his cat food etc etc when he needs it. He asked if I would make meals for him full time and although I really wish I could commit to that ongoing - I feel I have enough on my plate between my mum and our family already. I said I would do what I could for him re meals but cant commit to every week. Felt really bad but need to be realistic as to what I can fit into a day ongoing.....

Diane O - Good to hear you are healing slowly and able to take the canoe out. I find the water peaceful and calming x

Liz - Love reading your updates so much. Trust your gut x

Peps - Have a wonderful week and good luck flying x

DD- Thats the best news x So incrediably happy to read that. No Chemo :) I hope the radiation goes quickly and you are back to 100% in no time. What a lovely birthday gift x

Cec - Sorry to read your Dads options. Im glad he has time to discuss with many ppl before having to make a choice. I think that will help a little. Re the Figs - we eat them whole - DH literally inhales them. I have also dried them for him when we have had too many. They are also delicious wrapped in bacon and cooked in the oven. Or served fresh sliced on a cheese platter. I have made jam from them too but not much of a jam girl so tends to sit in the fridge a bit

Well I had best keep on working - quotes on the docket this morning - best earn my keep as they say

Love to you all

S

Does the autistic fellow have the means to have pre-prepared meals delivered on a regular basis? If so, that might be a good option for him. Alternatively, does Australia has anything like "meals on wheels"? In the US it is a program for disabled and elderly people who have limited funds where a solid hot meal is delivered every day. My DH used to deliver them when he first retired and could drive.

We do have meals on wheels services - but Im not sure he would qualify? He orders in Lite and Easy meals - hes very rigid in what he gets - always the same but I think misses his mums cooking etc. Hes always loved the meals I have sent around. I feel bad but I dont feel I can commit to 7 days of meals weekly when he does have other options. Thinking maybe once this is over I may offer to start to teach him how to make a few basic meals. He may or may not be open to that but its worth a try

Such a good heart you have. Of course he doesn't comprehend the difficulty of you making those meals and maybe doesn't even know how to thank you but obviously it means a lot to him.

Hes lost a lot in his life - Both Parents within 3 years of each other and he has nothing to do with his brothers sadly. Long story....

He tends to stress when I have things like my knee surgery in case something happens to me as I tend to be his stability. Both my best friend and I are his support when he needs it. He was asking if Im high risk to catch COVID yesterday - I assured him Im very careful and being younger and healthy, I wouldnt be. Dont need him anymore uptight than he already is. My eldest son has Aspergers as well but is at the opposite end of the spectrum to him. Very high functioning. It makes me wish that my friends son had been able to access the early intervention that we had with my son - how much of a difference it could have likely made to his day to day quality etc.

Yes early intervention can make such a difference. A friend's son with Aspergers just received his law degree.