PETER KRANZ
YESTERDAY Rose had her last chemo treatment (touching wood and scratching the backstays). Next week we see the specialist for the prognosis. We are confident, although doctors are remarkably reluctant to tell you the bad as well as the good news.
Going to the chemo treatment centre these last six months has been a rewarding experience. There are many people in a far worse condition than Rose. She has merely lost her hair and felt sick.
Although, to be candid, there were a few touch-and-go moments due to Rose’s adverse reaction to Dexemethosone which saw her leap out of our moving car shouting that she would get the bus home 'cos I was trying to kill her. (I had inadvertently failed to park in the space she favoured.)
Two hours later she came home subdued and dishevelled, after I had dissuaded the doctor from calling for a police search.
At the day centre there are 'baldy bonce' competitions, little parties for those leaving, sad reminiscences for those who have not made it and many hospital jokes with the ever-wonderful nurses. (Nurse! Get me a pair of fallopian tubes!)
It brings out the best in humanity from those experiencing the worst that nature can deliver.
A surprising number of the doctors and nurses have had experience in PNG. Rose's chemo nurse spent a hiking holiday in Banz and her specialist did time at Angau Memorial in Lae. So Rose has received much sympathy and support, particularly when they recognise our bilums. Some even know a few phrases of Tok Pisin.
It saddens us to think of what is happening in PNG. Rose said to me last night, "If I hadn't met you I would be dead now".
I have also had my bad moments. On Monday I threw a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses out of our house when they started talking about the evil of blood transfusions. (In her generosity, Rose had invited them in).
Two transfusions had recently saved Rose, so damn them. But they are but a passing squall.
After the final chemo session, we braved the torrential rain and went shopping at Waratah Village mall where Rose usually splurges $10 on a lottery ticket.
But I said, "Why don't you have a look in there first?" pointing to the local Lifeline shop. She did and asked them if they had any jewellery. They replied, "Well this watch just came in, but it isn't working." She liked it and bought it for $5.
I squinted at the back of the watch and could just make out the letters ‘OSC’. When we got home I retrieved my trusty Holmes magnifying glass, undid the strap and saw inscribed ‘Oscar de la Renta.’
"We have to get this looked at," I said.
I duly took it to our local watch repairer-cum-jeweller. His verdict: "This is a treasure. It’s a genuine Oscar de la Renta fashion watch, real gold, and worth well over $1,000."
Rose now has a belated Christmas present.
So to a new year and new hope. God bless.