Thats a great view there RD! Certainly to lift the patients spirits. Its a pity that the canteen is such a long way down. You should call the nursing staff or physios, really to do anything of a lifting situation. health & safety rules, I am sorrry to mention this, at this time, but if you or any of your family occur an injury whilst doing a lifting situation, there maybe no comeback for you. Just thought I'd  mention this just in case. Apologies if this sounded offensive, at this time, but with all these stratagems that a working envoirement has in these places, if anythin g did occur, thats why I am writing this post.

The aunts who are ex-nurses (one, indeed, a ward sister) have been very conscientious about making sure that we've all be taught exactly how to lift, bbm: not just for our own safety but because of the problem with the patient's spine. Despite the fact that she'd been having pain in her back for weeks, which no physio seemed to be able to sort (and which we now know was due to the tumours pressing on her spinal column), the reason she ended up in hospital was ironically for another matter altogether. They'd recently bought a small puppy as a present for the wee lad, and one morning she was bending over to pick up a bone that the pooch had left on the floor, when she overbalanced, and in trying to right herself fell backwards, unfortunately hitting a door handle with the small of her back as she dropped.

This is what has damaged a vertebra, so there's a whole area of pain separate from the cancer: and although the accident was unfortunate, it could also be said to have had a benefit, too, since they had to scan her back to see why she was in such pain, and discovered the tumours at the same time as the spinal damage, several weeks before her next remission check-up was due. This means, in effect, that they're several weeks ahead on being aware of the tumours, and they've already been able to map and zap them with radiography. If she's well enough to start chemo (and there are issues with bloods: she doesn't seem to be producing platelets at all), then again the whole regime is going to be earlier than it would have been if she'd just put up with the back pain and waited for the scheduled scan. They're going to decide today whether they can go ahead with the chemo: it's possible that just another transfusion may be required before they can start.

As Mills has surmised, Dode and I did the lifting ourselves because there were no staff available there and then: it's a big department, and full of desperate cases: at the time we needed to do this all the staff were involved with other things (including a patient attempting to escape). Those who have met me will be aware that the 'Big Ron' epithet is fairly accurate, and Dode's around the same size, and as strong as an ox. Mrs Dode and her sister, who between them weigh less than two-thirds of the two of us, have absolutely no difficulties lifting her.

Thinking of you lots, Ron.

x Jan x

Send them all our best wishes Ron. I am sure all of us will want that. Best of luck to your friend and friends.

Hello all.
Ron, so sorry to hear about the recent traumatic events. Can't add much other than that. 
As for me, been gardening and reading recently.
Lost all ability to listen to music for a good 5 months now; It does nothing for me at the moment.
Hope you are all well.
x

Tonybob, thank you.

 At the moment she's back at home, but there's still a long way to go, nor any promise of a happy ending, though at least things are not seeming so desperately bleak right now: I get a phone call most days, and she sounds brighter in herself, though often very muddled.

Really sorry to hear that music isn't working for you at the moment: I may not be listening as much as I was, but at least I know that it will still work its magic when I need it, and I really hope you'll be able return to this position before long. Please take good care of yourself until then,

Ron

Thanks all; Yes. There's always Cricket!