Over the last 4 days or so and even possibly a little longer, Helen has been not herself. Gradually slower in movement and thought, more frequently and more profoundly confused and increasingly drowsy. Also has irritating conjunctivitis.
On Saturday night when I was still here on my own and on a bit of a peak of anxiety and distress following on the week just gone, I suddenly had a panic and called the after hours nurses back in to help me decide what to do. They thought (as is likely really) that maybe it is a urinary tract infection so on Sunday we sent off a sample and yesterday she started an empirical antibiotic plus some drops for her eyes. No improvement at all so far so we'll see how she goes.
A more sinister possibility would be something happening inside her brain such as reactivated metastases or new metastases but the palliative care team are aware of the situation and of her and will follow this up if she doesn't get better with the antibiotics. This is all unfortunate timing as my friend Natalya has just arrived from Melbourne (Sun night - having been delayed by the cyclone last Wednesday) to start learning how to look after Helen so I can go away for a break. Helen's current state means natalya hasn't got a very reliable baseline to start with in terms of how Helen is "normally" which certainly makes it more challenging. She has got phone numbers for some friends and family who know Helen better and can offer some comment - so don't be too surprised if you get a call.
Unless she really deteriorates I still plan to go away but not quite sure when (or where) - possibly Wednesday morning. Louis should arrive when Natalya leaves on the 28th to take over again so I don't have to come straight back and from the 2nd March we have planned for a private carer called Jo to start caring for Helen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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