Saturday

Gaynor greeted me wearing her wig when I returned from time at gym. She looked young and vibrant. I was a bit choked up.

Two very lovely girls

Early Friday

Gaynor feeling good this morning so we are off to Mark Byrne our chiro for some "work" then a small stroll in Jetty Rd Glenelg. Looking forward to the unfolding of the day.

Thursday

Gaynor feeling a bit off colour today. She is keeping a record of all that occurs to her. Two days since chemo.

Day after first chemo session

Gaynor feeling a bit tired and sore, but says she is OK. Good.

First Chemo

Just brought Gaynor home from hospital after her first chemotherapy treatment. Long and tiring. She is OK but very weary. My aunt just phoned reminding me to be strong and helpful. Oh yeah😇

Notes from today.

Went this morning and Gaynor chose a really great wig. Blonde, like her own hair, and in a style similar to her current cut. Looks really great and so hard to notice any difference.
Early afternoon admitted to Western Hospital for the implanting of port for chemotherapy tomorrow.
The seriousness"stuff" has begun.
Me? I'm slowly working with it. Tonight will be first night apart for nearly 38 years. (I think)

Support for the new adventure

Tomorrow I've got Siobhan to help me organise an afternoon tea for family and friends to offer support to Gaynor as she begins this new 'adventure' in her life. We travel with her in this breast cancer journey.

Restart

Took references to Gaynor and her breast cancer off blog because Gaynor was having a difficult time. Today she had a chance to speak with a lady who has gone through the process so we are feeling a little better.
As of now it is planned that Gaynor has port put in on Monday, over night stay in hospital and chemotherapy on Tuesday.
She is to speak to her hairdresser and has made contact re a wig.
She has booked in for a workshop at Western hospital "Looking better, feeling good" for breast cancer sufferers for mid October.
Having concluded an extra series of tests related to how things will balance with her Addison's Disease the process now, after further reflection by surgeon and oncologist, chemotherapy to 'shrink' cancer, then mastectomy. Whole process looking like being nearly 12 months.

Gaynor's favourite photo of herself and grandchildren on the occasion of her 65th. birthday

An Essay Toward Universal Revolution

Just downloaded this brief book by Drew Sumrall. Saw it commended by Tad De Lay whose comments and commendations I have always respected.
For example
" ... in an exploitative system of oppression, the poor and oppressed are not necessarily excluded outright, rather they are forced to be included in the system that exploits them. In order for exploitation to exist, what is required is the participation of many so that the powers can exploit as many as possible - the consequence of mass participation is mass exploitation, and thus income inequality - i.e. the establishment of an Establishment establishes the forsakenness of the forsaken: both outside and in.

From Ross Gittins re recent election.
Gladwell explains our attitudes towards race and gender operate on two levels. We have conscious attitudes, things we choose to believe, which we use to direct our behaviour consciously. But the test measures our unconscious attitudes, "the immediate, automatic associations that tumble out before we've even had time to think". Such unconscious attitudes affect our behaviour without us realising it.

I believe something similar operates in our unconscious attitudes towards the two main political parties. We see the Liberals - the party of the bosses - as the party best suited to run the country.

Sometimes enough of us feel sufficiently rebellious to install Labor - the party of the workers - but this leaves many of us uncomfortable and yearning for the return of the masters. And when, sooner or later, it becomes clear Labor isn't doing well, no one is terribly surprised and we rush back to the security of our pater familias.

You don't understand anything about the underlying forces of Australian politics until you understand that.