Posts made in October, 2007
Eulogy for my Father’s Funeral
When I was 4, Dad helped me build a huge, Meccano construction crane on the living room floor . . . In retrospect, it was probably only a foot high. But I was 4. When my nephew Ben was born, I watched Dad doing the same things he did with me as a child; playing games, working on projects, getting involved in fantasy worlds . . . and telling stories. He loved to tell stories. Seeing Dad with Ben...
Read MoreMy Father’s Death
My father is dead. He suffered and then died in pain. Less than fair to say the least. Here was a man who helped other people on a daily basis – asking for nothing in return. A real philanthropist. He died minutes after my last post. With his family. A good thing. Because he had cancer, we got to say thank you. For being a father, a friend, a brother, a lover. We got to say goodbye . ....
Read MorePain, Suffering and Indignation
I’m watching my father die – with my Mother and Dad’s brother, Ron. In a few hours, I will pick up Dad’s remaining brother (Freddy) from the airport. There used to be five brothers. Now there are just three. I arrived at the family home this afternoon to see Dad in a deep, peaceful sleep. The Silver Chain nurse is here, checking to see if the morphine drip is working...
Read MoreBedside Vigil with Ghost Story
We are experiencing the most horrible nightmare. Once the (private) hospitals and insurance companies have fleeced you and your dying loved one is finally at home, the oncologist will call – not to see how you are doing, but to try and on-sell you palliative care services in the form of hospice accommodation. Mum was also asked if Dad might like to come in for more chemotherapy. Dad...
Read MorePublic Vs. Private Health in Western Australia
Dad stayed in both a public and a private hospital here in Western Australia. Because he has health insurance, he was classified as a private patient staying in Fremantle public hospital. Private patients bring money into the poor public health system. WA’s private hospitals aren’t equipped with the facilities or expertise to do an Ivor Lewis operation, so Dad had to go to Fremantle...
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